Beschreibung
Australian 2002 build Ford Falcon AU Series 111 XLS ute . Sold new in the UK by AC cars as a Verte Tempest.
Factory 4. 0 dedicated LPG . NO petrol . The ute was unused for several years with an immobiliser fault. I bought it a year or so ago and fixed the issue. I then proceeded to recommission the ute and went through it as I planned to keep it. I fitted new brakes (including four recon calipers) Replaced brake hoses and some pipes. All new engine hoses, coolant reservoir, radiator, A/ C condenser, leads, misc LPG solenoids and valves / filters etc. All fluids and filters were replaced as well as a new battery. The ute is MOT'd until March 20 2020 and passed with no advisories.
The ute is clean, bright and tidy with a few age related blemishes around it , but nothing ugly. The interior is tidy , apart from the drivers seat , which has suffered at the hands of somebody even fatter than me. It's comfortable though, and as I have a cover over it, not too big an issue. The ute has electric windows, mirrors, locks, cruise, A/ C and factory CD player.
The rear tray is approximately 6'4"long x 5" wide. It has a plastic tray liner and a tidy water proof canvas bed cover. The ute has never had a tow bar, but one could easily be fitted.
The ute runs really well and drives just like a big car. It's taut and smooth on the road with no rattles or bangs, as you would expect with such low mileage. The drive train is the 4. 0 Intech OHC 6 cylinder motor making ca 200 BHP and a BTR 4 speed over drive auto. Four wheel discs with ABS. The front suspension is wishbone and the rear leaf springs . Steering is power rack and pinion. The ute has a limited slip differential.
In the short period I had it on the road, it was a pleasure to drive, a useful head turner that returns the cost equivalent of 30 mpg , which is pretty impressive . IIRC, gas capacity is ca 115 litres and the tank is under the tray. It currently has nearly a full tank of LPG !!!
Alas, it has developed a problem , in that there is an engine noise. I replaced the hydraulic tappets a couple of months ago and now I can here another noise which , in my opinion is a big end rattle. The car is on the button and drives fine and the oil light does not come on, but I would not recommend driving far until this is investigated.
I have recently bought a Holden VE ute and with work pressures, I am not going to get a chance to look at the Falcon any time soon , so time to sell it rather than hiding it in a shed for a few years ! I have sourced a good drivers seat and a quiet engine from another really low mileage UK Verte ute that has been frost damaged. With a few gaskets , one good engine could be made from the two. I can pass on the sellers details to the buyer of my ute if they wish. Parts are readily available from Australian ebay cheaply, so not an issue. The ute is based just west of London by the M25 JN 16 where it crosses the M40. Peter
