AU series 1: TS50 specifications.

INDEX:

A brief summary. Conclusion. What you got over a TE50. Full Specification listing.

Summary:

If you thought the AU1 TE50 was rare at only 104 units made - wait until you've seen the AU1 TS50 totals - with barely 54 cars produced!  To put that into perspective, compare it to EL GT numbers (272) and the EB GT (265) - and you'll start to see just how rare this car really is!  And considering how closely the TS50 follows (and exceeds) both cars in specifications and performance - it is GT in everything except name.  Which is a pity really - as the letters 'GT' would have meant so much more to an Australian public that remained very much un-aware as to what TS50 stood for.

Created as the very optimum in Falcon performance and luxury (as far as the AU series 1 was concerned anyway), the TS50 took it's underpinnings from the extremely well equipped Fairmont Ghia.  In addition to the features included in the TE50, the TS50 comes equipped with the Ghia's door trim highlights (wood grain in the Ghia - "Urban Geometric" in the TS50) & full leather interior standard in a choice of colours.  Comfort wise the Ghia's driver's seat was also included with it's full electric adjustment.

Unique features to the TS50 included the high performance 220kw 'Synergy 5000' V8 (with alloy heads), 18" Speedline wheels (first time this size was fitted to a Falcon) and Koni sports suspension in addition to the TE50's premium Tickford brakes.  The seats were each embossed with Tickford logos giving the interior that extra sporting feel.  Exterior wise the front bumper came with a unique to TS50 egg crate-style lower grill and driving lights replacing the brake air ducts of the TE50.  "TS50" on the boot lid distinguished the rear from the lower priced TE50.

That the TS50 didn't sell in the numbers predicted by Ford was entirely expectable - despite hand built quality and the superior chassis on which the TS50 was built.  If the letters 'TS50' just didn't quite do it for you then you weren't alone.  With colour choices and the spoiler / side skirt packages so totally against the public's perception of this sort of vehicle - along with the lack of a manual transmission - it is little wonder that the TS50 lacked the emotional appeal that it could have had.  And despite Tickford's insistence that the people needed handling more than they needed outright power - for most, having 220kw against the Commodore's significantly higher 250kw (and a possible 300) just didn't compute.

Conclusion:
Back to TS50 index.
If you're after pure driving dynamics in a HSV style vehicle then this is the car to have.  With rarity on your side, big brakes, a stronger Tickford pedigree and the Fairmont's Ghia's climate control and other creature comforts - the TS50 makes for an extremely attractive proposition on the second hand market.  If understated looks and GT dynamics are your go then you had better start searching now - your one in 54 chance is out there - somewhere!

* Since the writing of this page www.trueblueford.com at least one TS50 has been written of so you had better hurry - with only 53 left your slice of history is disappearing fast!

INDEX:

What you got (over the TE50):
Back to TS50 index.

• 5.0L Extra High Output OHV V8 named "Synergy 5000" - essentially a 5.0 litre Windsor warmed over by Tickford.
• 220 kW @ 5,250 rpm.
• 435 Nm @ 4,000 rpm.
• SVO Y303 aluminium heads with larger valves and ports.
• 70mm throttle body.
• Match ported inlet manifolds (two piece).
• Unique Tickford (TS50) camshaft profile.
• Oil cooler.
• Higher fuel pressure.
• Recalibrated EECV for TS50 (engine management computer).
• Manual gearbox not available (doh!)
• Unique 18" x 8.0" 7-spoke Speedline wide alloy wheels.
• Unique TS50 front bumper including fog lights and egg-crate grill in the lower air inlet.
• TS50 badging on boot lid.
• TS50 specific suspension settings with Koni shock absorbers.
• Fairmont Ghia driver's seat with 6 way electric adjustments.
• Colours limited to Silhouette, Liquid Silver and Sparkling Burgundy.
• New purchase price - $75,000 - most expensive Falcon so far (pre-GST introduction).
• Front Ride Height: 360 mm (verses the TE50's 367mm).
• Rear Ride Height: 370 mm (verses the TE50's 377mm).
• Front armrest door bins ala LTD.

Full Specification listing:
Back to TS50 index.

Engine:

• 5.0L Extra High Output OHV V8 named "Synergy 5000" - essentially a 5.0 litre Windsor warmed over by Tickford.
• 220 kW @ 5,250 rpm.
• 435 Nm @ 4,000 rpm.
• Plaque on engine signed by the person who rebuilt the engine to Tickford specs.
• Bore: 101.6 mm
• Stroke: 76.2 mm
• Capacity: 4942 cc
• Comp Ratio: 9.0:1
• Unique TS50 Tickford camshaft profile.
• Roller rockers.
• Ceramic coated extractors and twin exhaust
• Platinum spark plugs and recalibrated EECV to TS50 specs.
• Pushrod design valve actuation.
• SVO Y303 aluminium heads.
• 70mm throttle body.
• Oil cooler.
• Match ported inlet manifolds (two piece).
• Higher fuel pressure.
• Sequential fuel injection.
• Serpentine accessory drive belt.
• Pressed steel rocker covers and sump.
• Premium unleaded petrol required.

Gearbox Choices:
Back to TS50 index.

• Manual option not available in AU series 1 TS50.
• Automatic only: BTR Electronic 4 Speed with Adaptive Shift Strategy and ESS sequential shift buttons on steering wheel.  Strengthened internals with revised valving.


Differential:
Back to TS50 index.

• 3.45:1 ratio.
• Limited Slip centre.


Other grip aiding devices:

• Switchable traction control.


Suspension:
Front:
• Unique TS50 settings on Independent double wishbone with 62 N/mm coil spring, gas dampers, 27.5mm anti-roll bar, camber/castor kit and unique wheel alignment for much better handling and rigidity than Commodore’s Macpherson strut.
• Forged steel upper and lower wishbones for greater strength.
• Forged steel spindles for reliability.
• Machined aluminium cross member.
• Front Ride Height: 360 mm.
• Lower control arm features combined 3 point anchorage for greater stability and steering responsiveness.
• Machined aluminium cross member.
• Ball-joints relocated for greater steering responsiveness vs EL.

Rear:

• Unique TS50 settings, Multi-link Independent Rear Suspension with 50-70 N/mm variable rate coil springs, Koni gas dampers, 20mm anti-roll bar.
• Much better wheel control than Commodore, but with the extra weight slowing things down significantly in the T-series.
• Ride Height: 370 mm.


Brakes:
Back to TS50 index.

• Unique Master cylinder with 1" bore and revised crack point for improved front/rear balance.

Front:
• Ventilated and grooved disc with curved cooling vanes, 329 x 28mm.
• Mustang Cobra twin-piston calliper with larger standard-compound pads.
• Braided hoses and new spindle, plus ABS.

Rear:
• Solid grooved disc, 287 x 10.6mm.
• Braided hoses, standard pads plus ABS.
• Special dedicated rear internal drum brakes (inside disc brake hubs) for exceptional hand brake performance and increased reliability.
• Easy to use centre mounted hand brake lever.

Safety:
Back to TS50 index.


• Retractable lap-sash seat belts in all positions.
• Height adjustable upper anchorage point for the front seat belts.
• Passenger and driver’s airbag as standard equipment.
• Childproof rear door locks.
• Built in child seat anchorage points.
• Steering wheel adjustable for both reach and height.
• Rear window demister.
• ABS braking standard.
• Dual note horns.

Security:
Back to TS50 index.

• Car Alarm standard.
• Tibbe locks in driver’s door and ignition.
• Smartlock system makes hotwiring difficult via electronic engine immobilisation.
• Post 'AU Update' vehicles include a special key with internal transponder as well as better ignition lock shielding.  This can be identified by a fatter key pad as well as a recessed ignition lock / fatter 'eyebrow' above the lock itself.
• Central locking standard.
• Lock button on driver's door only allowing less entry points for the potential thief.
• ‘Smartlock’ remote keyless door and boot entry system.
• Electronic engine immobilization.
• Interior light comes on with remote unlocking.
• Lockable glove box.

Steering:
Back to TS50 index.

• Variable ratio power-assisted Rack & Pinion.
• Turning circle 10.9 metres.
• This steering has a incredibly accurate feel to it and only gets better as you progress to the performance Falcons - unlike the VT Commodore’s vague and unresponsive steering.


Wheels / Tyres:
Back to TS50 index.

• 18" x 8.0" 7 spoke 'Speedline' alloy wheels.
• Dunlop SP Sport 9000 245/40 ZR18 tyres.


Exterior:
Back to TS50 index.

• Bake hardened steel for better resistance to those frustrating car park dings.
• Unique TS50 front bumper including fog lights and a 'egg crate' lower air intake grill.
• Chrome mesh in the upper front grill only.
• Body coloured side protection strips.
• Unique T-series side skirts.
• Unique T-series rear bumper including wire mesh fill - in.
• TS50 badging on boot lid.
• T-series emblem on bonnet.
• Body-coloured headlight surrounds.
• Fairmont bonnet and T-series body coloured grill header.
• T-series low line boot lip spoiler.


Colours:

• Paint colours limited to: Silhouette (black), Liquid Silver, Sparkling Burgundy.

Sound System:
Back to TS50 index.

• (ala Fairmont Ghia) Premium 250 watt sound system with 11 speaker elements, separate amplifier, computer controlled tuner, road speed dependant volume control.
• Boot mounted 6-disc cartridge CD player standard.
• Mobile phone platform, wiring and antenna built-in.
• Steering wheel mounted volume and seek functions (a feature also shared with the Forte).
• One hour keyless play function (i.e. without the need to have the ignition on).
• Power antenna with half height function switch.

Interior:
Back to TS50 index.

• Momo 4 spoke grey & black leather steering wheel std.
• Unique TS50 seats trimmed in Aubergine or Charcoal leather, flowing through to the matching door trims.
• Leather wrapped T-bar handle.
• Message display centre with ambient temperature display, climate controls, trip computer and over speed warning.
• Blue numbers and segments on white backgrounds with orange lit needles on instruments.
• Dash gauges include: 240km/h speedometer with Tickford logos, tachometer, oil pressure, battery voltage, odometer, trip meter, service due indicator, door adjar car outline & ESS gear indicator on auto equipped vehicles.
• Front and rear power windows.
• Automatic climate control (ala Fairmont Ghia).
• Remote illuminated entry & exit systems (courtesy lights on door trims).
• Embroidered 'T-series' floor and boot mats.
• "T" badging on each door trim.
• "Urban Geometric" dash inserts (where wood grain was in the Fairmont).
• "Raindrop" door trim inserts in "Urban Geometric" pattern (same as dash inserts).
• Premium NVH package.
• Front armrest door bins.


Other Options:

• Sunroof - $1995 new.


Dimensions:
Back to TS50 index.


Exterior (mm)      Front track      Rear track      Front overhang      Rear overhang Interior (mm)      Front headroom      Front legroom      Front Shoulder Room      Front hip room      Rear headroom      Rear legroom      Rear shoulder room General      Kerb weight (kg) **      Luggage capacity (L)      Minimum turning circle (m)      - diameter, kerb to kerb. Fuel Tank Capacity      Petrol (litres)

Sedan 1566 1547 918 1197 991 1081 1523 1482 978 986 1517 1664 512 10.9 Sedan 68

*Optional Ford Sunroof reduces available headroom by approximately 40mm when fitted.
**Approximate kerb weight for a TE50 fitted with 5.0 litre Synergy, V8 OHV engine and 4 speed automatic transmission.

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Info By Doug Bevan, site by Anthony Robinson.
Copyright © 2000 by Doug & Any . All rights reserved.
Revised: 19 Nov 2002 .