Mystery, barnfind XA Ford Falcon wagon turns up in India

Recently a Reddit user based in Pune, India (south-east of Mumbai) posted the following car to the sub-reddit (forum) Cartalk wanting to know what it was.

Other Reddit users soon correctly identified it as an 1972 or '73 Australian XA Ford Falcon 500 wagon. The only remaining question is how did it get there?

The XA Falcon was an Australian designed and manufactured vehicle built between 1972 and 1973. It was the first iteration of the 3rd generation Falcon and represents the first model completely departing in design from its American cousin, which by the 70s had ceased production.

As far as I can tell with my research the XA Falcon was only exported to New Zealand and South Africa (where it was badged as the Ford Ranchero).

So, what is a lonely Australian car doing in Pune? Some users suggested that it had been an insurance write-off shipped off to India to be repaired or scrapped. Others suggested it might have been an early attempt by Ford Australia to enter the Indian market. Pune is the capital of India's automotive industry, lending credence to the latter suggestion.

If you peer into the background of the photos you can also see what appears to be a Willys Jeep wagon and a Hindustan Ambassador. Perhaps it's part of the folly of a want-to-be classic car collector?

Either way I would love to know the story behind this car. Please leave a comment if you have more information about this Falcon.