Ford Falcon 1968 News

So far, in fact, that the traditional Holden versus Ford tribal war doesn't mean much to Irish butcher Paul Lawless, born in Tiperrary, even though he has lived in Australia for more than 30 years."I don't have a preference for Holden or Ford," says the 2002 Australian sausage champion who runs a butchery in Annerley, south Brisbane, and now owns two pristine examples of '60s Australian automobilia. His 1961 EK Holden and 1966 XP Falcon ute look like they have just rolled off the factory floor."I've been interested in Australian cars since the 1960s when I first arrived in Sydney," he says in his strong Irish accent. "I used to go to the auctions and I bought and sold a lot of cars, mainly Holdens and Fords because I grew up with the culture."There's not really a lot of money to be made (buying and selling at auctions); we just wanted to have different cars all the time." He says he onced owned a 1968 Monaro he bought for $1350. "I only had it for 12 months and sold it for $1500. I wished I'd kept it. In the '60s I went more for Holdens and in the 1970s I veered off into Fords and then I followed Dick Johnson, so I was into Fords. "At Bathurst time my allegiance all depends on what car I have at the time."So come that special Sunday in October this year and he will be in a real quandry as he now owns one of each, although the odds are in favour of Holden as his third car is a 1972 Kingswood he bought six years ago for $2500.Lawless says that despite his past buying and selling habits, he would never sell his XP or EK. "I can't see the point," he says. "I just want to keep them and hand them on to my sons."He bought the XP ute recently for $10,000. Lawless says it had a "clean body" with the rust cut out and had 43,000 miles (69,201km) on the odometer. The only modifications he has done is to reupholster the seats, install a new tonneau cover and replace the steering wheel with a "pearl" model. "That was fairly popular in the 1960s," he says. He has also had the original AM radio restored by John Carr of Yass."I bought hubcaps on the internet from America for $450. They are the only non-original part. Everything else is completely original," he says. It's his daily driver, while the EK only comes out for Sunday drives and car shows."I bought it about 12 months ago for $5000 from a woman who only used it to drive to the shops," he says. "No one has sat in the back since the 1960s. It's absolutely lovely. It is completely original. It was just always kept under cover. You will never get another car like that." He turns over the 170 cubic inch six-cylinder and it purrs into life. "Listen to that. You wouldn't even know it was running," he says.An EK cost 2500 in 1962 and for an extra 180 you could get a Diamond Dot radio which this one has. "That's the only thing I've had to fix on this one," he says.

All 1500 cars were eagerly snapped up buy eager buyers.  Now it is hoping to repeat that success with a Series II Limited Edition G6.  The 2010 G6 LE is identical in specification to last year's model but gets prestige paint at no extra cost. The LE is $36,990 drive-away, $500 more than the previous LE.  Buyers get almost $4000 of additional equipment at no extra cost.  Ford Australia vice president marketing, sales and service, Beth Donovan, says the overwhelming success of last year's LE prompted its return. "The 2010 G6 LE offers customers almost $13,000 of net retail value compared to the regular G6, so we expect demand will continue to be strong," she says.  Rather than increase the build numbers, Ford is sticking with another 1500 LEs. Based on the popular G6, the LE version gets a host of additional features, including special exterior finishes and luxury interior.  There are 18-inch G Series alloys, special colour accents on the grille, fog light bezels and rear bumper insert, as well as "Limited Edition" badging. Inside standard equipment includes side curtain airbags, leather-detailed seat trim, leather-wrapped sports steering wheel with satin alloy audio and cruise control buttons, iPod integration and Bluetooth integration.  The LE is also available with a dedicated E-Gas LPG engine and four-speed automatic. E-Gas models get 17-inch alloys to differentiate it from the petrol model.  The dedicated LPG E-Gas version is an extra $2000, while a $2000 government grant from the LPG Vehicle Scheme is available to eligible customers.  The return of the LE marks a continuing attempt by Ford to lift its appeal. The performance XR sedans still overshadows the G Series cars.  Of all Falcons sold, more than 43 per cent are XR cars. Dealers are currently selling 2009 XR6 stock for $36,490 driveaway.

But this one is not just any old engine. It is the all-new 5-litre Coyote V8 that will soon be slotted into the Ford Falcon XR and, once a supercharger is bolted to the top, become the hero engine at Ford Performance Vehicles. In its most basic form it pumps out 307 kiloWatts of power and 529 Newton-metres of power, well up on the current Falcon V8 and even better than Holden's 6.2- litre Chevrolet V8. The Coyote is seen for the first time in Detroit as part of the unveiling of the latest Ford Mustang, and is a radical remake of the V8 blueprint with lightweight, all-alloy construction and twin- overhead camshafts.  "We will be taking an engine from the Coyote family," admits Ford Australia's spokesperson, Sinead McAlary, in Detroit. But that's as far as it goes. No-one is saying yet if the Coyote will be in the XR8, or used by FPV, or subject to a supercharged upgrade.  Even the American engineer in charge of the Coyote program is sworn to secrecy in Detroit.  "I keep getting asked all these questions but I honestly cannot say anything. My boss would kill me," he tells Carsguide. Ford Australia is moving rapidly towards a Coyote future as it also prepares for a four-cylinder Falcon, as well as an LPG upgrade and a diesel powerplant for the Territory.  Even its gearbox strategy is set for an overhaul, with the old- fashioned four-speed used in lower-grade Falcons and the LPG model heading for the scrapheap in favour of a six-speed self-shifter. The reasons for the changes _ and an investment of $230 million to keep the Falcon current through to its current replacement date in 2015 _ hinge around changing consumer tastes and new emission regulations.  Ford is well aware that it needs to make the Falcon more fuel efficient, which is why it has a local program tied into the goals of the Ecoboost operation. But it also needs to keep the car attractive to muscle-car shoppers. The big problem is that Ford's current 5.4-litre V8 cannot meet the next generation of emission-control regulations that come into effect later this year for new cars. The Euro 4 standards are much tougher and are compulsory for any vehicle sold in Australia from the start of 2011. So Ford is forced to find a new powerplant and Coyote is the key, with an easy entry to the world of Euro 4 together with better performance and economy.  There are rumours that Ford will keep the Coyote just for FPV and can the XR8, but Ford's president Marin Burela is not convinced. "The XR8 has worked, and worked well, for us," Burela says, without giving anything away.  "We're still doing the research. We have to find out what people want from us."

But Ford is hoping its new G6 Limited Edition sedan will add some spice into the established G Series line-up. With XR models making up 43 per cent of Falcon sales and the rest high-end G-Series cars, the entry $42,490 G6 has largely been something of an orphan in the Falcon line-up. Ford Australia president, Marin Burela, wants to change that. "The G6 has not been known as well as we would like in that mid-$30,000 segment," he says. For that reason the G6 Limited Edition will kick off at $36,490 drive-away, pitching right into the mid-size and large car segments, but more importantly aimed at Holden's refreshed Commodore line-up. A G6 LE dedicated LPG version will cost $2000 extra. "We are comfortable that it will drive incremental sales in the Falcon range," Burela says. The G6 LE gains $4000 of extra gear, including 18-inch alloys, leather trim, side curtain airbags, as well as other cosmetic upgrades and iPod integration and Bluetooth. The LPG model gets 17-inch alloys. With the arrival of the Limited Edition, Burela has flagged some changes in the G series line-up. "We are looking at the opportunity for less complexity in the model line-up in the G Series," he says. However, he will not be drawn on whether the G6 and the G6E will become one model. "We're not sure, it's too early to say," he says. And the Limited Edition numbers? Burela's not saying. "It spoils it for customers if they know," he says. However, Carguide understands 1500 LEs will be built.

It featured a 289 cu in (4.7-litre) Windsor V8 engine that pumped out 225 horsepower (168kW). The engine was sourced from the Ford Mustang - the car that inspired the production of the sporty GT. The XT Falcon range updated the GT visually and gave it a slightly larger engine, but it wasn’t until 1969 with the XW that Ford got a bit more serious about its performance hero. In August 1969, Ford introduced the legendary GTHO specification. Built for homologation, it looked almost identical to the GT, but under the bonnet things were different. The ‘HO’ stood for ‘handling option’ but there was more to it than that. The Phase I GTHO used the GT’s now larger 5.8-litre V8, and gained larger Holley carburettors plus other performance tweaks. But it was soon upgraded for the Phase II version, which used a 351 cu in (5.8-litre) Cleveland engine that produced 300hp (224kW). With the introduction of the Falcon XY model range in 1970 came the Phase III GTHO. The most sought-after of the GTHO cars, the Phase III produced a whopping 385hp (287kW) from its upgraded Cleveland V8. It got bigger Holly carburettors and, again, more performance upgrades. It also received exterior updates like racing stripes, sporty wheels and a plastic front spoiler. The Phase III GTHO was Australia’s fastest four-door production car, reaching top speeds of around 227km/h. Alan Moffat had great success with the Phase III in the early 1970s, including wins at Bathurst, Oran Park and Phillip Island. In 1972, the XA Falcon was born and -- as a result of the Falcon not being produced in America anymore -- Ford Australia had a lot more input into Falcon design. Unfortunately, changes to production racing regulations meant that the GTHO was no longer required and production was stopped, but not before four examples were produced. Three of those became race cars and one was sold to a member of the public. Given their demand and rarity, Phase III GTHOs can now fetch in excess of $600,000 and this has had a flow-on effect to GS and GT Falcons of the same era. In 2007 a mint Phase III sold at auction for $683,650.  

TELEVISION is a very busy world for Simon Reeve. He is a sports and news presenter for Sunrise, hosts the kids quiz show It's Academic, warbled his way through celebrity singing contest It Takes Two and was a gymnastics commentator at the Beijing Olympics. As the host of the new police reality show The Force: Behind the Line, Reeve has heard plenty of crash horror stories.But it is one of his own, during a road trip in Africa, that remains the most vivid. Still, Reeve is a car enthusiast who dreams about owning a 1955 Ford Thunderbird convertible.What was your first car? An 1968 XT Falcon. Dad had always had Fords, going back to a gorgeous old Zephyr when I was a baby, then a couple of XPs. The XT was my pride and joy until a bloke ran fair into the back of me on the Kwinana Freeway in Perth. Alas, she was never the same again.What do you drive now? A 2004 BMW 320i. Do you have a favourite drive and who would you take? Busselton to Esperance, around the southwest coast of WA. My company would be the family -- wife Linda and two kids -- and the kids would have to sign a no-whingeing clause.How far would you drive in an average year? About 20,000km. Do you have a favourite motoring memory? Driving in Botswana on the edge of the Moremi National Park and getting horribly bogged in lion and hyena country. Linda and I had our two-year-old daughter with us and we'd run out of water. A half-hour slog of digging and panic between Linda and I finally got our old LandCruiser clear as a blistering October sun went down. I think we'd convinced ourselves it might be our last sunset.  A great relationship moment.What would you buy if money were no object? Nothing too extravagant, just a 1955 T-Bird convertible. I think it's shape and somehow its sense of optimism and fun make it the perfect car of any era. I know I'd look like a right wanker driving one around now, but I'd blissfully take the barbs. What music is playing in your car? There are two tracks that get high rotation: Mio Amore by The Flamingos and Easy to be Hard by Three Dog Night. Go figure.How much is too much for a new car? The way it's headed, I think the Flintstones got it right.What should be done to make driving safer? A heavy emphasis on driver education as an integral part of the school curriculum, visits by road-accident victims, and a comprehensive approach to this area of education from age 15. So many episodes of The Force feature booze, speed and young blokes who, like young blokes everywhere, think they are 10 feet tall and bulletproof.Are you sponsored by a car company? No, but I'm cheap, easy and shameless. All offers welcome.The Force: Behind the Line, Channel 7 Mondays at 8pm.

The share market is shot, superannuation is in “negative growth” whatever that means, house prices are dropping alarmingly and interest rates look like falling. Where can you make an honest investment dollar these days? Well, art has some attraction but the numbers involved would make plenty of people tremble in their boots.What about collectable classic cars?We have all heard the stories about the six figure Falcon GTHOs and Monaros not forgetting the European thoroughbred classics, some of which go for multi-million dollar prices.But what if you're just an average punter and want to get in on the action.Take a look at Japanese collectable cars - is the advice coming from those in the know.This is because they have the potential for increased value from a relatively low base. And depending on the car (and luck) you could have a tidy little nest egg in the garage, one that you can take out and actually enjoy at your discretion.Christophe Boribon is the National Auction Manager for Shannons Auctions and he has some firm ideas on what cars are good buying with potential appreciation and those that are dead certainties.Chris' named the Toyota 2000GT as the most collectable classic Japanese car in Australia because of its rarity (only eight imported) and the specification of the car. He says a good one will go for between $2-300,000.Hardly accessible to the average punter.But other cars from most Japanese manufacturers operating here are shaping up well at the auctions and as long term prospects.Mazda's 1960s R100 coupe is worth a look at 10 grand according to Chris' as is the original, glass back RX7.“The RX3 is also good buying at $25-35,000 if you can get a good one and it should appreciate if looked after,” Chris' said.”Then there is the late '90s twin-turbo RX7 and RX7 SP - a locally fettled hotrod that will appreciate because it was a low volume performance car.”“You will pay big dollars for a Mazda Cosmo (up to 100 grand) but the first MX5 is a good proposition for not much money.” He said the SP versions of the later MX5 will be worth more in the long run and even the Japanese turbo model, the SE, should appreciate over time.Toyota has a few potentially collectable models including the late '60s Celica RA23 and TA23 models as well as the rear drive Sprinter 1.6. Celica GT4s should also be good buying if you can find one that hasn't been raced. Honda's most collectable car is the NSX but Chris' says the first S2000 sports cars are worth a look if you can get one that hasn't been thrashed. The tiny S600 and S800 sports cars are good property and even the quad headlight Integra TypeR could appreciate given time.Any Mitsubishi Lancer Evo in reasonable road condition will be worth a punt as a collectable particularly the Evo 6.5 Makinen edition. And if you can get hold of a twin turbo GTO 3000 (non-factory import) it should be a solid investment.Nissan has plenty of collectable cars dating right back to the 1960s. Think Datsun Fairlady sports cars, Datsun 240Z and 260Z coupes and of course the R32 Skyline GTR Godzilla Bathurst winning car - (Australian spec) of which only 100 were imported by the factory. You'll pay about $35,000 for Godzilla these days and it's on the way up for a decent standard one.Subaru has a couple of collectable cars too, the SVX coupe 3.3-litre flat six all-wheel-drive has possibilities and the 22B two door Impreza WRX STi for which you'll pay about $100,000 and going up.Good luck. 

Experts say the orange Ford with less than 5000 miles (8000km) on the clock is worth more than $2million. It is one of only three remaining Phase IV Falcons, stillborn when the supercar scare of 1972 forced the carmaker to abandon its production.You can see this rarest of Australian-made cars at the annual Peter Warren All Ford Day at Warwick Farm racecourse tomorrow.The XA Falcon GTHO Phase IV with 300kW of power and a top speed of 270km/h was a road car planned to tackle V8 XU-1 Holden Toranas and V8 Valiant Chargers at the Bathurst 500 race.In those days a certain number of road-going versions had to be built before a car couldqualify to race at Bathurst.Heaps of power was the answer and the big three were building supercars for the event.However, a scaremongering newspaper article suggesting such powerful supercars would be available as road cars to young drivers led to a parliamentary outcry. Amid the uproar carmakers backed down and abandoned their projects. The three Phase IV Falcons (a fourth was destroyed after a crash) are the sole survivors of the era.Sydney's Paul Carthew bought this one in 1999, a second race car is in the Bowden museum in Queensland and the third, a green road car, is closely guarded by its owner, having not been displayed for many years.“The Phase IV GTHO is a significant vehicle,” Carthew says. “Not only was it stillborn butthe furore it created in 1972 saw it featuredon the front page of our Sunday papers and mentioned in Parliament. It altered our motor-racing rules forever and Bathurst was nevergoing to be the same again.”He says his car is the only unrestored Phase IV. “It has always been in the hands of collectors and has travelled just 4400 miles,” he says.It will be one of more than 1200 Fords on display tomorrow. Another star from a different era is Eric Worner's So Cal Ford V8 Special that has been both race car and road car over the years. Worner says it is one of five Ford V8 cars built by George Reed of early Bathurst fame. A sister car won the Australian Grand Prix in 1951.The So Cal was built just after World War II.“My dad took the family to a race meeting at Bathurst in 1950. I was 10 years old and the So Cal was racing and being driven by Jessie Griffiths,” says Worner, who bought the car in 1977 - the 10th owner. “The car was on full rego, driven to and from race meetings and a daily driver, provingjust how reliable the car is.”Worner has raced this piece of Australian motor sport history at Eastern Creek, Oran Park and interstate, and is glad he has.“So Cal is a great car to drive, plenty of grunt, steers and brakes well but can be a bit skatey in the wet,” he says. “It's a great old car with plenty of history and you know what they say ... old Fords never die - they just go faster.”One Ford that went very fast in its day - and still does - is Scott Willoughby's 1968 XT Falcon GT, celebrating its 40th anniversary at All-Ford Day. Willoughby, 22, joined the Falcon GT Owners Club of NSW in 2004.“My car is a genuine 1968 XT Falcon GT,” he says. “It's about 95 per cent back to being totally original to how it was back in the day.“It's an awesome thing to drive. With the little Windsor V8 up front, big comfortable lounge chair-style seats, plenty of body roll and shocking brakes, it's all good fun.”As you can imagine, it is also fairly thirsty on fuel but he is not about to let that stop him.“As long as fuel prices stay under $5 a litre I'll continue to drive it and enjoy it,” he says.After Ford won Bathurst in 1967 the XT was built to increase its chances of back-to-back wins. Fred Gibson and Barry Seton went within 20 laps of achieving it before a mechanical disaster.It was left to Holden, which built the V8 Monaro for the race, to claim the win. Tomorrow marks the 32nd running of the All Ford Day.There will be 20 different Ford marques ranging from Mustangs to Model As, Capris to Cortinas and Fairlanes to FPVs. From small beginnings it has grown into a major event.Organisers are again expecting a crowd ofup to 40,000 to attend the one-day festival.It started with a Ford car club's display at Parramatta Park in 1977. In 1982 Peter Warren Ford took over the sponsorship and moved the show to its Warwick Farm dealership.But it outgrew the precinct and was moved across the road to the racecourse in 2003.