Ford Falcon 1972 News

For the third time this year an Australian-made car has sold for a record price. In what is believed to be the new record, an extremely rare 1972 Ford Falcon XA GTHO Phase IV has been bought by a collector for approximately $2 million, according to the seller.

Ford Australia has confirmed the decision in a media statement this afternoon. The announcement will likely come as a shock to Ford fans, many of whom were planning to buy one of the last Falcon GTs and keep them as collector pieces. Ford will instead revive the Falcon XR8 when the new model goes on sale, using a less powerful version of the GT Falcon's supercharged 5.0-litre V8. A media statement issued by Ford this afternoon said the return of the XR8 is timed to coincide with the introduction of the 2014 Falcon sedan and Territory SUV update, ahead of the closure of Ford's Broadmeadows and Geelong factories no later than October 2016. As the Falcon XR8 returns to the Ford range, the Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) range -- which includes the iconic GT Falcon -- will retire, the Ford media statement confirmed. Ford plans a series of limited edition GT models during 2014, the company said. Ford took control of FPV late last year and brought production of the GT back in house in February 2013 for the first time since 1976. But Ford has now decided to wind up production of the GT as well. It's the second dose of bad news for Australian V8 fans in two weeks. Last week, News Corp Australia exclusively reported that a leaked SA Government document revealed that Holden will not have a V8 in its lineup by 2016 or 2018. Buoyed by a string of Bathurst victories Ford sold more than 12,000 Falcon GTs in the eight years from 1968 to 1976. As a sign of the changing market, however, it took 21 years to sell the same number of Falcon GTs from 1992 to 2012. "FPV has been very successful for the last 12 years and our relationship with Tickford for many years before that," said Ford Australia Vice President of Marketing, Sales and Service Graeme Whickman. "We appreciate all of the great team members, dealers, customers and fans who have supported FPV through its history. We look forward to sharing further details of the final FPV models and the new XR8 over the coming months." "We have received a lot of interest and continued requests from Falcon fans to bring back the XR8. Re-introducing the XR8 sedan, packaged in our updated Falcon, will make our renowned locally-engineered and manufactured V8 engine available to a broader group of people." This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling

     

Following the epic guitar v drums face-off, another drag race has been mounted to settle an equally important question. Which is the better cult movie genre – martial arts or sci-fi?To produce the definitive answer, dairy brand Ice Break customised two classic Aussie muscle cars for the track.In the nunchuck-swinging martial arts corner there was a 1972 V8 LJ Torana 308 V8 auto, while the sci-fi champion was a 1975 Falcon XB Coupe 351 V8 four-speed manual.Facebook fans weighed into the key custom decisions, with more than 1000 requests for modifications on the cars and over 4000 comments on which car would eventually kick the requisite amount of ass to win on the quarter mile at Sydney’s Eastern Creek Dragway.“The Kung Fu Torana – known as Bruce to the fans -- features an impressive arsenal of ninja stars and samurai swords, and boasts more shiny martial arts trophies than the Cobra Kai. The exterior paintwork comprises yellow and black stripes with accompanying dragon motif, as an homage to Bruce Lee’s iconic jumpsuit in ‘Game of Death’,” Ice Break said in a statement. “The Sci-fi XB Coupe -- or Hal to its Ewok friends -- comes replete with the obligatory flux capacitor in the boot, some rather large toxic gas canisters, and a console bursting with X-wing style weapon switches.The Kubrick-esque white leather interior is neatly complemented by the gun metal exterior paint job and glowing Kit-style grill.” A competition offers the chance to win either of the cars, or the two that contested the guitar vs drums question at www.facebook.com/icebreak.

A milestone anniversary in the Australian motor industry was marked this year. March was the 40th anniversary of the XA Falcon; which Ford advertised as being "Born on the Wind".But it was the quietest birthday party ever. It seemed there were no celebrations and to paraphrase Basil Fawlty at Ford HQ it was almost a case of "don't mention the Falcon".The XA Falcon was a mammoth corporate success story. Up until 1972, all Falcons were localised American designs. The XA changed all that.It was the first Falcon to be totally styled and engineered in Australia, and Falcons ever since have been all Aussie efforts-Australian skills, thought leadership and engineering savvy for 40+ years.It is a heritage and a record that any company would to be proud to celebrate. Put simply, the XA Falcon is Ford's equivalent of the FX Holden. There was no mistaking the XA on the road. It looked so different to the HQ Holden and the VH Valiant.The Holden appeared smaller, and lighter, than it really was. The Valiant mimicked Chrysler USA's bulked-up "fuselage" design language. The Falcon, on the other hand, had a lean , aggressive and hunkered down stance which made it look bigger than it was.That was the XA's real appeal-a big car for big country. Inside, the XA was all about the driver. The cockpit style dashboard made sure that whoever sat behind the steering wheel felt that they were firmly in command.The Falcon range was sold in sedan and wagon formats. The wagon was a monster of a car. Built on the longer Fairlane wheelbase of 2947mm (116 inches) it featured a two way tail gate and enough capacity to lug half a hardware store back home. And, of course, there was the legendary 5.7 litre V8 GT.In September 1972, Ford released the two door hardtop version of the Falcon and GT and it was game-on in the sales race with Holden. The XA and subsequent XB and XC models helped propel Ford to become the number one car company in Australia. But all good things do not last. The Falcon, like the Commodore, is slowly fading from the sales charts. For a car that was "Born on the Wind" it now seems the Falcon will soon be gone with the wind.

Jodie Johnson owned a 1972 HQ SS Monaro when she met her future husband Paul Johnson at a friend's birthday party in September 2000.  They were both into muscle cars and hit it off immediately. They were engaged in February 2001 and married that December.But little did Holden-loving accountant Jodie know when she met truck-driving Paul that he was a Ford fan.  "I suppose opposites attract," she says.  Paul agrees: "Ford or Holden; it doesn't matter. I know what the superior make is here."The Johnsons now have a collection of muscle cars in their garage and have started an online muscle car club that has 190 members from as far as Perth.  Jodie still owns the HQ, while Paul has a replica 1970 Falcon XW GT replica, a 1971 six-cylinder Futura and a recently acquired 1971 XY panel van."The panel van is quite a rare one. It's a project for us to do next," says Paul.  "Jodie enjoys working on them. It makes my life a lot easier with her having an interest in cars. We've got a lot in common to talk about."The GT replica is a standard XW, but with factory made genuine GT parts fitted.  "It's got all the GT parts like the interior, motor, gearbox, dashboard and stripes; it just doesn't have the GT code on the compliance plate," he says.  He bought it in Sydney four years ago for $18,000. Back in 1970 a GT would cost about $3500.Genuine GTs now fetch around $100,000-$160,000 while replicas can go for as much as $70,000.  "I don't know what it's worth, but it's got all the right parts," Paul says.  "I bought it as is and I've just changed the tyres, carbies, clutch and diff housing."It has a 351 Cleveland GT engine producing about 400hp with a four-speed top-loader manual gearbox and nine-inch diff.  "I had GTs before and I'd been looking around for a few years for a good replica. I couldn't afford a real one because the prices went silly for a couple of years," he says."I'm not kicking myself that I didn't keep the '74 XB GT. I don't regret it at all.  "This is by far my favourite Ford because of the colour. It's a total selling point.  "I knew it was a replica straight away because of the compliance plate and it was advertised as a replica.  "The next best thing to a real GT is a replica."Paul has displayed his car at hot rod shows while Jodie gave up on the show circuit two years ago to go drag racing.  Her brother bought the car 20 years ago with plans to rebuild it.  "My father got sick of it sitting in the shed doing nothing so I bought it off him for $10,000 and finished it off," she says."When we rebuilt it, it only had a 253 in it and was basically a show car.  I got sick of the show thing and cleaning it all the time, so we decided we'd make it a `go car' and took it to the drags."It now features a 454 big block engine which propels it to "high 12s" on the quarter mile strip.  "The cost all up is about $40,000," she says.  "It only comes out on weekends these days. My daily drive is a 2005 Nissan Pulsar. Pretty sad, huh?"She also owned a VK Commodore which was `pretty awesome" but when their daughters Mercedes, 4, and Palana, 2, came along the Johnsons traded it in for something with airconditioning.  Jodie says that given their love of muscle cars, Palana's name is often mistaken for Torana.

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.  

He’s been a green superhero in The Hulk, defended an ancient Greek city in Troy, and gone to the rescue of stranded troops in Black Hawk Down. So can Eric Bana now save the Aussie large car whose woes are beyond the surgical skills of government packages, marketing campaigns and hasty engine revisions. Probably not. Don’t expect to see reports of new V8s booming as a result of Bana’s auto-focus movie, Love the Beast. But don’t be surprised if there’s a spike in sales of classic cars … and perhaps particularly higher interest in the 1974 XB GT Falcon Coupe at the centre of the film – and at the centre of Bana’s life since his teens. Watch the Love the Beast trailer here... Released nationally this week, the film follows Bana’s journey with the car through first getting it to driveable standard, then as a touchstone for his early social life, and finally to the years of dipping into racing that brought it to a crashing end in the slippery rally that is Targa Tasmania. Part home movie, part car cult film, part psychological and sociological analysis, the story is told using narrative from Bana, his family and longtime friends – and a few more recent ones like Top Gear linchpin Jeremy Clarkson, comedian Jay Leno and a teeth-grittingly tedious Dr Phil (of Oprah fame and spin-off). And it works. Through a range of mechanisms, and some great camera work – best seen on the big screen — Love the Beast manages to infect you with the near-romantic passion for classic muscle cars and racing, while not ignoring the obvious dangers. And since he’s now fairly at home in a Hollywood that is obsessive about airbrushing the personal image, it’s great to see Bana’s still proud to trot out the kind of early family photos and footage that would otherwise be cringe-worthy. There were occasional moments that seemed a little contrived, but this was mainly because they stood out against the natural charm of most of the film. It’s warm, it’s casual, and in places it’s very funny. Much like hanging out in the garage with your mates. Is Bana’s Ford XB Coupe the best muscle car? Or is it something from Holden or Chrysler, or perhaps even one of the Europeans?      

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.

WHEN Underbelly star Rodger Corser tied the knot with Renae Berry, it was the "other woman'' in his life that got him to the church on time.  Corser's beloved 1966 XR Falcon 500, called Pearly, made sure he and his groomsmen arrived in style for his nuptials at the historic Garrison Church at The Rocks in Sydney.Corser, who plays fictional Purana Task Force detective Steve Owen in Underbelly, Channel 9's dramatisation of Melbourne's infamous gangland war, says his character is a determined, ambitious and honest man."He's basically a quintessential Aussie guy who likes his football and the ladies -- though he finds love quickly in the show.'' Corser says.  "He's also a little bit cheeky and likes a joke. He's one of the boys, who enjoys camaraderie and mateship with his colleagues.''Corser also recently starred alongside Debra Messing and Judy Davis in the US mini-series The Starter Wife but says if he ever wins the lottery, he'll need to build himself a pretty big garage.What was your first car?A 1972 yellow Mazda Capella auto, unfortunately not a rotary. It was a hand-me-down from my grandma. She loved the car. I um . . . managed to cook the engine.What do you drive now?I have two cars at the moment. A Hyundai Santa Fe is my daily driver and for the weekends I have a 1966 XR Falcon 500 with a 200 cubic inch six in it. She's called Pearly, a name handed down from a few owners before me. I love the car as does my five-year-old daughter Zipporah. The picture was taken on my wedding day with my groomsmen and, no, we didn't drive it after the beers.Do you have a favourite drive and who would you take?My wife Renae and I just completed our honeymoon. We drove from Rome through Siena, Florence and on to Venice. On the way we drove around the hillsides of Cinque Terre, an hour-long, second and third-gear winding drive with amazing scenery.How far would you drive in an average year?15,000-20,000 kilometres, depending on how many Sydney to Melbourne trips.Do you have a favourite motoring memory?I just got to do a stunt-driving day out at Sandown raceway for the Getaway program. That would have to be up there. I also did a pit tour of the Red Bull F1 Team a couple of years ago at the Melbourne GP, which was great.What would you buy if money was no object?A complete set of GT Falcons from XR-XB. And a big garage.What music is playing in your car?At the moment the PoliceHow much is too much for a new car?Depends on your means. You have to be realistic about what percentage of your weekly income you can allocate to your car.What should be done to make driving safer?I'm not sure. 40km/h school zones are a good recent change.Are you sponsored by a car company?I have a fantastic ongoing relationship with Hyundai, which involves TV ads and some events.