Ford Falcon 1975 News

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.

The original 1975 Ford Falcon XBGT coupe owned and raced by John Goss from 1975 until 1978 is one of the headline acts in Sotheby's classic car auction.  The other crowd pleaser is former F1 world champion Alan Jones's 1979 Williams F1 car.Sotheby's national head of collector cars, James Nicholls, says both cars are expected to create keen interest from bidders because of their blue blood racing pedigrees.  International interest in classic F1 racers could also mean strong bidding from overseas."I think that of the two, Alan Jones's car could potentially go overseas," he says.  "The Goss car is more Australian-centric.  "It will appeal to a local collector."The Goss car is tipped to fetch more than $500,000 and the Williams F1 car more than $100,000.  In 1979 Jones finished third in the Williams FW07 in the Formula 1 Drivers Championship, before becoming World Champion in 1980.He started the 1980 campaign by winning the Argentine Grand Prix from pole position and setting the fastest lap in the same car.  The Goss XBGT coupe - chassis number JG66 RY 13182 - has undergone an extensive six-month ground up restoration to bring it back to its original 1975 specifications and race livery.The mechanical restoration was overseen by Goss' own mechanic from that era.  Goss was the first person to officially race the Falcon in 1973's then new Group C touring car series.He took delivery of the car a few weeks before its debut appearance in the 1975 Bathurst 1000.  Apart from Goss's campaign in the car, it has been driven by Jack Brabham, son Geoff, Allan Moffat, Jim Richards and Le Mans winner Henri Pescarlo.Nicholls says the Blaze Blue hardtop represents an excellent buy for someone who wishes to race in the Group C Historic Series or a collector.  It is the first Group C Falcon Hardtop to be put to auction for six years, he says."I can't remember what it fetched but these cars are becoming increasingly rarer and sort after," he says.  Apart from the Jones and Goss race cars a rare 1966 Bentley Continental S3 Flying Spur, by Mulliner Park Ward is also up for auction as well as motoring memorabilia.  The Bentley is believed to be only one of nine in Australia.

The auction house says the Williams FW07/04 is the most original and authentic FW07 in existence. Campaigned by Frank Williams and driven by Alan Jones, the car has been part of the Peter Brigg Family Collection at the York and Fremantle Motor Museums in Western Australia since 1981.The Williams FWO7 race cars were the first 'ground effect' cars and are regarded as one of the most successful F1 designs of all time, with the car's underbody panels directing airflow to increase downforce.The aerodynamic effect generated around two tonnes of downforce at about 300km/h.This car's pedigree includes four Grand Prix wins from July 1979 to January 1980 before becoming the number one test car for Williams. A crash removed it from service - it was rebuilt as a show car before being sold to Peter Briggs and going on display at the York Motor Museum in WA.The car came to Adelaide in November 1985 for the first F1 Grand Prix held in Australia, where Alan Jones told Peter Briggs about the history of the FW07/04. Jones said he remembered the tyre testing crash, saying it was the only time he thought he could die when driving a Williams as the front tyre came off, bounced off the bodywork and left a black scrape on his helmet as it went over the top of the car.Sotheby's Australia has returned to the world of classic and collectible car auctions with its Collectors Motor Cars Department and the ex-Jones car will be one of the feature cars at next month's auction. Sothebys Australia's national head of collectors' motor cars James Nicholls says the car could fetch anything up to one million dollars."It's difficult to tell as this is such a specialist car - we certainly think it will be in the high hundreds of thousands, it could be $700,000 or higher than that. With the (Formula One) race in Melbourne bringing people into the country we're hoping people are aware of the car, it's a very prestigious car, a ground-breaking car driven by Alan Jones so it's pretty significant here and internationally," he says.The April 18 catalogue also has a 1975 XB Falcon GT Hardtop, raced by John Goss, Allan Moffat and Sir Jack Brabham, in 1975 Bathurst blue and white livery. Also up for auction is a 1966 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow two-door sedan owned by actor Peter Sellers.Log on to www.sothebysaustralia.com.au for more information.

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?      

And what better place for a reunion and an anniversary celebration than the Australian Muscle Car Masters at Eastern Creek, where more than 500 of these powerful, historic cars will be raced and displayed.It's a step into the past as racing car legends such as Morris, Peter Brock, Allan Moffat, Leo Geoghegan, Harry Firth, John Goss and many more will be in attendance to meet fans and sign autographs.All the best cars from the 1960s, '70s and '80s will strut their stuff in Historic Touring Races and Hot Lap sessions. Morris hasn't driven that winning Torana L34 in almost 30 years, and is looking forward to his hot lap next Sunday, September 3."It was the very first Torana with a V8 engine and the car that we raced was the very first Torana L34 that was ever built off the production line," Morris said this week. "It was fantastic. I raced that car in 1975, also, and I drove with Frank Gardner that year and we came in second place. So it had a second outright and a first outright at Bathurst, and I don't know if that's been repeated."Morris says the 1976 victory was the highlight of his 20-year career, describing it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The piece of nostalgia that saw him to success now lives at the Bathurst Museum but will make the trek to Eastern Creek next weekend.In a contrast of fortune, also on display will be the Torana that captured all the 1976 pre-race publicity but crashed on the grid. The blue Torana due to be driven in that race by Jack Brabham and Stirling Moss jammed in gear at the start and was rammed from behind by a little Triumph Dolomite.Now, 30 years later, it too has been restored for display.More than 150 cars have already entered the race events with a range of Historic Touring Car events covering categories from the 1950s to the '90s. And there will be specific events, such as the biggest Torana race in the world and the best of the best.Racing driver Des Wall is looking forward to toeing the line next Sunday in the classic he bought at an auction last November.The Ian "Pete" Geoghegan Mustang, which has a story of its own, is worth quite a large sum. Wall claims it is probably the best car of its time."It's a significant car in Australian motor-racing history. It won three Australian touring car championships and it's been restored to the way it was in 1971," Wall says.Wall has been racing for more than 30 years and his son, David, has followed in his footsteps as a race driver.He says the Mustang performs surprisingly well, but differently, of course, to the newer Porsches and Chev Corvette he usually races."It's very good. It surprised me how competitive the car is for a car of that era," he says. "We drive current race cars also. The difference ... I expected it to be wider than what it is. Apart from the brakes not being what current cars have, the car is quite a substantial race car."Next Sunday's show is expected to draw big crowds, after the same event last year attracted more than 10,000 people, despite appalling weather."I think a lot of people who are motor-racing enthusiasts are getting more and more interested in the history, they want to see the cars that the heroes were in," Wall says."Some people love football and tennis and various things, we just love motor racing. It's our sport of choice, something we're very passionate about."Among the classic old touring cars on display that became famous in the golden Bathurst era of the 1970s and '80s will be the VK Group A Commodore that gave Allan Grice his first Bathurst win, in 1986. Also on show is the Allan Moffat/Jacky Ickx Falcon XC Hardtop that was involved in the dominant Ford 1-2 team win in 1977. The only man to win Bathurst and the Australian Grand Prix, John Goss, will display his 1974 winning Falcon and the 1985 winning Jag XJS. Kevin Bartlett will have his Chev Camaro in action.The event is also a major drawcard for car clubs. The 2006 Torana GTR and XU-1 Nationals are expected to attract up to 80 road-going machines.