Best thing about a Phase III Falcon? You only get a $50 fine for speeding

I morphed into Allan Moffat as my foot went straight to the floor - 6,500rpm in third, then 140mph in top gear as we flew past an unmarked pastel green XC Ford 4-door 'Interceptor'.

We screamed by, and ultimately, the car spun around to gave chase with its light flashing and siren wailing.

We pulled over. I was 20 years old and this was the first time I had ever been stopped by the Police. The officer got out of his car and came over to us, walking around my Phase III lap after lap, telling me he couldn't believe how good it sounded. What!

Eventually, after all the drooling, he informed me that I was to get an 'on-the-spot' fine of $50. The officer informed me that it would be sent in the mail, then asked if he could take photos of my Phase III. When he was done, he advised I go back up the mountain and stay there come Monday - and to keep out of trouble!

I figured at the time he must've been a Ford guy otherwise I would have been toast!

If you look closely at the fine, it states exceeding the speed limit - 120kph. We were doing more than that in miles! Looking back at it now, I'm very fortunate to have owned a genuine Phase III and have the priceless memories and photos.

Eventually, after all the drooling, he informed me that I was to get an 'on-the-spot' fine of .

I bought the $5,500 GT-HO in 1974 when it had 30,000 miles on the clock from Kenros Motors in Bulleen, Victoria. Even three years after the Phase III was released they were still fetching more than they cost new!

The original owner was Ken Jeremiah who registered it with the HO-071 number plates, which I believe are now on David Frake's - owner of GT Ford Performance - Yellow Glo GT-HO Phase III. I kept the car until '81 and sold it for more than three times what I had paid to a bloke named Leo in Queensland, who was originally from Ballarat, Victoria. It was showing about 70,000 miles on the clock by this stage.

I later heard the car lived in Ballarat for awhile when Leo returned to his home town, but have no idea what happened to it since.