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2017 Shannons Melbourne Autumn Classic Auction
Lot
42

1970 Ford XW Falcon GT-HO Phase II Sedan

TBA

Specifications

Engine V8, 351-cid
Gearbox 4-speed manual
Engine No. GL3128C
Chassis No. JG33KM15889
Body Work Sedan
Colour Diamond White
Interior Dark Saddle
Trim Vinyl
Wheels Steel 5 slots with trims and caps.
Brakes Discs/Drums

Vehicle Report

Auction Terms & Conditions

Buyer Fee
A buyer's premium of 5% (GST inc) is payable to Shannons by the purchaser on the final hammer price of all Auction lots purchased (cars, motorcycles, memorabilia and number plates).

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Description

As thinly disguised race cars went, Ford’s Falcon GT-HO was right up there with the best of them, a homologation special in the finest Bathurst tradition.  When Ford launched the facelifted XW Falcon range in 1969, the GT heralded new levels of performance thanks to the 351-cid Windsor V8, a twin-plate clutch, limited-slip diff, power-assisted front disc brakes and 36-gallon fuel tank, plus a full complement of instruments.  With trademark ‘Super Roo’ stickers and twin driving lights, the Falcon GT was the toughest looking Falcon yet and went on to spawn the legendary GT-HO which gave Allan Moffat his first victory at Bathurst in 1970.  Although HO stood for Handling Option - and the XW GT did indeed come with a rear anti-roll bar fitted - there were some important changes under the bonnet as well, with a bigger Holley 780 cfm carbie, reprofiled camshaft, revised intake manifold and altered valves and lifters.  All 1969 GT-HO Falcons (retrospectively tagged Phase Is) used the Windsor block before Ford switched to the higher-revving Cleveland block the following year.  Depending on the source consulted, the first 110 (some quote 50) GT-HOs manufactured in 1970 were interim cars built prior to the official introduction of the Phase II and only cars made between May and October 1970 were built to the ultimate specification, with a close-ratio gearbox, 31 spline axles, twin-point distributor and 5-slot rims being the principal differences.  The result was a thumping 300 bhp and 380 lb/ft of torque, making the GT-HO the quickest Aussie muscle car to date with 0-100 km/h times in around 6.5 seconds and the standing quarter mile in 14.4 seconds.  After the failure at Bathurst in 1969, Ford hit back in 1970 and no fewer than 14 Falcons GT-HOs took the start at Mount Panorama and recorded a memorable one-two, despite numerous engine failures.  According to an article published in Australian Muscle Car magazine, just 285 Falcon XW GT-HOs were built in 1970, a fraction of total XW production, and for the serious muscle car collector and Ford enthusiast, a genuine Phase II must be one of the most desirable performance cars around, not to mention a rapidly appreciating asset. 

History

  • Ultra desirable Falcon GT-HO Phase II
  • Well known car in Ford circles
  • Strong cosmetics and good mechanicals
As confirmed by a letter of verification from Ford Australia and backed by the Deluxe ACCHS report supplied with the car, this XW Falcon GT-HO is a genuine Phase II completed in July 1970.  One of 44 examples built in Diamond White and just 13 to combine this paint colour with dark saddle vinyl upholstery, the car was delivered to its fortunate new owner through Byrne Ford of Chernside, QLD, one of only two Phase IIs sold by this dealer.  According to history provided by the current owner, the Ford originally belonged to Tony Paul, a roads and pavement contractor based in Brisbane, who intended to race the car but it was reportedly damaged by a mechanic and he went on to campaign Valiant instead.  The Ford was then sold through a car yard in Moorooka to Rod Pacey in late 1972, who had it rebuilt by Bryan Byrt Ford’s Race Division.  Updated with Phase III headers, mufflers and sporting a set of 15-inch Globe alloy rims, the XW ran a 14.5 second quarter mile at the Surfers Paradise drag races.  Repainted in 1976, the Falcon was sold to a Kiwi who moved to Alice Springs a couple of years later before passing to the current owner in 2002 with 72,000 miles on the clock.  The GT-HO has been cosmetically refurbished in the current owner’s hands, with fresh paint, the upholstery redone and is sporting a set of 5-slot rims with wheel trims and caps, plus non-original orange stripes (a set of correct gold stripes go with the car).  With genuine GT-HO Phase IIs rarely available on the open market, this fabulous XW presents a wonderful opportunity for the muscle car collector or enthusiast and is a well-known car in GT circles.  Currently registered in Victoria the GT will be offered for unregistered with a rare GT-HO Phase II Amendment brochure.  
 
Note: Shannons advise that all potential buyers research all vehicles before purchase to authenticate originality.