Ford Falcon GT
Encyclopedia
The Ford Falcon GT is an automobile
which was produced by Ford Australia
from 1967 to 1976 and 2003 to the present day with intermittent limited edition anniversary models offered in between. Since 2003 the car has been marketed as the FPV GT but FPV continue to release anniversary editions based on the original 1967 model. The Falcon GT is inextricably linked with the history of Australian muscle car production and with the evolution of Australian domestic motor racing.
The GT was introduced as a performance variant of the Australian Ford Falcon XR series
in 1967. GT variants were also offered in: 1968 XT
, 1969 XW
, 1971 XY
, 1972 XA
, 1973 XB
models. HO (Handling Options) variants released with XW and XY model ranges, further modified for performance and were essentially homologation specials for motor racing. A XA version of the HO was abandoned in the early stage of development due to public pressure in 1972 after an infamous newspaper campaign.
After a rest of sixteen years the GT badge was revived for a 25th anniversary edition of the 1992 EB series Falcon
with a 30th anniversary version offered in 1997 on the EL Falcon
. From 2003 the GT badge was inherited by Ford Australia's performance tuning arm, Ford Performance Vehicles
and the FPV GT has been offered continuously since 2003 on the BA
, BF
(2006) and FG
(2008) model ranges.
. For the first time Ford Australia offered a V8 engine on the range, the 289-cubic-inch engine then in use on the Ford Mustang
. As part of the introduction a new high performance version, the GT was introduced, based around the success of GT versions of the Ford Cortina
. The GT Falcon would be marketed in exactly the same way as the GT Cortinas with the competition arm of Ford Australia preparing production racing cars to race at the Bathurst 500
. The factory racing team
, led by veteran driver/engineer Harry Firth
entered two cars, one for himself and Fred Gibson and the other for the Geoghegan brothers, Ian
and Leo
. After a day long battle against three Alfa Romeos at Bathurst in 1967
, the team emerged with a 1–2 team victory which captured the public imagination and sales figures soared. The move forced General Motors-Holden's and Chrysler Australia
to respond with their own performance editions of their large sedan in 1968 when neither had such vehicles planned, beginning the era of the Australian muscle car.
Over the next five years each of the three manufacturers produced faster and faster variants. Engine capacity increased, first to 302 cubic inches displaced, then finally 351 c.i.d. Ford introduced the HO (handling options) package in the 1969 XW model range
, essentially producing road registerable racing cars for the leading production touring car teams to exploit. these homolgation specials reached their zenith with the Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III in 1971, a car which Allan Moffat
used to smash all opposition in the 1971 Bathurst enduro
and would remain the fastest four-door production saloon in the world until the introduction of the Lotus Carlton
19 years later.
A fear campaign against the homolgation specials started with headlines of "160 MPH Street Cars soon!" led to Ford dropping production with the planned Falcon GT HO Phase IV. For their own part, touring car racing regulations were altered, creating the 1973 Group C
regulations, which allowed production cars to be modified for racing independently of the road going cars, reducing pressure on manufacturers to put racing modifications into the road cars.
A Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III was the most expensive Australian vehicle sold at auction selling for $A750.000. A previous sale had been for $A683,650.
In 1971 a Phase III won the Bathurst 500 driven by Allan Moffat
.
There were no XC—EA GT vehicles produced.
produced the following models
(FPV) jointly owned by Ford Australia and Prodrive
produce the FPV GT, currently with three variants, the GT, the GT-P (a higher-specification version of the regular GT) and the GT-E (more focused on luxury rather than performance).
FPV have produced the following GT models
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
which was produced by Ford Australia
Ford Australia
Ford Australia is the Australian subsidiary of Ford Motor Company and was founded in Geelong, Victoria, in 1925 as an outpost of Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. At that time, Ford Canada was a separate company from Ford USA...
from 1967 to 1976 and 2003 to the present day with intermittent limited edition anniversary models offered in between. Since 2003 the car has been marketed as the FPV GT but FPV continue to release anniversary editions based on the original 1967 model. The Falcon GT is inextricably linked with the history of Australian muscle car production and with the evolution of Australian domestic motor racing.
The GT was introduced as a performance variant of the Australian Ford Falcon XR series
Ford XR Falcon
The Ford XR Falcon is a car which was produced by the Ford Motor Company of Australia between 1966 and 1968.The XR series was introduced in September 1966. Styling was based on the third generation 1966 US Ford Falcon and it was promoted as the "Mustang bred Falcon". It was the first Australian...
in 1967. GT variants were also offered in: 1968 XT
Ford XT Falcon
-Introduction:The XT Falcon range was introduced in March 1968 as a facelifted version of the XR Falcon, which it replaced. The XT featured a revised grille and taillights and improved safety features including split-system brakes, larger tyres and electrically operated windscreen washers.Standard...
, 1969 XW
Ford XW Falcon
-Introduction:The XW Falcon was released in June 1969 replacing the XT Falcon. The XW was an extensive facelift of the XT, featuring a new grille and tail lights...
, 1971 XY
Ford XY Falcon
-Introduction:The XY Falcon was released in October 1970 replacing the XW Falcon. The XY was a facelift of the XW, featuring a new divided grille and redesigned tail lights...
, 1972 XA
Ford XA Falcon
The Ford XA Falcon is an automobile which was produced by Ford Australia from March 1972 to September 1973. It replaced the XY series Falcon and was the first Falcon to be completely designed and manufactured in Australia, although it is generally accepted that the two-door Hardtop version's...
, 1973 XB
Ford XB Falcon
The Ford XB Falcon is a car which was produced by Ford Australia between 1973 and 1976 and was built exclusively in Australia. It bore minor cosmetic differences to the preceding model, the XA, aimed at giving the car a more muscular stance...
models. HO (Handling Options) variants released with XW and XY model ranges, further modified for performance and were essentially homologation specials for motor racing. A XA version of the HO was abandoned in the early stage of development due to public pressure in 1972 after an infamous newspaper campaign.
After a rest of sixteen years the GT badge was revived for a 25th anniversary edition of the 1992 EB series Falcon
Ford EB Falcon
The Ford EB Falcon is a car which was produced by the Ford Motor Company in Australia between 1991 and 1993.Visually the 1991 EB remained nearly identical to its predecessor. The most noticeable change was the transfer of the Ford emblem from the tip of the bonnet to the grille...
with a 30th anniversary version offered in 1997 on the EL Falcon
Ford EL Falcon
The Ford EL Falcon is a full-size car that was manufactured by the Ford Motor Company of Australia between 1996 and 1998. The EL Falcon served as the final chapter of the fifth generation "E-series" architecture, which began with the EA of 1988. Ford discontinued the car in 1998, and replaced it...
. From 2003 the GT badge was inherited by Ford Australia's performance tuning arm, Ford Performance Vehicles
Ford Performance Vehicles
Ford Performance Vehicles is the Melbourne-based, premium performance vehicle partner of automobile manufacturer Ford Australia. The company, which is as a joint venture between Prodrive and Ford Australia, has produced a range of Ford based models under the FPV brand name since April...
and the FPV GT has been offered continuously since 2003 on the BA
Ford BA Falcon
The Ford BA Falcon is a full-size car, produced by the Ford Motor Company of Australia between September 2002 and October 2005. The exterior styling of the BA was a substantial revision of that used for the preceding AU model. A new independent rear suspension setup was fitted to all sedan...
, BF
Ford BF Falcon
The Ford BF Falcon was a full-size car that was manufactured by the Ford Motor Company in Victoria, Australia. The BF Falcon started production in October 2005 and a MkII update was released in October 2006...
(2006) and FG
Ford FG Falcon
The Ford FG Falcon is a full-size car produced by the Ford Motor Company of Australia since 2008. The FG series is the current model of the Ford Falcon and is the seventh generation of the car...
(2008) model ranges.
History
The 1967 XR series was a major shift in the evolution of the Falcon, then still being adapted from its American counterpart for Australian release. The car was noticeably larger comapred to the XP model rangeFord XP Falcon
The Ford XP Falcon is an automobile which was produced by Ford Australia from 1965 to 1966.-Introduction:The XP Falcon was introduced in March 1965 replacing the XM Falcon which had been in production since 1964. It was the final series of the first generation Falcon which had been introduced as...
. For the first time Ford Australia offered a V8 engine on the range, the 289-cubic-inch engine then in use on the Ford Mustang
Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. It was initially based on the second generation North American Ford Falcon, a compact car. Introduced early on April 17, 1964, as a "1964½" model, the 1965 Mustang was the automaker's most successful launch since the Model A...
. As part of the introduction a new high performance version, the GT was introduced, based around the success of GT versions of the Ford Cortina
Ford Cortina
As the 1960s dawned, BMC were revelling in the success of their new Mini – the first successful true minicar to be built in Britain in the postwar era...
. The GT Falcon would be marketed in exactly the same way as the GT Cortinas with the competition arm of Ford Australia preparing production racing cars to race at the Bathurst 500
Bathurst 1000
The Bathurst 1000 is a touring car race held annually at Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia...
. The factory racing team
Ford Works Team (Australia)
The Ford Works Team was a former Australian motor racing team that was supported by the Ford Motor Company of Australia. The team was formed in 1962 and was wound up when Ford withdrew from motor racing at the end of 1973...
, led by veteran driver/engineer Harry Firth
Harry Firth
Harry L. Firth is an Australian former racing driver and team manager. Firth was a leading race and rally driver during the 1950s and 1960s and continued as an influential team manager well into the 1970s...
entered two cars, one for himself and Fred Gibson and the other for the Geoghegan brothers, Ian
Ian Geoghegan
Ian "Pete" Geoghegan, was an Australian race car driver, known for a quick wit and natural driving skills. Geoghegan was one of the iconic characters of the 1960s and 1970s Australian motor racing scene...
and Leo
Leo Geoghegan
Leo Geoghegan is a retired Australian racing driver.Geoghegan is the elder of two sons of New South Wales car dealer Tom Geoghegan, who went on to become two of the dominant names in Australian motor racing in the 1960s...
. After a day long battle against three Alfa Romeos at Bathurst in 1967
1967 Gallaher 500
The 1967 Gallaher 500 was the eighth running of the Bathurst 500 production car race. It was held on 1 October 1967 at the Mount Panorama Circuit just outside Bathurst. Cars competed in five classes based on purchase price of the vehicle.In a seminal moment for the race, the first Australian built...
, the team emerged with a 1–2 team victory which captured the public imagination and sales figures soared. The move forced General Motors-Holden's and Chrysler Australia
Chrysler Australia
Chrysler Australia is the importer of Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles for sale in the Australian marketplace. However, there had previously been a "Chrysler Australia Ltd" which had operated as a vehicle manufacturer in Australia from 1951 until 1980....
to respond with their own performance editions of their large sedan in 1968 when neither had such vehicles planned, beginning the era of the Australian muscle car.
Over the next five years each of the three manufacturers produced faster and faster variants. Engine capacity increased, first to 302 cubic inches displaced, then finally 351 c.i.d. Ford introduced the HO (handling options) package in the 1969 XW model range
Ford XW Falcon
-Introduction:The XW Falcon was released in June 1969 replacing the XT Falcon. The XW was an extensive facelift of the XT, featuring a new grille and tail lights...
, essentially producing road registerable racing cars for the leading production touring car teams to exploit. these homolgation specials reached their zenith with the Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III in 1971, a car which Allan Moffat
Allan Moffat
Allan George Moffat, OBE is an Australian racing driver known for his four wins in the Australian Touring Car Championship, six wins in the Sandown 500 and his four wins in the Bathurst 1000...
used to smash all opposition in the 1971 Bathurst enduro
1971 Hardie-Ferodo 500
The 1971 Hardie-Ferodo 500 was the 13th running of the Bathurst 500 production car race. It was held on 3 October 1971 at the Mount Panorama Circuit just outside Bathurst in New South Wales, Australia. The race was open to production vehicles competing in showroom condition with the field divided...
and would remain the fastest four-door production saloon in the world until the introduction of the Lotus Carlton
Lotus Carlton
The Lotus Carlton was a Vauxhall Carlton saloon upgraded by Lotus Cars to be a 177 mph sports sedan with acceleration to equal contemporary supercars. Like all Lotus vehicles, it was given a type designation — Type 104 in this case...
19 years later.
A fear campaign against the homolgation specials started with headlines of "160 MPH Street Cars soon!" led to Ford dropping production with the planned Falcon GT HO Phase IV. For their own part, touring car racing regulations were altered, creating the 1973 Group C
Group C (Australia)
In relation to Australian motorsport, Group C refers to either of two sets of regulations devised by the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport for use in Australian touring car racing from 1965 to 1984...
regulations, which allowed production cars to be modified for racing independently of the road going cars, reducing pressure on manufacturers to put racing modifications into the road cars.
A Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III was the most expensive Australian vehicle sold at auction selling for $A750.000. A previous sale had been for $A683,650.
In 1971 a Phase III won the Bathurst 500 driven by Allan Moffat
Allan Moffat
Allan George Moffat, OBE is an Australian racing driver known for his four wins in the Australian Touring Car Championship, six wins in the Sandown 500 and his four wins in the Bathurst 1000...
.
Ford Falcon GT – produced by Ford Australia
| Based on Falcon model | Years | Engine | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| XR Ford XR Falcon The Ford XR Falcon is a car which was produced by the Ford Motor Company of Australia between 1966 and 1968.The XR series was introduced in September 1966. Styling was based on the third generation 1966 US Ford Falcon and it was promoted as the "Mustang bred Falcon". It was the first Australian... |
1967-68 | 289 cu in (4.7 l) Windsor Ford Windsor engine The Windsor is a 90-degree small-block V8 engine from Ford Motor Company. It was introduced in 1962, replacing the previous Ford Y-block engine. Though not all of the engines in this family were produced at the Windsor, Ontario engine plant , the name stuck... V8 – 225 bhp, sourced from the Ford Mustang Ford Mustang The Ford Mustang is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. It was initially based on the second generation North American Ford Falcon, a compact car. Introduced early on April 17, 1964, as a "1964½" model, the 1965 Mustang was the automaker's most successful launch since the Model A... |
All but thirteen XR GTs were painted in the colour 'GT Gold', eight were "Gallaher Silver" and five were "Russet Bronze, Sultan Maroon, Polar White, Avis White and Ivy Green". The non-gold GTs, while having the same specifications, are the rarest of the early Australian muscle cars. |
| XT Ford XT Falcon -Introduction:The XT Falcon range was introduced in March 1968 as a facelifted version of the XR Falcon, which it replaced. The XT featured a revised grille and taillights and improved safety features including split-system brakes, larger tyres and electrically operated windscreen washers.Standard... |
1968–69 | 302 cu in (5 l) V8 – 239 bhp | |
| XW Ford XW Falcon -Introduction:The XW Falcon was released in June 1969 replacing the XT Falcon. The XW was an extensive facelift of the XT, featuring a new grille and tail lights... |
1969–70 | 351 cu in (5.8 l) Cleveland and Windsor V8 – 290 bhp and 385 lbft The XW GT HO – 300 bhp |
2,287 XW Falcon GTs and 662 XW GTHOs were built. The limited production, high performance Falcon GTHO was released two months after the mainstream models. A further development, the GTHO Phase II was released in August 1970. |
| XY Ford XY Falcon -Introduction:The XY Falcon was released in October 1970 replacing the XW Falcon. The XY was a facelift of the XW, featuring a new divided grille and redesigned tail lights... (see XY GT Ford XY Falcon GT The Ford XY Falcon GT is an Australian built muscle car based on the Ford XY Falcon. Released in 1970 with the GTHO Phase III released in 1971. 1,557 units were produced from September 1970 to December 1971 with 300 GTHO Phase III's produced from May 1971 to November 1971... ) |
1970–72 | 351 cu in (5.8 l) Cleveland V8 300 bhp with the XY GT HO Phase III having 380 bhp | Variant: Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III |
| XA Ford XA Falcon The Ford XA Falcon is an automobile which was produced by Ford Australia from March 1972 to September 1973. It replaced the XY series Falcon and was the first Falcon to be completely designed and manufactured in Australia, although it is generally accepted that the two-door Hardtop version's... |
1972–73 | 351 cu in (5.8 l) Cleveland V8, 224 kW @ 5400rpm 515 newton metre @ 3400rpm | Both 2 and 4 door versions Production of GTHO Phase IV commenced in mid-June 1972, four vehicles were built when production was stopped due to a "Supercar Scare". Three were built as race cars for the Bathurst 500 in October, and one made it off the production line for sale to the public. |
| XB Ford XB Falcon The Ford XB Falcon is a car which was produced by Ford Australia between 1973 and 1976 and was built exclusively in Australia. It bore minor cosmetic differences to the preceding model, the XA, aimed at giving the car a more muscular stance... |
1973–76 | 351 cu in (5.8 l) Cleveland V8, 224 kW @ 5400rpm 515 newton metre @ 3400rpm | Both 2 and 4 door versions |
There were no XC—EA GT vehicles produced.
Ford Falcon GT – produced by Tickford
TickfordTickford
Tickford is an automobile engineering and testing company with a history of coachbuilding and tuning and is famous for such products as the 140 mph Tickford Turbo Capri.-Early years:...
produced the following models
| Based on Falcon model | Years | Engine | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| EB II Ford EB Falcon The Ford EB Falcon is a car which was produced by the Ford Motor Company in Australia between 1991 and 1993.Visually the 1991 EB remained nearly identical to its predecessor. The most noticeable change was the transfer of the Ford emblem from the tip of the bonnet to the grille... |
1992 | Tickford Tickford Tickford is an automobile engineering and testing company with a history of coachbuilding and tuning and is famous for such products as the 140 mph Tickford Turbo Capri.-Early years:... engineered Windsor 302 cid 5.0 V8, sequentially injected OHV, two valves per cylinder 200 kW @ 5700rpm & 420 newton metre @ 3700rpm Transmission: 5-speed manual or 4-speed auto |
Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the first original Falcon GT Ford re-introduced the Falcon GT with 250 or 300 units |
| EL Ford EL Falcon The Ford EL Falcon is a full-size car that was manufactured by the Ford Motor Company of Australia between 1996 and 1998. The EL Falcon served as the final chapter of the fifth generation "E-series" architecture, which began with the EA of 1988. Ford discontinued the car in 1998, and replaced it... |
1997 | Tickford engineered Windsor 302 cid 5.0 V8 | The 30th anniversary GT was based loosely on the Fairmont Ghia Ford Fairmont (Australia) The Ford Fairmont is a full-size car which was built by Ford Australia as a more upmarket version of the Ford Falcon from 1965 to 2008. It was available as a 4-door sedan throughout its life, as a five door station wagon from its introduction through to 2002 and as a two door hardtop from 1972 to... rather than the XR models, with 272 built |
FPV GT – produced by Ford Performance Vehicles
Ford Performance VehiclesFord Performance Vehicles
Ford Performance Vehicles is the Melbourne-based, premium performance vehicle partner of automobile manufacturer Ford Australia. The company, which is as a joint venture between Prodrive and Ford Australia, has produced a range of Ford based models under the FPV brand name since April...
(FPV) jointly owned by Ford Australia and Prodrive
Prodrive
Prodrive is a British motorsport and automotive engineering group based in Banbury, Oxfordshire, England. It designs, constructs and races cars for companies and teams such as Subaru, Aston Martin and Ford...
produce the FPV GT, currently with three variants, the GT, the GT-P (a higher-specification version of the regular GT) and the GT-E (more focused on luxury rather than performance).
FPV have produced the following GT models
| Based on Falcon model | Years | Engine | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BA Ford BA Falcon The Ford BA Falcon is a full-size car, produced by the Ford Motor Company of Australia between September 2002 and October 2005. The exterior styling of the BA was a substantial revision of that used for the preceding AU model. A new independent rear suspension setup was fitted to all sedan... |
2003–2005 | 330 cid Boss 290 V8 V8 engine A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of four cylinders, in most cases set at a right angle to each other but sometimes at a narrower angle, with all eight pistons driving a common crankshaft.... producing 290 kW at 5500 rpm 520 newton metres (383.5 ft·lbf) of torque at 4500 rpm |
GT and GT-P variants, 2004 BA MkII update |
| BF Ford BF Falcon The Ford BF Falcon was a full-size car that was manufactured by the Ford Motor Company in Victoria, Australia. The BF Falcon started production in October 2005 and a MkII update was released in October 2006... |
2005–2007 | 330 cid Boss 290 V8 4-valve DOHC, 389 hp (290 kW) and 384 lbft (521 Nm) GT Cobra motor produced 405 hp (302 kW) and 398 lbft (540 Nm) |
GT and GT-P, 2006 BF MkII update GT and GT-P A trio of limited-editions released in 2007 included the GT 40th Anniversary and the GT Cobra. |
| FG Ford FG Falcon The Ford FG Falcon is a full-size car produced by the Ford Motor Company of Australia since 2008. The FG series is the current model of the Ford Falcon and is the seventh generation of the car... |
2008 on | 330 cid Boss 315 V8 producing 315 kW at 6,500 rpm and 551 newton metre of torque at 4,750 rpm. From October 2010 302 cid 5.0 V8 supercharged alloy quad cam engine producing 335 kW at 5750–6000 rpm 570 newton metres (420.4 ft·lbf) of torque between 2200 & 5500 rpm. |
GT, GT-P and the GT-E variants |
External links
- Supercars.net forum, retrieved September 11, 2006
- Falcon GT Club
- The Ford Falcon GT Story at Unique Cars and Parts