Ford XY Falcon GT-HO Phase Three, 1971

In 1967 when most Australians were driving sedate family sedans and small two-door cars, the Ford GT Falcon took to the streets — a local sedan with muscle under the bonnet. The Holden Monaro GTS and Torana XU1 and the Chrysler Valiant Charger soon followed.
They were built in limited editions by mainstream manufacturers who wanted the prestige of winning production car races, especially the annual Bathurst 500 mile race. GT Falcons like this one were raced in unmodified showroom condition. (These days Holden and Ford still make 'Bathurst' cars, but for racing they are stripped of sedan car comforts and modified for more speed.)

The Phase Three Falcon took the first three places in 1971’s Bathurst car race. It was the world’s fastest four-door production car for many years. Only 200 were ever made and so, like other muscle cars, they have become highly collectable. George Kotevich bought this one in 1989.

GT-HO Ford Falcon

Photo by Penelope Clay, Powerhouse Museum.

Its features include: 380 bhp, compared to the mere 40 bhp of the Toyota Corolla of the time and the 208 bhp of today’s 4-litre Falcon; a top speed of over 140 mph (230 kph) — it can do 400 metres in 14.6 seconds from a standing start; a Cleveland 5.7 litre V8 engine; large port high-compression heads, a Holley four-barrel carburettor, full extractor system and close-ratio gearbox; front and rear spoilers and a large 'shaker' bonnet scoop.

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