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.
FPV GT 40th Anniversary (2007)
FPV GT 40th Anniversary (2007)
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.
fpv falcon gt 40th anniversary
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 range. 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.
fpv-gt-r-spec-rear.jpg
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.
FPV GT 40th-anniversary
FPV GT 40th Anniversary (2007)
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.
FPV GT 40th Anniversary
FPV GT 40th Anniversary 2007
Car: FPV GT 40th Anniversary 2007 01
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.
2007 FPV GT 40th Anniversary
Ford FPV Falcon GT 40th
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.
FPV GT 40th Anniversary
2007 FPV GT 40th Anniversary
2007 FPV GT 40th Anniversary
FPV GT 40th Anniversary
FPV-GT 40th Anniversary 2007
FPV GT 40th Anniversary (2007)
FPV GT 40th Anniversary (2007)
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.
fpv falcon gt 40th anniversary
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 range. 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.
fpv-gt-r-spec-rear.jpg
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.
FPV GT 40th-anniversary
FPV GT 40th Anniversary (2007)
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.
FPV GT 40th Anniversary
FPV GT 40th Anniversary 2007
Car: FPV GT 40th Anniversary 2007 01
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.
2007 FPV GT 40th Anniversary
Ford FPV Falcon GT 40th
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.
FPV GT 40th Anniversary
2007 FPV GT 40th Anniversary
2007 FPV GT 40th Anniversary
FPV GT 40th Anniversary
FPV-GT 40th Anniversary 2007
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