Australians have a similar affinity for muscle cars as do Americans. That is something we could always agree upon. The Big-3 all had Aussie divisions of their companies, producing some amazing machines back in the day. It was a shame to see Holden go away, as they were the Australian-arm of GM who gave us the latest incarnation of the Camaro and the SS. Ford was equally invested in Australia and created some real contenders.
The Pick of the Day is a rare 1976 Ford Falcon (XB) GT listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Wichita Falls, Texas. It’s fast and almost completely original, the dealer says. It represents the last model year of this car, made famous by Mel Gibson in the Mad Max movies and race wins in Australia.
The Ford Australia-built XB was a full-size car, when even the Mustang was shrinking in size in America. Complete with a 351 Cleveland engine, it made for genuine muscle. A few incarnations were successfully raced; Allan Moffat won the 1976 Australian Touring Car Championship driving a Falcon XBGT Hardtop.
“Only 949 real XBGT’s coupes were built from 1973 till 1976 and in the final year a mere 125 units came off the production line,” reports the dealer.
This Ford is equipped with a 351 Cleveland 4V (393 Stroker), toploder four speed, 9-inch positraction rear end, 4-wheel disc brakes, tramp rods(traction bars) and fog lights.
“This GT is unrestored except for approximately 50% of the paint (guardrail rub in Australia) and some bolt-on modifications,” the dealer said. “This car was extensively raced on the quarter-mile dragstrip and various road courses in Australia and the USA. It was retired from competition in 2003.”
Back in 1979, the GT Falcon was put on the map and garnered cult status in several of the Mad Max movies. In the original 1979 film, Mel Gibson drove the “Pursuit Special,” a 351 cid (5.8-liter) 1973 Ford XB GT Falcon hardtop. Two other 1974 XB sedans were used as Main Force Patrol Interceptor vehicles. Additional Falcons were used as “Pursuit Specials” in the sequels Mad Max 2 and Fury Road.
Rarity, matching numbers and a powerful tribute to the cult classic car with 105,417 km on the odometer all wrapped up for someone to grab, offered at $99,000.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
Looks oddly like the 1970 Torino with a modified hood. Guess Ford had a few left over and shipped them to Australia.
Australian made
G’day mate!
I have a ’89 Nissan Sentra that Mel Gibson of Mad Max fame once walked by in a perking lot in Encino. Due to this “providence” I’m only asking $85,000.00. Contact by e-mail for more info and pic’s
Will you take a trade? I have a 1971 Pinto Hatchback, 2,000cc, three-on-the-floor. John Travolta declined to drive it when filming Grease. It’s been updated with a new timing belt. My car and $40,000 for yours.
der+Prof,
Sounds like a great trade but, sorry to say the Sentra has been sold for asking price, by of all people, John Travolta !(LOL)
99k, wow.
Why would one pay 99k for the Falcon when you can get a really nice restored 1971 or so Mustang 351 fastback 4 speed for about $50k? Maybe 10-20k for the novelty.
And how many XB GT’s can you see driving the streets. Short answer none thats why.