A 1971 Ford XY Falcon Phase III GT-HO Phase III is expected to go for big money at Shannons November auction.
According to the original books supplied with the car, this fabulous example of Ford’s iconic XY Falcon GT-HO Phase III was delivered to the first owner in the Blue Mountains through Sinclair Ford Pty Ltd of Penrith, NSW and registered as CIC-227.
A very early build (number 005/300), the ID plate confirms the car was finished in Monza Green with black vinyl trim – one of just seven Phase IIIs wearing this combination.
A Ford verification letter lists the following options; twin mirrors, a Super Fringe Deluxe Push-Button Radio and delete Super Roo decals.
Comprehensively restored around 25 years ago by Cobra Craft in NSW, the Falcon is still fresh today, the quality of the workmanship clearly evident (photos document the car before, during and post-rebuild).
The most recent owner, a Sydney-based enthusiast with an extensive collection of muscle and exotic cars, purchased the GT-HO from Australian Muscle Car Sales over a decade ago.
It has remained in dry storage ever since, occasionally started and driven to ensure everything remained in good working order.
In preparation for sale, the original motor has been overhauled by an ex-factory mechanic who worked on the Phase IIIs when new and the car runs and drives as one would expect.
Supplied with an extensive receipt file, Deluxe ACCHS report and a photocopy of a Phase III workshop manual, the car will be sold unregistered.
Of the 300 original examples built, just over half survive in original condition.
It was the ultimate Falcon GT in terms of raw performance, not to mention the fastest four-door sedan in the world at the time.
The GT-HO proved just about unbeatable at Bathurst, taking out five of the top six places in 1971, with Allan Moffat at the wheel of the winning car.
The Phase III has become the stuff of legend and this status has translated into unprecedented sales figures in recent years.
Based on the hottest Falcon of the era, the XY GT, complete with Shaker hood and thumping 351 V8, the HO option added a front spoiler and full-width rear wing to an already tough looking package.
Under the bonnet (complete with stripes and lock-out pins) there were new heads and valve gear while a four-barrel Holley 780 cfm carburettor and higher compression ratio of 11.5:1 helped boost output to a staggering 370 bhp (276kW) at 5400 rpm.
With a choice of three diff ratios and a close-ratio gearbox optional, other modifications included thicker stabiliser bars and bigger rear drums.
All of this added up to the finest handling, quickest and most desirable GT Falcon ever produced in Australia.
Make no mistake, the Phase III remains a seriously fast motor car even now, at 14.4 seconds for the quarter mile and a top speed of 228km/h.
This example is tipped to sell between $690,000 and $790,000.
A similar car that once belonged to Aussie cricketing legend Jeff Thomson went for more than $1 million earlier this year, but the price was no doubt boosted by its celebrity.
Keep track of the auction here
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