42-656: The Ford Motor Company Falcon XY GT is a sports sedan based on the Ford Falcon XY . Released in 1970 by Ford Australia , with the GTHO Phase III released in 1971. Some 1,557 units were produced from September 1970 to December 1971 with 300 GTHO Phase IIIs produced from May 1971 to November 1971. It was the fourth in the initial series of the Ford Falcon GT . A limited number were exported to South Africa, wearing Fairmont GT badging. The Fairmont GT model
84-584: A sedan car that is designed to have sporting performance or handling characteristics. The term was initially introduced in the 1930s. Early examples include the Sports Saloon versions of the Rover 14 and Rover 16 . From the 1960s, the term sports sedan was increasingly applied by manufacturers to special versions of their vehicles that allowed them to enter production cars in motor races. These cars contained modifications not usually permitted by
126-454: A new auction record for Australian sport sedans. Whilst in June 2007 another Phase III sold for A$ 750,000. The Falcon GTHO Phase III succeeded in an outright win at Bathurst in the 1971 Hardie-Ferodo 500 and also secured the 1973 Australian Touring Car Championship (ATCC) title; in both instances the cars were driven by Allan Moffat . Ian "Pete" Geoghegan and Moffat had great success with
168-401: A new auction record for Australian sport sedans. Whilst in June 2007 another Phase III sold for A$ 750,000. The Falcon GTHO Phase III succeeded in an outright win at Bathurst in the 1971 Hardie-Ferodo 500 and also secured the 1973 Australian Touring Car Championship (ATCC) title; in both instances the cars were driven by Allan Moffat . Ian "Pete" Geoghegan and Moffat had great success with
210-484: Is set to 6,150 rpm. The engine type was a 351 Cleveland (carried over from the XW GT/GT-HO Phase II). While Ford stated an output of 300 horsepower, the engine was reputed to produce over 350 horsepower. Type: 9-inch LSD traction lock is standard with 28 spline axles or 31 spline optional Front: independent ball joint, coil springs, shock absorbers, wishbones and anti-roll bar Upper control arm to accept
252-659: Is shown at the start of a Phase IV documentary. Only one road vehicle had been completed when production was cancelled. Three standard GTs were being converted into GT-HOs by the Ford factory race team for the Sandown 500 in September and Bathurst 500 in October 1972. Only one of these racers was ever completed and the other two were finished after being sold or given to specific individuals or dealers by Ford Australia. The Phase IV
294-440: Is shown at the start of a Phase IV documentary. Only one road vehicle had been completed when production was cancelled. Three standard GTs were being converted into GT-HOs by the Ford factory race team for the Sandown 500 in September and Bathurst 500 in October 1972. Only one of these racers was ever completed and the other two were finished after being sold or given to specific individuals or dealers by Ford Australia. The Phase IV
336-481: Is starting to increase in value as Falcon GTs become harder to find and buyers beginning to see the Fairmont as a genuine GT. With the rev limiter disabled it is theoretically capable of 252 km/h (157 mph) and can exceed 7,000 rpm in fourth gear. The rev limiter is set to 6,150 rpm. The engine type was a 351 Cleveland (carried over from the XW GT/GT-HO Phase II). While Ford stated an output of 300 horsepower,
378-574: The Ford Mustang Boss 302 into the local Falcon model with the car using a fuel injected and much higher developed 5.8 L (351 cu in) Cleveland V8 engine. According to those who drove the cars (Alan Moffat, Ian Geoghegan and John French ), the Super Falcon's biggest problem was that the 600 bhp (447 kW; 608 PS) the engine produced was simply too much for the light weight chassis to handle and power oversteer
420-446: The Ford Mustang Boss 302 into the local Falcon model with the car using a fuel injected and much higher developed 5.8 L (351 cu in) Cleveland V8 engine. According to those who drove the cars (Alan Moffat, Ian Geoghegan and John French ), the Super Falcon's biggest problem was that the 600 bhp (447 kW; 608 PS) the engine produced was simply too much for the light weight chassis to handle and power oversteer
462-424: The 1/4 mile in 13.9 seconds. Bathurst (6,172 km: 1938-1986) (6,213 km: 1987–present) fastest lap time: 2:36.5 by Allan Moffat ( 1972 Hardie-Ferodo 500 - Ford Falcon XY GTHO Phase III) The Phase III GTHO is in incredibly high demand with collectors and investors. Good examples have been sold for prices in excess of A$ 1,000,000, including a car once owned by Australian cricketer Jeff Thomson . Lloyds Auctions sold
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#1732801447637504-423: The 1/4 mile in 13.9 seconds. Bathurst (6,172 km: 1938-1986) (6,213 km: 1987–present) fastest lap time: 2:36.5 by Allan Moffat ( 1972 Hardie-Ferodo 500 - Ford Falcon XY GTHO Phase III) The Phase III GTHO is in incredibly high demand with collectors and investors. Good examples have been sold for prices in excess of A$ 1,000,000, including a car once owned by Australian cricketer Jeff Thomson . Lloyds Auctions sold
546-473: The Phase III GTHO was the "world's fastest four-door production car" in 1971. Performance: Top speed: 228 km/h (142 mph) at 6150rpm 0 – 60 mph: 6.4 seconds 0 – 100 km - 6.9 seconds Standing 1 ⁄ 4 mile (400 m): 14.4 seconds using the standard 3.25:1 Detroit Locker diff ratio. An optional 3.9:1 ratio differential was available and reputedly enabled such cars to cover
588-409: The Phase III GTHO was the "world's fastest four-door production car" in 1971. Performance: Top speed: 228 km/h (142 mph) at 6150rpm 0 – 60 mph: 6.4 seconds 0 – 100 km - 6.9 seconds Standing 1 ⁄ 4 mile (400 m): 14.4 seconds using the standard 3.25:1 Detroit Locker diff ratio. An optional 3.9:1 ratio differential was available and reputedly enabled such cars to cover
630-533: The Phase III has been described as "...simply one of the best cars in the world, a true GT that could take on Ferraris and Astons on their own terms..." by Sports Car World . The GTHO's 351 Cleveland engine output was understated as 300 bhp (220 kW) to satisfy insurers. It is generally accepted to produce in the region of 350–380 bhp (260–280 kW). Initial cars were equipped with an electrical rev limiter which came into effect at 6,150 rpm. With
672-475: The Phase III has been described as "...simply one of the best cars in the world, a true GT that could take on Ferraris and Astons on their own terms..." by Sports Car World . The GTHO's 351 Cleveland engine output was understated as 300 bhp (220 kW) to satisfy insurers. It is generally accepted to produce in the region of 350–380 bhp (260–280 kW). Initial cars were equipped with an electrical rev limiter which came into effect at 6,150 rpm. With
714-541: The Phase III in Australian production touring car racing where it scored many race wins from the latter half of 1971 through to 1973. One of the Phase IIIs driven by Moffat is now owned by Bowden's Own, an Australian car care products company. This particular example was a replacement vehicle fettled in September 1972, the original 1971 Bathurst winning car having been badly damaged at Adelaide International Raceway in
756-423: The Phase III in Australian production touring car racing where it scored many race wins from the latter half of 1971 through to 1973. One of the Phase IIIs driven by Moffat is now owned by Bowden's Own, an Australian car care products company. This particular example was a replacement vehicle fettled in September 1972, the original 1971 Bathurst winning car having been badly damaged at Adelaide International Raceway in
798-564: The US is muscle car , but that refers typically to V8-powered two-door coupe American cars. [REDACTED] Media related to Sports sedans at Wikimedia Commons Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III The Ford Motor Company Falcon XY GT is a sports sedan based on the Ford Falcon XY . Released in 1970 by Ford Australia , with the GTHO Phase III released in 1971. Some 1,557 units were produced from September 1970 to December 1971 with 300 GTHO Phase IIIs produced from May 1971 to November 1971. It
840-712: The engine was reputed to produce over 350 horsepower. Type: 9-inch LSD traction lock is standard with 28 spline axles or 31 spline optional Front: independent ball joint, coil springs, shock absorbers, wishbones and anti-roll bar Upper control arm to accept the three-pin ball joint used, as opposed to the four-point ball joint used in the normal GTs and earlier GTHOs Front: 286 mm (11.3 in) servo assisted discs Rear: 254 mm (10.0 in) servo assisted drums Type: re-circulating ball power assistance (optional) 7.0 x 15 alloy - "five-spoke' Bathurst Globe (optional) from 1972 Standing 1 ⁄ 4 mile (400 m) - 14.4 seconds (manual ) The Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III
882-1127: The fastest two-seater cars". Invented in Europe, the U.S. market share of these types of models had grown from 50,000 units per year in 1975, to 500,000 in 1985. In the twentieth century, most sports sedans used manual transmissions and rear-wheel drive configurations. However, with other transmission types and drivetrain layouts have become more widespread for sedans in general, and increasing adoption of front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive in motorsports such as touring car racing and World Rally Championship , many sports sedans such as Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution have also used these. While many sports sedans use notchback designs as their default body configurations , fastback and liftback variations are not unheard of, with some smaller hot hatches with three-box or liftback designs crossing into this territory. Some manufacturers share similar engines and interior features as sports sedans in coupe and convertible body styles; therefore, some rankings of this market segment include those versions. The term "sport sedan"
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#1732801447637924-549: The opening round of the 1972 Australian Manufacturers Championship; this particular GTHO was subsequently driven to a number of victories by Moffat and enabled him to secure the overall 1973 ATCC honours. In 1970, the Ford Works Team under the direction of team manager Al Turner, built two "Super Falcons" using the XW GTHO Phase II as the basis for the cars. Ford looked to translate the work that had gone into
966-418: The opening round of the 1972 Australian Manufacturers Championship; this particular GTHO was subsequently driven to a number of victories by Moffat and enabled him to secure the overall 1973 ATCC honours. In 1970, the Ford Works Team under the direction of team manager Al Turner, built two "Super Falcons" using the XW GTHO Phase II as the basis for the cars. Ford looked to translate the work that had gone into
1008-631: The opposite way and abandoned his own well developed Ford Mustang GTA to drive his Falcon. After fixing the problem with the chassis, Geoghegan was able to get the best out of the car and won a memorable third round of the 1972 ATCC at the Mount Panorama Circuit after a long race with the Mustang of Moffat. The race is often seen as the best in the ATCC's history. In 1972, the XY series Falcon
1050-403: The opposite way and abandoned his own well developed Ford Mustang GTA to drive his Falcon. After fixing the problem with the chassis, Geoghegan was able to get the best out of the car and won a memorable third round of the 1972 ATCC at the Mount Panorama Circuit after a long race with the Mustang of Moffat. The race is often seen as the best in the ATCC's history. In 1972, the XY series Falcon
1092-574: The optional 440ci/375hp V8 automatic was officially clocked at 147mph by Michigan State Police at Chrysler's Chelsea Proving Grounds. Although this latter vehicle was specified by the California Highway Patrol and supplied by Chrysler, the general public could option the very same car (sans the lights and sirens) from their local dealer. Equivalent four-door Polaras were available in 1970 and 1971, albeit with minor power reductions, but were not tested, so it will never be truly known if
1134-494: The optional 440ci/375hp V8 automatic was officially clocked at 147mph by Michigan State Police at Chrysler's Chelsea Proving Grounds. Although this latter vehicle was specified by the California Highway Patrol and supplied by Chrysler, the general public could option the very same car (sans the lights and sirens) from their local dealer. Equivalent four-door Polaras were available in 1970 and 1971, albeit with minor power reductions, but were not tested, so it will never be truly known if
1176-665: The pristine and provenanced car for $ 1,030,000 at its weekend auction in Bathurst , NSW. This demand is, in part, due to a small production run, and 'fewer than 100 remaining' examples of the GTHO. A Falcon XY GTHO Phase III was sold at by Bonhams & Goodmans at auction for A$ 683,650 in March 2007. The car had only 40,000 km on the clock. The buyer of the car said it will be garaged, and that it will not be driven, but that he will be "keeping it as an investment". The sale price set
1218-504: The pristine and provenanced car for $ 1,030,000 at its weekend auction in Bathurst , NSW. This demand is, in part, due to a small production run, and 'fewer than 100 remaining' examples of the GTHO. A Falcon XY GTHO Phase III was sold at by Bonhams & Goodmans at auction for A$ 683,650 in March 2007. The car had only 40,000 km on the clock. The buyer of the car said it will be garaged, and that it will not be driven, but that he will be "keeping it as an investment". The sale price set
1260-531: The regulations, which therefore required cars to be homologated typically by selling them in minimum numbers to the public. Some of the earlier examples were the Alfa Romeo 1900 , Renault R8 Gordini , Triumph Dolomite , Lotus Cortina , and BMW 1800 TI . By the 1980s, the sports sedan was described by Popular Mechanics magazine as being "well-made five-passenger cars that are modest in size, appearance, and appetite for fuel, yet can outperform all but
1302-513: The rev limiter disabled, the engine was reputed to pull in excess of 7,000 rpm, even in fourth gear. At that time the Phase III GTHO was touted as being the world's fastest four-door production car. However, the Phase III GTHO, in full street trim, was only ever clocked at 142mph by Wheels magazine in October 1971, and this yellow example was running the 3.25:1 rear axle with the QC motor. The 1969 Dodge Polara Pursuit four-door, in full street trim, running
Ford XY Falcon GT - Misplaced Pages Continue
1344-464: The rev limiter disabled, the engine was reputed to pull in excess of 7,000 rpm, even in fourth gear. At that time the Phase III GTHO was touted as being the world's fastest four-door production car. However, the Phase III GTHO, in full street trim, was only ever clocked at 142mph by Wheels magazine in October 1971, and this yellow example was running the 3.25:1 rear axle with the QC motor. The 1969 Dodge Polara Pursuit four-door, in full street trim, running
1386-450: The three-pin ball joint used, as opposed to the four-point ball joint used in the normal GTs and earlier GTHOs Front: 286 mm (11.3 in) servo assisted discs Rear: 254 mm (10.0 in) servo assisted drums Type: re-circulating ball power assistance (optional) 7.0 x 15 alloy - "five-spoke' Bathurst Globe (optional) from 1972 Standing 1 ⁄ 4 mile (400 m) - 14.4 seconds (manual ) The Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III
1428-510: Was built for homologation, looked almost identical to the GT and was a modified version of the Falcon GT built in 1971 with a heavily upgraded engine, a four-speed top-loader gearbox and Detroit locker nine inch differential . It was also equipped with special brakes and handling package, plus a 36 imperial gallons (164 litres) fuel tank. Winner of the 1971 Bathurst 500 , driven by Allan Moffat ,
1470-405: Was built for homologation, looked almost identical to the GT and was a modified version of the Falcon GT built in 1971 with a heavily upgraded engine, a four-speed top-loader gearbox and Detroit locker nine inch differential . It was also equipped with special brakes and handling package, plus a 36 imperial gallons (164 litres) fuel tank. Winner of the 1971 Bathurst 500 , driven by Allan Moffat ,
1512-562: Was initially used in North America for luxury import sedans (i.e., BMW , Audi , and Mercedes-Benz ). These cars prioritized handling more than the domestic luxury sedans (i.e., Cadillac and Lincoln ), which were more focused on comfort. However, since the 2000s, the domestic brands have begun producing sports sedan models such as the Cadillac CTS and Lincoln LS . Another term sometimes used to describe sports sedans in
1554-464: Was never officially released. Recently one of three Phase 4 protypes manufactured by Ford Special vehicles to compete at Bathurst 1972 was sold for $ 1,750,000 a world record price after spending over 20 years with its previous collector owner Paul Carthew Sports sedan A sports sedan (also known as a super saloon or sports saloon in British English ) is a subjective term for
1596-518: Was replaced by the XA Falcon range. Production of approximately 200 XA-based Falcon GT-HO Phase IV cars was originally scheduled to take place in June and July 1972, but this was terminated at 'the eleventh hour' due to what became known as "the supercar scare ". The Sun-Herald newspaper had run this as a front-page lead article (with banner headline in large capital letters) on Sunday 25 June 1972: "160mph 'super cars' soon". A copy of that front page
1638-462: Was replaced by the XA Falcon range. Production of approximately 200 XA-based Falcon GT-HO Phase IV cars was originally scheduled to take place in June and July 1972, but this was terminated at 'the eleventh hour' due to what became known as "the supercar scare ". The Sun-Herald newspaper had run this as a front-page lead article (with banner headline in large capital letters) on Sunday 25 June 1972: "160mph 'super cars' soon". A copy of that front page
1680-436: Was the fourth in the initial series of the Ford Falcon GT . A limited number were exported to South Africa, wearing Fairmont GT badging. The Fairmont GT model is starting to increase in value as Falcon GTs become harder to find and buyers beginning to see the Fairmont as a genuine GT. With the rev limiter disabled it is theoretically capable of 252 km/h (157 mph) and can exceed 7,000 rpm in fourth gear. The rev limiter
1722-663: Was the order of the day. Turner initially did not believe Moffat when he told him this, believing that the car was simply being driven wrong. At the Mallala Circuit in South Australia, Moffat took Turner for a lap of the circuit in his Falcon in a successful bid to show the team boss what the car was really like to drive. Moffat virtually abandoned the Super Falcon in the 1971 and 1972 ATCCs (which by this time had been upgraded with XY bodywork) in favour of his better handling Boss 302 Mustang. In 1972, Geoghegan went
Ford XY Falcon GT - Misplaced Pages Continue
1764-534: Was the order of the day. Turner initially did not believe Moffat when he told him this, believing that the car was simply being driven wrong. At the Mallala Circuit in South Australia, Moffat took Turner for a lap of the circuit in his Falcon in a successful bid to show the team boss what the car was really like to drive. Moffat virtually abandoned the Super Falcon in the 1971 and 1972 ATCCs (which by this time had been upgraded with XY bodywork) in favour of his better handling Boss 302 Mustang. In 1972, Geoghegan went
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