History of the Ford Falcon GTHO

The racing history of the Australian Ford Falcon GTHO

[crustydownunder]

I remember when I was 11, my old man, who was an engineer at Ford's Product Engineering division, pointed out the right hand window of his car and said, 'look son, you might never see another one of those.' It was a brand new Red, XY GT-HO Phase 3. Looked amazing and I never forgot it. My dad died a few months ago, but he was right, I have never seen another original GT-HO, phase 1, 2, or 3 since. I did build a mock GT-HO Phase 3 look a-like back in the 90s. Had the Shaker, original stripes, took my a long time to get it perfect. It was a ute. But, even that mock-up GT would be worth close to a $100, 000 today. They were best muscle car ever. I've had a 69 HK GTS Monaro, a GTR Torana, Ford Capri, Valiants, all kinds of other muscle cars back from the day, but I'd love to have my old ute back.
I'm stuck with a Ford FG XR8 ute today. Not a bad car to be stuck with, I guess. But the XY was beautiful.

[buckodonnghaile]

Growing up in Canada decades ago i had no idea how cool the cars were down under. This is fascinating, an alternate universe of awesomeness. Our cars were all the same as the States with a few rebadged ones for the Canuck market. Cheers

[saneman]

Thanks for the post. Has brought back a decade of memories from the 70's watching bathurst every year with my father, an avid Holden man. A whole day eating party pies, sausage rolls, hot dogs and munchies constantly supplied by my mum.

[lukebrennan]

I was so VERY lucky to be a youngster in those years. Moffat was a GOD. My sister's boyfriend took us to see the Boss Mustang at Oran Park and Warwick Farm. Earth-shaking battles with with Bob Jane and Norm Beechey. The Super-Falcon battle with the Boss Mustang was insane. Sat absolutely glued to each Bathurst for the entire day, for those incredible days. Watching all this like yesterday. So wonderful to see it all again.

[applemuffin]

I remember my mother now aged in her 70s telling me me with a cheeky smile, Your father and I brought a Falcon Phase 3 in blue that was my shopping car lol and he had the LS HQ Monaro in gold for his daily drive

My mother said she felt cool like a young 26 yo rev head chic driving the new beast along Victoria Road going to the shopping centre at gladesville

My mother would describe how she’d take the Monaro when the weather was hot as it had Aircon!!

Sadly the falcon is gone now but I still have the LS with me !!

[williama]

Great video, love the history. Sad to say, Great Uncle Al Turner passed away last month. Sharp as a tack all the way! Modest to me, I never knew all of this history. I knew and saw plenty of pictures of hot rods and dragsters but man!

[pauliejay]

What a magnificent video! Compelling viewing. Love listening to John Goss.

[elmonteslim]

As a younger Engineer, I have the highest respect for John Goss. Such an articualte (well spoken) mechanical engineer from an earlier age. Bloody Legend.

[fugemlpriks]

Would have to be the best video for the era I have ever seen . And I'm not a huge Ford fan . Loved it. Thanks for sharing. 👌

[chuckselvage]

I like the old school race drivers.Plenty of balls but gentleman with a great degree of wit off the track.

[DVincentW]

as a life long Mad Max fan, and lover of real cars, I would love to know more.. so Im watching this and really enjoying it. Thanks for this.

[jackfrost]

One of my friends bought a GT Ho in 1969 at the going price of about $4500 We all thought he was crazy to spend so much--he was still an apprentice. When the petrol prices went crazy shortly afterwards, he was offered $1500 for it. Luckily he decided to keep it. At one point he was pulled over by the cops just so they could check out his car because they were soon to be issued with them to replace their Mini Cooper S's. He once lost it on a dirt road because he said that the fuel in the giant tank sloshed to one side on a corner. (sounds understandable).

[Jo_Wardy]

im 19 in 2019 and my dad was 19 in 1973. so during his early to mid 20s he said he owned a beautiful XW Ford Falcon. it wasnt a gt but it still was the best car he ever owned. He just wishes he had crystal ball to see the future because the cars he owned that he got rid off because they werent as much in the 70's he wished he could have kept as they are now worth so much money.

[broderickwallis]

At last someone mentions the "Mustang Bred" Falcon... A huge marketing campaign on first release... and is worthy of a short vid on its own... almost totally forgotten now !!!

[clarkstar]

Good to see the old Falcons can still draw in the crowds :)

[davidr]

Am a Holden man but i still have a heart for the GTHO in mind .

[Xdghia]

Great video, really enjoyed that, music not over bearing like some. Thank you.

[raysmith]

Great historical video. I really enjoyed every minute of it!

[ashleyjohnmcclure]

Wow lost for words ford racing at it's finest what history love all my fords they don't make them like they use to just love it

[patrickaussieMilartry]

Awesome show loved it. Cheers going to go for a spin now. 😂❤