DESCRIPTION
Just what is it about the Phase III GT-HO that has made the car such an icon and the king of the local muscle car scene? The fact that, of the 300 original examples built, just over half survive in original condition? That 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? Perhaps it’s the racing heritage – 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. Whatever the reason, for most Aussie blokes with even a passing interest in cars, the Phase III has become a legend and this ultimate status has translated into unprecedented appreciation in recent years. Based on the hottest Falcon of the era, the XY GT, complete with Shaker hood and thumping 351-cid 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 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 –14.4 seconds down the quarter mile and a top speed of 142 mph remain impressive even now, 47 years later. Without doubt the most collectable production car ever made in Australia, the Ford Falcon XY GT-HO Phase III has become a rapidly appreciating asset in recent years but slipping behind the wheel all this becomes largely irrelevant, as the cars true worth can only be experienced on the road.

HISTORY
- The ultimate Australian muscle car
- Older restoration by marque specialists
- Supplied with original books

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 – while 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 (with photos documenting the car before, during and post-rebuild), the Falcon is still fresh today, the quality of the workmanship clearly evident. 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 and 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 freshly overhauled by an ex-factory mechanic who worked on the Phase IIIs when new, including rings, bearings, rebuilding the carburettor and replacing all inlet and exhaust valves. Supplied with an extensive receipt file, Deluxe ACCHS report and a photocopy of a Phase III workshop manual, the car will be sold unregistered.

Note: Shannons advise that all potential buyers research all vehicles before purchase to authenticate originality.