GTHO Phase III
The Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III 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 impgal fuel tank.
Winner of the 1971 Bathurst 500, driven by Allan Moffat, 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.[2]
The GTHO's 351 Cleveland engine output was understated as 300 bhp to satisfy insurers. It is generally accepted to produce in the region of 350-380 bhp. Initial cars were equipped with an electrical rev limiter which came into effect at 6,150 rpm. With 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.[3] 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 the optional 440ci/375hp V8 automatic was officially clocked at 147mph by Michigan State Police at Chrysler's Chelsea Proving Grounds.[4] 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 the Phase III GTHO was the "world's fastest four-door production car" in 1971.
Performance:
Top speed: 228 km/h at 6150rpm 0 – 60 mph: 6.4 seconds 0 – 100 km - 6.9 seconds Standing 1/4 mi: 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 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)
Value
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.[5] Lloyds Auctions sold the pristine and provenanced car for $1,030,000 at its weekend auction in Bathurst, NSW.[6] This demand is, in part, due to a small production run, and 'fewer than 100 remaining' examples of the GTHO.[7]
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".[8] The sale price set a new auction record for Australian sport sedans.[9]
