Description
This information guide covers the Australian Ford Falcon XW GT and GT-HO vehicles. The XW was the third generation Falcon GT, and the first to offer the HO (Handling Option) homologation model. The XW Falcon GT was sold exclusively to the Australian market. However, CKD kits were exported to South Africa from 1970 where the vehicle was sold as the “Fairmont GT”.
The XW Falcon GT was based on the Fairmont trim specification, and received a number of performance upgrades to make the car competitive in Australian production touring car racing. Ford’s efforts to succeed in motorsport culminated in the GT-HO vehicles which were produced in sufficient numbers to allow the cars to compete in Class E touring car events, and more specifically to win the famous Bathurst endurance race at Mount Panorama. An outright victory at Bathurst was achieved in the 1970 Hardie-Ferodo 500, with Allan Moffat at the wheel of a XW GT-HO Phase II. The performance specifications, racing success and relative scarcity of the XW GTs have made the cars highly desirable among collectors, particularly in Australia.
This guide provides a detailed outline of the XW GTs specifications and unique features. If you have additional information that could improve this guide, please contact the author by clicking the button above.
XW GT and GT-HO period of manufacture:
XW Falcon GT: May 1969 – October 1970
XW Falcon GT-HO Phase I: July 1969 – March 1970 (officially released in August 1969)
XW Falcon GT-HO Phase I ½: March 1969 – April 1970
XW Falcon GT-HO Phase II: June 1970 – October 1970
XW GT and GT-HO production numbers:
The majority of sources agree on the total GT and GT-HO production numbers. However, there are a number of sources that disagree on the precise breakdown of numbers within the GT-HO phases. The numbers stated below are reflective of the majority of sources sighted. If you have further sources clarifying the numbers, please contact us so this guide can be updated..
XW Falcon GT: 2,287
XW Falcon GT-HO (Total): 662
- XW Falcon GT-HO Phase I (Windsor): 260
- XW Falcon GT-HO Phase I ½: 115
- XW Falcon GT-HO Phase II: 287