It's Not a Mustang But!!! it's a Ford
 

Hi all,

I joined the forum community a few days ago to use as a resource tool looking for information about the new Coyote engine.

After introducing myself I mentioned that I was restoring a 1970 XW Ford Falcon over here in Australia. There was a lot of interest in my build and I was asked to post some pics.

I figured that this might be a good section as it is with in the same era and uses the same architecture as the Mustangs from that era.

If the mods think this should be in another section please feel free to move it.

I'll just give you some short history of our Ford cars in Australia.

In 1967 - 1972 Ford Australia started a line of performance vehicles offering factory performance upgrades they called these cars GT's. These years are referred to as our Muscle Car Era with high performance models being produced from several car manufacturer's mainly Ford, GM (GMH) Australian subsidiary of GM and Chrysler.

The 1966 model was Fords first offering of a Hi Performance four door saloon car. It given the code name as XR GT and offered the Hi Po 289 Windsor V8 engine. This car was the beginning of a golden era for Ford in Australia and was the start of the cult series of cars designed and built in Australia.

Being the original GT. The XR GT is still a much sort after collectable even today.

In 1967 the next model produced was the XT GT commonly known as the
Phase 1 GT. The engine was upgraded to the Hi Performance 302 Windsor it also continued on from the racing success of the XR GT.

In 1969 the XW GTHO was in introduced and was known as the Phase 2 GT. This car really raised the performance stakes compared to the other offering from GM and Chrysler. In 1969 the car was introduced with the 351 Windsor. Such was the success of this car it ran for an extra year of production and was offered with the choice of the 351 Windsor or 351 Cleveland V8.

In 1970 - 1972 the XY GTHO or Phase 3 was born Ford went all out with the 351 Cleveland to specifically win Bathurst our greatest car race and still is even till today. This car is re-guarded as the greatest muscle car that has ever produced in Australia and original 500 GTHO's built by Ford specifically for racing with matching numbers fetch around the $1,000,000 dollar mark or greater.

Ford had a Phase 4 planned for release in 1972 but the Government fearing that the manufacturer's were getting out of control allowing everyday drivers to purchase these vehicles made changes to regulations and introduced EPA requirements which effectively killed off these vehicles.

That's enough of that so I'll get to the point of what I'm up to.

I have purchased a 1970 XW Falcon for a full restoration and rebuild. As this car is not of the GT variety I can basically do what I like to it.

What I have planned is a full bare metal restoration with a Coyote & 6R80 swap and many other modifications including twin turbo's

So if you are interested in following my build I will post some pics.

Regards

Neil

Subscribed to this thread! This should be a very interesting build. Also great bit of history, I've always admired the Falcons and wish that Ford would bring them stateside. But alas I'm left drooling over magazines and videos of the latest Falcons

The Aussie Ford falcons have been a great car but unfortunately after 2016 Ford Australia will cease manufacturing. It will be a sad day but they are not the only manufacturer leaving our shores. Both GM and Toyota are ceasing manufacturing operations in 2017.

Sad day for Australia all round we design and build great cars over here.

Here is a couple of pictures of my original purchase. A stock Ford Falcon 500 sedan. I hope you enjoy following my build as it progresses.


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The last time this engine will be sitting in this car. A beautiful Coyote V8 will be taking it's place

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The XW has been stripped out and ready to head to the Acid Dippers for Paint removal and to to expose the extent of rust repairs that will be required.

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The interior will need a lot of work as well, so they will be repaired and re-upholstered with new leather.

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The clean bare shell arrives back from the Dippers. We now have a blank canvass to build something special

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The bare shell has been unloaded and is in the workshop.

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Why a four door?
Did they not make a 2 door?

Ford didn't make them in a 2 door in Australia. I think you guy's in the USA had a 2 door that looked very similar, I'm not sure what they called it though.

A few more pics of the rust repairs that need to be done. No structural rust mainly in the door sills and in the bottom of the rear quarter panels. Most of the rust seems to be down the left hand side of the shell. I'm not sure why possibly been garaged under a carport with side receiving the most exposure to the weather.

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The right hand side sill rail is like new.

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My new front end that will allow me to remove the shock towers to make room for the wide Coyote engine.

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Having a chat about my build with Greg the guy that's going to make it happen, That's me on the left of picture :-)

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The shell has been mounted onto the frame table ready for her make over. This will allow us to set the ride height of the car and keep everything square.

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Pete the fabricator has been getting stuck into removing the shock towers and inner guards so we can fit the new front end

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The new front end mounted in position :-)

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The package I've been waiting for has arrived from the USA

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Alterations are being made to the transmission tunnel to make room for the 6R80 auto

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Gonna be a nice ride! We had a Falcon here in the U.S. that looked very similar in 2 and 4 door versions in 1968 and 1969. Had one of the 2 doors years ago and dropped a 390 FE in it. Was a bolt in swap as these had the same front clip as the Fairlanes. Like the truck you are hauling it with!