The XY Falcon GT would have to be one of Australian's most iconic cars in motoring history.

Boasting a huge 351ci V8 it was launched by Ford in 1971 as “the best luxury-performance car you can buy for your money”. It came standard with a 4 on the floor syncromesh top loader gearbox, disc brakes, dual exhaust, racing suspension and clutch, limited slip differential, wide tyres and a huge fuel tank, ranking it with the worlds best of its era.

The car was immediately recognized by its “shaker” air cleaner which protruded through the bonnet providing cold air intake to feed the four barrel downdraught Holley carburettor. The GT-HO Phase III featured other modifications like updated valves and springs in the engine heads, a new intake manifold, and a far more aggressive camshaft punching out some 390 horsepower at 5900rpm.

We believe there were approximately 1500 examples of the XY GT produced, with the more limited edition XY GT-HO Phase III around 300.