A
local sedan with muscle under the bonnet, the XY GT and GTHO have
become legendary - many people creating replica's from more humble
Falcon 500 vehicles - and as the saying goes, imitation is the
sincerest form of flattery.
Unashamedly designed to win the prestigous Bathurst 500 at Mount
Panorama, Ford created at the time the world's fastest four-door
production car.
Motoring journalists loved the power, and nearly
everyone with an interest in classic Aussie cars will remember the
famous photo taken from the inside of a GT as it hurtled down the
Hume Highway, with the speedo wound off the clock (well past the
140 mph mark).
Styling was also legenday, with the "shaker" perhaps the
most noteable "add on" cosmetic improvement to this day.
Unlike some of the gregarious spoilers and add on kits adourning
current cars, the GT had subtle but aerodynamically necessary improvements
that gave the vehicle an agressive but dignified look.
Considerable appreciation in this vehicle over the last 15 years
may put it out of range for some collectors, however like "bricks
and mortar", the GT will remain a sound classic car investment.
Good examples of the GTHO are now selling for a little over twice the value of the average Australian home, and it's only a matter of time before they reach the magic $1,000,000