Ford Falcon XW GT and GTHO

In May 1969 the first of the XW GTs rolled off the Broadmeadows assembly line. Ford upped the ante with the XW by fitting the 351 cubic inch (5.8 liter) Windsor V8 with an output of 290 bhp (217KW) and 385 ft/lbs of torque.

With bigger brakes, a final drive ratio of 3.25:1, a huge 36 gallon (164 liter) fuel tank and suspension mods to take the extra power and torque, the XW seemed to be the ultimate grand tourer.

But more was to follow. The HO variant, which arrived two months later, was a real street racer. HO stood for "Handling Option" in Fordspeak but most of the modifications added by Ford racing boss Al Turner were to the engine, which now developed 300bhp (225kW).

The 351 got a bigger (600 vs 450cfm) carburetor, hydraulic valve lifters, revised camshaft, heavy duty alternator, alloy inlet manifold as well as a three-inch heavy duty tailshaft, heavier front roll bar, beefed-up coils, stiffer shocks and a new rear roll bar.

In its first appearance at the 1969 Bathurst race an XW GTHO came in second in spite of wrong tire choice which saw the works cars pitting for unscheduled stops throughout the day. The GTHO also saw the debut of the "Super Roo" emblem, the tire burning kangaroo.

Production of the XW model resulted in 2,287 GTs from May 1969 to October 1970 and 662 GT HOs from Juty 1969 to October 1970. Ford further refined the XW GT with a Cleveland 351 engine, still with 300bhp.

The Phase II GTHO which appeared in August 1970 sported a 750cfm Holley carburetor and improved gear ratios with a high 3.5:1 rear axle. Allan Moffat won Bathurst in a Phase II after leading from lap 2.