A Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III has become
the most expensive Australian-built car to ever sell at auction, trading hands
for AUD 1.3 million (US$ 760,000) at a Lloyds Online auction last weekend.
Ford introduced the GTHO Phase III in 1971, when the automaker’s rivalry with
Holden at the famous Bathurst endurance race was at its peak.
Thanks to its V8 engine with almost 400
hp, the Phase III could run the quarter mile in less than 14 seconds and was
the fastest four-door production car in the world with a top speed of 225 km/h.
The same year, the car claimed victory
at Bathurst and went on to secure the Australian Manufacturers Championship in
1971 and 1972, while notching up race wins during the 1972 and 1973 Australian
Touring Car Championship. Roughly 300 examples were built for customers.
A similar example was sold for AUD 750,000 (US$ 553,000) in 2007. This particular GTHO sold by Lloyds is finished in
Track Red and was owned by celebrated Australian cricketer Jeff Thomson for a
decade. The car has been kept original and was sold with the original seat
belts, spare tires, interior and carpets. It has 20,968 km on the
odometer, a full service history and all documents.
Despite being 47 years old, the Falcon
is in excellent condition and the Track Red paint still shines. Contrasting the
red are gold accents and black racing stripes, while a set of star-shaped
silver wheels and chrome across the front fascia complete the look.
