You’ve probably seen the matte black monster scream across a desert landscape in a movie, but the Ford Falcon XB GT is way more than just a Hollywood prop. Honestly, if you grew up in Australia in the 70s, this wasn't just a car. It was a statement. It was the peak of a "Golden Era" that ended way too abruptly because of rising fuel prices and new safety rules that basically sucked the soul out of the industry.
People get the XB mixed up with the XA all the time. They look similar, sure. But the XB was Ford’s attempt to "Americanize" the look while keeping it distinctly Aussie. It was tougher. Grittier. It replaced the chrome-heavy vibe of the earlier 70s with a more integrated, color-coded look that felt like it was moving toward the future.
What Really Happened Under the Hood
The heart of this beast was the 351 Cleveland V8. This wasn't just some engine they pulled off a shelf. By 1973, when the XB launched, the high-performance "HO" (High Output) days were technically over due to the "Supercar Scare" of 1972. The media and politicians basically freaked out that cars were getting too fast for the road.
Because of that, the XB GT didn't get a "Phase IV" GTHO version.
Instead, it got a refined 351 that pushed out about 300 bhp. It sounds modest compared to a modern Tesla, but in 1974? It was a lot. You’ve got to remember these cars were heavy. We’re talking over 3,500 lbs of steel.
The torque was the real hero. With 380 lb-ft, you could basically pull a house down if you hitched it up right. It used a four-barrel Autolite carburetor that could be a bit finicky if you didn't know what you were doing. Most serious drivers opted for the four-speed manual, but the three-speed FMX automatic was actually pretty robust if you just wanted to cruise.
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The Mad Max Factor (And the Lies We Believe)
Let’s talk about the Interceptor. Everyone knows it.
The "Pursuit Special" from the films started life as a standard white 1973 Ford Falcon XB GT Hardtop. The production team bought it used because it was cheap back then. Imagine that. They added the "Concorde" nose cone—designed by Peter Arcadipane—and those iconic side pipes.
Here is the truth: those eight side pipes? Only two actually worked. The rest were just bolted on for the look.
And that blower? The Weiand supercharger sticking out of the hood was totally fake in the first movie. It was just a shell sitting on the engine, spun by an electric motor. Real superchargers don't have an "on/off" switch on the gear shift like Max uses. In the second film, they actually made it somewhat functional, but for the original 1979 classic, it was all movie magic.
Racing History and the Mount Panorama Mythos
If you want to understand why people pay six figures for these cars now, you have to look at Bathurst.
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The 1973 Hardie-Ferodo 1000 was the first time the race went to 1000km instead of 500 miles. Allan Moffat and Ian Geoghegan took an XA GT to the win, but the XB really defined the mid-70s racing scene. Moffat actually won the 1976 Australian Touring Car Championship in an XB GT Hardtop.
It wasn't easy though. His car famously caught fire during transport, and he had to borrow a car from his rival, John Goss, just to stay in the running. That’s the kind of camaraderie that doesn't really exist in modern racing.
- Production Numbers: Between 1973 and 1976, Ford only built 2,899 XB GTs.
- The Split: 1,950 were sedans, and only 949 were the much-coveted two-door hardtops.
- Survival Rate: Rust was a massive killer. A huge chunk of these cars ended up in scrap heaps before they became "collectible."
Living With One Today: It’s Not All Glory
Buying an original Ford Falcon XB GT today is a bit of a minefield. Honestly, so many "tributes" (which is just a fancy word for replicas) are out there that you need to be a detective. You have to check the VIN plate. You’re looking for a "T" engine code and a "JG33" or "JG66" prefix to make sure it’s a real GT.
Restoration is a nightmare if you’re a perfectionist. Finding a genuine dash pad or the correct "tramp rods" for the rear suspension can take months of scouring forums and swap meets. The parts are expensive. A set of original "Globe" magnesium wheels can cost more than a decent used sedan.
The driving experience is... analog. No power steering (usually). No ABS. The brakes are four-wheel discs, which was actually a big deal for the XB—it was the first Australian Ford to have them as standard—but they still feel wooden compared to modern tech. You don't drive an XB GT; you wrestle it. It’s loud, it smells like unburnt premium fuel, and it gets about 10 miles to the gallon if you're lucky.
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But when that V8 hits its stride on a long stretch of blacktop, none of that matters.
Actionable Insights for the Aspiring Owner
If you’re looking to get into the XB world, don't just jump at the first "Interposed" look-alike you see.
- Verification First: Join the Falcon GT Club of Australia or a similar local group. They have the records to verify if the car you're looking at is a genuine GT or a 500 sedan with a body kit.
- Rust Check: Focus on the "plenum chamber" (the area at the base of the windshield) and the rear quarter panels. These cars rot from the inside out.
- Mechanicals over Cosmetics: The 351 Cleveland is a tough engine, but it runs hot. Check the cooling system and look for cracks in the cast iron manifolds.
- Market Timing: Prices peaked a few years ago and have stabilized slightly, but "survivor" cars—ones that haven't been restored—are currently fetching the highest premiums.
The Ford Falcon XB GT represents the end of an era. It was the last time Ford Australia really let their hair down and built a GT that felt like it belonged on the track and the street simultaneously. It’s a heavy, thirsty, beautiful dinosaur that still commands respect every time it turns a wheel.
If you're planning a restoration, start by sourcing your trim pieces and interior bits first. The mechanical parts are relatively easy to find because the Cleveland was used in so many US models, but those Aussie-specific plastic and vinyl parts are disappearing fast. Get them while they still exist.