made the XB Falcon model a legend - "she's the last of the V8s!"
Indeed, the XB Falcon Grand Touring (GT) series would be the last GT series of its type that would be built
by Ford from a tradition that started with the 1966 XR Falcon GT. The heart of the XB GT was still the
high performance factory 351ci (5.8L) V8 with a 4-barrel carburettor coupled to an upgraded 4-spd
manual gearbox, limited slip differential and various suspension and shock absorber upgrades. With
the addition of GT styled wheels, a 4-headlight grille, GT dashboard with extra gauges and a three-spoke
steering wheel this exclusive series was, during the mid-1970s, still the pride and joy of Ford Australia.
The GT was the only XB series car factory fitted with the V8-4V engine combo with floor shift gearbox, bucket
seating and carpets all as mandatory items in order to qualify the car as an original GT series vehicle.
The 351ci V8 with the 4V carburettor was not available on any XB series other than the GT. Floor shift automatic
transmission however was available as an option for GT buyers and it proved a popular choice, more than half
of all the XB GT sedans and coupes built having the T-bar auto.
New XB GT features that differed from the previous XA GT were the now mandatory 4-wheel disc braking
system for 351ci fitted cars, a real improvement and one that the XB car became renown for. The new XB
front grille design meant a newly designed bonnet with now more aggressive looking NACA-styled air scoops
that closely resembled those found on the American Ford Mach 1 Mustang. The XB GT hardtops now featured
quarter panel mounted dummy air intakes behind each side door. A notable change also was the switch away
from the GT badges which were no longer metal clip-on items but now "GT351" decals on the side fenders.
The XB GT still had the customer optional Tutone Black Hood (RPO 55) bonnet but the factory fitted spoiler
options were now gone, these being an after market fitting. The XB GT did however introduce colour
coded front and rear bumpers.
Date of Introduction
31 October, 1973
Period of Sale
November, 1973 - July, 1976
Australian prices at time of introduction
Sedan: $5,200.00
Hardtop (auto): $5,316.00
Manual XB GT Falcons with U.S. Imported Big Port V8
Sedan: 139 / Hardtop: 72 (some sources say 86)
The XB Falcon GT Hardtop is one of the most sort after Falcon car types in demand today largely thanks
to its legendary appearance in the Australian made Mad Max films, albeit in somewhat modified form.
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GT Front Grille
GT Bonnet Scoops with locking pins
GT Quarter Panel (Dummy) Air Scoops (Hardtop only)
GT Lockable Fuel Cap
GT Elongated Chromed Exhaust Extensions
Blacked Window Frames (Sedan only)
RHS Remote Control
The last of the V8s - the XB Falcon GT production run ended in 1976 also ending the age
of the big block GT V8s. From then on customers had to option for factory fitted V8 engines.
The aggressive front end of the XB GT with driving lights and the so-called 'NASA'
bonnet air scoops which were very similar to those on the U.S. Ford Mustang Mach 1.
The new XB Falcon GT Hardtop featured 'GT351' decals and fake side flutes behind the side doors.
Seen here is an XB with the GT Tutone Black Hood, colour coded front bumper and optional sunroof.
Ford publicity still showing GT features like the 12-slot wheels, chromed exhaust
extensions, lockable fuel cap, GT badges and the dummy side flutes.
