Benzenes

Falcon Friday 🧡🧡🧡

If this one looks a little familiar, there’s a good reason for it.

Another XY Falcon GT-HO Phase III has made its way through the Benzenes studio — this time in Ultra White, the same colour combination as our own XY GT replica.

The Phase III needs very little introduction. Built in 1971, only 300 XY GT-HO Phase IIIs were produced, combining the 351 Cleveland, four-speed manual and a number of performance upgrades developed with Bathurst firmly in mind.

It went on to become one of the most iconic Australian performance cars ever built, with Allan Moffat taking one to victory at Bathurst in 1971.

Of course, every time a Phase III gets posted, someone is guaranteed to say:

“They only made 300 XY GT-HO Phase IIIs, but there seems to be thousands getting around.” 😂

Judging by social media, apparently all 300 survived… and then some.

Either way, it’s always pretty special having one of these in the studio — and even more so when it’s sitting there looking remarkably similar to our own XY.

Cars like this are a huge part of why Benzenes exists, so we’re especially proud to be joining the 2027 Falcon GT Nationals as a sponsor. To be supporting an event that celebrates some of the most significant Falcons in Australian motoring history is something we’re really looking forward to.

If you want to know more about the GT-HOs and the 2027 Falcon GT Nationals, check out the link in the description.

Everyone knows how passionate I am about motorsport, particularly the Group A touring car era of the ’80s and ’90s.

These cars are a huge part of Australian motorsport history and deserve to be preserved and presented as they actually raced — including their original liveries.

This isn’t about promoting smoking; it’s about preserving history.

If you feel the same, please take a minute to sign the petition. Link in the comments. 🏁

Holden’s idea of luxury in the late ’60s. 👌

The HT Brougham brought together V8 power, loads of chrome and a little more class than your average Holden.

Long, low and unmistakably Australian. 🇦🇺

Who else has a soft spot for the Brougham?

I was thinking about this car tonight, so I went digging through some old photos.

Our old GT will always be a pretty special car to me, mainly because of the memories attached to it and the connection it has with Dad.

Funny how certain cars never really leave you, even years after they’re gone.

If anyone knows the whereabouts of it these days, I’d genuinely love to know where it ended up and what sort of condition it’s in now.

Would be pretty special to see it again after all these years.

A few more boxes ticked today on Veez’ new weapon 😂

It’s actually good to see the younger generation still interested in personalising their cars, and even better seeing more young girls getting into the car scene and making their cars their own.

And it doesn’t have to be a big-dollar car to have some fun with it. They’re actually spoilt for choice these days with affordable cars and the amount of aftermarket gear available.

A few simple changes can completely transform a car and give it some personality.

A couple more additions to go and a full polish and it will be ready for when she gets her P’s.

Although I’m starting to think V might have a bit of a heavy right foot… 😲😂

This XC Fairmont GXL represents an interesting chapter in Ford Australia’s history.

Introduced in 1976, the GXL sat at the top of the XC Fairmont range. The Falcon GT was gone, but Ford hadn’t completely walked away from combining performance with luxury.

The Fairmont GXL was the result.

Available only as a sedan, the GXL added plenty over the regular Fairmont, with sports instrumentation, bucket seats, alloy wheels, four-wheel disc brakes, power steering and the unmistakable GS-style bonnet scoops. Buyers could even option the 351 V8 with the GT Power Pack — giving the GXL a little bit of GT DNA while wearing a Fairmont badge.

For this particular car, one of the biggest priorities was inside.

The owner’s instructions were simple: try and bring the original interior back to life.

The factory trim received a thorough but considered clean, with careful extraction and degreasing used to remove years of built-up grime while respecting the age and originality of the materials.

Outside, the XC received an enhancement machine polish to improve the paint’s gloss and clarity, along with attention to the glass, chrome, wheels, tyres and exterior details.

The aim wasn’t to make a nearly 50-year-old Fairmont look restored. It was simply to bring back as much of its original character as possible.

And I think that’s exactly what a car like this deserves.

XC Fairmont GXL — luxury with a little bit of GT DNA.

Fuelled by Passion.

There are rare cars… and then there are cars where the significance really hits you when the keys are handed over.

This 1973 Ford Falcon XA GT RPO 83 Hardtop is one of those cars.

According to Unique Cars Magazine, this particular example is believed to be the first RPO 83 Hardtop off the production line.

Born from the aftermath of the cancelled XA Phase IV program, the RPO 83 received performance hardware associated with the Phase IV, including the 780cfm Holley and exhaust headers. Unique Cars fittingly described it as a “Phase IV lite”.

It’s certainly not my first rodeo detailing rare and iconic Falcon GTs, but being entrusted with a car of this significance is still an absolute honour and privilege.

While it arrived presenting in very good condition, getting it under detailing lights revealed isolated paint defects and plenty of smaller areas that could be improved.

With a car like this, however, preservation comes first.

Paint correction was carried out selectively to improve clarity, gloss and depth without unnecessarily chasing every defect. The finer details were cleaned and refined before the exterior was protected.

The goal wasn’t to make a 53-year-old car something it isn’t.

It was to enhance, restore and protect what’s already there.

And when what’s already there is believed to be the first XA GT RPO 83 Hardtop produced, that responsibility isn’t lost on me.

Very fortunate to have played a small part in the story of this incredible piece of Australian motoring history.

Fuelled by Passion.

**Historical information referenced and condensed from Guy Allen’s “Hardtop Heaven!”, Unique Cars Magazine, Issue 470, September 2022.