Early in 1972 Ford released the XA Falcon with the GT in sedan and hardtop versions. The hardtop being preferred for racing as its bulging rear flanks accommodated wider tires. Ford built 1,868 sedans from January 1972 to September 1973 and 891 hardtops between July 1972 and September 1973.
The XA GT was designed for wider appeal with its less aggressive look and creature comforts. The XA GTHO Phase IV is the best remembered model that never was. Three prototypes were built at Ford's "Lot 6" race workshop and one production model made it down the Broadmeadows assembly line before the "Supercar" furore stopped production.
The Phase IV was to have had 340bhp (255kW) and around 400 ft/lbs of torque and a reported top speed of around 150mph (240kmh). The 'normal' GT continued in production and while many race teams made do with their Phase III XY's.
The XA GT won at Bathurst in 1973 with Moffat and Ian Geoghegan in the hardtop version, and in 1974 John Goss and Kevin Bartlett in an XA GT Hardtop won the first really wet Bathurst 1000 enduro.
Also see:
The
Ford Falcon GT Story
Cleveland 4V V8
Falcon XA GT Phase IV
Falcon XA GT RPO83
Falcon
XA GT Review
Falcon
XA GT Identification Guide |
- Engine Specifications:
- Type: 351 cubic inch (5.763 liter) Cleveland V8 'D' Block. 'H' block after October 1972
- Bore & Stroke: 102 x 89mm (4.00 x 3.50in)
- Power (DIN): 224kW (300bhp) @ 5400rpm
- Torque (DIN): 515Nm (380lb-ft) @ 3400rpm
- Compression Ratio: 11.0:1
- Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, 90 degree V8
- Head Design: Pushrod & rocker OHV with hydraulic lifters
- Fuel System: Ford Autolite '4300' 605cfm 4 barrel downdraught carburetor
- Ignition System: Single point Autolite Distributor - changed to Motorcraft Oct 72
- Exhaust System: Cast iron manifold, low restriction twin exhaust
- Manual Gearbox :
- Type: 4 speed all-synchronised
- 1st: 2.78:1
- 2nd: 1.93:1
- 3rd: 1.36:1
- 4th: 1.00:1
- Reverse: 2.78:1
- Automatic Transmission:
- Type: 3 speed FMX
- 1st: 2.40:1
- 2nd: 1.47:1
- 3rd: 1.00:1
- Reverse: 2.20:1
- Rear Axle:
- Type: 9in removable carrier type, Limited Slip 'traction lock' Diff, 28 spline
- Ratio: Manual 3.00:1 or 2.75:1 (Optional)
- Automatic: 2.75:1 or 3.00:1 (Optional)
- Suspension:
- Front: Independent angle poised ball joint, coil springs, shock absorbers, wishbones and anti-roll bar
- Rear: Hotchkiss type with semi-elliptic leaf springs, shock absorbers and live axle
- Brakes:
- Front: 286mm (11.25in) Servo assisted discs
- Rear: 254mm (10in) Servo assisted drums
- Steering:
- Type: Re-circulating ball power assistance (Optional)
- Ratio: 16:1
- Wheels & Tires:
- Wheels 6.0 x 14 Steel - Argent painted Steel '12 Slot'.
- 1972 had "caps" the same as an XY stainless caps. Later changed to GT centres (exposing a chrome wheelnut and having a red GT in the cap) at sometime in 1973.
- The only option was the "sports road wheel", a 5 spoked alloy centre welded to a steel rim. These are the same wheels available on the XYGT and the XBGT.
- tires E70HR14
- Instrumentation:
- Speedometer: 140mph
- Cleveland Tachometer: 8000rpm - Later cars had 7000rpm tachometers
- Oil Pressure: Gauge
- Water Temperature: Gauge
- Fuel: Gauge
- Voltage: Gauge
- Ignition: Warning Light
- High Beam: Warning Light
- Brakes: Warning Light
- Clock: Analogue
- Dimensions:
- Length: 4808mm (189.3in)
- Width: 1969mm (77.5in)
- Height: 1369mm (51.9in)
- Weelbase: 2819mm (111.0in)
- Front Track: 1524mm (60.0in)
- Rear Track: 1524mm (60.0in)
- Weight: 1587kg (3500lb)
- Turning Circle: 12.0m (39.4ft)
- Fuel Tank: 79.6lt (17.5gl) 122.9lt (27.0gl) (Optional)
- Seating: 5
- Performance:
- Top Speed: 193km/h (120mph)
- 0 - 60mph (0 - 100 km/h) - 8.1 seconds
- Standing 1/4 mile (400m) - 15.8 seconds
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