XA GT RPO 83 ‘plus’

This magnificent XA GT is the closest thing we’ve seen to a Phase IV coupe. Incredibly, it was virtually unwanted early in its life for reasons including engine behaviour that suggested, to the uninitiated, major internal woes. However, the unorthodox noises were (and are) music to the ears of those in the know and a hint to secrets within.

Story: Adam Davis

Phased in Skimming across the history of the muscle car – whether American or Australian – reveals that, for collectors, codes are currency. Think E49, L34 and, for Ford fans, RPO 83. The story behind Regular Production Option code 83 is the stuff of legend: A media-fuelled supercar scare creates public furore and ‘the big three’ abandon their ever-escalating racetrack war. For Ford Australia, this meant torching its most ambitious project, the XA Falcon GT-HO Phase IV, after three racecars and one road car had been built. But what to do with the surplus homologation parts, at least 250 sets required to ensure the Phase IV’s Bathurst eligibility? History now shows that these parts were quickly and quietly dispersed through the Ford dealership network, though it is the existence of the 250 Ford…

You're reading a preview of

Australian Muscle Car (Digital) - 1 Issue, Issue 79

DiscountMags is a licensed distributor (not a publisher) of the above content and Publication through Zinio LLC. Accordingly, we have no editorial control over the Publications. Any opinions, advice, statements, services, offers or other information or content expressed or made available by third parties, including those made in Publications offered on our website, are those of the respective author(s) or publisher(s) and not of DiscountMags. DiscountMags does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness, or usefulness of all or any portion of any publication or any services or offers made by third parties, nor will we be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on information contained in any Publication, or your use of services offered, or your acceptance of any offers made through the Service or the Publications. For content removal requests, please contact Zinio.