IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Fast forward a bunch of years and there’s now a much larger selection of engine options to choose from. It’s now not that uncommon to see high-horsepower turbo Barra 6’s powering XW/XY’s along with the new Coyote 5-litre V8, the 4.6 and 5.4-litre modular V8 from the BA-BF series Falcon and such cool engines as the KAASE Hemi-headed Ford big block! And yes, those bowtie lovers are infiltrating the Blue Oval fraternity and fitting LS-engines between the shock towers… In the world of Motorsport, the XW/XY Falcon has played a huge role since day one. Its feats at Bathurst and other circuits around Australia have earned the humble Falcon legendary status. The battles the Ford drivers had with their Holden counterparts were hard fought, much more than they are today with the primitive Falcon offering no creature comforts or drivers aids. These were the days when the drivers battled their own cars as well as the competition. Even today, the Falcon still gets used and abused in the Touring Car Master series much to the delight of motor racing fans of all ages with undying respect for the model’s heritage.
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No matter whether you’re into a fine crafted show car, meticulously finished resto or a hardcore tough streeter, the XW/XY Falcon will always remain an Australian favourite. Though the prices they now command putting them out of reach of many, there will always be those who will pay any amount to own a piece of Australian performance motoring history – even if it means a second mortgage on their homes…