5 Greatest Ford Falcon Touring Cars

Ford proves that sometimes you can win hearts without winning the race.

1. Allan Moffat 1973 XY GT-HO Phase III

The last Falcon racer spun off a ‘homologation special’ production vehicle from the golden era of Australian muscle cars. The racing rules had changed in the wake of the 1972 supercars controversy, allowing greater modification. Moffat won his first ATCC crown in the XY – racing in the iconic ‘Brambles Red’ livery.

2. Dick Johnson 1980/’81 Tru-Blu XDs

Hitting a rock on track while holding a big lead early in the 1980 Bathurst 1000 immortalised Dick Johnson and his Tru-Blu XD. Public donations matched by Ford Australia financed a replacement racer, which cemented the blue-hued Falcons’ fame by giving Johnson the 1981 ATCC/ Bathurst 1000 double.

3. Johnson 1983/’84 Greens’- Tuf/Palmer Tube Mills XEs

Never have Falcon racers looked so imposing, especially the ‘Last Of The Big Bangers’ version that carried Johnson to victory in the 1984 ATCC. Ultra-muscular with bulging fender flares and huge rear spoiler, the XEs’ striking appearance was accentuated by the bright green livery.

4. Moffat Ford Dealers Team 1977 XC Hardtop

Arguably, the greatest Falcon racer of them all. With big backdoor backing from Broadmeadows, the Moffat Ford Dealers Team XC Hardtops of Moffat and Holden defector Colin Bond humbled the Holden Dealer Team Torana L34s in the ATCC – and famously orchestrated a 1-2 form finish at the Bathurst 1000.

5. Craig Lowndes 2001/’02 AU ‘Green-Eyed Monster’

Craig Lowndes’ jump from Holden to Ford to lead a new factory-backed squad was as unsuccessful as it was divisive. The awkward AU struggled but fans loved its menacing green headlights. The car remains an all-time favourite for the contrast of those fluorescent dots with its sober silver, despite an undistinguished track record.