Ford Falcon XC Genuine ex Rusty French race car May appeal to XY XA & XB buyer
Sale price: $139,000.00
make an offer
Technical specifications
| Manufacturer: | Ford |
| Model: | Falcon |
| Type: | Coupe |
| Fuel Type: | Avgas |
| Color: | Black |
| Transmission: | Manual |
| Engine: | 5.8 |
| Door: | 2 |
| Got questions? | Ask the Seller |
Current customer rating:
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Photos
Description
See the latest issue of Australian Muscle Car (issue 84 page 20) for an article on this car.
A unique opportunity to own 1 of only approximately 20 genuine race 2 door Falcon's ever built. (From 1973 to 1979) This car raced from September 1977 to December 1979. (including Bathurst 1977, 78 & 79) It has NEVER been road registered and I am only the 2nd owner. History and sale details below.
Originality- The difference between a road & race car
Ex race cars should not be viewed the same as a road car. Road cars are built to a standard on a production line. This standard is repeated over the build of that model car. They can be entered in events for concours trophies. Here judges apply strict rules to make sure the cars meet their production standard. As an example does it have the correct matching numbers engine, are the accessories fitted to that engine correct, correct paint colour, correct air cleaner etc
Race cars don't have that. They were not built on a production line. (Apart from the body shell) They are hand built and unique. Using an engine as an example, my car in the 3 years it raced may have had 6 different engines, been fitted with different sump designs to combat oil surge, different carburettors, different distributors etc
There would have been differences between my Falcon and say Moffats Falcon. Things like spring rates, brake callipers, shock absorbers, sump design etc.
I can tell you that very few ex race 2 door Falcons or Torana's are found with their original running gear in them. Most of these cars were either put back on the road, stripped of parts or modified after they finished their racing careers. Not many race cars stay intact when their career is over. For instance the Moffat & Bond Falcons that finished 1st and 2nd at Bathurst in 1977. They did not have their original running gear in them when purchased by their current owners. They had to have their mechanicals replicated or replaced with correct period items. No different to what I have done on Rusty's car. So while the mechanicals are not original to Rusty's car they are period correct. CAMS and the Heritage Touring Car people who are the closets thing to a concours judge for race cars agree with me.
Original Logbook
Each motor racing vehicle has a logbook that is provided by CAMS before the car is raced. It is then stamped at each meeting the car attends and any points or notes are added. e.g. if the car was damaged or failed scrutineering, needed to have any items changed before the next race. It is a history of that cars competition career. This book stays with the vehicle and when the vehicle is sold to a new owner it is a CAMS requirement that it is passed on to the new owner. Naturally with cars that have changed hands many times or been put back on the road as happened to many Group C vehicles, this book can become lost somewhere along the line.
Unfortunately in my case I don't have that book. Back in 1984 when I bought the car I didn't know they existed. What CAMS does have is the original application for that logbook from the original owner. On it is the VIN No that matches the VIN No of my car.
I also want to reiterate that as part of the process CAMS interview all the relevant people they can to verify the evidence I have presented is correct. These are people that were around in that era, who had worked on the car or raced against it or were involved with Group C vehicles. Naturally the previous owner was also consulted as part of the process. Everyone was given ample time to approve or disapprove the evidence presented on the car.
The outcome of this was I now have a Historic Logbook for the car covering the period from September 1977 to December 1979. It has been stamped with all the Historic Meetings that the car has recently competed in.
Change Of Paint Scheme
The vehicle can be painted in the scheme it raced in Bathurst 1978 which was part of the John Goss two car team. To do this CAMS can assist the new owner with the relevant requirements for example relevant pictures of the car at the time and now. This includes any technical benefits gained by racing a 1978 Falcon compared to 1977. You can get contact details form their website.
Competition History & Rusty's Ownership - 1977 to 1984
Built from an XB body shell by Dale Sudholz for Rusty French in 1977. Dale had worked for Moffat,under Carrol Smith so knew what was required to build a race Falcon. It had to be built to comply with Group C rules (now V8 Supercars) It featured:
All the unique body modifications that the 13 homologation special Falcons received though it was not one of those cars. Things like widened rear wheel arches, strut tower, idler arm & body bracing etcUnique 36 gallon fuel tank, one of only a handful made by Ford. (See Photo)Alloy roll cage right through the car.
The car was finished in time for the Sandown Hang Ten 400 in September 1977. Rusty partnered with Leo Leonard for this and the upcoming Bathurst event. Uniquely it had the GXL Fairmont grill fitted with the square headlights. CAMS (the governing body) told them it had to be changed to the standard 4 headlight grill for Bathurst as thats what the Falcon was homologated to run in races. The car didn't finish its first race.
The car then raced until 1979. It did mainly Victorian events. It did support races at Sandown, Calder and Phillip Island. It actually won a support race at Phillip Island. Some major events were:
Bathurst 1977 Rusty French/Leo Leonard. Car running at the end of the race but not enough laps completed to be classified as a finisher. Phillip Island Enduro 1977 Leo Leonard Car failed to finish Oran Park 500 1978 Rusty French/John Goss Car finished 9thBathurst 1978 Rusty French/Graham MoorePart of a 2 car team with John Goss. The car running at the end of the race but not enough laps completed to be classified as a finisher. Sandown Enduro Rusty FrenchCar failed to finishBathurst 1979 Rusty French/Graham MoorePart of a 2 car team with Jim Keogh. Car did 10 laps before blowing the engine. The car has had a crash during its history. The front radiator support panel has been replaced at some point. The drivers side rear corner also shows signs of repair work. Whether it happened in the same crash or separate incidents I can't say. I can't find any mention of a crash in any of the articles I have read from the period. If it was bad enough they would have covered it. What I can say is that the damage was not bad enough to end the cars competition career. It was repaired and raced on. I have had the car checked by professional people who have verified this. There is no problem with setting up the front suspension or aligning the front wheels. The car does not handle badly or have any evil traits according to the drivers I have had race it. They would know.
At the start of 1980 Rusty got a new XD Falcon body shell. At Bathurst you had to race the latest body shape so Falcon racers had to upgrade from the 2 door XC coupe to the new XD. Luckily the floorpan of the XC coupe and XD were the same even though the upper body was very different. This meant that all the suspension, engine , gearbox and diff from the XC fitted into the XD. It was easy to transfer everything across to the new car. Many Falcon racers did just that. Rusty was no exception. Everything that could be used in the XD was taken off the XC. The only things left were:
Complete interior and wiring (Apart from race front seats and instruments.) Alloy Roll Cage36 gallon fuel tankAll the external panels, spoilers, lights etcBrake booster and master cylinder.
The XC was then put into a corner of the shed until I inquired about it in 1984.
My Ownership 1984 onwards
I saw Jim Keogh's car or rolling shell advertised for I think $2,000. I missed out on buying it but decided to chase up all the Ford racers to see if any still had their old 2 door coupes. Nothing beats the shape and sound of a race coupe in my opinion. Most had sold their cars to help pay for their ongoing motorsport commitments. Rusty was the exception. I purchased the car or shell from him in 1984. I still have the original receipt. I also managed to buy parts from Murray Carter and Allan Moffat.
For years I did nothing with the car (the usual, no time or no money or both) Then when an opportunity came to do a parade lap with the car at Bathurst in 2005, I started the process of restoring it back to Group C specifications.
To start with I used standard road car running gear, then gradually upgraded it to race specifications. To be eligible to run at historic meetings, besides having a genuine car from the period, you must pick a race meeting the car competed at and restore it back to that mechanical specification and paint scheme. I picked Bathurst 1977 as the car had sponsorship by a Ford Dealer and it looked great in black with gold pin striping. Similar to the Formula 1 1972 Lotus JPS colours. Thats how the car is presented today.
It took many months to get the car approved by the governing historic body CAMS. To be "approved" means being issued with a historic logbook. This makes the car eligible to compete at any historic race for that type of vehicle. To get it you must supply CAMS documentation, photo's and the cars history, including any previous owners. The people at CAMS then research the data supplied and where possible, interview relevant people. This all takes time and CAMS were very helpful and friendly during this process. This also makes sure that the car is not a fake or replica. Its a good thing as these cars are worth a lot of money today.
The car is now back to Bathurst 1977 specifications and colour scheme. I have run it at a number of historic meetings of which the highlight was the Australian Grand Prix support race in 2012. I didn't drive it myself but was lucky enough to have Murray Carter and Jim Keogh do some meetings in it for me. They are both gentleman and a pleasure to have on the team. I can't thank them enough.
Unfortunately the cars original owner has not been helpful in the restoration process.
Car's Specifications
Engine
351 Cleveland2 bolt iron block4MA crank, after market rods and forged pistonsStandard 4V iron heads, screw in studs and guide plates. Standard valve size. (no porting or polishing allowed)Mechanical Cam Rare factory aluminium intake manifold and water pump.Holley Dominator carbyPhase 4 headers10 litre baffled wet sumpRuns on Avgas
Gearbox & Clutch
Standard Ford twin plate clutchRare factory aluminium bell housing31 spline (extended housing) close ratio top loader gearbox. (rebuilt)
Diff
Nodular Iron CentreDetroit locker (rebuilt)31 spline axlesBaffled diff housing
Suspension
Front
Coil Springs Kmac ex MoffatSway Bar Kmac Ex MoffatShock Absorbers Koni adjustables ex Murray Carter (rebuilt)
Rear
Narrow rear leaf springs Ex MoffatSway Bar Kmac Ex MoffatShock Absorbers Koni adjustables ex Murray Carter (rebuilt)Panhard barBrakes
Standard XC BoosterInternational truck Master CylinderXC brake reservoir
Front
Coleman 4 piston calipersSpecially made alloy hats to hold the rotorsColeman vented rotors, Same diameter as standard but twice the thickness
Rear
Willwood 4 piston calipersSpecially made alloy hats to hold the rotorsColeman vented rotors, Same diameter as standard but twice the thicknessOther Items
Race seats and harnessesRare 36 gallon fuel tankManual 16:1 steering box4 core radiatorFull alloy roll cage Ford ID plates. Unique and rare as Ford have no record of this car. The plates were specially made using unused numbers. I have a letter from Ford stating that and it ties in with what I have been told about the car.
Reason for Sale
I can't afford to race it. It was expensive back then and it still hasn't changed. I would like to see it go to someone that has the funds to do it properly. I don't want to leave it in my garage gathering dust.
Sale Details
In the sale you get:
Complete running carSet of 4 space saver wheels to store it on.Set of 4 wet weather tyres on 15 x10 Magnum rims. 3 are Ex Murray Carter. 2 spare front hotwire rims 15x10 (Front only)Original bonnet with reverse bonnet scoop. Not fitted as reverse scoop was a later modification. 2 spare front spoilers4 Spare Brake Rotors (New) Fits both front & RearPaperwork and photo's of its past and present life. (includes original receipt and CAMS historic logbook)
Please Note
I am NOT interested in any type of swap arrangement. Once the money is in my bank account then the car is released to the buyer. If paying by Paypal, the Paypal fees must be paid by the buyer, otherwise no deal.Local pickup only
Contact details :- Tom 0400 247 033
Also published at eBay.com.au
A unique opportunity to own 1 of only approximately 20 genuine race 2 door Falcon's ever built. (From 1973 to 1979) This car raced from September 1977 to December 1979. (including Bathurst 1977, 78 & 79) It has NEVER been road registered and I am only the 2nd owner. History and sale details below.
Originality- The difference between a road & race car
Ex race cars should not be viewed the same as a road car. Road cars are built to a standard on a production line. This standard is repeated over the build of that model car. They can be entered in events for concours trophies. Here judges apply strict rules to make sure the cars meet their production standard. As an example does it have the correct matching numbers engine, are the accessories fitted to that engine correct, correct paint colour, correct air cleaner etc
Race cars don't have that. They were not built on a production line. (Apart from the body shell) They are hand built and unique. Using an engine as an example, my car in the 3 years it raced may have had 6 different engines, been fitted with different sump designs to combat oil surge, different carburettors, different distributors etc
There would have been differences between my Falcon and say Moffats Falcon. Things like spring rates, brake callipers, shock absorbers, sump design etc.
I can tell you that very few ex race 2 door Falcons or Torana's are found with their original running gear in them. Most of these cars were either put back on the road, stripped of parts or modified after they finished their racing careers. Not many race cars stay intact when their career is over. For instance the Moffat & Bond Falcons that finished 1st and 2nd at Bathurst in 1977. They did not have their original running gear in them when purchased by their current owners. They had to have their mechanicals replicated or replaced with correct period items. No different to what I have done on Rusty's car. So while the mechanicals are not original to Rusty's car they are period correct. CAMS and the Heritage Touring Car people who are the closets thing to a concours judge for race cars agree with me.
Original Logbook
Each motor racing vehicle has a logbook that is provided by CAMS before the car is raced. It is then stamped at each meeting the car attends and any points or notes are added. e.g. if the car was damaged or failed scrutineering, needed to have any items changed before the next race. It is a history of that cars competition career. This book stays with the vehicle and when the vehicle is sold to a new owner it is a CAMS requirement that it is passed on to the new owner. Naturally with cars that have changed hands many times or been put back on the road as happened to many Group C vehicles, this book can become lost somewhere along the line.
Unfortunately in my case I don't have that book. Back in 1984 when I bought the car I didn't know they existed. What CAMS does have is the original application for that logbook from the original owner. On it is the VIN No that matches the VIN No of my car.
I also want to reiterate that as part of the process CAMS interview all the relevant people they can to verify the evidence I have presented is correct. These are people that were around in that era, who had worked on the car or raced against it or were involved with Group C vehicles. Naturally the previous owner was also consulted as part of the process. Everyone was given ample time to approve or disapprove the evidence presented on the car.
The outcome of this was I now have a Historic Logbook for the car covering the period from September 1977 to December 1979. It has been stamped with all the Historic Meetings that the car has recently competed in.
Change Of Paint Scheme
The vehicle can be painted in the scheme it raced in Bathurst 1978 which was part of the John Goss two car team. To do this CAMS can assist the new owner with the relevant requirements for example relevant pictures of the car at the time and now. This includes any technical benefits gained by racing a 1978 Falcon compared to 1977. You can get contact details form their website.
Competition History & Rusty's Ownership - 1977 to 1984
Built from an XB body shell by Dale Sudholz for Rusty French in 1977. Dale had worked for Moffat,under Carrol Smith so knew what was required to build a race Falcon. It had to be built to comply with Group C rules (now V8 Supercars) It featured:
All the unique body modifications that the 13 homologation special Falcons received though it was not one of those cars. Things like widened rear wheel arches, strut tower, idler arm & body bracing etcUnique 36 gallon fuel tank, one of only a handful made by Ford. (See Photo)Alloy roll cage right through the car.
The car was finished in time for the Sandown Hang Ten 400 in September 1977. Rusty partnered with Leo Leonard for this and the upcoming Bathurst event. Uniquely it had the GXL Fairmont grill fitted with the square headlights. CAMS (the governing body) told them it had to be changed to the standard 4 headlight grill for Bathurst as thats what the Falcon was homologated to run in races. The car didn't finish its first race.
The car then raced until 1979. It did mainly Victorian events. It did support races at Sandown, Calder and Phillip Island. It actually won a support race at Phillip Island. Some major events were:
Bathurst 1977 Rusty French/Leo Leonard. Car running at the end of the race but not enough laps completed to be classified as a finisher. Phillip Island Enduro 1977 Leo Leonard Car failed to finish Oran Park 500 1978 Rusty French/John Goss Car finished 9thBathurst 1978 Rusty French/Graham MoorePart of a 2 car team with John Goss. The car running at the end of the race but not enough laps completed to be classified as a finisher. Sandown Enduro Rusty FrenchCar failed to finishBathurst 1979 Rusty French/Graham MoorePart of a 2 car team with Jim Keogh. Car did 10 laps before blowing the engine. The car has had a crash during its history. The front radiator support panel has been replaced at some point. The drivers side rear corner also shows signs of repair work. Whether it happened in the same crash or separate incidents I can't say. I can't find any mention of a crash in any of the articles I have read from the period. If it was bad enough they would have covered it. What I can say is that the damage was not bad enough to end the cars competition career. It was repaired and raced on. I have had the car checked by professional people who have verified this. There is no problem with setting up the front suspension or aligning the front wheels. The car does not handle badly or have any evil traits according to the drivers I have had race it. They would know.
At the start of 1980 Rusty got a new XD Falcon body shell. At Bathurst you had to race the latest body shape so Falcon racers had to upgrade from the 2 door XC coupe to the new XD. Luckily the floorpan of the XC coupe and XD were the same even though the upper body was very different. This meant that all the suspension, engine , gearbox and diff from the XC fitted into the XD. It was easy to transfer everything across to the new car. Many Falcon racers did just that. Rusty was no exception. Everything that could be used in the XD was taken off the XC. The only things left were:
Complete interior and wiring (Apart from race front seats and instruments.) Alloy Roll Cage36 gallon fuel tankAll the external panels, spoilers, lights etcBrake booster and master cylinder.
The XC was then put into a corner of the shed until I inquired about it in 1984.
My Ownership 1984 onwards
I saw Jim Keogh's car or rolling shell advertised for I think $2,000. I missed out on buying it but decided to chase up all the Ford racers to see if any still had their old 2 door coupes. Nothing beats the shape and sound of a race coupe in my opinion. Most had sold their cars to help pay for their ongoing motorsport commitments. Rusty was the exception. I purchased the car or shell from him in 1984. I still have the original receipt. I also managed to buy parts from Murray Carter and Allan Moffat.
For years I did nothing with the car (the usual, no time or no money or both) Then when an opportunity came to do a parade lap with the car at Bathurst in 2005, I started the process of restoring it back to Group C specifications.
To start with I used standard road car running gear, then gradually upgraded it to race specifications. To be eligible to run at historic meetings, besides having a genuine car from the period, you must pick a race meeting the car competed at and restore it back to that mechanical specification and paint scheme. I picked Bathurst 1977 as the car had sponsorship by a Ford Dealer and it looked great in black with gold pin striping. Similar to the Formula 1 1972 Lotus JPS colours. Thats how the car is presented today.
It took many months to get the car approved by the governing historic body CAMS. To be "approved" means being issued with a historic logbook. This makes the car eligible to compete at any historic race for that type of vehicle. To get it you must supply CAMS documentation, photo's and the cars history, including any previous owners. The people at CAMS then research the data supplied and where possible, interview relevant people. This all takes time and CAMS were very helpful and friendly during this process. This also makes sure that the car is not a fake or replica. Its a good thing as these cars are worth a lot of money today.
The car is now back to Bathurst 1977 specifications and colour scheme. I have run it at a number of historic meetings of which the highlight was the Australian Grand Prix support race in 2012. I didn't drive it myself but was lucky enough to have Murray Carter and Jim Keogh do some meetings in it for me. They are both gentleman and a pleasure to have on the team. I can't thank them enough.
Unfortunately the cars original owner has not been helpful in the restoration process.
Car's Specifications
Engine
351 Cleveland2 bolt iron block4MA crank, after market rods and forged pistonsStandard 4V iron heads, screw in studs and guide plates. Standard valve size. (no porting or polishing allowed)Mechanical Cam Rare factory aluminium intake manifold and water pump.Holley Dominator carbyPhase 4 headers10 litre baffled wet sumpRuns on Avgas
Gearbox & Clutch
Standard Ford twin plate clutchRare factory aluminium bell housing31 spline (extended housing) close ratio top loader gearbox. (rebuilt)
Diff
Nodular Iron CentreDetroit locker (rebuilt)31 spline axlesBaffled diff housing
Suspension
Front
Coil Springs Kmac ex MoffatSway Bar Kmac Ex MoffatShock Absorbers Koni adjustables ex Murray Carter (rebuilt)
Rear
Narrow rear leaf springs Ex MoffatSway Bar Kmac Ex MoffatShock Absorbers Koni adjustables ex Murray Carter (rebuilt)Panhard barBrakes
Standard XC BoosterInternational truck Master CylinderXC brake reservoir
Front
Coleman 4 piston calipersSpecially made alloy hats to hold the rotorsColeman vented rotors, Same diameter as standard but twice the thickness
Rear
Willwood 4 piston calipersSpecially made alloy hats to hold the rotorsColeman vented rotors, Same diameter as standard but twice the thicknessOther Items
Race seats and harnessesRare 36 gallon fuel tankManual 16:1 steering box4 core radiatorFull alloy roll cage Ford ID plates. Unique and rare as Ford have no record of this car. The plates were specially made using unused numbers. I have a letter from Ford stating that and it ties in with what I have been told about the car.
Reason for Sale
I can't afford to race it. It was expensive back then and it still hasn't changed. I would like to see it go to someone that has the funds to do it properly. I don't want to leave it in my garage gathering dust.
Sale Details
In the sale you get:
Complete running carSet of 4 space saver wheels to store it on.Set of 4 wet weather tyres on 15 x10 Magnum rims. 3 are Ex Murray Carter. 2 spare front hotwire rims 15x10 (Front only)Original bonnet with reverse bonnet scoop. Not fitted as reverse scoop was a later modification. 2 spare front spoilers4 Spare Brake Rotors (New) Fits both front & RearPaperwork and photo's of its past and present life. (includes original receipt and CAMS historic logbook)
Please Note
I am NOT interested in any type of swap arrangement. Once the money is in my bank account then the car is released to the buyer. If paying by Paypal, the Paypal fees must be paid by the buyer, otherwise no deal.Local pickup only
Contact details :- Tom 0400 247 033
Also published at eBay.com.au
