Celebrating its 35th Anniversary in 2026, the All Ford Day in Geelong once again drew in a diverse variety of Ford and Ford family vehicles. From classic Aussie Falcons to American Mustangs, English Escorts and an array of Ford commercial models, just over 1,000 vehicles were on show this year.
Joining the cars, utes and trucks were new and heritage vehicles from Ford Australia (who are major supporters), with trade stands, food trucks and kid’s activities to make it a real family event.
While there were plenty of classic Aussie Falcons at this year’s All Ford Day, few drew as much attention as this one.
If it wasn’t apparent, this XD Falcon sedan has been equipped in the style of XDs and XEs campaigned in the Group C era of Australian Touring Car Racing. Both Ford and Holden had withdrawn factory support for racing by the end of 1979, so the transition to the VB Commodore and XD Falcon relied on dealer support. This worked better for Holden than Ford, leaving Blue Oval loyalists like Dick Johnson to rely on the likes of HO Phase Autos, which had been formed by Ford designer, Wayne Draper, and drag racing gun, Bob McWilliam, to ensure a Ford was on the grid.
HO Phase Autos would design and produce bodykits to homologate the XD (and later XE) Falcon for Group C racing. Designed by Draper using elements from an abandoned GT-HO Phase 5 design, the kits consisted of front and rear spoilers, and wheelarch flares in two types; one for the track and the other for the road. A total of 25 cars equipped with the road-spec kit and sold by Ford dealers was required to legalise the HO Phase XD Falcons for racing. By the time the XE kit was done, no such minimum requirement was necessary – CAMS realised it was more important to have a Ford on track than not.
Following Draper’s passing, and after some time off the market, HO Phase Autos returned in 2025, run by Wayne’s son, Rob, and fuelled by the nostalgia for Group C. Kits to suit XD and XE Falcons lead the new range, with retro-style wheels also available from the Melbourne-based business.
On the car featured, there’s been a mix-n-match approach to the bodykit. While the car is an XD, it appears to wear the front bumper and spoiler from the XE Phase 6 kit. Flares are common to both kits, but the rear spoiler isn’t from HO Phase Autos at all. It actually looks like a VK Commodore Group C spoiler. The shallow bonnet scoop doesn’t appear to be an HO Phase Autos item, either. The combined package looked great, though, and was certainly a standout on the day.
Under the bonnet, there was a built V8 wearing ‘Ford Racing’ valve covers, with a lot of modern equipment filling the engine bay. An aftermarket radiator and billet strut tower caps were also visible.
At the rear, a long-range fuel tank could be seen, while ‘Targa Tasmania’ competitor plates suggest this car may have run in the 2011 edition of the famous tarmac rally. If so, it’s been succeeded by another XD Falcon with the full Phase 5 kit that entered last year’s Targa Tasmania and finished second in the ‘Classic Trophy’ class.
For JUST CARS’ report from the 2026 All Ford Day, click HERE.
