Ryno's Rides - Ben's 1969 Ford XW Falcon GT

Some car buffs love all types of vehicles, some love a particular make, era or even a particular model. Ben Chesterfield fits into the latter category. His car of choice? Ford's classic XW Falcon.

 

Ben confessed that he's owned a lot of nice cars over the years, but the XW Falcons have that special something - that 'X Factor'.

 

The Queenslander isn't content at having just one example of his favourite ride, though. Ben owns six XW Falcons, including some very desirable versions.

 

The Reef Green 1969-model XW GT pictured was first purchased by Ben 25 years ago. It didn't stay in his possession for long back then, but such was Ben's passion for XW GTs, and this car in particular, that he tracked it down and bought it back.

 

"I first bought the car back in 1990," Ben explained. "However, after a couple of years, I had to sell it, as I needed the money for some equipment for my panel shop.

 

"I always regretted it, so after 17 long years, I found it and bought it back - the inflation hurt though," Ben said. That inflation? Almost nine times what he originally paid for it back in 1990 - ouch!

 

Through his own research, Ben believes the car has had five previous owners, while an ACCHS report (Australian Classic Car History Services P/L) confirmed the car was finished in Reef Green with a black vinyl interior from the factory. Under the bonnet was the XW GT's standard 351 Windsor V8, hooked up to a toploader 4-speed manual transmission (a 3-speed FMX auto was optional for the GT at this time).

 

One of 66 XW GTs built with this particular paint and trim combo, the ACCHS report also showed that Ben's car was one of only six to share the same build specifications and that the car had been originally delivered to Harrigan's Ford in Wollongong, NSW, on 20 August, 1969 - only a couple of months after the XW GT had been released.

 

Hard to imagine now, but when the XW GT debuted in June, 1969, it's bold, aggressive appearance came in for criticism from some quarters for being a bit too lairy. Against the more subdued XT GT, the XW was identified by broad stripes, locking pins and an offset-scoop (designed to cool the brake master cylinder) on the bonnet, with bolder side stripes and the now iconic 'Super Roo' emblems on the front guards.

 

That emblem had been previewed in early 1969 on a motor show "ideas car" commissioned by Ford Australia's then boss, Bill Bourke, and based on an imported US 2-door Falcon.

 

Inside, the GT was trimmed with a Fairmont-spec interior, but added additional gauges in an instrument panel that had been resigned for the XW series. One knock on the XW GT interior was that it dropped the genuine wood-rim steering wheel of the previous two GTs for a lookalike unit.

 

Under the bonnet, the new GT may not have had the stonking 427ci (7.0-litre) V8 from the Super Roo showcar, but it did pack a 351ci (5.8-litre) 'Windsor' V8. '351' badges on the guards and bootlid let everyone know that what was under the bonnet was an upgrade from the XT's 302 (4.9-litre).

 

With add-ons like hydraulic valve lifters, a 450cfm Autolite carburettor, and an 10.7:1 compression ratio, the difference in power was 290hp (217kW) against the XT's 230hp (172kW).

 

Over a regular XW Falcon, the GT also added power-assisted Kelsey Hayes disc front brakes as standard, a twin-plate clutch and limited-slip diff, as well as a fuel tank that, at 36 gallons (164 litres), was more than double the capacity of the previous tank.

 

All these features, of course, were designed with the racetrack in mind, but the GT-HO was even more specific; its combination of parts was designed solely to deliver victory for Ford at Bathurst. Considering he's something of an XW fanatic, it's no surprise that Ben's got an XW GT-HO, as well.

 

Ford may have aimed only to build a Bathurst race winner with the GT-HO, but they unwittingly created a legend. Unveiled in August, 1969, the HO ('Handling Option', according to Ford PR of the period) looked almost identical to a standard GT. The only exterior visual clue was the lower front spoiler. Like the brake-cooling bonnet scoop, the effectiveness of the spoiler is debatable, but some believed it directed more cooling air into the engine bay; a welcome feature for racers.

 

A $295 option over the standard $4,200 XW GT, the HO package also added a rear anti-roll bar, stiffer front anti-roll bar and heavy duty tailshaft with taller gearing and a 3.00:1 diff ratio, compared to the standard GT's 3.25:1.

 

Under the bonnet, the HO-spec 351 was kitted out with a Holley 650cfm carburettor, alloy inlet manifold, different camshaft, heavy duty alternator, and an 11.0:1 compression ratio.

 

Against the standard XW GT, the first GT-HO was only marginally more powerful and actually had less torque, but delivered the serious straight-line acceleration and top speed needed for Mount Panorama. And don't forget, the XWs of this period were still running drum rear brakes.

 

Ford could have added more goodies, of course, but with Bathurst's class structure still defined by vehicle price, the $4,495 GT-HO just scraped in under the $4,500 limit for Class D participation. While a win was important, a win against the Class D rival - Holden - was more important!

 

The HO package didn't pay off for Ford in 1969, with Holden winning Bathurst again and the Falcons suffering a litany of tyre-related problems, but with a modified GT-HO Phase II created for the 1970 enduro, Ford's efforts finally paid off. Despite nursing his car through the closing stages, Allan Moffat won relatively untroubled, with Bruce McPhee second to make it a Ford 1-2.

 

Thanks to Ben's skills in the panelbeating trade, along with a fair amount of time and money, this GT has been returned to as close to its original factory spec as possible, including the 5-slot rims. Ben says he prefers these over the 12-slot style which early XW GTs were fitted with.

 

"We don't hide it, we drive it. It's reliable, gives other people enjoyment and we've made a lot of friends through having it, too. It's part of the family."

 

Those drives include runs with the Gold Coast GT Club and the GT Enthusiasts' Club - a new club based in Queensland.

 

"The (enthusiasts') club is a bunch of fair dinkum enthusiasts," Ben explained. "We don't go to shows, as such. It's more about the family weekend drives, pubs and lunch, a park up and a yarn."

 

Alongside his original XW GT-HO Phase I and the XW GT featured, Ben also has a one-owner XW ute, a factory V8-equipped XW ute, an XW panel van and a matching-numbers XW GS V8 wagon.

 

"I guess I can't help myself!" Ben laughed.

 

So, when he's looking for a set of wheels for the weekend, Ben's got a problem - but it's a pretty good problem to have!

 

Breaking the trend here is a 1962 Studebaker Hawk GT. Purchased when he was just 15, Ben's first car may not be an XW, but it's one he's determined to keep.

 

You'd think that with six XWs already in the collection, the Chesterfield garage would be full to bursting, but Ben reckons he's got room for at least one more.

 

"There's an original Candy-apple Red HO I fell in love with some thirty years ago. I've managed to track it down and hopefully will own it in the near future."

 

 

Name: Ben Chesterfield

State: Queensland

Insured by Ryno since: 2010

Favourite Car: XW Falcon GT

First Car: 1962 Studebaker Hawk GT

Dream Car: Candyapple Red XW Falcon GT-HO