My love for Fords began like most at an early age when I laid my eyes on a car I had never seen before, I was 13 years old and my older brother brought home a white 1974 XB Fairmont GS Coupe, what a car, I was hooked. I began looking at Street Machine Magazine were I discovered a car known as a Shaker, the legendary XY GT, I said to myself one day I will own a car like that!
Eighteen years later my brother still has the same XB Fairmont GS Coupe, and I had owned many Fords ranging from a Capri, XB Fairmont and XY Fairmont, but the XY GT eluded me. So early 2003 the hunt for the GT began, but 12 months later I was still no closer to having a GT parked in my garage. Early 2004 I made contact with Rob M the then club President of the Falcon GT Owners Club of NSW and the following week drove to the Thirroul Beach to meet up with the club and pick up a membership form. In the very next week I made contact with a club member who had a GT for sale, but the car was already sold. I asked if he knew of any one else who had a GT and said no but did mentioned he had a manual Bronze Wine XY GT that he may want to sell in 2 or 3 months, I told him when he is ready give me a call, I was not holding my breath.
The very next day he called saying he is ready to sell, that afternoon I was standing in his garage as the covers were lifted of a beautiful Bronze Wine XYGT. After crawling around the car and a thorough inspection of the cars history a deal was struck and a deposit left. I was the proud new owner of an 11/70 Bronze Wine factory four speed XY GT. My boyhood dream was finally realized! How do you sleep when you have just put a deposit on the car you have always wanted since the age of 13 but can’t pick it up for one week? The simple answer is you don’t.
4th March, 2004 the day I picked up my GT, the day seemed to drag on forever - one hour seemed like two. 4.30 arrived and the trip from Bondi Junction to the west began by picking up my girlfriend Charlie from work on the way, as we arrived I rounded the corner and there she was gleaming in the sunset “ Oh my god it’s beautiful!” Charlie said. Cheques were then handed over and papers signed we drove away with a teary goodbye from the previous owner. Next stop my brothers house to show off my new GT. The ‘notchy’ toploader did leave me stranded at the first set of traffic lights, causing a minor traffic jam! 15 minutes later we were on our way.
As we rumbled into my brother’s driveway he was out the door in a second when hearing the unmistakable sound of the 4V Cleveland 351, I reckon he heard me smile as well. After going over the car we jumped in and took it for a spin, I was now a GT owner. It was time to leave and I still remember my brother saying ‘Take it easy around corners with the limo rear end get used to the car before you give it a boot full”, “Yeah yeah don’t worry about me” was my reply.
On our way again it wasn’t long before we arrived at the M4 onramp, with not much traffic around this was the perfect chance to see what this thing could do. Lights went green and as I was turning onto the onramp in first I flattened the accelerator the needle hit 6000RPM and I slammed it into second about three quarters around the corner the back of the car swung around my heart was in my throat as all I saw was the guard rail approaching fast! I spun the wheel the other way and the back of the car swung back around now well and truly out of control the car went over an island and across another lane finally coming to rest at the side of the road. Front left tyre flat and one front spoiler 200mm back in three pieces all over the road.
Luckily no other damage was sustained besides a huge dent in my ego.
I quickly changed the tyre and drive home at 40kms per hour.
Since the purchase of my GT and my ‘crash-course’ in driving I have made several changes to my car most of which were returning items back to original spec, my car is a work in progress as I collect and replace non genuine items while driving and enjoying the car as much as I can. At
the 2004 Falcon GT Owners Club of NSW Christmas Party my car was awarded ‘Most Improved GT’, this recognition and club support makes my effort and hard work seem worth while knowing that some people are noticing the constant improvement in my car.
I’m still a relatively new member and have not met a lot of other the members, if I haven’t met you please come say hello next time I indulge in my favourite pastime, DRIVING MY
XY GT ON A CLUB RUN.
Cheers Stefan
