Ford XB Falcon GT 1975 Bathurst

The 1975 Hardie-Ferodo 1000 was the 16th running of the great Bathurst 1000 touring car race. The event was held at the Mount Panorama Circuit just outside Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia on the 5th of October 1975 over a distance of 1006.036km (163 laps × 6.172 km). The race was Round 3 of the 1975 Australian Manufacturers’ Championship.
Even before the 1975 race had started, there was a raging controversy about the future of the event following the announcement by the race organisers, the Australian Racing Drivers Club, of their intention to restrict the race to 3-litre cars in 1976. An ARDC official was reported to have said: “It’s a race for cars, not drivers, and if Moffat or Goss didn’t start I don’t think it would be a great loss.” This statement was shouted down with some ferocity by motorsport fans and participants, and the idea was dropped.
Meanwhile, at the race track, practice for the 1975 Hardie-Ferodo 1000 was going fairly well for Allan Moffat who eventually earned a place on the front row of the grid only one-tenth of a second behind eventual pole-getter Colin Bond, with a time of 2min 27.4sec. John Goss and Kevin Bartlett’s Ford XB Falcon GT Hardtop was blowing smoke all day and could only manage 10th fastest.
The race itself was not a good one for Ford, all three Falcons eventually retiring with various issues. The John Goss/Kevin Bartlett XB Car Number 1 blew its engine after only 10 laps, resulting in a DNF for the race. Murray Carter and Ray Winter suffered a broken oil pipe after 53 laps, while Allan Moffat and Ian Geoghegan, after holding the lead at one stage, had to change a gearbox and then retired with a broken lower control arm.
In the end the 1975 Hardie-Ferodo 1000 was disappointing for Ford and won in easy style by Peter Brock and Brian Sampson in their Gown/Hindaugh Holden L34 Torana.

Features

The XB Hardtop bonnet scoops are filtered with fine mesh. Realistic looking bonnet hold-down pins complement the race car front end.

Two-tone Aunger Hotwire wheel rims feature sanded Goodyear racing tyres.

The side mounted air vents give the race car an aggressive look even though they were attached to the car for cosmetic purposes only.

The boot has a race prepared rollcage and a modified boot floor to accommodate the larger race fuel tank.

Highly detailed steering wheel and dash featuring full instrumentation and components. The XB door trims feature chrome door handles and window winders.

The seats are replicated using soft rubber, including the drivers racing seat. Chrome buckles and fabric seat belts are a nice feature.

The engine bay has an outstanding level of detail including finely moulded hoses and tubing. The fine workmanship includes accurately reproduced decals.

Sitting on top of the 351 cubic inch V8 engine is the etched metal air filter, with replicated graphics.

The metal spring bonnet hinges replicate the original hinges and allow the bonnet to be smoothly positioned.

Exquisite chassis detail with working front suspension and steering. The springs, swaybar, wheel rims and brake discs feature nicely.

The rear of the chassis includes working leaf spring suspension, axle and differential detail, rear shockers and the silver fuel tank.

Item includes certificate and production number plate, mounted to the chassis.