Description
Early in 1972 Ford released the XA GT Falcon in sedan and hardtop versions. It was the first Falcon to be totally designed by Australians, as production of the Falcon in the US had ceased some 18 months earlier. The XA was the biggest Falcon yet, with the boldest styling, designed for wider appeal with its less aggressive look and creature comforts.
Ford built 129,473 XA Falcons between March 1972 and September 1973, including the construction of 129 RPO83 sedans. The GT Specials – that’s their official title – were Regular Production Option 83 on Ford’s options list for Falcon GTs.
The biggest change on the RPO83 to the normal GT was the fitting of a huge 780cfm (cubic feet per minute) four barrel Holley carburettor and (hidden away under the V-banks) fabricated exhaust extractors. These added 30-40bhp to the existing 300bhp for much improved performance. Other changes included a modified sump with additional baffles and a manual choke. They used most of the bolt-on engine components intended for the Phase IV GT-HO – the “Supercar” killed by political and public pressure before it went into production in 1972. The new model could run the quarter in the high 14s and had a top speed of around 140mph (225kph).
Item includes certificate with individual production number.
