Ford XA Falcon GT 1973 Bathurst Winner
No box or certificate
Launched 2008
After the 1972 Supercar scare, new rules were introduced in 1973. Ford built two new GT Hardtops for the Manufacturers Championship. Many of the components were handed down from the previous ill-fated Phase Fours. The new XA GT Hardtops were fast in the lead up to Bathurst.
The XAs of Moffat and Gibson had a memorable debut for the first round of the manufacturers championship at the Adelaide International Raceway. Although Moffat had battery problems during the race he still finished strongly in 3rd place behind the 1st and 2nd placed XAs of Gibson and Bartlett. In the Sandown 250 Moffat and Gibson qualified well with both cars on the front row of the grid. It all went wrong when Gibson lost a lap with a punctured tyre and Moffat‘s blown engine put an early end to his race.
The 1973 Bathurst was to be the first of the 1000km races. The XA Falcons were fitted with revised suspension with different spring rates, together with the newly homologated four-wheel disc brakes and light-weight Globe wheels. Special engines had been built up for Bathurst, but Moffat was disappointed with his third place in practice and overnight both the Moffat and Gibson cars were re-fitted with the original Sandown engines.
On race day the decision was justified as both cars had plenty of race pace. Gibson expired early in the race with a hole in the block, Moffat charged on and by quarter distance was being chased hard by Brock in a Torana. At the same time a slower car had caused Moffat to spin, a three-point turn was completed and Moffat was back in the race.
Moffat’s co-driver, Pete Geoghegan took over at the next stop. Geoghegan not only gave Moffat a well-earned rest but also pulled the XA Falcon up from fourth to first place before handing the car back to Moffat. The Brock / Chivas Torana ran out of fuel while leading and lost four agonising minutes as Chivas pushed the empty Torana up pit straight. Moffat now found himself two minutes clear, in front of the second placed Bond Torana and a further one and a half in front of Brock. Bond was soon to pit with a punctured tyre that put Brock up into second place.
Moffat now with a commanding lead only required a short stop to top up with fuel and then cruised the final laps home to record his third Bathurst win in four years.
Advertising signage on racing cars in the 1970’s was somewhat different to today’s racing cars. Signage frequently changed as sponsors offered or withdrew their cash, often during practice or just before the race start. Our research discovered that the Grace Bros signage on the rear panel was used in practice but was covered in black tape just prior to the race start. As the race progressed the tape peeled off so that the signage became more visible. We have decided to produce our model with the Grace Bros logos.
