The Godfather of Ford Muscle goes up for Auction: a 1967 Falcon XR GT

Some cars don’t just start an era—they detonate it. The 1967 Ford Falcon XR GT is one of those machines: the car that took Ford from family transport to full-blooded performance hero, the car that won Bathurst on debut, and the car that lit the fuse for everything from the XW Phase II to the modern FPV V8s.

Now, one of these rare early GTs—genuine, matching-numbers, and long owned by a respected GT enthusiast—is about to hit the market through Chicane Auctions, offering muscle-car collectors a chance at the model that started it all.

Below, we break down the XR GT’s historical significance, why collectors consider it a blue-chip Australian performance car, and what makes this particular example auction-worthy.

How the XR GT Changed Australian Muscle-Car History

Before the XR GT arrived, Ford Australia wasn’t known for high-performance machinery. The most exciting thing in the showroom was a lively pursuit six-cylinder. That all changed in 1967 when Ford’s skunkworks team shoehorned the K-code 289ci Hi-Po Windsor V8—a genuine performance engine by global standards—into a Falcon sedan painted only in one colour: GT Gold.

Then came Bathurst.
Harry Firth and Fred Gibson took the XR GT to victory in the 1967 great race, making it the first V8 Falcon to win at Mount Panorama and instantly cementing Ford’s reputation in touring-car warfare. This single triumph rewrote Ford’s identity, setting up a performance dynasty that would eventually include the XT, XW Phase II, XY Phase III, and beyond.

Why Collectors Prize the XR GT

The early GT ticks every desirable box:

• First of the Falcon GT line—the most collectible Ford lineage in Australia.

• First Falcon V8 to win Bathurst, placing it firmly in the country’s motorsport folklore.

• Limited production and tight survival rates—far fewer XR GTs remain in genuine, unmodified form.

• Matching-numbers cars are extremely scarce, especially with original drivetrain and factory-correct trim.

Values have risen steadily over the past 15 years, with early GTs now considered blue-chip investments—appealing both to Ford loyalists and broader muscle-car collectors chasing historically significant machines.

The XR GT isn’t just collectible; it’s foundational.

The Auction Car: A Clean, Correct & Carefully Preserved XR GT

This particular XR GT stands out because it delivers everything collectors hope for but rarely find:

Long-Term Enthusiast Ownership

Held for many years by a highly regarded GT aficionado, the car has clearly been preserved rather than modified—a crucial factor for authenticity-driven buyers.

Matching Numbers Throughout

Under the bonnet sits the correct K-code 289 High-Performance Windsor V8, paired with its factory L-code 4-speed manual gearbox. Together, they form the drivetrain combination that made the XR GT the country’s first true muscle sedan.

Professional Restoration with Longevity

Around 20 years ago, the car received a comprehensive body restoration and repaint in its correct T-code GT Gold. The panels remain straight and the paint continues to present impressively—strong evidence of a high-quality job and careful ownership since.

Original Trim & Authentic GT Features

Inside, the XR retains its U-code Black vinyl interior, presenting neatly and correctly without aftermarket embellishment. Factory styling cues—steel wheels, GT hubcaps, original dash layout—remain intact, retaining its pure, period-correct character.

A Rare Unmolested Example

Many early GTs were raced, modified or simply worn out. This one survived intact, making it particularly desirable for collectors chasing originality over resto-mod fantasy.

Auction Details: When & Where to Bid

This XR GT is being offered through Chicane Auctions, specialists in collectible, performance and rare vehicles.

Auction Schedule

• Auction Opens: Thursday, 27 November

• Auction Closes: Thursday, 4 December, from 8:30pm AEDT

• Location for Inspections: Chicane Auctions Showroom (Melbourne)

• Estimate: $120,000 – $140,000+

• Registration: Victorian Club Registration – 0787SR

• VIN: JG33GE55019

• Engine: LD51060C

More details can be found via www.chicaneauctions.com.au

Our Take

The XR GT has always occupied a sacred place in Australia’s automotive story, but finding one in this level of originality—matching numbers, enthusiast-owned, correctly restored, clean, straight and unmolested—is becoming increasingly rare.

This is the “Bronzed Aussie” that started the legend: the first Falcon GT, the first Bathurst-winning V8 Falcon, and the genesis of Ford’s muscle-car dynasty. For collectors, it represents more than a car—it represents the origin story of Australian performance culture.

In other words: expect serious interest.
And deservedly so.