Model - 1972 Ford XY Fairmont GT
Colour - Tawny (African name) – colour matched to original colour. The colour is not close to Nugget Gold or Grecian Gold.
Engine - 351 4V Cleveland (stock except for 750 vs Holley)
Transmission - FMX with shift kit and 2000 rpm convertor
Exhaust - Stock 2” dual system and log manifolds
Diff - 9” x 28 spline traction lok 2.75 gears
Wheels - came with multi fit 5 spoke aftermarket. Now has Aust option wheel – 14 x 6”
Options - Power steering, black vinyl roof (not put back on during paint job; too hot up here)
Story - Not much to tell; I wanted a GT since I was 11 y.o. and saw my first GT. It was a candy apple red XT with a white stripe and 5 spoke mags. I even wanted one when I was drag racing as tow car but couldn’t afford to race and have a hot streeter. I started looking in 2003 and heard about African GT. A mate had just brought one from an importer. I looked for about 15 mths not thinking I could afford one and saw an ad in Unique cars magazine for 11 S.A. GT’s.
A local club member showed me his original XYGT and I took 2 pages of notes of all the stuff to check for. I made copies of notes and then flew to Brisbane and went through each car ticking and crossing all the details as well as taking video of each car’s good and bad points.
I came home, showed the local club member the video and he suggested a car I almost discarded (it needed too much minor rust repair in my view).
The importer did say it was very original car and he was right as it turned out. The only original bits it didn’t have were the carby, driving lights and alternator. And it had an a/c fitted.
The rebuild has included rear suspension, front shocks, trans, radiator/hoses, full brakes, new carby, new rims, bare body panel and paint, electrical.
The next work to be done is the front end suspension (it’s all still original) and the motor after that. Drivers seat needs reupholstering where some heathen sat in the car with a screwdriver in his back pocket.
