Ford XY GT-HO Phase III: The Untamed King of the Street and Strip
At Ravenswood Customs, rebellion isn’t just an attitude—it’s a way of life. And if there’s one machine that embodies our ethos of raw power, individualism, and street-bred grit, it’s the Ford XY GT-HO Phase III Falcon.
Built in 1971 for one reason and one reason only—to dominate—the Phase III wasn’t just Australia’s fastest four-door sedan of its time. It was a V8-fueled middle finger to conformity, a mechanical snarl aimed squarely at the establishment. With its aggressive lines, thunderous powerplant, and no-nonsense attitude, the GT-HO wasn’t designed to blend in. It was built to take over.
A Beast Born in Bathurst
Originally crafted for the grueling Mount Panorama circuit, the Phase III was the brainchild of Ford Australia’s racing division—purpose-built to shred the competition at Bathurst. What rolled off the line was a barely tamed race car masquerading as a street-legal sedan.
Under the hood? A 351-cubic inch Cleveland V8 that was officially rated at 300 horsepower—but insiders and tuners knew the truth: it was closer to 370+ hp. This car wasn’t just fast. It was feral. With a top speed north of 140 mph (225 km/h) and quarter-mile times that embarrassed sports cars of the era, the GT-HO didn’t care about comfort or compromise. It lived for speed. And so did the legends who drove it.
Rebellion in Steel and Paint
Visually, the Phase III was unmistakable. Bold colors like Vermilion Fire and Electric Blue screamed for attention, while blacked-out grilles, spoilers, and Super Roo decals flipped a two-finger salute to the bland, beige sedans of the time. It looked tough because it was tough.
Every detail was built with intent: heavy-duty suspension, 36-gallon fuel tank, wide steel wheels. This wasn’t some soft cruiser. This was a weapon, and it came from the factory locked, loaded, and ready to run.
Why It Still Matters
More than 50 years later, the GT-HO Phase III isn’t just a collector’s dream—it’s a cultural icon. It stands as proof that Australia could build a muscle car to rival anything out of Detroit. Scarce, coveted, and unapologetically loud, it represents everything Ravenswood Customs stands for:
- Individuality
- Power
- Authenticity
- Rebellion
We wear the rebellion on our backs. The Phase III? It burned it into the asphalt.
Fuel for the Legacy
At Ravenswood Customs, we tip our hats to machines like the GT-HO because they remind us who we are: outlaws, builders, makers of noise in a world that begs for silence. Whether you’re laying down rubber at a burnout pad or just cruising Main Street with your arm out the window and your playlist set to eleven, remember—you’re part of a lineage that doesn’t ask permission. It just takes the keys and drives.
Ravenswood Customs – Wear the Rebellion.
