FORD FALCON GT-HO PHASE 1 & 2

1969 - 1970

BODY & CHASSIS

A lot of GTHO restorations took place before these cars became valuable and cutting corners to save money has consequences. Unsubstantiated fakes are rarely seen any more, however there will still be cars that were rebodied decades ago because at the time it was a legitimate repair technique. Places to look for emerging rust are wheel arches. lower door skins, floorpans, behind the rear windows and chrome embellishers. More serious is a car that’s had its chassis rails deranged in a serious crash or comes with structural rust in the firewall or rear spring mounts. If you need reproduction panels to repair damage, check with your GT Club to determine which suppliers to trust and any to avoid. Brightwork including bumpers are being remanufactured but remember that quality chroming is never cheap.

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION

Given the money being generated by these cars, authenticity is their most important attribute and having an engine of the same specification as the original (preferably the original) is vital. Underbonnet features unique to early HOs will include the carburettor, alternator and pulley, manifolding and Cleveland cocker covers. Bearing rumble accompanied by smoke at startup, a ticking sound signifying worn cam lobes and oil leaks indicate an engine that needs work. If it is the original V8, budget to have it carefully stripped, cleaned and reconditioned using quality parts. What you spend will be generously repaid when reselling the car or just in the way it drives.

SUSPENSION & BRAKES

GT-HO suspension is basic and easily brought back to factory spec should someone have messed with it. Rear spring leaves do collapse with age but in cars this valuable they hopefully are fairly fresh. Oversized wheels and with low-profile rubber can wreck what ride quality an HO has, stress wheel bearings and damage suspension components. Cars that are rarely driven often present with brake problems and fluid should be immediately changed unless there is evidence of it being very fresh. Drums and calipers can seize and boosters may not be doing much boosting. Parts are available and not too costly.

INTERIOR & ELECTRICS

Most HOs will not have travelled huge distances and there is a good chance that trim is largely authentic. Age and wear can detract from presentation but hang onto the original vinyl if you can. If you get a ‘barn find’ and rats have got to the interior, ready-tofit seat trim kits are available in the correct pattern. Also carpets, hood lining and repro versions of the centre console. Finding decent reproduction dash components and instruments might be difficult but we did see what appeared to be a complete set of gauges with the surround for $1800. Test the floormounted dipswitch to make sure you have high-beam lights.