Special Brock Fords
IIn AMC #82 we went on the hunt for oneoff signature edition specials mentioned elsewhere in that Star Cars-themed issue. We drew a blank on several fronts, however one AMC reader, Shane Allen, dropped us a line to say that he owns no less than three Peter Brock-prepared Fords. Two of these have special significance to the short-lived Austech Automotive Developments Pty Ltd of Brock and business partner Alan Gow, which was renamed the Brock Motor Company when Gow sold his share to transport magnate and Sierraera co-driver Tony Noske.
Shane owns a 1990 E-series Falcon that was Noske’s personal vehicle. It was originally owned by Noske’s Kalari Transport business and Shane tells us that it’s the very car featured in a Brock Motor Company sales brochure. The Tasmanian is the fifth owner, having purchased it in 2010, and has the full documentation and vehicle history.
The red Falcon has remained in remarkably original condition.
“The car is #90 of 126 built.” Shane explains. “It has all the motor and exhaust modifications, 5-speed gearbox, limited-slip differential, enhancements, substantial suspension modifications, Brock 16-inch CSA alloys, retrimmed interior and the subtle body kit.”
Additional equipment includes central locking with remote, immobiliser, cruise control, Pioneer ‘Super Tuner’ CD player, air-conditioning, window tint, Ford headlight and bonnet protectors and dash mat.
Shane’s second Brock Ford is almost certainly the Fairlane given away by Modern Motor magazine in 1990. It was manufactured in February 1990, retailed by Dandenong dealer Coffey Ford. It received the Brock treatment in April that year and carries the build number of #015 of 24.
Its first owner was, obviously, the prize winner, who sold it in 1993. That second owner looked after for it for 20 years before it was purchased by Shane two years ago.
The brockfords.com.au registry believe as few as three of the 24 Brock Fairlanes are still in existence and reckon Shane’s shadowtone machine shows all the signs of it being the Modern Motor competition car. It too is astonishingly original even down to the in-boot CD changer and period in-car telephone. How very 1990!
The only change of any significance is that the outside mirror covers had been replaced by a previous owner and are now the same colour as the upper body paintwork.
“The third car I have just purchased, which is in transit as I write this, is a one-owner vehicle, also a B8 Falcon,” explains Shane, who deserves a medal for preserving a quirky chapter of Brock road car history. Speaking
of Brock Fairlanes, we’re not surprised PB’s own personal vehicle has not resurfaced. Former Austech/Brock Motor Company workshop manager Craig Fletcher told us this car came-a-cropper in Peter Brock’s hands when it was new.
“I remember Brock was coming up the driveway at home in his Fairlane and Bev was coming down in her Maverick, and they had a coming together. Just after that he installed a oneway system on the driveway,” he laughs.
Just one Brock Maverick SUVs (twice rebadged Nissan Patrols) is believed to have survived.