FYI: A vintage Ford Falcon XA GT Sedan has been rescued from a shed after being parked for several decades.
Uncovering a Time Capsule: The Ford Falcon XA GT Sedan
In a picturesque corner of Australia, a remarkable discovery was unearthed—a classic Ford Falcon XA GT Sedan that had been relegated to a shed for more than three decades. Originating from the Australian-designed XA series, which ran from 1972 to 1973, this car holds a special place in automotive history. With only 129,473 units produced during its production run, the XA GT is a rare and coveted find today.
The Discovery
The Ford Falcon XA GT was unexpectedly discovered in 2015, having been hidden in a suburban shed since 1987. Glenn Everitt, the driving force behind the Master of Machines YouTube channel, partnered with Survivor Car Australia Magazine to execute a daring rescue mission. The vehicle was aptly nicknamed ‘Mothball’ after its long hiatus in obscurity.
Everitt interviewed the owner, who revealed that the car hadn’t seen the road since the late 1980s. Over the years, a variety of obstacles, including a garden, a pool, and fences, had grown around the shed, making the car’s extraction a formidable challenge.
The Condition of the Car
Upon initial inspection, the car was layered with dust and grime—a testament to its years of dormancy. Despite this, the XA GT was surprisingly well-preserved. The original interiors were intact, reflecting a sense of time capsule authenticity.
A Herculean Effort: Using a Crane for Extraction
Extracting the car proved to be an intricate endeavor. The team had to employ a crane to lift the Falcon XA GT out from its enclosed resting place. Under the hood, the car retained its original 351 V8 engine, capable of churning out 300 horsepower, paired with a manual transmission. This rare gem was indicative of the power and style that characterized the XA GT series.
The Survivor Car Australia Magazine team aimed to showcase the vehicle as a prime example of an outstanding barn find. However, given the car’s landlocked position, executing this vision was no small feat. The meticulous use of a crane allowed the car to be lifted carefully and brought back into the world.
Conclusion and Other Finds
Interestingly, this wasn’t an isolated incident. Recently, another Ford Falcon was discovered in Brisbane, a unique 1970 Ford Falcon XY that had been hidden beneath a house for fifty years. These discoveries underscore the hidden treasures lurking in Australia’s backyards, awaiting rediscovery by devoted car enthusiasts.
Once exhumed from its long-term storage, the ‘Mothball’ is poised to receive the restoration it justly deserves. Its tale of rediscovery serves as an exciting chapter in the ongoing saga of classic car enthusiasts who seek to preserve automotive history.
Final Thoughts
This fascinating rescue story not only highlights the enduring allure of the Ford Falcon XA GT but also the lengths enthusiasts will go to preserve these iconic vehicles. Each rediscovered classic car offers a glimpse into the past, providing a tangible connection to automotive heritage.
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Authored by William Rapp, Editor of Automotive.fyi.
