Phase 5 & 6

[MONAROMAN]

Hello all,

Just wondering if anyone out there knows anything about the XD phase 5 & XE phase 6 Falcons.

I have a vage memory of an uncles XD from melbourne and remember it looked like Dicks True Blue car but without stickers!

Wouldnt mind Biante doing 1:18s of these fully sik machines!

[Y2Joel]

I've seen a phase 5, but what does a phase 6 look like?

[Nick Short]

Presumably these were dealer specials? There was an XB Phase 4 sedan that was just a one-off Arcadipane show car mock-up, then a pair of Phase 5 XB hardtop show cars. The original Phase 5 was to be an XA hardtop follwing on from the Phase 4 sedan but never happened when the project was canned, so with all this confusion it seems likely that some enterprisng dealer bolted flares on and added stickers? Like the Goss XD I guess - an unofficial dealer special with extra bits.

[Y2Joel]

Originally posted by Nick Short
Presumably these were dealer specials? There was an XB Phase 4 sedan that was just a one-off Arcadipane show car mock-up, then a pair of Phase 5 XB hardtop show cars. The original Phase 5 was to be an XA hardtop follwing on from the Phase 4 sedan but never happened when the project was canned, so with all this confusion it seems likely that some enterprisng dealer bolted flares on and added stickers? Like the Goss XD I guess - an unofficial dealer special with extra bits.

Phase Autos I think made the Phase 5's, from what I read in my Brock Commodores book, with a Comparison to the VC Brock. I didn't know they planned a Phase 5 XA Hardtop, because once they canned the Phase 4, I thought that would be probably it. Also, I thought the Goss special was an XB Falcon, commemorating his Bathurst win in 1974.

[Nick Short]

The Phase 5 XA hardtop was thought of at the same time as the Phase 4, as an extension of the racing programme, but clearly got no further! I guess it would have been Phase 4 mechanicals (plus any updates) in a hardtop body, which was slightly more aerodynamic. The Goss XD wasn't an official product - it was an XD with a fairly nasty bodykit and some alloys (see AMC past issues), and nothing to do with the officially-produced XB Goss hardtop. There must be heaps of these types of cars about - the Horn Cars, the Moffat XC etc.

[BATHURSTFAN]

From memory the unofficial phase 5 was a Monza Red XD, it had a rear wing, small fins on top of the front guards and a bonnet "scoop" that was quite long. I think I have a pic of one somewhere.

The Dick Johnson Specials (Turbos?)were also XD's (I think) and were blue for obvious reasons, I did see one the other day for the first time in years.

But in my mind the best at the time were the XD/XE ESP's (European Sports Pack) which were the official Ford product.

[Nick Short]

Bathurstfan, that sounds very much like the Goss XD! It was red, with GOSS decals on the front fenders, and had a long bonnet scoop/bulge and rear wing (AMC Issue 5 p38). In Unique Cars (and I can't find the article) some time ago was a blue XB hardtop with big "Phase 5" decals, which originally was paired with another, black, hardtop, and which had 427s under the bonnet. They were styling mock-ups done by Ford and Peter Arcadipane and were sold off minus the 427 and with a 351 instead. So if there really was a non-Goss XD "Phase 5" then it seems everyone was getting on the bandwagon, and with little justification, as it just cheapened the whole "Phase" idea. A bit like Exorcist 2 riding on the coat-tails of The Exorcist, despite having nothing in common other than Linda Blair, who needed the money......

[Y2Joel]

Sounds like the Phase 5 that I have a comparison with in my Brock commodores book. It looks a little bit overdone I reckon.

[BATHURSTFAN]

Nick

The Goss XD in AMC 5 is different to the Phase 5 I remember. The scoop was narrow and longer with vents.

Glenn

[BATHURSTFAN]

I have found the pic of what I recall as an XD with the Phase 5 body kit.

The differences from a standard XD ARE:

Bonnet scoop, fins on front guards, Rear spoiler, roof spoiler/dust deflector, wheel rims, flared gaurds, black trim around head lights, red painted grill, driving lights under bumper, side door protection strips.

I don't know if all the above are part of the Phase 5 kit but obviosuly the wings & things are.

The ESP has the painted grill and black trim around the head lights and the spot-lights under the bumper also.


see pic I took in the early 1980s

[BATHURSTFAN]

http://www.fibremaster.com.au/ford.htm

THE ABOVE LINK HAS SOME PHOTOS ALSO

[BATHURSTFAN]

http://www.vkgroup3.com/Magazine%20Articles/modern motoraug81.htm

an interesting article

[Y2Joel]

Originally posted by BATHURSTFAN
http://www.vkgroup3.com/Magazine%20Articles/modern motoraug81.htm

an interesting article

Thats the article in my Brock Commodores book which had the Phase 5 I was thinking of.

[XR6WGN]

Originally posted by Nick Short
Presumably these were dealer specials? There was an XB Phase 4 sedan that was just a one-off Arcadipane show car mock-up, then a pair of Phase 5 XB hardtop show cars. The original Phase 5 was to be an XA hardtop follwing on from the Phase 4 sedan but never happened when the project was canned, so with all this confusion it seems likely that some enterprisng dealer bolted flares on and added stickers? Like the Goss XD I guess - an unofficial dealer special with extra bits.

I've never heard of the Phase 5 XA (to follow on from the XA four) The Goss XD was done by a company called Trad Trim and Sunroofs in Sydney, They fitted the Hollandia sunroofs for Ford (they were not factory fitted) and in conjunction with MCleod Ford built the Gossy. It was mainly cosmetic (front spoiler, flares, rear spoiler and a low wide bonnett scoop) The suspension was lowered (selby or Kmac) and had 15" mags and tyres. Mechanical were stock.

The Phase 5 XD was done by Bob McWilliam (Phase Autos) and Murray Carter. This was supposed to be done in a Shelby type setup where you brought your Falcon and then Phase Autos would build it up for you. It wasn't only Monza Red but most of them I've ever seen were based around the ESP which only came in 4 colours anyway - that's probably where the confusion came from. No two Phase 5's were alike because they could be built the way you wanted it but basically had the kit as described by BathurstFan, lowered suspension, BBS/Simmons wheel options etc. Not many were made.
The Phase 6 was to be the XE version, some were built and there were plans to introduce a Phase 6 turbo but there was never really much interest in the two models and the project died.

One of the pictures in your link shows the red XD wearing the Phase5 gear - the rear spoiler is not the Phase 5 spoiler - The one in the picture is known as the "Moonraker" and was an alternative to the larger Phase 5 one. When the Bond movie was released Phase Autos did a promo car and designed that spoiler (dunno why because no Falcon was ever in the movie) That spoiler was also used on the XE Bathurst Car (before the Green's Tuff wrap around type)
How do I know all this - well I did my Navy training in Melbourne 1980, and owning an ESP XD, Murray's workshop was not that far away - He's a real gentleman - always had time for a chat

Anyway enough rambling

Paul B
XR6WGN

[Nick Short]

The Phase 5 XA was mentioned in AMC Issue 5, p60. Howard Marsden: "...the plan was always to go Phase 4 on the four door and Phase 5 of the program would have been on the two door. The two door rear wheel housings were deliberately extended for motor racing.......". They had already gone into initial planning for the Phase 5, but obviously it was canned along with the Phase 4. Essentially after this any "Phase" Fords were little more than dealer optioned specials - they had the body kits and maybe a few dealer performance add-ons, but they weren't performance cars in the meaningful sense, certainly not anything like the racing homologation cars from the XW onwards. If they'd have been left to their own devices I'm sure over the years we would have been seeing the Phase 7 Telstar or the Phase 11 Capri, with lots of extra fibreglass, drilled pedals and a carbon fibre-effect gearknob.
So it does seem there were at least 2 Phase 4s - the official Ford XA sedan racing car and the Arcadipane XB sedan (otherwise pretty stock, and which clearly pretended the real thing had never happened). And how many Phase 5s? The planned XA 2 door race car, the Ford XB hardtop showcar and then several different dealer specials up to the XD, followed by the Phase 6 XE......

[Maximus]

Nick, your right.

Phase 4 would have been the 4 door & the
Phase 5 would have been the 2 door.

The other company were just trying to make a quick buck out of naming a modified car a Phase 5.

Someone I know has a NEW BA HO INTERCEPTOR.

It is done by either Strapp or Coffey Ford as a dealer special.
Does this mean the HO has returned.
It is a standard XR8 with body & exhaust mods.

Anyways back to work.

Cheers

[MONAROMAN]

Bathurstfan,XR6WGN,

Out of curiosity what are the official colours of the ESP range (XD & XE) ?

I still wouldnt mind Biante doing the Phase 5 & 6 even though they werent factory cars.........my Ford road car collection will need a little padding out!

I have DJ's Greens Tuff and Tru Blue race cars just because if biante dont produce the Phase 5 & 6 I could probably convert them into road cars!

Nothing against the race cars, I just dont have the moneyspace to collect both.

[Graeme]

Paul XR6WGN has the info right on Phase 5 and Phase 6 bodykits, created by Bob McWilliam to homologate aero packages for the XD/XE Group C touring cars. He also did the XC Cobra stuff for the Ford Motor Co.

As for Ford's ESP option, this first originated as a whoppingly expensive option package exclusive to the XD Falcon GL. It was soon realigned as an option exclusive to the XD and XE Fairmont Ghia and ultimately was the only way for a private buyer to get a 5.8 V8 in the dying days of 1983/84. I always figured that you could pick your colour according to the current available range, but red or silver seem to be the majority colours.

[XR6WGN]

Originally posted by Graeme
Paul XR6WGN has the info right on Phase 5 and Phase 6 bodykits, created by Bob McWilliam to homologate aero packages for the XD/XE Group C touring cars. He also did the XC Cobra stuff for the Ford Motor Co.

As for Ford's ESP option, this first originated as a whoppingly expensive option package exclusive to the XD Falcon GL. It was soon realigned as an option exclusive to the XD and XE Fairmont Ghia and ultimately was the only way for a private buyer to get a 5.8 V8 in the dying days of 1983/84. I always figured that you could pick your colour according to the current available range, but red or silver seem to be the majority colours.

The book I get some info from is "spotlight on Falcon XD-XE-XF"
It contains a lot of old Road tests from Modern Motor.

"Falcon ESP - Based on the GL it was priced between $12,000 to $13,580 (1980) and offered four Extrovert colours - Monza Red, Hermitage, Classic Grey and Silver grey." Dick Johnson had one built in Black. Interior colours were grey or black. (It was also available as a Fairmont Ghia)

The XE ESP was only available as a Fairmont Ghia with the 5.8lt (well until they stopped production - then it was EFI or carb 6) I have only ever seen the Red, Silver, Burnt Orange and Black but that doesn't mean others weren't built.

Dare I say it - I've got my 4.1 lt XD ESP for sale at the moment, If anyone's interested my Email is pbonnett@chariot.net.au

Cheers

Paul B
XR6WGN

[XR6WGN]

Originally posted by XR6WGN
The XE ESP was only available as a Fairmont Ghia with the 5.8lt

Sorry should have said that the Ghia ESP was the only way you could get an XE 5.8 manual (of course they were also built with the 4.1 and 4.9)

[DB 351]

Hi all

I have just purchased an XD ESP Phase5 out of QLD, and its in transit to WA where I live. I'm after any info on the Phase 5 that I can possibly uncover. If you have anything to add to what has been previously listed, I'd love to hear about it.
Cheers
Shane

[brchi17]

Hi all

I have just purchased an XD ESP Phase5 out of QLD, and its in transit to WA where I live. I'm after any info on the Phase 5 that I can possibly uncover. If you have anything to add to what has been previously listed, I'd love to hear about it.
Cheers
Shane

have you tried the Australian Ford forum (http://www.fordforums.com.au/) ?

[Nobes]

Came across this interesting Ford designers website doing a search for something else.

Has some interesting what might have beens (as it were).

He worked for Ford, Holden & Nissan.

You can also get "replicants" (sic) of Moffat race and road cars and borrow them for events* (*conditions apply - LOL)!!! (Check out the HO Toyshop link) And in keeping with this thread, there are Phase 6 and 7s!!

http://www.gruppea.com.au/gruppea%20history.htm

[ESPSIX]

The book I get some info from is "spotlight on Falcon XD-XE-XF"
It contains a lot of old Road tests from Modern Motor.

"Falcon ESP - Based on the GL it was priced between $12,000 to $13,580 (1980) and offered four Extrovert colours - Monza Red, Hermitage, Classic Grey and Silver grey." Dick Johnson had one built in Black. Interior colours were grey or black. (It was also available as a Fairmont Ghia)

The XE ESP was only available as a Fairmont Ghia with the 5.8lt (well until they stopped production - then it was EFI or carb 6) I have only ever seen the Red, Silver, Burnt Orange and Black but that doesn't mean others weren't built.

Dare I say it - I've got my 4.1 lt XD ESP for sale at the moment, If anyone's interested my Email is pbonnett@chariot.net.au

Cheers

Paul B
XR6WGN

Have you listed it here?
http://fordespghia.com/news/category-view.asp

XD ESP's could be have from Falcon GL to Fairmont Ghia, there were 5 Phase 5's in total, and (i think) only 1 Phase 6.
The guy that designed the Phase 5 body kit was the same guy that designed the "snowflake" wheels used on fords.
XE ESP's could be had in hermatige and Monza (red), Chestnut (or as you call it, Burnt Orange), Silver, and Charcol (only ever seen one Black one,(6cyl) but thats not to say there isn't more around), Oh plus White, these colours were over Charcol (for 6cyl and V8) until the end of V8 production in Oct 82 (they came with the orange body mold) after this all ESP's were single colour cars, with the normal Fairmont Ghia body mold and could be had in the normal Ghia colour range.
15 turbo ESP's were done by a company called AIT, all these cars were 83/84 cars, there is also 1 Charcol 82 ESP with a turbo on it that was used for the development/compliance of the Dick Johnson Grand Prix's (XE's) and the AIT cars.

[XA Craig]

The Dick Johnson Specials (Turbos?)were also XD's (I think) and were blue for obvious reasons, I did see one the other day for the first time in years.

DJ's Turbo's were XE's ;)

here is one that recently sold at Shannons Auctions.

http://www.shannons.com.au/pages/auctions/lot.jsp? id=CD97272LEVJ47C9T

Cheers,
Craig

[wayno]

My old man used to cart cars for Ford at that time and I slept in the back seat of one of these at Gilgandra when we were hauling it to Brisbane. Lol! :D

[ESPSIX]

Quote:
Originally Posted by BATHURSTFAN
The Dick Johnson Specials (Turbos?)were also XD's (I think) and were blue for obvious reasons, I did see one the other day for the first time in years.
DJ's Turbo's were XE's

here is one that recently sold at Shannons Auctions.

http://www.shannons.com.au/pages/auc...97272LEVJ47 C9T

Cheers,
Craig

Sorry, Bathurstfan, DJ turbo's were never XD, plus they were listed as coming out in red aswell, you could also get them without a turbo.

[Graeme]

Craig's link (see above contribution) didn't work for me, however my recollection is that Dick Johnson didn't play with turbocharged sixes until the XE came along - with Group A on the horizon for 1985, he was for a time trying to develop a turbo Falcon for Australian touring car racing.

As for the XD 'Phase 5' ... Shane might like to obtain copies of Modern Motor magazine MAY 1980 and AUGUST 1981. At the time, the cars were only available direct from Bob McWilliams' Phase Autos, although he was trying to market the cars through selected Ford dealers ... Bob was the fellow who produced the XC Cobra bodykits for Ford. The magazine road test cars were based on the Ghia and Ghia ESP, but the cars were also said to be available to a lesser specification depending on how cashed-up was the customer.

The top level spec included an extensive body kit and Fairlane/LTD front guards (with the smaller indicator units) ... the original Phase 5 wheel arch flares and the front spoiler became the homologated kit for Group C cars, but the Phase 5 road car's bonnet hump, roof spoiler and adjustable boot spoiler did not find their way onto the race cars. Interestingly, the 1981 road test car features much smaller wheel arch flares and a reprofiled front spoiler to suit ... this brought about a reduction in wheel rim size from 15 x 8.5 to 15 x 7.0.

According to the 1980 magazine article, Bob limited the Phase 5 colour choices to Monza Red, Midnight Blue, or Silver ... the magazine test cars are silver and red. (I always thought that Midnight Blue was an exclusive LTD colour that was only otherwise available on the Escort RS2000). The interior was basically Ghia spec black velour, but both magazine cars feature red leather inserts on the upper door trims and a red leather gearknob and shifter boot. Engine choice was limited to the 5.8 litre (351) V8, but with either manual or auto trans options.

As for authenticity, the 1980 magazine suggests that each Phase 5 would come with its own Phase Autos ID plate and serial number attached under the bonnet.

[XA Craig]

Graeme, try this link

http://www.shannons.com.au/lot?id=CD97272LEVJ47C9T

Cheers,
Craig

[Graeme]

Thanks Craig ... the new link is good ... the XE Grand Prix looks good too !

[DB 351]

Hello all

I have been busy tracing the history of Phase 5 and 6 cars since purchasing my Phase 5 in December. I am fortunate to be in touch with Wayne Draper whi was the chief designer for Ford back in the 80s and designed the XD, XE and XF. Waynes services were providde by Ford to Phase Autos to produce a design suitable for Group C racing and suited the style of the XD Ford. Here is an extract froman email I received from Wayne today that may solve a few myths about "Phase" cars.
Shane,I guess you can tell your mates at Biante that you have found the designer and HO...there will be an article in MuscleCar magazine next month which should explain alot...so tell them to look out for it to find out the truth,eg the XB hardtop was arcadipane`s and mine was the black and gold 427 and the phase 4 design was mine for a ford employee who had one of the 'Bitzer`s' from the line and wanted it to look like the sketch I had done if it went into production ....... the PH5 and 6 were not dealer specials .They were made for GRP C racing approvals [25 required] 2nd manufacturer.....wayne

[Nobes]

Hello all

I have been busy tracing the history of Phase 5 and 6 cars since purchasing my Phase 5 in December. I am fortunate to be in touch with Wayne Draper whi was the chief designer for Ford back in the 80s and designed the XD, XE and XF. Waynes services were providde by Ford to Phase Autos to produce a design suitable for Group C racing and suited the style of the XD Ford. Here is an extract froman email I received from Wayne today that may solve a few myths about "Phase" cars.
Shane,I guess you can tell your mates at Biante that you have found the designer and HO...there will be an article in MuscleCar magazine next month which should explain alot...so tell them to look out for it to find out the truth,eg the XB hardtop was arcadipane`s and mine was the black and gold 427 and the phase 4 design was mine for a ford employee who had one of the 'Bitzer`s' from the line and wanted it to look like the sketch I had done if it went into production ....... the PH5 and 6 were not dealer specials .They were made for GRP C racing approvals [25 required] 2nd manufacturer.....wayne
Came across this interesting Ford designers website doing a search for something else.

Has some interesting what might have beens (as it were).

He worked for Ford, Holden & Nissan.

You can also get "replicants" (sic) of Moffat race and road cars and borrow them for events* (*conditions apply - LOL)!!! (Check out the HO Toyshop link) And in keeping with this thread, there are Phase 6 and 7s!!

http://www.gruppea.com.au/gruppea%20history.htm

Yep Wayne is the guy I posted this link about on 23/12/06

[DB 351]

Attached is a page from the Bathurst program back in 81 and gives light as to how and why Phase 5s and 6s came to being.
PS I just looked at the pic after I attached it, its near on impossible to make out due to attachment size limits - I had to reduce the size unfortunatley.