1976 XB GT Falcon Hardtop - Howard Astill Restomod ... (SOLD)

Howard Astill is, without question, one of the all-time greats of Aussie street machining. Howard has spent decades on the tools building countless top-shelf show cars through his company Howard Astill Design and he's won just about everything there is to win, including Street Machine of the Year in 1995, and Street Machine Summernats Grand Champion in 1991, 1992 and 1997. He’s also won the Master Craftsman award and is a Rare Spares Legend, so he’s about as highly decorated as they come.

For sale is one hell of a stunning resto modded XB GT Falcon hardtop created by the legend himself - Mr. Howard Astill. One of only 4 Blaze Blue XB GT Falcon Hardtops ever built, one being John Goss' race winning XB GT race car, this GT was originally sold through Peter Warren Ford in Liverpool, NSW. The car was a NSW GT club member in the 1980s prior to changing hands and being modified in the early 1990s, painted black and entered into Summernats. The car was then parked up until 2012 when the current owner purchased the GT. At the time, the owner had another Blaze Blue Hardtop which was in original and unrestored condition. At the time he started working for Howard Astill Design and Howard agreed to restore the car.

The idea was to build a restomod GT without modifying the body but upgrading the running gear, brakes and suspension to make the Falcon a show car that could be driven and enjoyed. The GT is fully engineered and running the original matching numbers 393 stroker Cleveland, with reconditioned heads, roller rockers, extractors, 750DP Holley and Pertronix electronic ignition. The engine bay is designed to look stock with the original genuine air cleaner, coil, horns etc and the car comes with the original exhaust manifold supplied. The gearbox is a fully manualised C4 with 2,500 stall and then through a custom thick walled tail shaft and strengthened 9" with RRS disc brake conversion, Eaton 31 spline Tru Trac and 3.5:1 gears. The motor was built by Shane's Race Engines, Albion Park, NSW and dynoed at 376Hp.

Astill placed the car on a rotisserie and the car was fully restored using all the original panels. At the time, Astill fitted a factory Golde sunroof to the body. PPG Blaze Blue 2 Pack paint was applied to both sides of all panels and multiple coats of clear applied to give the car a show quality finish. GT bonnet stripes and the GT 351 badging were painted onto the body. The Horn stripes were then applied as per the McLeod Ford Horn cars of the 1970s. As the car was factory ordered with the protection pack, the car came with chrome bumpers and these have been rechromed. Every nut and bolt has been re cad plated, re-zinked or re chromed as per factory. New green glass has been fitted to the car with the original rear screen still in place.

On the inside, the original black trim was changed to white and modified as McLeod and Peter Warren Ford did in the day with genuine Trad trim in Blue Spectrum. The dash and steering wheel were restored, the radio/cassette player works perfectly and has Bluetooth, the Golde sunroof was fitted as per factory and includes the factory offset to the overhead interior light. A Howard Astill build plaque is fitted to the GT centre console and notes the car is Build No. 11. The Hardtop is fitted with factory power steering and has covered under 3,000 Kilometres since the restoration was completed in 2015.

The GT is running a RRS power steering front end with struts, 350mm 4 piston RRS alloy calipers with slotted rotors on the front and 330mm RRS calipers with slotted rotors on the rear. Lovell springs are fitted front and rear.

Riding on 3SDM 18x8.5" front and 18 x 9" rear alloy star mags with Nitto Semi Slick 245 front and 295 rear tyres. The Hardtop features a fully detailed under carriage with heat coated extractors and stainless 3" exhaust through to standard XB exhaust tips. The Hardtop is fitted with a long range XA/XB GT fuel tank and the car comes with electric fuel pumps and surge tank supplied but not fitted.

After the GT was restored, it was entered into Summernats 28 where the car was awarded Top 60 in the Elite Class. The GT was also entered at Motorex and went to the GT Nationals in Melbourne where it took out best modified Coupe. Recently the GT was used for to celebrate the annual Falcon Hardtop Anniversary at Bathurst claiming the title of Best XB. The GT comes with a letter of verification from ACCHS, Engineering Certificate, restoration photos and receipts, trophies and magazines featuring the "Blaze of Glory".

This is a stunning car to drive and a massive head turner. With over 2,000 hours of labour invested into this beauty and over $200,000 spent this is a quality GT unlike any other. A genuine matching numbers GT with a unique restomod style akin to how some of Ford's top selling marketers like McLeod Ford and Peter Warren Ford presented the GT Falcons in the 1970s.

Currently on Historic Club registration. Located in our Sydney Showroom for your inspection. (Ref. 6059)

If you wish we will gladly arrange a video tour of the car using WhatsApp and of course there is no issue with door to door enclosed transport anywhere in Australia or New Zealand.

Call Mike on 0414 278 604 or Nick on 0499 577 997 and let us assist you with your inquiries regarding this very desirable GT Falcon. Also please note if you have a quality Muscle or Classic car you wish to list or have valued please give us a call at AMCS, we will be happy to assist you