1978 Ford XC Falcon Cobra #137 ... (SOLD)

Proudly offered for sale is XC Falcon Cobra #137. For sale from Adelaide, SA.

This factory matching numbers 5.8 litre Cobra is factory optioned with Power steering, Air conditioning, Power windows and is supplied with the original Owners log books. This particular car was also used by FPV with Allan Moffat driving to launch the supercharged FPV FG GT (see link to the TV commercial below). And as the sample car for Classic Carlectables to develop their 1/18th scale model of the XC Falcon Cobra. It doesn't get much better than that!

Motor racing has always been a rich test bed for the improvement of production cars. No period was more influential than the 60s and 70s when manufacturers were constantly improving their models in order to make them quicker, more reliable and ultimately to win races, especially at Bathurst. These modifications were homologated as a production variation and had to be approved by CAMS for racing. As the rules required, a certain number of street cars had to be sold to the public in order for the car to be able to race with these changes.

Thus in late 1977, 13 pre-production Falcon Hardtops "Cobras" were built to the homologated specifications approved by CAMS. These homologations included a reversed engine bonnet scoop, twin thermatic fans and air ducting to the front brakes.

At the same time, Ford Australia revealed the XC Falcon replacement, the XD, would only be available as a four-door sedan and as a wagon. When production of the XC coupe ceased at the Broadmeadows assembly plant in March 1978, Ford was left with 400 unsold shells and had to figure out a way to sell them, or scrap them.

Enter one Edsel Ford II, Henry Ford's great grandson and Ford Australia’s Assistant Managing Director at the time. He believed Ford’s one-two finish by Allan Moffat, Jacky Ickx, Colin Bond and Alan Hamilton at the 1977 Bathurst 1,000 was a cause for celebration and decided that the 400 shells would be dressed up to look like a Shelby Mustang and thus homologated for racing. The result was the XC Falcon Cobra.

For the first time in Australia, each of the 400 Cobras featured individually numbered plaques located on the dash and all were sequentially numbered from 1—400. The first 200 Cobras made were fitted with the 5.8L 351 Cleveland V8, while the second 200 received the 4.9L 302 Cleveland V8. However, there are two exceptions to this engine formula, build number 001 came with the 4.9L 302 Cleveland V8 and build number 351 came with a 5.8L 351 Cleveland V8.

For sale is Cobra Build No. 137. One of 370 Cobras known as Option 96 spec, it was built as one of the regular road-going versions, and one of only 120 XC Cobras built with the 351 Cleveland V8 and T bar FMX automatic gearbox combo. Cobra 137 features the full suite of options including power steering, power windows, factory integrated air conditioning, dual exhausts, 4 wheel disc brakes, LSD 9" rear end and Option 96 Cobra dress up pack which included front and rear spoilers, painted bumpers and interior and exterior Cobra badging.

Cob 137 was originally ordered through Jarvis Ford, Trinity Gardens, South Australia. The XC was originally owned by Peter Kingwall a motor dealer and obviously a car enthusiast from Somerton Park in Adelaide. He on-sold the car to the second owner who then held this special XC for the next 21 years and used the Cobra as a tow vehicle to tow his speedway racer. The third and current owner purchased the XC in 2000 and embarked on a comprehensive restoration of this rare Falcon. The XC was stripped to a bare shell and repainted in 2 pack. The seats were retrimmed and new carpet fitted while using the original door cards, hood lining, crash pad, dash and steering wheel. The side and rear glass are original with a NOS front windscreen.

Mechanically, the matching numbers 351 Cleveland has been fully rebuilt with mild cam, fully balanced and built for unleaded heads, 4MAB crank, 3 core radiator, Pacemaker extractors, through to a 2" exhaust. The owner has reconditioned the brakes, suspension, power steering and the FMX has been rebuilt with a 2,500 mild stall added. The 9" diff has been rebuilt and a 3.25:1 ratio added. There are photos of the professional restoration and the Cobra has covered approximately 47,920 Klms since the resto. The motor has covered about 10,000 Klms since the rebuild.

The XC is riding on correct day one date stamped 1978 Bathurst Globes with Kumho 225x60x15 on the front and Grandprix Performance GT 245x60x15 on the rear. There is also a spare with factory tools in the boot.

To top off this terrific example of the XC Falcon Cobra, the Hardtop is supplied with the original owner LOG BOOKS, factory build sheet, radiator support production line build tag and two sets of keys. Plus, the Cobra is forever immortalised with its inclusion in the FPV Television Advertisement in the hands of none other than motor racing legend Allan Moffat OBE! And it is the car that Classic Carlectables used as the sample car to develop their 1/18th scale model of the XC Falcon Cobra.

There are not too many cars that stand out in the crowd like an XC Cobra. These cars have achieved legend status helped along by the famous 1-2 Moffat/Bond finish at Bathurst. Now is your chance to get behind the wheel of this extra special XC Cobra.

Currently on Historic registration. Located in Adelaide, SA for your inspection. (Ref. 6244)

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 FPV F6. 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.