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xfxcess · 06-16-2002, 05:23

Hi everyone.

Does any remember/or have an issue of street machine where the VL Walkinshaw commodore was compared with XF Falcon possibly referred to as a "Phase 5".

I am interested in seeing the specs, I recall it was pretty impressive.

smciner1 · 06-16-2002, 06:05

The issue was June 1988. It compared the VL Group A SS with a "1988 Falcon GT-HO" that was built by Street Machine magazine. The car WAS NOT built by Ford Motor Company. The car was actually based on an XE Fairmont Ghia ESP.

xr6wgn · 06-16-2002, 06:11

It was called One HO to Go

Street machine "butchered" a one owner 351/4speed XE ESP and rebuilt it as a XF GTHO, XF panels, Recaro interior, fuel injected Kevin Bartlett built 351. etc

It was built over about 5 or 6 issues and the last issue was a comparo against the "Plastic Fantastic" It was given away in a competion and the guy who won it couldn't get it registered in NSW. Don't know what happened to it after that but I did see it in Unique Cars with an exorbiant price tag.

Cheers

Paul B
XR6WGN

xfxcess · 06-16-2002, 06:20

Thats the one! Do you have the article? Can't find it on the web, I'm curious to see how it compared at that time.

Thanks.

smciner1 · 06-17-2002, 00:54

Yeah, they liked it, but it was let down by running a 4 speed gearbox compared to the Commodore's 5 speed.

Sundeep · 06-17-2002, 01:16

I know this market where I can get old magazines, I don't know if they have Street Machines but I will have a look next time I go.

It sounds real interesting! pity I was only 2 back then...

Sundeep

XD 351 Ute · 06-17-2002, 02:01

Just so happens I have dragged my issue off the shelf..
Angus McKenzie was the test driver.
At the time of the test, the Ford had a quote " A gremlin under the bonnet produced inconsistent performance above 4000 rpm.
Sometimes the engine would bobble, other times it would run clean and hard all they way past five grand. With deadlines pressing we simply couldn't get the car back to KB, sorted, and back out to the strip in time. We had to make do with a best of 15.2 seconds for the distance, and the promise of at least a few more tenths still to come. 0-100km/h took 7.5 seconds."

"By contrast the group A ran an impressive 14.85 for the distance, with 100 km/h coming up in just on seven seconds."
End quote.
There is other stuff about diff ratio's etc, and if I pull my finger out, I might be able to crank the scanner up for those interested..
Still reckon they shouldn't have murdered a genuine 351 ESP 4 speed though....

Ed :)

V8 Ghia Mike · 06-17-2002, 02:37

Hey Paul B, I saw the Ho to go at Adelaide Car City (used to be on Pulteny Street) about 10 years ago!! Apparently, according to the yard ownwer, it was able to be registered here in SA. I looked it over and it was immaculate!

Where it is now? Who knows. Even the 'Where are they now?' article in the latest Street Machine doesn't mention it.

Hopefully someone is looking after it, as in the flesh it was one sweet looking ride!

Mike

xr6wgn · 06-17-2002, 03:21

Quote:

Originally posted by V8 Ghia Mike
Hey Paul B, I saw the Ho to go at Adelaide Car City (used to be on Pulteny Street) about 10 years ago!! Apparently, according to the yard ownwer, it was able to be registered here in SA. I looked it over and it was immaculate!

Where it is now? Who knows. Even the 'Where are they now?' article in the latest Street Machine doesn't mention it.

Hopefully someone is looking after it, as in the flesh it was one sweet looking ride!

Mike

I never knew it ended up over here, I followed the whole upgrade and yep I must admit it was sweet.
If i remember they were going to make it a 5 speed - caused a lot of rumours about the re-introduction of the V8 falcon when they started advertising for a Cleveland / 5 speed bellhousing.
Phase Autos did the body kit on it too.

Paul B
XR6wgn

big_pete · 06-17-2002, 04:33

I think my dad has that issue, next time i visit him ill try and find it, cause hes pretty much got every street machine mag ever.

I think it had the 1 Ho to go on the cover so itll be easy to find.