One-of-one Ford Falcon XY GTHO Phase III for sale for $1.2 million

One of the rarest and most desirable Australian muscle cars is up for sale.

This unique Ford Falcon XY GTHO Phase III was the 196th example to be built – of a 300-vehicle production run – and was sold new by Slater Ford in 1971 for approximately $5000.

Luxury dealership Lorbek is now offering this one-of-one GTHO for $1.2 million – being the only Phase III to be optioned with Monza green, saddle brown trim interior, and a factory-fitted sunroof – and showing just 36,268 kilometres on the odometer.

A full bare-metal restoration was completed by Ford GT specialist Frank Portelli using factory original parts, and comes complete with Victorian number plates ‘HO-196’, referencing the car’s build number.

The Phase III was the fastest production sedan in the world when it was new, with its 5.8-litre ‘Cleveland’ V8 reportedly producing between 261 and 283kW, despite advertising suggesting the vehicle had just 224kW (or 300bhp in the old money).

Helped by all the upgrades fitted to the vehicle, Ford racing legend Allan Moffat took the GTHO Phase III to victory at the iconic Bathurst race in 1971.

All of which led to the model being one of the most valued four-door production cars in history.

The highest recorded price paid for an Australian-built car was set by a ‘Yellow Glo’ 1971 Ford Falcon XY GTHO Phase III in September 2021, changing hands at auction for $1.3 million.

In February of the same year, a blue Falcon GTHO Phase III sold at auction for $1.15 million.

However, while unverified, Drive understands a one-of-four 1972 Ford Falcon XA GTHO Phase IV sold privately for $1.75 million in August 2021, far surpassing publicly-available auction records.

You can view the ad for the 1971 Ford Falcon XY GTHO Phase III being offered by Lorbek by clicking here.