1982 Ford XE Falcon Grand Prix Turbo: When Opportunity Calls

Today on Car Rave we are featuring a 1982 Ford XE Falcon Grand Prix Turbo, a car that excites many and confuses even more.

Over the weekend, I attended the Highball Cars and Coffee. A great event, that draws and insane variation of cars. Two Mclaren Sennas, a Lexus LFA, and copious amounts of Ferraris/Porsches/Lambo’s were just some of the cars in attendance. But what made the show amazing was that scattered through all these supercars, were a selection of Melbournes most unique rides. A Lancia Delta Integrale, a monster-truck-sized Unimog, a Subaru Vortex, a Tommy Makinen Evo VI and even a 440 equipped Chrysler Town and Country (that needed its own postcode) were all in attendance.

I left that show dreaming, if I could pick anything, what car I could take? Perhaps a Pagani to show up all those sub-par supercar owners? Or maybe a short wheel base Quattro to line up next to the Integrale? Or what about an in your face lowrider. Or better yet, a Houston Slab! It would have to be something that either blew the socks off people, or left them scratching their heads.

Then I saw this pop up on Facebook. A 1982 Ford XE Falcon Grand Prix Turbo. THIS is the car I would want to take to Highball.

But why?

First, some history.

Its the early 80’s. Ford has just pulled the pin on their local V8, with the last hurrah being the beefy, but rather tame, XE ESP. Nobody is more pissed about this than the Ford Touring Car Racers of the time, who rely on factory V8 cars to meet homologation rules. No local Ford V8, meant they either had to search overseas for a Ford factory performance car, or, build their own.

Enter CDT (Country Dealer Team) – a Touring Car Team known for hotting up and racing Gemini’s. CDT were shopping the idea of building a hotted up Falcon in numbers that would qualify it for racing, and after approaching Dick Johnson, the Grand Prix was cooked up. CDT, using the Falcons run-of-the-mill six, planned to create a sport sedan in both a non-turbo (but still relatively hot) and turbo configuration, with Dicks approval and backing.

Look – there is a lot to digest about these cars, all of which I am not going to list here (head here for more). But here are the key facts:

• The original carbied 4.1 litre six was pulled down, blueprinted, and rebuilt with a Garrett Turbo hanging off the side.
• This particular example has two sidedraught Strombergs – however some information floating around states they only came with a single carb.
• Like the ESP, the Grand Prix had a Scheel Interior, but in a custom blue theme.
• The exterior was dressed in a unique CDT bodykit, with “True Blue” paint and Enkei gold mesh rims- clearly referencing Dick’s old race car.

Unfortunately, the numbers never got there, and Dick ended up sourcing a Mustang from the States, before moving to the infamous Sierra. Final production quantities are unclear, however it is predicted up to 50 cars were produced, with the majority being the Turbo’s.

Its a shame the XE Grand Prix Turbo’s never took off as CDT had hoped, as they were technically the first in a short but sweet list of Aussie turbo six sedans.

This example is number 16, and whilst not concourse, looks to have been cared for whilst still being driven as intended (by 1989 it had already clocked 130,000km’s). I also love that it still retains those amazing Enkei’s, having escaped the common Simmons upgrade.

So yes, this may seem a strange choice to take to a Coffee and Cars if given the chance. However, I think its perfectly suited given how unique and rare it is. Plus, that wastegate flutter would certainly leave a few scratching their heads as you tore out.

If your keen, you can find this example on the Ford Only Buy Swap & Sell Australia page on Facebook for $82.5k

1982 Ford XE Falcon Grand Prix Turbo: In the owners own words

1982 Ford Falcon Grand Prix Turbo sedan number 16.
Driven 195,000 kilometres.
Trying again after SALE FALLING through.

$82500 or best offer.

Time to give someone the opportunity to own number 16 of these very rare falcons.
She ain’t a show stopper. But it’s a very tidy cruiser that’s gets looks and gets talked about everywhere it goes.
Needs someone with a few bucks to finish the finer things off and just let it increase in value at it owns pace. Which we all know will.
Anyway I’ll put a few photos up. And if you are genuinely interested send me a pm.
I’ve heard all the shit talk and debates comparing these cars to others.
But truly at the end of the day. There is probably only 15 to 20 genuine plated Grand Prix left.
Thanks for the positive comments as yes I think they are a cool car. But you got to do what has to be done when life throws you curve balls.👍🏻

Very reluctant sale.😞

Inspiration

Here’s a great video on the car that inspired the Grand Prix, Dick Johnsons True Blue Falcon.