1968 Ford Falcon GT
The success of the XR GT saw rapid development of the XT version released in April 1968 as an ongoing model. It gained the more powerful 302 V8, a beefy new three-speed auto transmission option, wider 6-inch rims, lower suspension and heavier shockers. It was the first Aussie performance car to offer headlights to match its extra performance with new grille-mounted driving lights, a four-eyes performance tradition that would be revived in later Tickford models.
The XTs greatest claim to fame was the Teams Prize in the 1968 London-Sydney Marathon where the Ford team finished 3rd, 5th and 8th well ahead of many more fancied rally cars. It was extremely popular and sales doubled that of the XR. Compared to the XR GT’s exclusive exterior combination of GT Gold with black stripes, the XT was available in several colours with black-outs and colour-keyed side stripes.
In Detail
| submitted by | Richard Owen |
| production | 1415 |
| engine | Mustang 302 V8 |
| position | Front Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Natural |
| valvetrain | Pushrod OHV |
| fuel feed | Ford Autolite 4300 441CFM 4-Barrel Downdraught Carburettor |
| displacement | 4949 cc / 302 in³ |
| bore | 102 mm / 4.02 in |
| stroke | 76 mm / 2.99 in |
| compression | 10.0:1 |
| power | 171.5 kw / 230 bhp @ 4800 rpm |
| specific output | 46.47 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 159.28 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 420.3 nm / 310 ft lbs @ 3200 rpm |
| driven wheels | RWD |
| front tires | 185SR14 radial |
| rear tires | 185SR14 radial |
| front brakes | Discs w/Servo Assistance |
| f brake size | x 270 mm / x 10.6 in |
| rear brakes | Drums w/Servo Assistance |
| r brake size | x 254 mm / x 10.0 in |
| front wheels | F 35.6 x 15.2 cm / 14 x 6 in |
| rear wheels | R 35.6 x 15.2 cm / 14 x 6 in |
| steering | Recirculating Ball w/Power Assist |
| f suspension | Wishbones w/Spring over Strut-Type Dampers, Anti Roll Bar |
| r suspension | Live Axle w/Semi-Elliptic Springs, Telescopic Shock Absorbers |
| curb weight | 1444 kg / 3183 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2819 mm / 111.0 in |
| front track | 1486 mm / 58.5 in |
| rear track | 1486 mm / 58.5 in |
| length | 4688 mm / 184.6 in |
| width | 1875 mm / 73.8 in |
| height | 1389 mm / 54.7 in |
| transmission | 4-Speed Manual or 3-Speed C4 Automatic |
| gear ratios | 2.78:1, 1.93:1, 1.36:1, 1.00:1, :1 |
| final drive | 2.93:1 |
| top speed | ~199.6 kph / 124.0 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~8.4 seconds |
