1971 Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III register almost sold out

A book that lists every 1971 Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III ever built – and confirms their bonafides, and traces their whereabouts to the modern day – is about to sell out again, even after a final “Blue Edition” was added.

The 1971 Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III Register is up to its fourth and final “Blue Edition” after the first three editions – Gold, Black and QC editions – sold out within a few hours of going on sale online on 1 January 2021.

The final soft-cover “Blue Edition” was added after complaints from hundreds of Ford fans who missed out on one of the original three editions, which were priced from $351 to $995. The author says a portion of the funds will be donated to the Royal Children’s Hospital of Melbourne.

All four editions of the 1971 Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III register are due to be produced and distributed in limited numbers later this year comprise:

• QC Edition ($995, sold out): Hard cover. Only 25 individually-numbered copies printed. Certificate of authenticity personally signed by Ford factory race drivers Allan Moffat, Fred Gibson and John French.
• Gold Edition ($580, sold out): Hard cover. Only 25 individually numbered, faux leather-bound copies printed. Certificate of authenticity signed by Allan Moffat.
• Black Edition ($351, sold out): Hard cover. Only 300 individually numbered, faux leather-bound copies printed.
• Blue Edition ($275, available as this article was published): Soft cover. An undisclosed number will be printed. Orders will not be extended once orders are closed.

The content inside all four editions is the same, however the covers are different and some are numbered and autographed.

Copies of the 1971 Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III register will also be available as a reference book at state and national libraries as an article of historic significance.

However, as with all reference books, copies of the 1971 Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III register won’t be allowed to be removed from the libararies where they are being kept.

Automotive historian Ross Vasse spent 30 years sourcing Ford factory production records, police stolen car lists, and state registration data, to account for every one of the 300 examples of the Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III.

It also covers the most money ever paid for a Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III to date – $1.15 million plus auction fees in February 2021 (pictured in blue at the bottom of this story).

The book will include photos supplied by owners – and former owners – of their cars over the past 50 years, including in some cases from the day of showroom delivery when the vehicle was new.

There will also be an interview with the owner of the sole one-owner example, the owner of the lowest mileage car on record (13,000 miles), and a list of how many 1971 Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III sedans have been accounted for, written off, stolen, or missing.

The register also aims to dispel myths about a rumoured automatic Phase III GTHO, and traces the first and last examples built. Every one of the 300 vehicles is listed in chronological order, including their original factory specifications.

Mr Vasse says about 220 Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III sedans are accounted for as “alive” (restored in pristine condition, or in original unrestored “survivor” condition), or listed as “dead” (written-off, or reported stolen and never recovered over the past 50 years).

The exact number of 1971 Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III sedans still in existence in 2021 – 50 years after the model was introduced – will be verified on publication because more information is coming to light after plans for the book were announced earlier this year. The author is in the final stages of compiling data ahead of the book going to print later this year.

While many books have been written on the 1971 Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III – a vehicle which became famous for its Bathurst endurance race victories and for being the fastest and most powerful production sedan in the world at the time – the register promises to be the most detailed analysis yet of the breed.

Historian Ross Vasse said the Blue Edition was added reluctantly and only after being contacted by frustrated Ford fans who missed out on the original editions.

“This difficult decision was made after listening to the recommendations from owners of original GTHOs, and to collectors in different time zones, to the voice of Falcon GT Club members and … Ford fans,” said Mr Vasse. “With a limit of one book per person, pre-orders will only be accepted for a very short time before this title will no longer be available, ensuring these books will remain as rare as the car itself.”

When asked if further editions would be reprinted down the track, Mr Vasse said: “Not of the 1971 Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III title, but I have something special on the way for XW GTHO Phase I and Phase II fans,” he said.

All copies of the 1971 Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III register are due to be distributed via secure mail from the end of November 2021.

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