Description |
1978 Ford XC Falcon 500 Panel Van
- Ground up nut and bolt build
- Extensive body restoration
- Professionally repainted
- All new interior with bucket seats
- Rebuilt and upgraded 5.8L Cleveland V8 engine
- 4 speed manual transmission
- Power steering and air conditioning
- Upgraded to GXL specifications
- Original books and photo documented resto
This 1978 Ford XC Falcon panel van has been through an extensive, ground up rotisserie nut and bolt build completed in 2018. The current owner purchased the van with the intention of completely restoring it and modifying it to replicate the exact van he purchased new from Giles Brother Ford in Temora, NSW back in 1978. That van was a Budget Green coloured, Falcon GXL, Rally pack with a 5.8L Cleveland V8, 4 speed manual transmission, 9 inch diff, bucket seats and four wheel disc brakes.
After much hunting, the appropriate project van was sourced and purchased in 2014. This van was a Rally Pack, 4.1 L with 3 speed column and bench seat. The process began with the car being completely stripped to bare metal by hand. The body was reasonably good with only minimal rust repairs required. Any of the rust was cut out and repair sections welded in. There were no short cuts, the tail gate skin was removed from the frame and refinished before being replaced and the seam sealer was all removed and replaced. There is photo documentation of this process with the car to prove it has been done right. Once the bodywork was complete the car was repainted in the same Bright green colour as his original van, ironically named ‘Budget Green’ by Adam Pay. There aren’t many XC vans with Sundowner rear door left and this one was made to look like the original GXL with square headlights and additional chrome. Sorry to say there was even a third car purchased for the build, this time a station wagon which reluctantly donated its wheel arch moulds. The finishing touch to the look on the outside is the 15” twelve slot wheels.
Because the new van was missing all of the cool interior pieces from the original, a second van was sourced and purchased to obtain these parts. The interior now is the same as the original van with bucket seats trimmed in trim code ‘Z’ Ochre with Ginger houndstooth insert. The carpet and bucket seats were refurbished by Global Trim in Wodonga which the dash, door trims, console and kick panels were by Dash Original in Adelaide. Inside there is a Retrosounds Bluetooth stereo with amp, speakers, tweeters and a subwoofer hidden in the fuel tank compartment. The cabin is kept cool thanks to original Ford integrated air conditioning.
Under the bonnet now lives a 5.8L Cleveland V8 engine which has been fully rebuilt with some tasty upgrades. The engine build features Hi Comp pistons, ported and polished heads, mild cam, roller rockers, Edelbrock manifold, 750 Quickfuel carby, timing gears and chain. The engine is fully balanced and spark is provided by an ICE race ignition and distributer. Expelling the exhaust gasses is a set of tuned extractors and 2.5”custom system. The engine is paired to a Borg Warner single rail four speed manual transmission. Both engine and transmission were rebuilt by Pat Purcell Performance in Sydney. Power is fed to the rear wheels through a Ford 9” diff with LSD centre. The suspension is original Ford but has been lowered 2” all round for a cooler stance. Factory Ford power steering provides a nice driving experience and the brakes are original discs on all four wheels.
The result of the above restoration was an investment of approximately $145,000 and 4 years of hard work. Since completed the van has travelled approximately 9,000 kms. The original hand book for the van and folder documenting restoration are included with the purchase.
VIN: JG45UU46283C
ENG: JC45WK24641K
IMPORTANT: Vehicle information is provided to us by the consignee. We do everything we can to qualify the best cars in the Australian market to represent on consignment for private sellers however, they are still old cars and we can’t capture everything in the photos, we don’t drive them any significant distance and can’t know everything about them. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the vehicle, and to have satisfied themselves as to the condition and value and to purchase based upon that judgement solely. Vehicles may have been sitting for some time and it is suggested that to protect your investment, you allow to change fuel, oil, fluids, filters and inspect brakes prior to use. All vehicles are sold under standard auction conditions, consignment and auction vehicles are sold as is, without registration unless otherwise stated and there is no cooling off period or warranty expressed, written or implied. All sales are final. Independent inspections are welcome and strongly encouraged to help with your decision making.
PLEASE CALL LOCKY MCCANN WITH SALES ENQUIRIES ON 0403 935 488
Located at 2 Palings Court, Nerang on the Gold Coast. Inspections by appointment during auction and public openings/viewing as advertised.
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