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1997 Ford Falcon GT 30th Anniversary

1997 Ford Falcon GT 30th Anniversary

1997 Ford Falcon GT 30th Anniversary

Probably the most aggressive-looking GT ever launched by Ford Australia, the EL 30th Anniversary model’s in-your-face styling polarised enthusiasts but in true GT tradition, it proved to be ahead of its time and still looks fresher than most 1997 releases. The motoring press dubbed it ‘Darth Vader On Wheels’, which neatly summed-up Ford’s 1997 interpretation of how a GT should look.

Developed and hand-assembled by Tickford, the EL GT continued the Grand Tourer concept by going beyond the top Fairmont Ghia’s luxury interior with Momo sports steering wheel, leather and suede sports seats, wood grain cabin highlights and matching it with improved suspension and performance. Ford’s bold new look, which again was fully integrated with the original EL styling, featured a smooth new front bumper with built-in driving lights, deep front spoiler, integrated wheel arch flares and side skirts, sculptured twin vent bonnet scoop, and a wild rear spoiler.

Champion Ford race driver John Bowe was responsible for much of the hands-on fine tuning and testing of the EL GT. Refinement and performance went up another notch after Tickford added a carbon-fibre wrapped tail shaft and reworked the engine for punchier mid-range response. The production run was just 270 and, like the EBII five years before, it was another quick sell-out for Ford and just enough to keep Ford enthusiasts asking for more.

1997 Ford Falcon GT 30th Anniversary

In Detail

submitted by Richard Owen
production 270
engine Windsor V8 w/GT-40 big-valve crossflow heads
position Front Longitudinal
fuel feed Electronic Multi-Point Fuel Injection
displacement 4942 cc / 301.6 in³
bore 101.6 mm / 4.0 in
stroke 72.6 mm / 2.86 in
compression 9.00:1
power 200 kw / 268.2 bhp @ 4700 rpm
specific output 54.27 bhp per litre
torque 420 nm / 309.8 ft lbs @ 3700 rpm
driven wheels RWD
front tires 245/40VR17 Yokohama A510
rear tires 245/40VR17 Yokohama A510
front brakes Vented Discs w/PBR Twin-Piston Cobra Callipers, ABS
f brake size x 329 mm / x 13.0 in
rear brakes Solid Discs w/PBR Twin-Piston Cobra Callipers, ABS
r brake size x 299 mm / x 11.8 in
front wheels F 43.2 x 21.6 cm / 17 x 8.5 in
rear wheels R 43.2 x 21.6 cm / 17 x 8.5 in
f suspension Wishbones w/Coil Spring over Strut-Type Dampers, 28mm Roll Bar
r suspension Live Axle w/Trailing Arms, Coild Springs, Telescopic Dampers, 24mm Anti-Roll Bar
transmission BTR T50D 5-speed Manual or BTR M97LE 4-Speed Auto
gear ratios 2.39:1, 1.45:1, 1.00:1, 0.68:1, :1
final drive 3.45:1
0 – 60 mph ~6.8 seconds