Top 13 most valuable Falcons

Ford’s Australian closure might have been and gone, but there is already a silver lining emerging for owners and enthusiasts mourning the demise of manufacturing. Values of classic Falcons are set to increase markedly in the coming years, according to research from the valuation experts at redbook.com.au.

Redbook.com.au’s Alex Bombaci said demand for clean examples of the Falcon will slowly increase in the wake of the October 7 Broadmeadows and Geelong shutdowns. However, he pointed out a clear caveat for owners and prospective buyers to consider when combing through 56 years’ worth of Falcon production: earlier is better.

“There’s nothing late model in my mind that will be worth more than its new price any time soon,” Bombaci said.

Instead, Falcon models which pre-date 1983 have been verified as the most collectible based on current wholesale values relative to their original price. Topping the list – not surprisingly – is the 1971 Falcon GTHO Phase III, a car revered as the world’s fastest four-door sedan in its day and one that went on to dominate Bathurst and other racetracks around the country.

The GTHO’s positioning is re-affirmed by recent auction results, which are slowly creeping up to the mid-six-figure values reached when the market touched its peak in 2007 – right before the Global Financial Crisis crippled the local market. The official record for the Phase III stands at $750,000.

Bombaci pointed out other factors which have increased historic Falcon values like the Phase III, such as the increase in prestige car prices during the 1980s, along with the scare campaign in which manufacturers were threatened to enforce a performance ceiling on their flagship model.

“The scare tactic after Phase III was a topical issue,” Bombaci said. “It helped drive values of that car at the time and still seems to have an effect today.”

As for modern day Falcons, Bombaci believes enthusiasts will be waiting several decades for values to reach the same heady heights of pre-1983 models. This correlates with Redbook’s private research, but flies in the face of a recent uptick in prices for the very last Falcon XR Sprint models.

“The last of anything will always be worth something but you’ll find the later model Falcons will not appreciate to the same effect as earlier models for a very long time,” Bombaci said.

“There’s just so much competition in the market. And instead of lashing out tens of thousands of dollars for Falcon, enthusiasts now have newer options that are more readily available, like the V8 Mustang.

“In saying that, the diehards are still going to want Falcons. If the old ones are going to creep up too much then people will start looking at more contemporary examples.

“The very last XR Sprints will find a niche in years to come. Their used prices will steady then appreciate very slowly. Asking prices will go through a ridiculous stage as punters ask crazy dollars for them but actual sales will be at more realistic levels.

“Only the Turbo inline six-cylinder and V8 supercharged models will be at the forefront of collectability for their street cred.

“Any car can be collectible or more sought after. But that does not mean it’s worth a lot of money,” Bombaci commented.

So, without further ado, here are our lucky 13 most collectible Falcons based on Redbook research:

1. 1971 XY Sedan GTHO Phase III Man 4sp 351ci
Original Price: $5302 Estimated 2016 Price: $218,200-$271,100 (+5015%)

3. 1969 XW Sedan GTHO Phase I Man 4sp 351ci
Original Price: $4495 Estimated 2016 Price: $89,200 - $111,500 (+2380%)

4. 1969 XW Sedan GT Man 4sp 351ci
Original Price: $4250 Estimated 2016 Price: $57,800-72,800 (+1612%)

5. 1969 XW Sedan GT Auto 3sp 351ci
Original Price: $4510 Estimated 2016 Price: $56,300-$71,100 (+1476%)

6. 1978 XC Hardtop Cobra Special Man 4sp 5.8lt
Original Price: $10100 Estimated 2016 Price: $95,500-119,500 (+1083%)

7. 1972 XA Hardtop GT Man 4sp 351ci
Original Price: $4955 Estimated 2016 Price: $41,600-$52,800 (+965%)

8. 1977 XC Hardtop Cobra GS Man 4sp 5.8lt
Original Price: $8786 Estimated 2016 Price: $72,200-$93,000 (+958%)

9. 1968 XT Sedan GT Man 4sp 302ci
Original Price: $4200 Estimated 2016 Price: $34,000-$43,500 (+935%)

10. 1969 XT Sedan GT Man 4sp 302ci
Original Price: $4202 Estimated 2016 Price: $34,000-$43,500 (+935%)

11. 1967 XR Sedan GT Man 4sp 289ci
Original Price: $3890 Estimated 2016 Price: $30,100-$38,800 (+897%)

12. 1972 XA Sedan GT Man 4sp 351ci
Original Price: $4845 Estimated 2016 Price: $37,800-$48,200 (+894%)

13. 1972 XA Hardtop GT Auto 3sp 351ci
Original Price: $5471 Estimated 2016 Price: $40,100-$51,000 (+832%)