Classics by the Beach: March, 2024

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Info on the John Goss Special version of Ford's XB Falcon hardtop is a bit sketchy when it comes to production numbers, with Wikipedia suggesting that there may have been as many as 800 built in two runs of 400 each (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Goss_Special).  However, Survivor Car Australia magazine reckons the total was 700, as follows:

Thanks, Jon!

And then there's this excellent Tasmanian Featured in Five video - also courtesy of Jon, as is the black and white image that follows - that supports the final figure being 700 cars:  https://youtu.be/gG8zUyJ8hTQ?si=yGlQD9lCOZpJHea6.  It's really, really well produced and is definitely worth watching!

Most fans of Aussie muscle know the rest of the story:  Built to celebrate Goss's 1974 Bathurst 1000 victory, as well as Ford Australia's 50th anniversary, they were based on a Falcon 500 shell and equipped with a 302 cu Cleveland V8, either a four speed floor shift or a three speed T-bar auto and featured the GS Rally Pack option's three spoke steering wheel, sports instrumentation, vented bonnet, faux side vents and 12-slot wheels, as shared with the GT of the time.  Unlike the GT, there were no four door JGSs made. 



It's also well known that JGSs came in only two colour schemes:  Apollo Blue on white or Emerald Fire on white (with matching white bumpers and wheels), the latter being beautifully illustrated on today's lead car for March, 2024's, UMPH coverage of Classics by the Beach.  They are further distinguishable from GT hardtops by their lack of grille-mounted driving lights.


What might be lesser known, however, is that some JGSs were sold with extra dealer-only accessories - Wikipedia suggests that Sydney's McLeod Ford was a prime exponent of the practice - including front and rear spoilers, brightly coloured cloth seat inserts and "wild tape striping" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horn_car).  Might the very, very unusual rear spoiler, and orange and white stripes on the bonnet shown above and below, suggest that this factory-fresh looking example is a Horn Car, as such optioned-up machines were known?  To my shame, I failed to photograph its interior and thus can't show you the seats' fabulous orange woven inserts that possibly add weight to this theory.  If you can confirm or dispel this, please let us know in the comments section.      




This signature was located on the driver's side top surface of the rear spoiler.
























This mid- to late-'80s XF Falcon van was in great nick, presenting as a much newer vehicle.  It appeared to be absolutely stock, if you ignore the era-appropriate Hot Wire wheels, and even maintained its three-on-the-tree gear shift and bench seat. 












Also super-schmick was this Suzuki Swift GTi.  Its duco was truly lustrous, the panels were ultra straight and the interior was nearly pristine.  The only departures from standard would seem to be a set of very tasty alloys and a lovely Momo steering wheel.  Whoever owns it can be justifiably proud! 







Did you enjoy this article?  If so, why not browse the rest of the uppermiddlepetrolhead site?  There are loads and loads of classic, sports and performance vehicles featured, as well as stacks of car shows and motorsports events.  Even better, you can follow either the 'blog itself or do so via Upper Middle Petrol Head's Facebook page.  And please do like and share!





U M P H

(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)















 

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