French XBGT

[CleveXB]

Asked by some forum's guys, here are some pics of my toy ; for those who didn't read my last mails, i live near Paris in France, and imported it from Australia 10 years ago.
It was in just correct condition, fast bad painted , with some non-GT parts fitted and with a tired engine. It's the same combo than the movie model, same month, same year, with standard GT 351C 4v, top loader, 9" rear but with 2.75:1 ratio LSD ( which is damned too long with the modified engine ) ; it will be next modif ; i think about a mini spoolin a 3.25 or 3.50 for correct highway speed ....

During all these years, i have rebuilt near all ; mecanically, it's brand new, with some perf parts, on a 4V block ; paint is from last year with minilite wheels and CR6ZZ tires ( i recommand them for road and track, slow to be hot, but after ... full throttle ! )









my 2 Falcons ; here my AU2 XR8 Tickford ...





Here in front of one of our medieval castles :



when i rebuilt my engine ... in my kitchen :

[Nightwalker]

when i rebuilt my engine ... in my kitchen

I didn't knew you where single also

Nice pictures. That's a great car you've got there, mate

[MadMatt]

Thats one nice XBGT! Most of all i have been saving up some money because i think my Interceptor replica would look Bad ASS with Black Minilite rims! I cant belive you have some on your car! Now i know im making the right choice! I just really dont like the Black wagon spoke steel rims used on Original car they just look to cheep, i mean those rims are used on trailers! I have always liked Allan Moffats XB falcon racecars, he used minilite rims, just look so nice on the Falcons. What size are your minilites? I was planning on 15x8s at all four corners but with differnt offsets front and rear.

[toecutter]

Nice! i've got minilites on my XB as well. Never thought about black ones. The car is already black!

Whats it like driving an XR8 around Europe? Been on any good roadtrips in it?

[CleveXB]

Thanks guys !

Madmatt, about Minilite, i hesitate a long time before buying too ; first they are expensive because they are real ones, not copies, specially with shipping ; second, i wasn't sure of final look ! But, now, i can't imagine her without them ! Like you, i have seen historic pics of race Falcons with Minilite, and i had the eyes which shine !

For sizes, i used 15x8 for front with 245/60 VR15 tires ( yes yes ) and 15 x 10 for rear with 295/50R15 ! So, usually, the 295 ones pass in rear fenders without troubles ! For the front, it's a little different ! when i was turning full turn right or left, the tires rub a little on arches ; I had to bring in the small return of the lining of fender to avoid damaging tire or deforming the wing ; sometimes,they rubs a little on the trapdoors of visit maked inside the wing ; ( where we have access to the antenna for example ! )
Sorry for my bad english ; i tried to be clear !

But all that arrives when i want to park ; in turn circles or on the road, all is clear without noises ! I just must to be sweety when i park it !

But, like that, the baby is correctly sit down on the road ! And, i can stay in front of my friends with their Mustangs or Camaro in turning roads ! ah ah !

For sure, to turn without power steering, .... need to have some muscles (lol), but on the road, the car turns precisely .. and stay on asphalt in fast drive !

I have had a 390GT FASTBACK '68 before, and it was a shame when i wanted to turn ! XB is so much better in all points !

Nightwalker, yes, at this time, i was alone ! None woman in the world could support that ! lol
But, as i'm perfectionnist, it was the perfect place to build it properly, without dirt or dust ; Hey, it's a 4V block of the good years ! just perfect place for a perfect job ! ( mates, don't try to explicate that to a woman, they'll never understand ; you'll just give feeling of a psychiatric guy ! )

Toecutter, i didn't understand your message ! I have this Tickford because it's a very good car as daily driver ; and what else car for a Falcon enthusiast than another but modern Falcon ? and with it, a good push on throttle, and all stupid Renault or Citroen stay away behind me !

V8 world engine master ! Isn't it ?

[Anklecranker]

Congratulations on your fine car Cleve.

[aussie muscle]

you have good taste in cars. i like it but not the 'dukes of hazzard' style front bar.

[MadMatt]

Thats very funny glad you keep all the other corner carvers at bay! I just made a suspension modification to my XB coupe i lowerd the upper control arms down exactly one inch to improve camber curve. It lowerd the front of car approx 5/8 inch looks nice and it handles very well, now to put in new polly castor rod bushings and straighten out alighnment. should be good for ahwile. Till i get my Minilight rims You can order them in Matte,satan,or gloss black! Very pricy!

[Big Bopper Bart]

Cool car man,don't like the "Dukes" front bumper though

[CleveXB]

hi hi, i know than for you guys, the front bar doesn't have success ! I understand that !

But, i like it ! ; i used time and money to make it properly ; the look is more agressive ! and french drivers who could be agressive on the road became more calm when they see it in their rear mirror !

Anyway, people like or doesn't like, but this front bar doesn't let indifferent ! and unique appearance !