We have known rob for some time now and have always admired his gorgeous XC Rallypack, the first time we saw it was at a big als poker run a few years ago and since then we have always wanted to shoot it, now Autolife wasn’t running back then but it is now and we thought we’d better make some time for this beast, of course Rob didn’t hesitate!
So before us is Robert James’s 1978 XC Rallypack Falcon, he bought it back in 2005 because he was looking at restoring a XB Fairmont he had at the time. “It was pretty far gone, this came up with the bodywork mostly done.” “It was a Far better option to continue with the Rallypack than the XB.” ,
He bought it from a mate in Kalgoorlie named Chris,” the Paint was mostly the same”, he painted the car originally and some of that paint is still on the car. It had old school jellybean alloys on it aswell, the Spotlights were missing and the interior needed a freshen up (carpet was dodgy, missing dash pieces,) the car was originally sold by Houghton Ford in Vic Park.
Since then he has remade the GS pinstriping to suit the XC front sheetmetal, Panel and paint touch ups, a new grille and lights, Engine bay freshen up with Master decal kit and dress up items, holley and engine upgrades to about 400hp, Electric thermo fans, he fitted power steering and cooler, Swapped the Toploader for a FMX with 2800rpm stall and trans cooler.
Also handmade ceramic coated headers with handmade mufflers and 2 1/2” dual stainless system, New carpet and interior freshen up and venetians. He has a set of factory 12 slotters for when he’s in the mood and a set of 17 inch Showwheels Ramblers (pictured) for when it needs to look more contemporary and Koni shocks and Lovells springs for the lowering factor.
It has taken nearly 8 years of his life and thousands of dollars spent to get it to this level and Roberts’s intentions for the car was to just have a nice streeter. It has approx. 400hp and surprisingly Rob has never had it on the dragstrip.
The list of awards it has won include the 2007 All Ford Day – Best of Club , 2008 Chrome Bumper Only Day, Collie – People’s Choice , 2008 Chrome Bumper Only Day, Collie – R/Up best Restored , 2011 Australian Ford Forums Charity Cruise – Best Interior and 2012 Steel Bumpers Cruise – Best Ford.
Thanks to Rob for allowing us to shoot his ride and we hope you, our viewers enjoyed the feature.
The Specs:
Engine: 351 Clevo, Comp cams Hyd flat tappet cam, Edelbrock Performer, 650 Holley
Rims/tyres: 12slotters/ 17×8,17×9 Showwheels Ramblers
Gearbox: FMX Auto, 2800rpm stall
Stereo: Standard factory 1978 radio
Interior: Original Factory Black interior
Paint colour or mods: Factory colour – Fireglow, Aerial deleted, custom pinstriping
Exhaust: Handmade ceramic headers, twin 2.5” stainless system with handmade mufflers
Other cars : 1999 Holden Vt Commodore Olympic Edition
Rob would like to to thank the following people :
Isabell , Butler Built Exhausts , Autosport Electronics ,Rosco’s Recar ,Western Recar,John,Ash
Who helped with the build:
John , Ash , Glen , Isa , Alcohol(!)
Photos and review by Ryan Annear
Information Supplied By Robert James
Higher Res gallery available for preview by clicking HERE
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