Any detailed info on the XC Cobra and Phase III GTHO?

[ssj_jaypee]

Such as specs, 1/4 mile times, high res photos, etc.

Is it true that the Phase III was the fastest accelerating production sedan in the world at the time?

[RAREV8]

The phase III was the worlds fastest production sedan from the moment it was released for 10 years- I'm not sure what knocked it off its perch 10 years later though.

[RAREV8]

If you want info and specs on these cars, do a search in this site or on google. XC Cobra was issues in 2 versions, the limited ones were the 400 Bathurst editions. (the most sought after)
Power was provided by the 302 and 351 clevelands. top output was 217bhp the same as standard XC's (ADR 27a limiting it, etc)

[Steffo]

PhaseIII GT-HO

351ci Cleveland V8, 4V heads, 780cfm 4 barrel Holley Carburettor, 11.5:1 compression
Power (old gross figures)
385 hp (287 kW) @ 5400rpm
Torque (old gross figures)
420 ftlbs (569 Nm) @ 3400rpm
6150rpm limiter
9" Differential, Detroit Locker, 3.25:1 ratio (3.50:1 and 3.90:1 optional)
4spd Toploader Manual (available wide or close ratio)
0-100km/h in 6.1 sec
1/4 mile in 14.1 sec
Top Speed 226km/h (141 mph)

That's all the data I've got on the Phase III at hand right now, could dig up more though.

In the 'net' figures which were first used in 1977, the GT-HO's 385hp 420ftlbs becomes 278.5hp (208kW) and 350.5ftlbs (475Nm).

Ford's claim was always 300hp 380ftlbs (224kW 515Nm) in 1971 though.

[Casper]

Far as I know the Maserati Quatroport was the car to knock it off eventually for the 1/4 mile. Think twin turbo V8.

[Psycho Chicken]

Originally Posted by scottishxc

If you want info and specs on these cars, do a search in this site or on google. XC Cobra was issues in 2 versions, the limited ones were the 400 Bathurst editions. (the most sought after)
Power was provided by the 302 and 351 clevelands. top output was 217bhp the same as standard XC's (ADR 27a limiting it, etc)

There were only 400 Cobras, not 400 Bathurst options.

[Steffo]

They only made 50 Ford XC Falcon Cobra 351 Bathurst's. They're identifiable by a big buldge in the bonnet...


That's a good drawing of the Bathurst Cobra.


And there's what a normal one was like

[The Mighty Red]

I thought the last 50 made were 302's and the rest were 351's

[4Vman]

Engine & transmission breakdown:

4.9 manual 100 cars
4.9 auto/power steering/air-conditioning 60 cars
4.9 auto/power steering/air-conditioning/power windows 40 cars
5.8 manual -Option 97 30 cars** Bathurst model
5.8 manual/air-conditioning/power steering 10 cars
5.8 manual/air-conditioning/power steering/ power windows 40 cars
5.8 auto/air-conditioning/power steering/power windows 120 cars,

In all 200 302's and 200 351's, only the 1st 30 made were option 97 bathursts.

[The Mighty Red]

What was "option 97 Bathurst"? hopefully it had something to do with a power upgrade because the Cobras were painfully slow even the 351's

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by L.F.C

What was "option 97 Bathurst"? hopefully it had something to do with a power upgrade because the Cobras were painfully slow even the 351's

No power upgrade, just a bonnet scoop, twin thermo fans and some chassis bracing.

[outback_ute]

Originally Posted by Steffo

PhaseIII GT-HO

351ci Cleveland V8, 4V heads, 780cfm 4 barrel Holley Carburettor, 11.5:1 compression
Power (old gross figures)
385 hp (287 kW) @ 5400rpm
Torque (old gross figures)
420 ftlbs (569 Nm) @ 3400rpm

Ford's claim was always 300hp 380ftlbs (224kW 515Nm) in 1971 though.

I doubt all Phase III's made 385hp (which was only speculation by a magazine anyway) as there were "normal" Phase III's, and cars with the QC engine which was a $250 option where the engine was rebuilt & blueprinted. Around 20 cars had this done.

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by outback_ute

I doubt all Phase III's made 385hp (which was only speculation by a magazine anyway) as there were "normal" Phase III's, and cars with the QC engine which was a $250 option where the engine was rebuilt & blueprinted. Around 20 cars had this done.

Id say 370-380 would be about right.
We re did my friends HO motor to original spec and it made 377HP on the engine dyno.
The QC motors didnt really make anymore power, they were just built with more consistant tolerances for reliability.

[smciner1]

Originally Posted by Casper

Far as I know the Maserati Quatroport was the car to knock it off eventually for the 1/4 mile. Think twin turbo V8.

I thought it was the M5. Could be wrong though.

[RAREV8]

Originally Posted by Psycho Chicken

There were only 400 Cobras, not 400 Bathurst options.

Beg pardon, Typo on my behalf...brain works quicker than finger types!

[Muzzasblueprint]

[QUOTE=4Vman]No power upgrade, just a bonnet scoop, twin thermo fans and some chassis bracing.[/

4Vman: You are very very wrong!!

In 1977 my family bought a brand new 1977 Fairmont XC GXL 351 4 speed factory dual exhaust. A few years later we purchased a Cobra Bathurst coupe.
Ford quoted same similiar power to the GXL and the Cobra.
I drove both vehicles a lot of Klms in the late 70s early 80s

The motor in this Cobra has a massive power upgrade from a XC 351.
Gearbox is different between the Bathurst Cobra and the XC GXL 351 4 speed.
We did not modify the Cobra in any way. It is a stock standard Bathurst Cobra.
This car sounds like a racing car when driven. The exhaust note is incredible. Nothing like the standard XC GXL 351.
This Bathurst Cobra ( its number is less than 030 ) does not have a standard XC 351 motor in it. The suspension is also not the same as a standard XC coupe.
A mechanic pointed that out.

This vehicle is clearly a culmination of years of Gt development.

Motor Manual Special Christmas edition 1978
from the article "Top value tyre burner"

page 35 ....370 Cobras were ordinary street cars. BUT the remaining 30 were special track versions - accurately called "Bathurst specials"


"page 37 .."A stab of the throttle produced a suprising amount of power...."

page 37 "...Out at Calder the figures backed up my initial thoughts on performance 15.7 seconds for the standing quarter with a terminal speed of 142 km/h That is no standard Falcon 2 door. 0 -100 km/h in 8.8 seconds.....all in a car that had travelled 1000 klm from new and was still a little tight... whilst running to 15.7 over the the quarter the Cobra spun its wheels for 10 yards..."

Be very interesting to see what the car would do the quarter mile in, when the
car a reasonable amount of klms on the clock. And with electronic timing and a seasoned driver. Be a few shocks I dare say.

My brother removed the original wheels and fitted 295 width tyres to the rear of the Cobra. The Cobra was taken to a disused road and a group of men came and watched the 295 width Bf Goodrich tyres get lit up for 30 metres. Leaving 2 huge black lines on the road.
No standard XC motor would do that.

This car could spin the 295 width tyres changing up gears.


page 37"...handling is different to the standard falcons.."


It is a incredible car. It would be interesting to hear if any of the other option 97 Bathurst Cobras are like this. Has Ford added different parts to these 30 cars?? I know the answer is yes they have. This is not a standard XC coupe with blue lines on it.

In hindsight i was quite fortunate that we had a Fairmont GXL 4 speed 5.8 litre car to compare this Cobra with.

A few years later my father bought a XD 4sp 4.9 litre ute new. It was a very fast ute. It was not in the same league as the Cobra. The only car that i have driven in our family that is near the power of the Bathurst Cobra is my fathers BA Xr6 240kw Turbo.

I personally like every Gt. The older ones, the newer ones. All of them.
Love them. They are all classics in there own way. I would own each model with pride. Each one is unique in its own way.

















"

[smciner1]

A few years later you purchased a Cobra Option 97? I'm tipping the Engine had a little work done to it in the time it left the Factory and got into your hands.

:lookedat:

[Abacus]

Get your Cobra information here:

http://www.falconcobraclubofaus.com/

[335JET]

cobra 001 had a 302 in it while
cobra 351 had a 351

[4Vman]

[QUOTE=Muzzasblueprint]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

No power upgrade, just a bonnet scoop, twin thermo fans and some chassis bracing.[/

Originally Posted by 4Vman

4Vman: You are very very wrong!!

In 1977 my family bought a brand new 1977 Fairmont XC GXL 351 4 speed factory dual exhaust. A few years later we purchased a Cobra Bathurst coupe.
Ford quoted same similiar power to the GXL and the Cobra.
I drove both vehicles a lot of Klms in the late 70s early 80s

The motor in this Cobra has a massive power upgrade from a XC 351.
Gearbox is different between the Bathurst Cobra and the XC GXL 351 4 speed.
We did not modify the Cobra in any way. It is a stock standard Bathurst Cobra.
This car sounds like a racing car when driven. The exhaust note is incredible. Nothing like the standard XC GXL 351.
This Bathurst Cobra ( its number is less than 030 ) does not have a standard XC 351 motor in it. The suspension is also not the same as a standard XC coupe.
A mechanic pointed that out.

This vehicle is clearly a culmination of years of Gt development.

Motor Manual Special Christmas edition 1978
from the article "Top value tyre burner"

page 35 ....370 Cobras were ordinary street cars. BUT the remaining 30 were special track versions - accurately called "Bathurst specials"


"page 37 .."A stab of the throttle produced a suprising amount of power...."

page 37 "...Out at Calder the figures backed up my initial thoughts on performance 15.7 seconds for the standing quarter with a terminal speed of 142 km/h That is no standard Falcon 2 door. 0 -100 km/h in 8.8 seconds.....all in a car that had travelled 1000 klm from new and was still a little tight... whilst running to 15.7 over the the quarter the Cobra spun its wheels for 10 yards..."

Be very interesting to see what the car would do the quarter mile in, when the
car a reasonable amount of klms on the clock. And with electronic timing and a seasoned driver. Be a few shocks I dare say.

My brother removed the original wheels and fitted 295 width tyres to the rear of the Cobra. The Cobra was taken to a disused road and a group of men came and watched the 295 width Bf Goodrich tyres get lit up for 30 metres. Leaving 2 huge black lines on the road.
No standard XC motor would do that.

This car could spin the 295 width tyres changing up gears.


page 37"...handling is different to the standard falcons.."


It is a incredible car. It would be interesting to hear if any of the other option 97 Bathurst Cobras are like this. Has Ford added different parts to these 30 cars?? I know the answer is yes they have. This is not a standard XC coupe with blue lines on it.

In hindsight i was quite fortunate that we had a Fairmont GXL 4 speed 5.8 litre car to compare this Cobra with.

A few years later my father bought a XD 4sp 4.9 litre ute new. It was a very fast ute. It was not in the same league as the Cobra. The only car that i have driven in our family that is near the power of the Bathurst Cobra is my fathers BA Xr6 240kw Turbo.

I personally like every Gt. The older ones, the newer ones. All of them.
Love them. They are all classics in there own way. I would own each model with pride. Each one is unique in its own way.


"

What a load of Garbage.. : One post wonder....

The 351 powered Cobra had an absolutely bog stock 2V headed 4 barrel cleveland producing about a mind numbing 161Kw....it wouldnt pull the skin off a rice pudding.

[Paull]

Sounds like you have won another friend there Norm.

At any rate, as Norm has stated, XC, ZH and P6 Fords all had the same 5.8 litre engines fitted. No screamers, no specials just plain old pollution engines. however, I should mention that both the 4.9 and 5.8 XC versions were quicker than the XA/B standard versions (just a little wind up there).

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by Paull

Sounds like you have won another friend there Norm.

At any rate, as Norm has stated, XC, ZH and P6 Fords all had the same 5.8 litre engines fitted. No screamers, no specials just plain old pollution engines. however, I should mention that both the 4.9 and 5.8 XC versions were quicker than the XA/B standard versions (just a little wind up there).

LOL, Its all good, if you're going to take someone on and challenge them about Falcon Musclecar technical info at least get somewhere close to the facts hey!!!!!
That pile of dribble was the wildest exageration ive ever read about the humble stock "Bathurst" Cobra..

[Paull]

Very much so Norm.

I have found of late that there has been some real crap been offered up here lately and I think it has a detrimental affect on the forum and others who read what is said. In other words, a view that FF.com.au is full of shyte which is not true most of the time. Real shame that.

Put more simply, it would be nice if people could have constructive input but also to be factually correct. Wouldn't that be nice!!

[Abacus]

From the Falcon Cobra Club's site:

Thirty of the cars - 00002 to 00031 - were built as Bathurst specials with Option 97.
These cars had the following modifications;
" Reworked rear wheel inside housings to accommodate the larger wheels;
" Front spring tower reinforcement;
" Modified No2 suspension cross member;
" Fibreglass front spoiler sourced from Bob McWilliams;
" Scheel KBA90018 front seats trimmed in black cloth;
" Rear seats trimmed in black corduroy/cashmere cloth;
" Transmission oil cooler;
" Front strut braces;
" Idler arm brace,
" Electric radiator fan;
" Heavy duty radiator
" Hood scoop.io

No mention of any engine mods whatosever on the Bathurst cars....at least, from the factory.

Originally Posted by smciner1

A few years later you purchased a Cobra Option 97? I'm tipping the Engine had a little work done to it in the time it left the Factory and got into your hands.

:lookedat:

Exactly.

[Abacus]

Back in 2003, on the FAF site, Bones269 said:

HOW could we leave out the XC Cobra :duno
:bow :bow :bow
[img]http://www.msnusers.com/_Secure/0TAAcA54YF9ftgrXMvyok0cLGFvqgY*JhXv29VwFUWZOUo229g pNbZfJPhsRdosraxTC!0ZZ*C2SjkxWkEeE1dNGd4uzoZ5fXaQ1 N46Dg2bvtOxqUP80Rpw/xccobra.jpg[/img]
Engine: 4.9-litre V8, 5.8-litre V8; four-barrel carburettor
Power: 151 kW (4.9-litre); 162kW (5.8-litre)
Torque: 364Nm (4.9-litre); 429Nm (5.8-litre)
Performance: 0-100km/h: 8.9secs; (Bathurst model)
Transmission: Four-speed manual; three-speed auto
Suspension: Front: independent, coil springs, hydraulic shock absorbers; Rear: live axle; semi-elliptic springs, hydraulic shockers
Brake: Four-wheel power-assisted discs
Wheels: Globe Bathurst 15X7 alloy wheels
Tires: ER70H01 radials
Cobra Construction

Only 400 Falcon Cobras were ever builtOf the 400, 30 were Bathurst Edition.Each vehicle is individually numbered and easily identified by the glovebox plaque.
All were painted Bold Blue first and Snow White laid on top.The first 200 cars built were 351-equipped. The second 200 were 302-equipped. [Only one exception is known of, car 351 was factory fitted with a 351.]
No special body number prefix was given to the Cobra. Body numbers are usually JG65UM00XXXK. [XXX being the build number.]
Ford shipped only two cars to each premium dealer, which resulted in the demand exceeding the supply.
The front spoiler was not fitted at the factory but shipped in the boot complete with the hardware for fitting by the dealer.
Other Ford vehicles received the Cobra treatment. One short wheelbase F100; one Transit van, and four Falcon utilities were produced at the factory for promotional purposes. Nobody appears to know where these vehicles are today.
Price for the Falcon Cobra in 1978 was $9,405 [RRP] for the base model. A Bathurst car cost $11,166 [RRP].
Prices for the Falcon Cobra in 2001 are between $15,000 and $28,000. Bathurst car value being between $33,000 and $42,000 for an excellent vehicle.
Building of the cars commenced on August 1, 1978. Final shipments were scheduled for September 15, 1978.
Of the 400 cars produced, approximately 250-300 still exist today.

More useful Cobra info and pics here:

Aussie Coupes

[GreenMachine]

I dunno... Some BA owners reckon a CAI is worth 500hp... Maybe things were the same back in the day? There'd have to be power in the thermo fans too!

I shouldn;t post before my first coffee...

[henry 351]

Originally Posted by Muzzasblueprint

[I]
The motor in this Cobra has a massive power upgrade from a XC 351.

This car sounds like a racing car when driven. The exhaust note is incredible. Nothing like the standard XC GXL 351.

This Bathurst Cobra ( its number is less than 030 ) does not have a standard XC 351 motor in it. The suspension is also not the same as a standard XC coupe.

A mechanic pointed that out.

"

Okay matey, I think you've answered your own questions here.

Your mechanic has told you the motor is not standard. The brochure will tell you the suspension is not standard. You've inferred the exhaust is not standard.

I know they're a great car. I also know mine goes a lot better with 280kw and a 3.5 diff compared to 161kw/2.78 factory specs.

The Bathust Cobra's were different cosmetically, but not mechanically. Trust me...