Australia once enjoyed a thriving vehicle manufacturing industry. Ford, General Motors (Holden), Chrysler, Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Volkswagen, and various Leyland marques developed and produced unique local models. The sales volumes were small by global standards but spawned a healthy factory-supported high-performance sector. Mitsubishi had Ralliart, Toyota had TRD, and Nissan established Nissan Special Vehicles. However, the undoubted kings were Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) and Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV). The latter developed a range of muscular Falcons, and our feature car is from the final production run to carry the iconic GT badge. This 2014 Ford Falcon FPV GT-F is 1-of-500 produced and was the most powerful car to wear the Falcon badge. Its rarity is enhanced by its paint shade and transmission combination, and with a three-figure reading on its odometer, it might be the best one left. The only thing it needs is a new home.

Ford Australia released its Seventh Generation Falcon range in 2008, and few people knew at the time that it would represent the last hurrah for a badge that had served the company so faithfully since 1960. Dubbed the FG, it remained in production until 2014. The company offered some versions that many would dub performance-enhanced, but those seeking something genuinely special opted for vehicles from the FPV range. These included cars like the F6 Typhoon, where FPV squeezed an incredible 416hp from its turbocharged 4.0-liter six. One icon of the Falcon range dating back to 1967 was the GT, and Ford Australia handed FPV the task of developing what would become the last car to wear that badge. The ultimate version was the 2014 GT-F, with a limited production run of 500 vehicles. Our feature car is #59 and is 1-of-36 produced in Silhouette Black with a manual transmission. It features traditional body enhancements, including spoilers, side skirts, and the distinctive 19″ alloy wheels. Faulting its presentation is impossible, which is hardly surprising. In the past decade, it has only clocked 968 kilometers (601 miles). It has never been registered and has only seen service with a permit. It has spent its idle time in dry storage, meaning it is in as-new condition.

So, what made the GT-F so special? Lifting the hood reveals a locally developed version of the supercharged 5.0-liter Coyote V8. The company deliberately aimed for a power output of 471hp because this converts to a metric figure of 351kw. That represented its tribute to the 351ci V8s that powered a succession of earlier Falcon GTs. The 471hp and 420 ft/lbs of torque feed to the rear end via a six-speed manual transmission, while power steering and enormous four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock were standard. A range of suspension upgrades ensured the GT-F had the handling prowess to cope with the power on tap. The big question some will ask is, was the GT-F fast? It could cover the ¼-mile in 12.8 seconds, and keeping the pedal to the metal pushed it to a verified 181mph. Considering this car can comfortably seat five and features an interior loaded with luxury equipment, it must be regarded as impressive. Naturally, this Falcon is in perfect mechanical health. It might have seen limited action on permits, but those miles were clocked as the owner took the car to an appropriate specialist for regular servicing. Therefore, it only requires registration to find its rightful place on Australian roads.

The original GT was a hard-edged performance machine with only basic creature comforts. However, Ford and FPV ensured the GT-F would be a comfortable Grand Tourer. Therefore, the interior features an array of airbags, leather trim, climate-control air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power seats, a sports gauge cluster, cruise control, a leather-wrapped tilt wheel, splashes of carbon fiber, and a premium stereo that includes an AM/FM radio, CD/multimedia connectivity, SatNav, and a touchscreen. Describing it as factory-fresh is fair, which is unsurprising considering the car’s history. It is easy to see why it has accumulated show trophies, but there is also documentation that is vital if someone views it as a long-term investment. It includes the original Owner’s Manual, FPV Compendium, Log Book, and the FPV Certificate of Authenticity. The seller supplies the two sets of original keys and even an optional genuine FPV car cover.

The final Falcon rolled off the line in Broadmeadows, Victoria, in October 2016. This signaled the end of Ford’s local production, and it now exists only as an importer. It isn’t alone because vehicle manufacturing in Australia became nothing but a memory with the closures of the Holden and Toyota plants in 2017. This 2014 Falcon FPV GT-F is the last of its breed, which the seller has listed here at Australian Muscle Car Sales in Sydney, NSW, Australia. The price of A$137,000 (US$91,600) might seem high for a four-door sedan, but it is relatively low for what is a genuine slice of Australian performance car history. It will undoubtedly find a new home, and with the values of these types of classics climbing rapidly, striking now would be wise. Could any of our Down Under readers be tempted?