Following his 1974 Bathurst victory in a Ford Falcon XB hardtop, John Goss was close to being Australia’s best-known professional racer - he was certainly up there with Brock and Moffat in public awareness. This was partly because of his playboy image (those raunchy Aunger ads) and partly because he was one of the first Australian drivers to appreciate the importance of promoting himself.

To celebrate his victory, Ford released the John Goss Special Falcon hardtop, a limited edition of 260 cars produced between 1975 and 1976. Available in either blue and white or green and white these were powered by the 302 V8, with a choice of manual or automatic and options like rally wheels.

Some Ford dealers wanted something more, notably McLeod Ford, the dealership situated on the Princes Highway at Rockdale in Sydney which was the main sponsor of Gossy’s 1974 Bathurst Falcon. They added wings, special striping and jazzed up interiors - and came with the personal endorsement of John Goss himself. The 'McLeod Ford Horn Cars' proved such a hit that before long McLeod Ford was licensing some other Ford dealers to produce and sell them.

For more on Goss' 1974 victory at the Mountain see AMC #147

Tags:  fordjohn goss