American Reacts to Ford Falcon Cobra | Targa Tasmania

Wow Targa Tasmania looks like a lot of fun!! And Will I admit I like a Ford?....
Check out Targa Tasmania - targa.com.au/
original - - - • Targa Tasmania 2019 - ...
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[@craigmerritt8503]

You mighta loved all that.but i loved JACK SQUAT! im using that for sure! Onya mate

[@IWrocker]

Use it mate!!! It is a rare and slight hidden gem in Midwestern USA slang haha

[@kevkoala]

@@IWrocker Here it's similar but "Diddly Squat!

[@aussieguy3689]

@@kevkoala Hahaha sure is and we also say " Jack Shit " ! 👍

[@jono.pom-downunder]

@@IWrocker in the UK SFA(sweet fanny Adams originally) now Sweet Fuck All

[@EVOETR1]

Sorry but us Kiwi’s say jack squat too, along with sweet f**k all and jack shit lol and diddly squat as well

[@jasoncamilleri8322]

Ian a few people have recommended "Love The Beast" which is an Eric Bana doco on his car and the Targa Tasmania circuit, and although I also agree that it isn't suitable for your channel it is definitely one to watch in your spare time - you definitely won't be disappointed. Whilst on the subject of Eric Bana you should also watch the Independent Aussie Film "The Castle" which he also acted in for a fairly true portrayal of Aussie Culture.

[@redoz9768]

I second this suggestion.

[@lachlanbarnes8502]

If you’re gonna watch The Castle, you HAVE to watch Chopper

[@fredderf551]

you have to love actors who think they're race car drivers​. The Nugget is funny

[@MrGutfeeling]

@@lachlanbarnes8502 TRUE!!

[@HighwayRamos]

@@fredderf551 Paul Newman and Steve McQueen were race car drivers.

[@stevep5819]

The red and white car was a Holden Commodore so a full size family sedan, gives you an idea of the size of the falcon. That guy really knows where and when he's got traction!

[@paspax]

Those early Commodores were small cars. The Falcons and previous generation Holden Kingswoods were full size in Australia.

[@bar187]

@Steve P, I think it was a VB Commodore?

[@fnp865]

VH, and yeah a bit smaller than the typical full sized family car until the VN came along in 1988.

[@corzahazard444]

@@bar187 It's a VH Group 3 SS kzbin.info/www/bejne/aavPead8ipqojLs

[@fugawiaus]

Compared to the yanks, falcons were considered medium cars.

[@gamortie]

The Cobra only had 400 made, and came in 2 sizes, split evenly: 351 Cleveland V8 and 302 Cleveland V8

[@MrTallpoppy58]

......have to be a 351 ?

[@AdelaideGuy1968]

Dont forget the Stillwell cobra (sedan)

[@ashholliday524]

@@MrTallpoppy58 ford australia dumped whatever stock they had to get rid of the remaining v8s and coupe chassis when the fuel crisis hit my man

[@MrTallpoppy58]

@@ashholliday524 1st, I am not your "man" 2nd, wtf are you on about ? My comment was to, the car sounded like a 351, nothing more. Who would race a 302 and never heard of an Australian 400. 3rd, I dont give a shit about what ford did or did not do. Stay on topic my darling.

[@ashholliday524]

@@MrTallpoppy58 nobody mentioned an australian 400 either. clearly a referance to the prductio

[@superyamagucci]

There’s a good doco of Eric Bana at Targa Tasmania called Love the Beast. It’s a good watch, probably not ideal for your content, but worth seeing.

[@kevkoala]

Just to add to that, yes, Eric did have the car repaired and it's probably the best handling XB now as a result! :D

[@Phillbie]

Lol, was coming down to recommend "Love the Beast." as you said, not one iWrocker needs to react to, but one he needs to see.

[@richmanricho]

@@Phillbie ditto, was looking for a comment mentioning it.

[@xeroxene]

+1 Definitely worth watching

[@RoverIAC]

Beast is a great movie for anyone who loves their car just that little bit to much, The Beast is basically the same as the car in this video except for slight changes to the grill and lights, same as the Mad Max car. All of them are 351.

[@karenglenn6707]

I’m a Ford girl!! My dad had a large Ford dealership in Ferntree Gully in Melbourne. I was driven to high school,in one of these by my dad. The guys at school were so impressed!!

[@IWrocker]

Now That sounds fun! Lucky Girl

[@Slowrex123]

My mum and dad bought 2 brand new falcons from your dads dealership in 1984 and 1987.

[@karenglenn6707]

@@Slowrex123 oh wow!! What a coincidence. I’ve also,met,another guy on KZbin whose parents bought their first ever new car from my father’s dealership..Glenn Ford on Burwood Hwy. Many people still remember the name, even after such a long time. He’s 87 next month and lives on the Gold Coast now. He sold it to Stilwell Ford, he worked for Bib Stilwell when he first started when I was a kid. I loved being driven to high school in the Cobra, my favourite car.

[@rowanthefirst148]

Bro, I think we should make you an 'honorary Aussie' and throw you a dual citizenship. You love this place and everything about it as much as we do. :)

[@jasonbull5298]

Agree 100%, I’m even learning stuff from watching all of the videos…

[@devilspen4892]

I’m sure we can find him someone to swap for. Plenty of people that don’t deserve to be here

[@mjustjeanette7026]

Was thinking the same thing.

[@NeonGenesisPlatinum]

I'll sponsor him for sure!

[@watsisbuttndo829]

He's ticking all the boxes. But at the end of the day the only requirement should be "try not to be an asshole" . Sadly a task a lot of locals fail at.

[@zwiastunburzy7188]

See's a Commodore, "What's that?" Lol. Love it! It's like he's looking at some fine art, then someone slips a dog turd in there. Hahaha!

[@JohnSmith-rw8uh]

The Cobra - the ugliest and tackiest of all the Falcon coupes failed dimally at Bathurst that year. Poetic justice

[@rodneymcgiveron]

G'day Ian...I am a Ford guy...got a 2008 FG XR6 and a 2001 Futura...The car is a 1978 Cobra..it's an XC model..similar to the Mad Max Interceptor but that was an XB previous model..came with both 302 and 351... Targa Tasmania is run over a week over 2500 kilometres of closed public roads..and cuts through some of our incredible and famous roads...the event itself is well known around the world..Brocky didn't pass away at Targa Tas but it was a Targa event in 2006 in Western Australia...Thanks so much again for your great videos...cheers. Rod in Tasmania...

[@timjohnun4297]

Tassie has some of the best roads in the country. I was born and raised there, live in WA now, but I tell all my mates with motorcycles, if you want to go on a good holiday, take your bike to Tassie. A lot have now thanked me for it

[@tristanmeadows]

i spoke to a bloke that lives down there and he said they let you rip on the bikes as long as it isnt within the town area's lol

[@paspax]

Yep, a Tassie bike tour is on my bucket list.

[@aflaz171]

Yep, they put car drivers in terrible danger down there when they lean hard and cross onto the wrong side while your coming the other way with ya family onboard! Like missiles if they hit you.

[@timjohnun4297]

@@tristanmeadows never heard that one 🤷‍♂️

[@andrewrose9707]

Couldn't agree more, Tassie is God's gift to motorcyclists. Had a couple of motorcycling trips down there now and can't wait to go again (especially as we are now enduring yet another lockdown in Melbourne). The sparse population and plethora of winding, lightly trafficked roads makes it an experience never to be forgotten

[@HarlsLegend]

Loving how much you're getting into everything Aus, cheers mate, you're always welcome here

[@andrewforbes146]

i will second that Harley

[@IWrocker]

@@andrewforbes146 Hey thank you so much for your Donation earlier. I truly appreciate that and you always being here!!!

[@SuperGamewarrior101]

@@IWrocker I reckon you should try reacting to one of the earlier Targa events that are now available to watch

[@adamlee9071]

I'm a Holden guy till I die, but ford xb coupe is an awesome looking car,the best design ford ever did by far, pictures and video don't do the shape of this car justice,in the flesh these cars are absolutely beautiful

[@4ard4]

It's an XC bro

[@adamlee9071]

@@4ard4 yes I know it is,I'm talking about the xb

[@andrewgrundy3468]

I worked on this motor. 351 Cleveland with 302 conrods (long rods) ACL pistons with shortened pin height to suit the longer rods. 2V closed chamber heads with 4V valves and modified combustion chamber to get compression rights

[@racer1412]

many many moons ago we used to use the 302 rods on the 351 cranks and by memory used hemi/Chrysler pistons as didnt have access to custom type pistons back then

[@watsisbuttndo829]

It sounds sweet.

[@zwiastunburzy7188]

You are a credit to this car and THAT sound! Man you had that thing sorted. Well done....er, do people ever call you Reg and make untoward comments about your undies? Lol. In the eighties I was blessed to own a XA Fairmont, that had the complete running gear, from front to back, including the four wheel disc brakes, 351C, Toploader and 9 inch transplanted into it from a wrecked GT. Even the shockers went in, and boy, did that car sound and drive gloriously. Had a bit of cam and head work done also. I miss that beast to this day.

[@darrenlyddieth5770]

If it looks familiar, that's the body style used for the Mad Max Intercepter.

[@garrybull8704]

it is the same model as mad max

[@AussieDave69]

@@garrybull8704 The falcon used in Mad Max was stored in the workshop where i worked never got tired of hearing it start up before location work

[@paspax]

@@garrybull8704 Max's interceptor was an XB. The bodyshell is not exactly the same on the inside, but it does look the same on the outside.

[@mr.sleepy4534]

@@paspax Except the front panels and headlamp array.

[@paspax]

@@mr.sleepy4534 .... Well, yeah, and the front bumper.

[@berranari1]

Hi Ian. Peter Brock was my favourite driver. On 8 September 2006, while driving in the Targa West '06 rally, Brock was 3 kilometres from the finish of the second stage of the race at Gidgegannup, about 40 km from Perth, Western Australia, when he skidded off a downhill left-hand bend on Clenton Road for over 50 metres in his 2001 Daytona sportscar and hit a tree sideways, in the driver's door. The 61-year-old Brock died within a couple of minutes of the impact. His co-driver, Mick Hone, was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition. Watch the Bathurst 500 highlights from 1972 and the 1st 1000 in '73. Then '74 etc. When you get to 1983, I recommend you try and watch the full race, (and watch the qualifying top 11 video first). You have already seen Dick Johnson's crash in qualifying for the 1983 race.

[@chickencaronline6362]

I reside in New Zealand, and regularly NZ and Aus cars move between our two countries for race events . Occasionally, we team up with the Aussies, and take cars to large race meetings in USA. As a rule we surprise the heck out of Americans, because we tend to drive so hard. Glad you enjoy our stuff.

[@truthseeker7322]

Truth there mate.

[@johnmoyle4195]

New Zealanders are our best mates in the world. We love teasing them, but we adore them.

[@TheGrayWarbler]

@@johnmoyle4195 Right back at ya mate!

[@brucefielding2291]

Hey man, I'm from NZ, enjoyed your reaction. :) I have one of these in my shed. (2-door) There were 3 models of 2-door, XA, XB, and the cobra was the last, the XC. (Mine is XA) They're most famous for being the base car for the Mad Max interceptor. Cheers dude ;)

[@aussieguy3689]

Great upload Ian fantastic mate loved it , And the red and white car he passed was a holden commodore think it was a " VH " . 👌👍

[@glentight]

You should check out "Love The Beast". Eric Bana's GT falcon. It's a fantastic watch.

[@MrMerlinPower]

Agreed

[@tezgm99]

Double agreed, lol

[@godfroi10991]

Triple agreed!

[@mjustjeanette7026]

Quad.

[@IllMind3d]

This Video made me realise how lucky I am to live in Tassie and being able to go watch this every year since I was a young feller

[@Deevo037]

Just a matter of interest, the XC Cobra was the last of the Superbird Falcon coupes (XA, XB and XC Models) and came with either the 302 or 351 Australian made Cleveland engine. It was my teenage dream car. That red and white car that you saw it passing was a later model Holden Commodore (either a VC or a VH Model, I couldn't quite make out the grille) which was a car made famous by Peter Brock and a car that basically took over the muscle car mantle in Australia from the Superbird Falcons in the early 80s when Ford had reverted to making sedans only.

[@steveskrobot9496]

Ahhh that entire running gear! 351C,Toploader, 9'' Diff...Enough said!

[@watsisbuttndo829]

That driveline used to be able to be aquired for a couple of grand in the early eighties. I miss the days you could beat the shit out of a cleveland and not worry about blowing it up.

[@hainesy67]

This year's Targa Tas Condolences to those that lost loved ones. Such a great race

[@carseyeadmire]

Yeah, it was a sad event this year.

[@glennvandenberg3912]

How many lost thier lives?

[@hainesy67]

@@glennvandenberg3912 2 drivers, such an iconic event now has a pretty big shadow over it continuing. So sad for families, in saying that they it was their passion.

[@carseyeadmire]

@@glennvandenberg3912 it was 3. 1 in 1 accident where the car landed upside down in a ravine and another on the last day where the car hit a tree and killed the driver and navigator Any relationship to a Jamie?

[@hainesy67]

@UCzC9Capm1BTivgd0onU379Q It was Targa West, which is in Perth where Brock passed Mate😥

[@petermorris709]

The xa to xc Falcons could also fit a heap more rubber under the rear making them look even tougher than the one in the video. I'm Holden through and through but always had a soft spot for the coupes. My favourite paint scheme hands down was privateer Murray Carter at Bathurst. Sounds like you need to make the pilgrimage to Bathurst one day. Love your passion for it 😀

[@meganwilliams2962]

I loved my XF wagon :-). Monza Red, she was.

[@XxmillerniaxX]

AS someone who owned an XB Coupe, yeah the wide tyres on the rear were great until you went around a corner at speed, then the back tried to catch up with the front.

[@chrisjohnston9454]

Ford deliberately designed the coupe (xa-xc same body just updated with each new model released) to fit 10 inch tyres for racing (re specially Bathurst, win on Sunday sell on Monday) but the bean counters (company accountants) canned the 10 inch tyres.

[@gutz1981]

I'm super impressed with the camera work. I know this is played out over the span of a number of days. But hats off to the cinematic feel of it. Australians still know how to shoot cars the old fashioned way. And not that Fast and Furycrap way of faking it.

[@johnd8892]

Correction to Peter Brock mention around 10:30 . Was in Western Australia. The event where Peter Brock made his fatal error was Targa West. This other Targa was a Western Australia attempt at replicating the success of Targa Tasmania with a similar event but on worse roads. Although Targa Tasmania has had too many fatalities also.

[@dylanzrim3635]

Rally driving is dangerous, death is part of the game. Saying “too many” implies that there’s a way to reduce deaths while preserving the essence of rally.. look at every other sport ever, and you’ll see that such a scenario doesn’t exist.

[@lukemanion2]

any is too many but before this year there had been 1 since 1992, this year was really unfortunate but is definately not a reflection of the overall safety through the events history

[@carseyeadmire]

The first fatality was an unfortunate one. Apparently the car landed upside down in a ravine and he drowned.

[@_alifeallmine_]

Watch the Eric Bana doco, ‘Love the Beast’. It’s about a 2 door Falcon like this he rebuilt for the same, Targa Tasmania. This car doesn’t look balanced, rear tyres way to skinny, front end way too high, but that’s looks, it’s probably set up for the stint and looks are secondary.

[@johnphaceas7434]

The Beast is such a great doco. Bana's coupe was definitely better balanced than this one, right up til he went off the road and into the trees. Unfortunately. This Cobra is probably all stock, so 70s ride height, tyres etc. Bana's was modified as much as he could get away with under the rules of his class of racing.

[@user-nc6rn3rd2h]

I’m a Holden guy. Got a SSV commodore 6ltr with an xforce 3inch exhaust with a muffler delete and I love this falcon. It’s sound looks handling. Got give the driver’s credit they drove that like a boss.

[@waynec3563]

XC Falcon Cobras had either the 302 Cleveland or the 351 Cleveland. The Cleveland was made in Australia from 1971 to 1984. US production ended in 1974. Ford Australia supplied the 351 Cleveland for some de Tomaso models, including the Pantera from the end of US/Canadian production until the early 1980s. There were 400 Cobras made, 200 with the 351 and 200 with the 302. They were fitted with 4 wheel disc brakes. Basically it was a special run-out model to get rid of teh Coupe shells before the XD Falcon was introduced in 1979. The biggest highlight for the Falcon coupe was its Bathurst win in 1977, with Moffat/Ickx leading teammates Bond/Hamilton for a Ford 1-2. Just. The Falcon coupe's also won in 1973 (Moffat/Geoghegan) and 1974 (Goss/Bartlett).

[@jackabm69]

we don’t really associate Ford America and Ford Australia as the same brand here. A lot of us think of them as seperate brands pretty much due to them almost acting as seperate brands when ford aus was still around.

[@andrewg2618]

Very true...but even though from the XAs onwards the Falcons were designed in Australia, they all required sign off from Detroit.

[@Tomoslb1]

@@andrewg2618 Not like the Fords today, European re-brands at least they are made in Germany.

[@fnp865]

So true. There's been a few points when was suggested replacing the Falcon with the soggy Taurus with it's front wheel drive-ness, and the volume of outrage cannot be overstated.

[@Tomoslb1]

@@fnp865 And sadly Holden went that same way in it's last years with the Insignia rebrand wagons and sedans. I only saw one wagon on the road and I used to drive from the Northern beaches to western sydney.

[@johnd8892]

In the last year's of Falcon production Ford did close to zero advertising for Falcon but lots for Mondeo. Hoping we would all take up the late Mondeo that was Falcon size but front wheel drive. A major company sharing my office building around 2014 went all Mondeo for its fleet, so must have got a good deal on them. Ford expecting as much sales share as the US model labelled the Ford Fusion.

[@Blkxr6]

Check out the Ford GTHO phase 3. Was the fastest 4 door sedan in the world.

[@marvinmartinsYT]

The first of our V6 commodores was the first to break that record. 10 years or so the falcon held that title.

[@edwardfletcher7790]

@@marvinmartinsYT A V6 Commodore was faster than a BMW ? Riiiight lol

[@marvinmartinsYT]

@@edwardfletcher7790 Omg. Yes bro. Until you bring in M model bmw. The V8’s held all types of firsts. The grand national had the two door 6 title. Same engine.

[@markatkinson2699]

@@marvinmartinsYT err no it wasnt - the v6 was pretty slow, it was the VR GTS-R that was the first commodore to beat the GTHO phase 3

[@edwardfletcher7790]

@@marvinmartinsYT The Grand National was Turbocharged dimwit. Our VN V6 Commie was an asthmatic 170hp ! Look it up.

[@troy2923]

Awesome bud, so good to see, that's the most air time live w/sound! of the Cobra I've had the pleasure of watching, well done, Wrock on 🏁

[@joshuaruffels4958]

Ford xc cobra Each of the cars was given its own individual serial number and fitted with a sequentially numbered plaque (from 001 to 400) on the dash. The first 200 Cobras produced were given the 5.8L 351 Cleveland V8, while the other 200 received the 4.9L 302 Cleveland ... the only exceptions to this being build number 001 is a 302ci (4.9 litre) V8 and build number 351 is a 351ci (5.8 litre) V8. I went to my school formal in one 🤘

[@ramiromaia592]

Tasmania, I must admit is the most beautiful looking state I've seen

[@GODEES77]

Awesome video. I’m a Holden man but I love the Falcons of the 60’s and 70’s especially the coupes. I’d say this particular one has had major upgrades. Handling and breakes were definitely not their strong suit (as nearly all cars from that era) my mate inherited a genuine XC Cobra when his dad passed. It’s a 351 Clevo and unrestored unmolested thing OG beauty

[@peterj5751]

Modern tyres, shocks and brake materials can eek amazing extra handling out of these things. Still not easy to steer though, this driver knows what they are doing.

[@ashleymalzard2865]

Loving your reactions to our classic beasts. The red and white car that the Falcon passed was an early Holden Commodore, a few years newer than the falcon (about 1979-1984). I'm pretty new to your channel but I'm loving it already. Keep it going mate!!

[@TheReaIRedBaron]

It’s a pleasant surprise to see someone making videos of my home state. I spectate Targa Tasmania every year, following the cars around all the stages in my Toyota Supra. It really makes me appreciate the beauty of my state to hear you talk about it, to me it’s just so normal. It’s a small isolated part of the world, and for that reason alone I love it. Sadly it’s starting to get busy, especially these past couple years. Its becoming increasingly difficult to afford land or a house.

[@QKvox]

It sounds soooo good, its a classic and a legend

[@scottspinner]

Brock used to race targa Tasmania but actually died in targa Western Australia. He won the Tasmanian one in a monaro

[@shaneferris6742]

Just made a moron of myself, And said this is where Brock died.

[@shaneferris6742]

I didn't memorize the details. I just knew he was gone. :(

[@BentConrod]

Brock ran the Monaro at Targa Tasmania in 2002, '03 and '04. The *best* he finished was 6th in '02. His former Bathurst co-driver, Jim Richards, is an eight time TT winner, including '02 and '03. Richards drove various iterations of the Porsche 911 for all of his wins. The winner in '04 was Tony Sullens in a Subaru Impreza WRX.

[@mista2621]

And he thrashed these XC Hardtops by 13 laps at Bathurst in 79 in a 308 Torana A9X

[@edwardsimonis6753]

Back in the day, these XC coupes were sitting unsold at the factory, till a US exec saw them, got them repainted into cobra colours. They started flying out the door.

[@lancetuckey6403]

Spot on.....a marketing idea to unload old stock...

[@stanleywiggins5047]

G'day again Ian, back in the day ( around 40 year's ago) I had an LJ Tarana 1300 go to work ride, & an XB Ford Falcon 500, 302 with a 30/70 cam & a Hollie 4 barrel duell pumper on top, T- bar auto, weekend ride.. there are times I miss em..

[@snarkley1]

Mate you need to do one on the GT-HO PHASE 3. About tuff they were and were the fastest 4 door production car in the world plus how much one cost to buy now.

[@IWrocker]

That is forsure coming soon!!!!

[@NPC-fl3gq]

I'm a holden man... but yup, the phase III was an outstanding aussie muscle car. Right up there with 427 HQ monaros and the classic VH/VK commodores (like the VK group A).

[@Grumpy_CBG]

@@NPC-fl3gq 327 monaros, still had nothing on the 265 powered E49 Chargers, and as far as right up there, both the phase 3 and E49 ran 14.4 off the showroom floor in 1971, closest Holden ever got was the Brock specials in 1985 with a 15.3 1/4 mile time. Brock proving you didn't need the fastest car to dominate.

[@NPC-fl3gq]

@@Grumpy_CBG Sorry, that was a typo. (427 instead of 327) And yeah, to finish first, first you have to finish!!

[@Grant82gc]

Before I was born My dad actually had a GTHO phase 3, an E48 and a E49 charger. Oh and a sandman panelvan with a heap of work done to it. When I was young he had a worked 308 Holden one tonner (flatbed) which got me into cars. We then later built the first road registered 13b turbo S3 RX7 in Australia, it had the full group Alan mofft 3 body kit on it. I'm almost 40 now and my love for cars still ingrained in me.

[@CyrusCageSCWS]

I'm from the coastal rural towns south of Sydney and the scenery looks just like this. Check out a place called Kiama..

[@IWrocker]

I can't wait to see the areas around and outside of Sydney! Heard so far it is cool!

[@CyrusCageSCWS]

@@IWrocker Thanks dude! It's really refreshing to see an American take such an honest interest in our culture. I would also recommend a video on Nimbin.. It's our historical marijuana capitol. Oh and a TV show called Fat Pizza.. Preferably season 3. It's the best. Enjoy 🤘💚

[@godfroi10991]

That whole area, from the Gong down to Eden is spectacular! Tathra/Bournda has to be my fav, though I do love Thirroul/Austinmer.

[@CyrusCageSCWS]

@@IWrocker Here's a wild episode of Fat Pizza, a local Sydney comedy show centred around the ethnic community. It's awesome. I grew up on this stuff. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYrOgnx9f557b7s

[@adamlee9071]

Hey mate I'm in Shellharbour how ya goin', Yeah Ian he is right,it is beautiful down south of Sydney

[@barryphillips7327]

The car is a XC Falcon Coupe, similar to Allan Moffat,s 70,s Bathurst cars, guessing 351C, 4 speed man, disc front brake, drum rears. Sounds AWESOME!!!! The Red and white car is a 80,s Commodore similar to what ( Australian ) Peter Brock raced. There is another Peter Brock in America, No relation.

[@shaneferris6742]

These guy's are REAL drivers. Man handling big old tanks like this in those conditions. The pros cars practically drive themselves now. They just have to point them in the right direction.

[@danesorensen1775]

At last you return to the path of righteousness... ;) The XC Falcon Cobra was built because Ford Australia had a new model in the pipeline and needed to clear shelves. Two-door Hardtop sales had never been very strong and by 1978 were down to as little as 120 units a year - bad news when there were still 400 shells in the inventory. One idea was to paint them black, add a Playboy bunny and market them as Playboy specials, but that was rightly shot down as being inappropriate for a family car manufacturer. So Edsel Ford II put his hand up. He was in Australia to help round out his education, filling the role of assistant marketing director, and he had an idea: Cobra stripes. That was it, just give 'em Cobra stripes and a new badge. It was an established Ford brand, and it would only cost as much as an extra run through the paint shop, so Ford went for it and created a legend. The effect was done by painting the whole car Bold Blue, then taping out the stripes and spraying the Sno White over the top (with Olympic Blue edging to hide the seams) - one way to spot fakes is to run a finger over the edges, or just check the stone chips. Mechanically, though, there was nothing on a Cobra you couldn't get on an ordinary optioned-up Falcon - same 302 or 351ci Cleveland V8 (200 of each), same 3-speed auto or 4-speed manual gearbox, same four-wheel disc brakes (ask me about that, the way those were introduced was a laugh in itself...!), and although the Globe alloys, dual exhausts and reversed bonnet scoop were all very tough-looking, you could get those on pretty much any Falcon if you ticked the right option boxes. So it was a bit of a con, but it did the job. Australians went absolutely nuts for them, all 400 sold out before they even hit the dealers, and for a while anything with a Ford badge had to have imitation Cobra stripes as well. After all, there were no more Hardtop shells coming down the line, so they really were "limited edition". And, it was the brainchild of the great-grandson of Henry Ford himself. All that comes with one proviso though - if the car above is original. The fakes are many because, as I said, it's really just a paint job. The originals were all 302's or 351's, but there may be some mad lad out there who's taken an old Falcon Hardtop and given it a 7.0-litre Cobra Jet engine. I don't know of any, but I hope one's out there. On that topic, a '69 Torino Talladega is one of my bucket list cars. Edit: "What's that?" That is a VB Commodore, with Group C fender flares and whatnot.

[@johnd8892]

Fantastic detail. I was going to look up stuff about the blue paint but you did it all much better than I could. I need a laugh to the four wheel disc brake story would be good. I think Targa rules confine the cars to the engine they came with , but a few mods, so this would be no bigger than a 351 motor.

[@timjohnun4297]

Looks like a VH to me, around 1982/83

[@danesorensen1775]

@@timjohnun4297 Yeah, I think you're right actually.

[@danesorensen1775]

@@johnd8892 For the disc brake saga we've gotta go back to the '73 Sandown 250. Ford entered three works XA GT Hardtops that year - one for Allan Moffat, one for Fred Gibson, and a third car for their upcoming Bathurst co-drivers, Pete Geoghegan and Bo Seton. This third car wasn't even a racecar really, it was an orange test car entered at the request of head office. On lap 3, this car DNF'd when a rear wheel fell off - revealing a smoking, illegal rear brake disc, still hot from a thrashing by Big Pete! There were red faces all-round, both from Ford for getting caught cheating, and from CAMS for having missed something that obvious during scrutineering. To be fair, Ford had worked quite hard to hide it, even attaching the hand brake to a bonnet spring so it felt like it was still attached to something! With Bathurst coming up, rear discs mattered, and Ford was busy building 250 "further variants" of the GT Hardtop called the Landau to homologate them, as per the rules (the Landau was basically a Hardtop with the interior trim from the LTD limousine, which allowed them to sell it at a high enough price to recoup the cost). So the paperwork WAS being completed, but at Sandown it hadn't yet been rubber-stamped, and if Pete hadn't been quite so enthusiastic about throwing the car around we might never have known... Ah, CAMS, don't ever change!

[@timjohnun4297]

I didn't know the Cobra was painted blue first, interesting. Do genuine cobras have a blue engine bay? I remember my uncle had a John Goss Special, he said one way of telling a fake one of them was the colour of the engine bay. I think it had to be either blue or green, depending on the colour scheme of the car (With the Goss that is), not white

[@tenneallefenton1269]

351 but my favourite of all time was the XA GT coupe had a pleasure to ride in one in my younger years they are the true Muscle car ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@phunkmonkeycookiegarage7773]

Yeah, you nailed it. The XA GT Coupe was the duck's nuts!

[@mr.sleepy4534]

It's a 5.8 ltr 351 Cleveland I believe. That particular example is a Bathurst spec. Some Falcon Cobras came with the 4.9 ltr 302 Cleveland V8.

[@youssefkhaled9666]

That "red and white car" was one of you beloved GM products XD

[@MrYayyay77]

Holden commodore.

[@philliplynch5943]

This was shot on different days and spliced together. They do multiple runs. But still cool

[@jaydenstimpson513]

Gotta look into some classic Holden's too being a gm fan they can be beastly

[@EVOETR1]

@5:39 when you say “what is that” awesome reaction man love it 😊 the good thing about Targa’s it brings out cars from the past I grew up with and watched on telly like this Cobra and I think with Ford back in the day it was go big or go home because from 1972 they had Brocky upsetting the pie cart and winning races left right and centre in a LJ Torana GTR XU1 hence the Cobra and the 1-2 finish in 1977 lol. I do agree that this thing would be a beast to drive especially in the wet, with good throttle control to get the power down is definitely a must. Really enjoyed your reaction and maybe do some more Targa’s would be great thanks man 😎

[@GF-ux7pp]

Glad to see your on to Targa Tasmania. So many great cars and beautiful scenery. I always wanted to enter in but never got around to it.

[@marksedgwick2521]

That's what Mad Max's car looked like before the makeover.

[@dfiglide]

Check out Eric Bana completing in Targa Tas. in an XA Falcon Coupe. He parks it in the bush !!

[@kevkoala]

Umm.. you mean XB...and yes it is repaired better than even factory! ;)

[@dfiglide]

@@kevkoala mister memory doesn't work so well these days 😆

[@rondyson8323]

The red and white is a HOLDEN ,.....Australian made ........and thanks for holding off so we could hear that magic ... I met Peter Brock and his wife in my younger years at a fund raising ball. A real nice guy. softly spoken and a true gentlman . I got to shake his hand . God rest his soul .... He died doing what he loved.

[@BaMenace]

Hey! Tasmania! Love going to the Targa rally ! It's amazing seeing the fleet of 50+ Porsches drive between circuits on the normal public roads

[@darianistead2239]

It looks as though it's running in a classic class, so fairly restrictive class. 351c, 4spd toploader, 9" diff

[@PiDsPagePrototypes]

Sounds like the FoMoCo alloy heads on the 351c too - that deeper "I can breath!" note to the sound.

[@marko651]

The XA and XB in my oppinion were nicer looking car .

[@5lcalais1]

Absolutely, The xc was the ugly duckling, would give my left nut for an xb hardtop 🤣 but sadly when restorers are 50k it's likely I'll never afford one 😔

[@brettsutherland8390]

Just got back from Tassie and it was the most beautiful place I've been in Aus, WHEN you come down you have to go there!

[@boskomarkoski1503]

That is one very beautiful Australian Ford Falcon XC Cobra. The red & white car he passed in the rain was an Australian Holden Commodore. My cousin actaully owned an XC Ford Falcon Cobra. That was some great driving by Ian at Targa Tasmania. I actaully went to the late Peter Brock's home. He did pass away sadly racing a Shelby Daytona coupe. R.I.P Brocky.

[@6226superhurricane]

wait until you find out about the 6cyl ford barra motor. have a look at an fpv f6 typhoon or xr6 sprint. one of the best motors in the world.

[@IWrocker]

I am looking foward to it!

[@aribob2012]

I'm an E series fan in the fords... but yeah ford falcons all the way, 🇦🇺👍

[@markatkinson2699]

@@IWrocker the turbo Barra 6 is Australia's best kept performance engine secret (well not anymore because they are exporting them to the USA by the container load now) 1000+ HP is not uncommon They are a bit like an Australian 2jz

[@dimsoneill]

There was a Targa Tassie stage that went right past my parent's farm in Buster Rd. Could sit on the hill and watch them scream over the bridge and up the hill past the driveway. It was awesome.

[@Blandy086]

Glad you love the Aussie Muscle Cars mate! :) The car featured in this video is a Ford Falcon XC Cobra Ford - Manufacturer Falcon - Model Range XC - Series Cobra - Special edition (like a 'GT' badge) The Australian Cobra came in two distinct flavors, the 'Option 96' and the 'Option 97'. The option 96 Cobras were built in larger numbers and were the 'friendly' version of the Cobra with the choice of either a 302 Cleveland or a 351 Cleveland with either a 4-speed single rail/4-speed Toploader/FMX auto option. They could also be optioned with power windows etc. Option 97 Cobras were built so Ford Motor Company could meet the homologation requirements in order to use the XC in the Australian Touring Car Championship. Only 30 Option 97 Cobras were built and they were essentially road-legal race cars. They had the high-performance 351 Cleveland mounted to a 4-speed Toploader and 9" diff. They also had body work done to them, for example, their rear wheel wells were larger to fit wider rear tires - among other things. The easiest way to identify Option 97 from Option 96 was if it had a reverse-facing bonnet scoop that was fitted to Option 97's as standard. If you google "Option 96 Cobra" and then google "Option 97 Cobra", you will see the differences. This car in this video started life as an Option 96 and has been heavily modified to compete in Targa. The engine has been worked, as has the diff, gearbox, and brakes. The suspension has also been 'tweaked'. Basically, everything that could be done to the car, while still keeping it compliant with the class regulations of Targa Tasmania. Hope this helps :) Some other fun cars for you to check out that are uniquely Australian... Holden Torana SLR5000 Holden Torana A9X Holden HK GTS Holden HX GTS Ford Falcon XW GTHO Phase II Ford Falcon XY GHTO Phase III Ford Falcon XA GT Coupe Ford Falcon XD Phase V Ford Falcon XE Phase VI HSV Gen F GTS FPV GT-F

[@MikMech]

Baby Got Back! One of the best rear ends on the planet?

[@jpolito5]

I’m a holden boy but I can agree

[@johnd8892]

The mosiac choices at the end. The one with most information is just past your right shoulder with the smiling suit and tie guy .

[@MrGutfeeling]

LOL most of the time I don't watch the original I just like to see you appreciate Australian stuff :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D And yes the Falcon coupe is a BIG car, very wide , 351ci V8 (by the sound and performance, there was also a 302 version), and the red and white car it passed is a Holden (GM) Commodore from the early 1980s.

[@saiyuni2]

Car is a 1978 Ford CC Falcon Cobra. Engine is a 351 Aussie built Cleveland V8. The Aussie blocks were strong era than US counterparts because of a different block material. The last 200 blocks all went to USA for Nascar use.

[@jayb.3592]

I’m a hardcore Holden guy but I love IWrocker so I watched and every part of that was beautiful! Ford included!

[@menix1984]

The Cobra was a limited edition Muscle car of the Ford Falcon released in 1978 it was based on the XC Hardtop. In December 1977 Ford built special order XC Falcon GS Hardtops. These cars were specially modified in the P&A (Parts and Accessories) workshop at Ford's Campbellfield factory. All vehicles were modified with 'evolution' upgrades that had been approved by CAMS for Australian Group C touring car racing Falcons the changes were mostly designed to enhance race durability, these vehicles often referred to as "Pre-Cobras", were intended to be raced by teams at Bathurst in 1977. The modifications included rear wheel wells that were deepened inboard by 1 inch to accommodate larger racing wheels and tyres, a reverse bonnet scoop to allow the race car engines to draw cool air from the base of the windscreen, twin electric fans that were switchable from the dash (replacing the single engine-driven fan), a front shocker tower brace "K brace" that stiffened the front end, an idler arm brace, and an aero package including a rear "blade" spoiler similar to that used on the 2-door Holden Torana A9X and a front air dam. The cars were available in standard body and interior colours and retained the side trim strips, dummy rear brake scoops and unpainted chrome bumpers of the standard GS hardtops. The race cars did complete the 1977 Endurance Series in their new specification and then participated in the 1978 ATCC season. The cars were painted Bold Blue with an overlay of Sno White, with Olympic Blue accent stripes separating the two colours "Cobra" emblem decals, a throwback to Carroll Shelby's Mustangs of the 1960s, were affixed to the front fenders, along with a name decal at the rear the bodyshells were painted blue first, the intended area of blue stripes and sills then masked and the white coat painted over the top. Each of the cars was given its own individual serial number and fitted with a sequentially numbered plaque (from 001 to 400) on the dash. The first 200 Cobras produced were given the 5.8L 351 Cleveland V8, while the other 200 received the 4.9L 302 Cleveland the only exceptions to this being build number 001 is a 302ci (4.9 litre) V8 and build number 351 is a 351ci (5.8 litre) V8. Cobras were available with either automatic or manual transmission. Standard equipment included four-wheel disc brakes, limited slip differential, 15-inch Bathurst Globe wheels, front & rear spoilers and dual exhaust. The interiors were uniformly black, with Cobra specific cloth seat inserts in black with blue stripes that match those on the outside body. Cars numbered from 002 to 0031 were known as Option 97 specification, the "Bathurst Cobras", fitted with parts to allow for racing, including twin radiator fans switchable from the dash, a gearbox oil cooler, suspension bracing and reworked rear wheel body housings. They were most easily identified from the other 370 Option 96 Cobras via their large and functional rear-opening bonnet bulge. Allan Moffat's "Moffat Ford Dealers" race cars of late 1978 shared the same body paint decoration as the road cars.

[@salmeza85]

My parents had an XC Falcon. I think it was like the base model with 4 doors but had a V8 auto. She used to hum along for a stock old thing. Always loved the shape of these beasts.

[@BMA967]

As an aussie kid in the 70s the big Ford with the blue and white colours was totally iconic

[@308V8HZ]

That road from about 4.30 is so similar to the old Bathurst track back in the day . Great stuff !!!! The red car was a commodore like Peter Brock's.

[@adamlee9071]

Riding a motorcycle around Tasmania is the best experience I have ever had,words can't describe how good it is

[@robertleeimages]

When I got my learners permit back in 1988 I played cricket with a bloke who had an XA Falcon hardtop, it had a tunnel rammed 351 with twin 750cfm holleys and 4 on the floor and to this day I still haven't driven anything with more grunt or that made me not use it's full rev range. The thing was a monster, and is probably the reason the XA in general is my favourite Falcon model

[@jameslee3719]

Answers to a couple of your questions. Falcon Cobras only came out with 351 or 302 cubic inch engines. This one is a 351 - that really deep throaty rumbling sound is typical of 351 falcons - and he has a great set of pipes on it that helps heaps too. The size is approximately the same as a 70s Mustang. They come standard with 4 wheel disks. The red and white car they passed at around 6.00 min was a Holden Commodore (VB I think), the Commodore superseded the Torana. The hill at 6.50 min looks like Gormanston Hill, up out of Queenstown on the west coast - the story is that the engineer tried to build it with 100 corners, but could only fit 99 in (but it might just be a myth...). And watching this, Ian Roberts knows how to drive the car well. Brock died in an accident in a Targa event in Western Australia.

[@RolandjHearn]

When the XY GTHO phase three was retired to the place of mythology and legend that is now its home everyone knew there would never be another. But then Ford gave the best shot it could come up with with the mustang inspired XA to XC coupe series. This is the pinnacle - the 351 Cleveland Cobra with, if my memory is holding strong, an 850 double pumper Holley. Don't crucify me folks if I am wrong - just working from memory. You just took me back 45 years - I can still remember dreaming of owning this car.

[@mmorgz6622]

5:40 love how the VK cummodore completely dissapears behind the falcon. those cobras are absolutely amazing. alot of those scenic windy roads in the first 5 mins are in my area. i go to my mums farm each year for targa and setup on the hill to watch them go past. they are great roads to ride on the roadbike too. tassy is a great place.

[@johnm7788]

Targa ran through my old town, the mount black stage in Tullah. Drivers would take a break in town before continuing through to the next stage, the boys and i had the opportunity to check out all the cars and talk to most of the drivers every year. It was awesome. Funny story. Tesla ran Targa in 2011-2012 to test a new electric car. They needed a place to charge their car and my family owned one of the pubs, we let them charge their car at the pub and they knocked out the power to the whole town. lol

[@chevydyall7619]

Peter brock passed in the targa in west Oz, oddly enough in a Shelby Daytona designed by pete brock

[@Luke_chux]

Ian, the car at 5:38 is a Holden Commodore VB. First ever Commodore, the sl/k model (top of the range) had the Holden 5.0L V8. Sweet car, sweet sound.

[@garydavo07]

I lived in tassie’s west coast for 9 years. I remember some of those corners. Fun. ! Especially at night!

[@hudsonsled454]

These were the last of the Falcon XC coupes, they ran limited number cobras exactly this paint scheme optioned as a 4.9 as well as the 5.8. Very much in the 6 figures now.

[@catherinewindow6157]

I'm a Holden girl through and through but damn even I appreciate the old ford muscle cars

[@tazyt3388]

Mate that was awsome I’m lucky enough to have these beasts fly past my house every year it’s beers and mates and sideways wickedness u gotta luv targa goodonya man cheers

[@cowcocky]

Cobra was running the 351 Cleveland, Aussie built, have it in my 1981 Bronco. Clevelands have a beautiful note😍

[@paspax]

The XC Hardtop Falcon Cobra was available with 302 and 351 Cleveland engines. The previous model, the XB is the car used by Max Rockatanski in the Mad Max films. The red and white car is an early Commodore. It appears to be a VH model.

[@jackbiviano5048]

Paspax u know ur stuff 100% correct

[@Bejmo75]

Loved seeing the cars from your local :)

[@Lizards_Lounge]

Long before I learned the value of Ford's.. Everytime in at a car meet and an xa-xc coupe comes in....steals the show..they are damn beautiful muscle cars.

[@sprendergast351]

You can listen to many V8s but the beautiful thump of a 351 Cleveland is the sweetest. Notice how there are very few houses. Best part of living in Tasmania.

[@rocsocclassic5383]

The little red and white car is the GM Holden Commode (LOL Ford family here). They were the other Aussie V8s. We also had a Chrysler Valiant at that time.

[@garethmillar978]

The red and white car is a Holden Commodore (mid 80s I think. Someone will know exactly I’m sure). An Australian built V8 The battle between Ford and Holden in Australia has been legendary for decades.

[@ronluke775]

Hey guys, I,m sure all Aussie know this. The XC cobra was a limited production run to use up the last of the falcon coupe body shell. They came with a choice of engine and gear bow options. The top choice being 351 V8 with a 4 speed. A total of 400 Cobras were built

[@awestruck9075]

The red and white car being passed, was a holden vh commodore 5.0ltr HDT (holden dealer team). The stock hardtop could fit 10.5" (265mm) wide tyres under the haunches, but a option 97 (bathurst cobra, 30 off) was 1" (25mm) wider. 200 x 5.8ltr and 200 x 4.9ltr were built. The bathurst's can be identified by the reverse cowl bonnet, strut tower brace and twin thermo fans.

[@batmanlives6456]

That’s a 351 Cleveland baby! Singing sweetly ! Australian ford falcon 4WDisc brake Same underpinnings as a torino

[@davidreeves2911]

yes it has four wheel discs, front and rear ventilated, they were fitted with a 351 Cleveland, the first Aussie GT was the 67 XR with a 289w then the XT with a 302w then the XW 351w then the XW 351c then the XY 351c then the XA 351c then the XB 351c the GT badge was discontinued but the 351c performance package was offered as the Cobra in the XC, thanks for the vid it sounds great, and yes they are a handful to drive, great driving

[@jasontownsend2709]

This is the ford xc falcon cobra they were all painted from factory as the one shown, yes they had 4 wheel disc breaks, in Ozy the falcon was the platform for the family car with quite a few versions like 4door sedan, station wagon, panel van, ute and the 2door hardtop cobra which was derived from the falcon GS hardtop, motors were a 3.3 or 4.1 6cy or 4.9 or 5.8 v8 The cobra looked massive but only weighed 3300lbs light by todays standards Targa Tasmania is on Tasmania's public roads,, there is Targa New Zealand also with the same types of very cool cars on different NZ public roads, its quite a large event in both countries and not that easy to enter in due to popularity, and there only being so many spots

[@02saddler]

I live on the Targa course Gunns Plains area section Leg 4 and the misty conditions in the morning is usual for the time of year they come through our valley. Tight windy downhill into the valley , then a windy uphill section heading to the west coast, unbelievable to hear and watch them take the hard left hand turn on 3 wheels normally. Allan Moffat and Colin Bond finished 1-2 at the 1977 Bathurst 1000 in XC Falcon Cobra's

[@xVIPER41x]

Red and white car was a Holden Commodore (vk model i think). Also Peter Brock did NOT die at Targa Tasmania but at a similar event at a place called Gidgegannup in Western Australia. He was actually there to promote the event by taking part in it.

[@mickeydee3595]

My grandmother used to work at the Ford Broadmeadows factory back in the day. She probably had her hand in building that cobra. When I show her the current prices of cars she built she falls over 🤣