Can this 650bhp Beast with skinny tires scare the Living Daylights out of me?

Grand Tourer Ep8 - This week I am in Campbellfield to accompany Dan on a shakedown drive in the nearly completed 1970 Orange Tango Ford XB Falcon.
This is the one with the 434in³ or 7.1 litre engine by one of Melbourne's most renowned engine builders and has been in the workshop for at least the time I've been visiting which is well over 15 months.
Dan and the team at Grand Tourer have worked their magic on this one producing one of the most stunning Falcon builds of the year with its orange exterior set off with a white interior.
Also in the shop are a mix of other Falcon's including a panel van and a particularly beautiful green one, that I have to say is probably my fabvourite specs of all the Falcons I've seen.
Twice weekly visits to classic auto workshops featuring cars from the veteran to RADwood eras & including car restoration, rebuilds, repairs and restomods to anything from Aussie V8s, American muscle cars, Euro exotics, JDM, your coveted everyday runabout and more. If it's built before 1999, there's every chance I'll film it.
My name is Dave and I simply l love old cars and visiting workshops to chat to the people working on them. Added to that, I devour car content on youtube so I thought I'd join in and make some myself.
Hopefully you might like to come along for the journey as well.
Dave's Classic Garage Tours (DWT) is on many of the socials
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Twitter @workshopdave
Thanks as always to the lads at grandtourer.com.au/ for allowing me a nose about and to Dan for one of the drives of the year, despite it only being up and down the Hume.

[@davesclassicgaragetours]

Hey there. If you'd be so kind as to comment, like and share (especially the first two), it'd go a long way to helping the channel. KZbin works by promoting videos that are appreciated and they do that by looking at your watch time, likes and comments. The more there are the more KZbin will think others might like it and promote it to them. So please, give us a 👍 and drop a comment. Many many thanks

[@12cm32]

no thanks free energy 1st

[@ianmedlicott9961]

I miss my old mate Neil who passed away years ago. I work at Harrop Engineering. I found out second hand that he was gone. It hit me. I have always wanted to drop in and say hello but mabye doesn't know me anymore. Looks like you are continuing Neal's legacy. Well done Guy's.❤

[@davesclassicgaragetours]

Neil’s right hander Dan Mc and the rest of the team are doing just that. I’ve always fancied a visit to Harrop to see and discuss the work done to make Dick Johnson’s Sierra the one to beat. It’s one of motorsport’s most iconic turnaround in fortunes.

[@davidproudfoot6390]

Excellent video hello from Pennsylvania USA I am very lucky to own XC Cobra number 355 here in the United States she's all original unrestored and a real head turner everybody loves the car when they see it I've learned a lot of antique and muscle cars in my life and this is the most unique thing I've ever owned I truly love the car and handles and drives absolutely flawless you Ozzie's sure know how to build a car❤❤❤❤❤

[@davesclassicgaragetours]

Thanks David. Lots more Cobra content in the channel. You must check out the unrestored one, in for some light bodywork.

[@user-fu3cr4xn1b]

My new engine build threw the V belts also, found it to be the Romac balancer I used and after sending it back to them and being told there crap measured correctly found it did not have the correct clearance with the standard pulley. I machined the pulley on a lathe creating the clearance needed and no problems with belts since. hope this helps somebody because Romac couldn't care less. Thank you for the video I am stoked to see Grand Tourer still in business great work to them also.

[@briansymes2936]

Stunning car. These guys do a great job in building them and Zoran is the best engine builder in Melbourne for these engines. He built my 408 clevo for my XD, now sold and lives in QLD it’s a low 10 sec street car.

[@bobdobric6787]

Are you talking about Zoran from competition engines in Springvale ?

[@pcorf]

Amazing XB hardtop, sounds great. Also earlier in the video that green XY is gorgeous!. 7:00 he mentions the black phase 3, it still exists today, black interior, orange GT stripe, and sunroof. Only 8 black GT's were made, 7 auto, 1 manual but a few of the autos were converted to manual. The factory black manual GT was built in April 1971 and is delete stripe (orange stripe later added), black interior and it still exists today. Many replicas in black exist.

[@matthewtorpey6676]

Well done 👍 what a wonderful Guy thankyou so much IT was great 👍. Dan weekend philm school for a weekend. Cooking with gas. LoL 🤣😆 . Awesome stuff to everyone involved Kind regards Matt Melbourne VIC

[@davesclassicgaragetours]

Glad you enjoyed it Matt

[@nikjames2965]

How can the high hp of the engine cause the belt to fail? The torque transmitted to the alternator will be the same no matter what the engine hp. This belt failure is more likely to be caused by high revs. Poly vee belts are far more efficient

[@stevepierce3509]

Simply awesome coming from an XW GT Silver Fox owner I can not thank you enough doing videos of the guys from GrandTourer. Please do more with them on a regular base being a true Ford Lover. Or any videos on XW , XY , XA and B please. Merry Xmas from me watching this on Xmas Day . ✌👍👍👍

[@davesclassicgaragetours]

Merry Christmas Steve. I aim to do more as and when work comes up and I’m in the area. Would love to see that panel van come alive. And I’ll make sure that sound is better as well

[@carmellomodaffari2025]

Nice Video,I enjoy watching the test drive it give's me memories back in the early 1980, I used drive XB GT Gold colour with the black stripe 4 door sedan, their are Amazing cars! I do love red colour! it looks just like brand new Nice work!

[@davesclassicgaragetours]

I reckon this was better than brand new Carmello

[@edwardpertile7537]

Just discovered the channel. Great content on these old classics. Used to work at Grand Tourer and cannot speak highly enough of Dan and The Team. All the best fellas! Thanks Dave for another great video !

[@davesclassicgaragetours]

Thanks Edward. Glad you enjoyed it and yep, they’re a great bunch of lads at GT

[@hyster16t]

Doesn't get any better yhan an orange XB 👌🤤

[@davesclassicgaragetours]

A tango orange at that 😉

[@michaelparadisis4076]

Nice XB. Deserves its thumping clevo too.

[@DarrelGarard-ky5vb]

Great Australian muscle cars.i absolutely love them.if i had a money tree in the back yard i would have them all.that orange xb gt hardtop is simply stunning.

[@youtubecarspottersguide1]

me to and bring them to the states have one of a kind. XA ,XB

[@danbrah571]

Awesome workshop !

[@RobRichards584]

Every car is a jaw dropper.

[@rodneymcgiveron7494]

Great vid once again Dave ... Thanks Dan too.. Both great blokes . I can literally only dream of having a car like this. It is exceptional . A good friend and runs our local Ampol garage here in Tasmania also has an XB GT 1974 I think , It's the stunning purple and silver colour combo and was exhibited at the National Auto Museum for a while . . It's the sedan . He also owns a 1965 Galaxy , a 1973 Lincoln Continental , a 1970 Ford flat tray truck and a few other lovely cars .. My pride and joy is an early build 2008 FG XR6 and a dear old AU ll Futura ... There are cars and then there are Ford cars ..Love them all..

[@davesclassicgaragetours]

Thanks Rodney. I'm happy to bring you these stories of dream cars. It's my excuse to get up close as well.

[@nikjames2965]

A person who would pay $50k for a paint job must have a seriously large disposable income

[@philjones2668]

Brambles was a big transport company started in 1875 sydney and moved to Newcastle whos vehicle colour was orange/red . Im thinking that the name of that red came from them

[@davesclassicgaragetours]

That seems very feasible. Cheers Phil

[@romemancer7905]

Memories of my Nascar built 351 GXL 30 years ago...RUMP...RUMP...RUMP.

[@12cm32]

yep was 30+ years age street, dyno said straps were at limit when i pulled in, chains were less, go away...

[@12cm32]

xw p2 plus

[@freeagent8225]

My father had sn XB coupe, BS Stillwell, looked like a GT but has a 4.1 six. We called in the green slug😅.

[@petergill8819]

I’ve nearly had one of each, but I like the XA It’s probably my favourite

[@davesclassicgaragetours]

You’ve had a blessed life Peter

[@kingjulian1549]

Just a comment about what was said at 24:00 that only 'early' American Falcons came as two doors. Not so. They made Falcon hardtops as two doors for the Aussie XM and XP series. I recall my neighbours having both versions as a small child. There was also a larger American Falcon coupe which Rowan Atkinson used to race.

[@Danielmcaliece]

At 24:09 i clarify that they made a 2 door in xm and xp

[@robertleeimages]

XT & XA are my 2 favourite GT's

[@davesclassicgaragetours]

Vastly different stying. So what if you only can pick one?

[@weswright3187]

That Jewel green on that XW (was it?) was absolutely beautiful. I’m colourblind so it probably looks different to me 🙂. That XB you guys were driving was brilliant. The only thing I didn’t like about the XB was the wraparound dash. I much preferred the more modern XC one. I should have bought one back in the day. lol.

[@davesclassicgaragetours]

That green with gold was a real gem

[@weswright3187]

@@davesclassicgaragetours lol 🙂.

[@xbgtfella]

Sound quality sounds like the radio chatter on the x and y wing fighters taking on the Death Star in 1977 film Star Wars haha!!!

[@davesclassicgaragetours]

Copy that red leader.

[@iansandersVortech500]

Nice Coupe and Grand Tourer are well known for vehicles leaving way better than factory new This XB is absolutely epic especially with 640 horses and air and steer Just get your sound recording sorted LOL 😊💪🤩

[@davesclassicgaragetours]

That was a big disappointment to myself Ian. As I say, I’m so engrossed in a load of other things going on, I let it slip. Heinous of me as it was that sound that I most wanted to get right.

[@iansandersVortech500]

All good mate 👌 These things happen now and again 😎

[@rhettcorbett3346]

Road reminds me of Cherry Lane in Vic.

[@jamesogden7457]

Gotta love the gt falcons. Thsnks for the vid.do the get many of the south african fairmonts in there ? ( GT falcons badged as fairmonts )

[@Wilkesy259]

Ive got a 1974 XB GT hardtop in polar white with white interior and windback golde sunroof (1 of only 2 in the specs of mine) all matching numbers and i priced up a similar 434ci combo from Zoran at Competition Engines 💪🏻👌🏻 and its quiet well priced for what ya get.

[@davesclassicgaragetours]

What’s that like to keep clean

[@Wilkesy259]

@davesclassicgaragetours not easy hahaha, even when its sitting in the shed most the time it gets covered in dust easily 🙄

[@baabaabaa-yp2jh]

Lovely coupe!! Mate had an XB, same colours, but only a 302W... It went ....not like this though!!

[@forddriver8827]

Jewel Green is the standout colour for mine and I never understood why it was not chosen more.

[@davesclassicgaragetours]

It sure took my eye. Stunning colour

[@julianalderson3938]

Not sure why dont like the old falcons to shiney. But yer nice thanx'

[@davesclassicgaragetours]

They are lovely in person

[@gnrsgl]

Dude sounds just like Harry from Harry's garage

[@davesclassicgaragetours]

Haha not quite. I did borrow his intro though

[@drifterdrifter9558]

Still miss Neil

[@grantphilpot8409]

i could bet that just taps straight out madness, how fast does it top at.

[@davesclassicgaragetours]

Madness is a good descriptor. Top speed unknown

[@RicOshayed1]

Got any LHD 2D HTs?😁

[@BillCampbell-pn8sb]

Love to know how the top loader handles that hp and what mods and who built it clutch etc

[@davesclassicgaragetours]

Above my pay grade I'm afraid Bill.

[@12cm32]

I got to drive my mates P3 XY3; there is nothing like it... I tried to build the engine to spec; nope; way power, heaps unc ontrol... They don't tell you... Malcolm device... clean no matter going in - clean out hows that fix environment? everyway

[@fillman86]

31:01 "EXTERMINATE"

[@mrdoiii]

The microphone couldn't handle the horsepower

[@davesclassicgaragetours]

That’s my excuse😉

[@robertleeimages]

351st like 👍

[@michaelteasdale2919]

That drive scared you?…..How? Don’t ever meet someone that owns a Chev that isn’t afraid to drive it.

[@davesclassicgaragetours]

I’m not a great passenger at the best of times. So even a little squirt feeling the back end wobble as the tyres struggled to gain traction is enough to give me a little fright. Ok maybe it’s a little clickbaity. It was a nervous giggle feeling that power even at half throttle.

[@exaygeetee9454]

@@davesclassicgaragetours Clickbaiters don't last man. Not with me anyway.

[@davesclassicgaragetours]

Well then I hope the rest of the explanation provides proof, I was genuinely running a higher heart rate@@exaygeetee9454

[@Tk-ou9ec]

TYRES

[@davesclassicgaragetours]

I know that. I wrote it for an American audience.

[@bobmitchell8012]

Don’t get too excited mate,....It’s Only a Ford.......Ho Hum.

[@davesclassicgaragetours]

Oi oi

[@stilllearning1160]

I have never heard such rubbish about the alternator slipping belts because of the ' high torque of the engine'. It has nothing to do with that and everything to do with the alignmrnt and correct matching of the 'V' of both the driving pulley (harmonjc balancer) and the driven (alternator) pulley, as well as the water pump as this is running on the same belt typically.

[@bobmarshall3700]

Original wheels or not..... These cars look crappy with skinny tyres, particularly the back, with those huge mudguards! If you change the engine, may as well change the wheels.

[@davesclassicgaragetours]

Won’t look factory original though will it?

[@reesedundee8525]

that piece of dash right side of the glove box is giving me the shits thats un adhered

[@davesclassicgaragetours]

Still some tightening up of bits to do

[@reesedundee8525]

@@davesclassicgaragetours that's not tidying up that's a customer wondering which other bits won't have enough adhesive over time let alone restoring a dash ain't cheap. I'd expect better as it's a specialist job. They should know what they are doing. This isn't a paint run that can be blocked and polished this is a dash out scenario and if I were the customer I would have it redone and not trust the amount of adhesive used by whoever restored the dash.

[@Danielmcaliece]

Just to confirm we didnt restore the complete dash. The owner of the car sent complete dash unit to someone to restore. We received the car in bits and some stuff had been sent else where by owner.We had also pointed out to owner of car that above the speedo and tacho you can see a slight ridge in the crashpad so the guy who restored the dash has done another one. Its yet to be changed as we are still sorting the car. Its just about done. Maybe before you make the shop look bad on social media you should find out who did what. The guy who restores the complete units doesnt actually do the reskinning of crash pads he sends them to the same place in melbourne that everyone else does. He was totally cool to send another one out to get done at his cost. So it will get changed before the car leaves. Hopefully it stops giving you the shits now you know its getting changed 😂

[@louiskats5116]

I was enjoying your video until you called it a coupe. It is a HARDTOP, it even says it on the compliance plate.

[@davesclassicgaragetours]

Sorry. It’s the Pom in me

[@louiskats5116]

@@davesclassicgaragetours Apology excepted. It just grinds my gears. I own a 1970 VG Valiant 770 Hemi Hardtop & it kills me when it gets called a coupe. Otherwise awesome XB will watch it in full Thank you for your good humour will subscribe now too Cheers Louis Kats 👍

[@davesclassicgaragetours]

I'm struggling here to bite my tongue @@louiskats5116 it's "accepted" 😜

[@Kwaka28]

Shame about the sound.

[@davesclassicgaragetours]

Tell me about it. Gutted

[@user-fz7zu7no9o]

and now you can fully enjoy paying for the 6 miles a gallon fuel economy that she will bring you

[@mrporsche4236]

The xb gt is the best built gt of them all. And so it should its the last gt. The new ones are just taxis with stripes they are not real gt,s

[@stevelichtwark4259]

Ha say that to a turbo taxi Barra 🎉❤

[@michaelbacalja2862]

The turbos arent gt's

[@jeepnutscotty]

When a BF GT can blow away a XW and XB GT then id say it’s earnt it’s badge fair and square, I bet you’d be at least 60yo to make a BS comment like that 🤣 and let’s not mention the irony of “mrporsche” laying the law down about Fords 🤣 you seriously can’t make this shat up 😂 if it left the factory as a GT, then it’s a fn GT no matter what your feeble mind thinks

[@aussielad88]

Sorry mate the xc gxl was really the last

[@Redpepper7376]

@@jeepnutscottylve got an Xb 351 and Id love to have a late model Gt.

[@saintraphael6311]

HI there, the english guy is so annoying . Spoilt the video .

[@davesclassicgaragetours]

I’m sorry about that.