Ford Falcon Cobra XC

The Ford Falcon Cobra XC is a quintessential piece of Australian automotive folklore, born from a mix of motorsport necessity and marketing genius. Released in 1978, this limited-edition muscle car was Ford Australia's fiery response to the tightening grip of racing homologation rules. With just 400 units produced, it was as rare as it was striking—clad boldly in white with unmistakable blue racing stripes, it screamed performance even while parked.

Underneath its aggressive exterior, the Falcon Cobra XC packed genuine muscle-car credentials. Most notably, the top-tier variants featured the revered 351 cubic-inch Cleveland V8, a powerhouse that delivered raw, visceral acceleration and a soundtrack that could wake the dead. Coupled with a robust suspension setup and disc brakes all around, the Cobra XC wasn't just a straight-line brute—it could confidently carve through corners, albeit with the charmingly unruly handling you'd expect from a late-'70s muscle car.

Its cultural footprint was cemented on the racetrack, notably at Bathurst, where Allan Moffat and Colin Bond piloted these beasts in the legendary Hardie-Ferodo 1000. Though it didn't dominate outright, the Cobra XC's sheer presence and unmistakable livery left an indelible mark on Australian motorsport culture. Today, it's revered by enthusiasts and collectors alike, a rolling testament to an era when automotive bravado and unapologetic performance ruled the roads.