FORD fanatic Peter Horder owns two rare Ford Falcon GT sedans — one of which is worth more than half a million dollars.
But despite owning such a valuable piece of Australian automotive history, he’s not celebrating.
Instead, he is “devastated” his favourite car brand shut the doors on 91 years of manufacturing in Australia on Friday.
Mr Horder says Australians only have themselves to blame — because they stopped buying locally-made cars.
Ford and Holden once had more than half the Australian new-car market to themselves, but now they barely represent 10 per cent of sales.
“Even my mates who are Ford fans, they’re buying BMWs, Benzes and Porsches,” he says. “And yet they’re complaining that Ford’s closing.”
Ford fan Peter Horder holds an “RIP Ford” sign. Behind him, left to right, daughter Brittany, brother Jason, son Josh, and daughter Ebony. Picture: David Caird.Source:News Corp Australia
Mr Horder, 48, says imported cars are now so cheap that Ford and Holden simply couldn’t compete.
“I can’t believe Ford closed, I would have thought the government would have put extra tax on imported cars or done something,” he said.
“But imported cars now are so cheap. Look what you can get for $15,000 to $20,000. No wonder Holden and Ford didn’t stand a chance,” he said.
Mr Horder said he is sad to see the end of an era when it comes to his favourite cars, but the job losses also affect him.
His industrial painting business previously did work for the company that made windscreen wipers for Ford, Holden and Toyota.
“Now that’s gone,” he said. “People don’t realise the reach of the supplier base in the car industry, how many other, smaller businesses are involved.”
Peter Horder’s pair of Falcon GT sedans are not just for show, they’re driven regularly. Picture: David Caird.Source:News Corp Australia
Peter Horder and his brother Jason each have one of the rarest Ford Falcons ever made: the coveted GTHO Phase III. It famously won Bathurst in 1971 and became a legend of the motoring world.
Ford built 300 examples in an era when the Bathurst race cars had to be identical to what was available off the showroom floor.
Only about 150 remain in existence, snapped up by collectors.
The Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III was about $5200 brand new in 1971, but immaculate examples fetched more than $700,000 before the Global Financial Crisis.
Allan Moffat driving Ford Falcon GTHO to Bathurst victory in 1971. Picture: Supplied.Source:Supplied
“Prices might have settled a bit since then, but they’re still north of $500,000,” said Mr Horder, who says his example is not for sale.
He says he drives the GTHO Phase III or the XA Falcon GT “at least once a month” on a Falcon GT club run.
“What’s the point of having such a nice car if you don’t drive it?”
No comments:
Post a Comment