2002 FORD FALCON AU T3 for sale $37,500

A beautifully presented unmodified example, this TE50 has covered a genuine log booked 220,257 km and is presented for sale from Perth, WA.

Only 202 Tickford AU Series III TE50 5.6 Litre 250kW Falcon T-Series were ever built. And Build No. 231 (total TE50s including AU, AUII and AUIII models of which 450 were built) is one of only 8 produced in Meteorite Grey.

To put you in the picture, HSV's VT Clubsports and Senators were running sales rings around Ford's Tickford-modified XR6 and XR8s. Ford needed to up the ante. Ford's solution was to produce the TE50, the better-equipped TS50 and the long-wheelbase version based on the Fairlane, the TL50.

However, Ford's Windsor V8 was still just 5.0 litres in capacity, whereas HSV's LS1 was 5.7 litres. Even with balancing, blueprinting and hand assembly, the Windsor was never going to be a match for the HSV. Ford Tickford Experience (FTE) went to work on the hand-built Windsor V8 and the result was the development of the most powerful naturally aspirated electronically fuel injected (EFI) Windsor engines in the world. These last batch of engines were named the 'Windsor Stroker'. FTE increased the displacement of the Stroker to 5.6-litres.

Tickford fitted aluminium cylinder heads with bigger ports and valves as well as the roller rockers. The intake manifold was also port-matched to the heads and a locally developed throttle body was used with a larger diameter and the angle of the throttle plate was also revised. Bigger, high-flow cats were combined with a low-restriction exhaust and fuel delivery pressure was bumped up.

Tickford then went a step further in order to match HSV's 250kW output by stroking the Windsor to 5.6-litres with power up to 250kW and torque now at 500Nm. And according to Ford advertising at the time, with better handling and braking, the TE50 made for a better all round performance sedan than the HSV.

In addition, the TE50 was available with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic. On the inside, the TE50 featured a MOMO steering wheel, leather sports seats and full instrumentation.

For SALE is a rare Meteorite Grey TE50 featuring the matching numbers hand built stroker 5.6 Litre Windsor V8 and 4 speed Automatic gearbox. Build No. 231 was originally sold through Strapp Ford of Burwood, Melbourne and comes complete with full log books, owners manuals and up to date service history. The Falcon has covered a genuine 220,257 km from new.

Build No. 231 also features factory A/C, a Premium six-stacker CD, Cassette and Radio, two front airbags, all leather interior, including Momo Steering Wheel and Auto Shifter, the Tickford logo embossed into each of the front seat backs, "T" door badges, T Series floor and boot mats, a spare factory 5 spoke mag wheel and the Tickford car alarm. The TE50 presents in very good original condition throughout with only the bottom of the front bumper repainted to repair minor scrapes on the edges of the front bar.

The T3 Falcon is riding on the original factory 18" alloy rims with brand new Rapid 245x40R18 tyres.

The Tickford Falcons are now appreciated as the precursor to Ford's FPV GT and thanks to some good old Aussie ingenuity, with their excellent throttle response and better-than-LS1 bottom-end torque, the T series Falcons are not only a good thing to drive but a good future Muscle Car investment.

Located in Perth, WA for your inspection. (Ref: 6428)

We are happy to arrange a video inspection of the car using WhatsApp. Please call for more details and note Enclosed Door to Door transport is available anywhere in Australia or New Zealand.

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