By Daniel Lamprell – Director, Chicane Auctions
In the rich tapestry of Australian muscle car history, few vehicles carry the same level of intrigue, rarity, and motorsport significance as the 1973 Ford Falcon XA GT RPO 83.
Not officially promoted as a special edition, this covert factory package has become one of the most collectible and revered Fords ever built.
Born from the fallout of the “Supercar Scare,” the RPO 83 was quietly developed to homologate high-performance components for Ford’s Group C Touring Car program. The result was a hidden hero—one that would go on to conquer Mount Panorama in consecutive Bathurst victories.
Homologation in Disguise
In 1972, Ford was preparing to unleash the XA-based GTHO Phase IV, a successor to the dominant XY Phase III. But the infamous “Supercar Scare” derailed those plans. Media and political pressure forced manufacturers to cancel production of their most powerful offerings, including the Phase IV.
With race regulations requiring that competition parts be fitted to a minimum number of road-going production cars, Ford devised a discreet workaround: the Regular Production Option 83 (RPO 83).
Rather than market a new model, Ford quietly added key Phase IV components to a small batch of XA GTs, making them homologation specials for the new Group C Touring Car Championship.
This strategic move ensured legal use of performance upgrades in competition without reigniting public controversy.
Bathurst Dominance: 1973 & 1974
The motorsport credentials of the RPO 83 are beyond dispute. Ford XA GT-based race cars, homologated via the RPO 83 package, claimed victory at Bathurst in 1973 and 1974.
- In 1973, Allan Moffat drove the Factory backed XA GT Hardtop to victory in a rain-soaked endurance battle, showcasing the toughness and pace of the new platform.
- The following year, John Goss, partnered with Kevin Bartlett, famously won the 1974 Bathurst 1000 in another RPO 83-based hardtop.
These back-to-back Bathurst wins cemented the XA GT RPO 83’s place in motorsport legend.
Production and Rarity
Just 250 XA GT RPO 83s were produced in total—130 sedans and 120 hardtops—all built together in August and September 1973 as a special batch.
Every example was equipped with the 4-speed Top Loader manual transmission, paired with the legendary 9-inch LSD rear end.
These vehicles were built purely for homologation purposes and never marketed as limited editions, adding to their mystique and collectability today.
Driveline and Performance
The 351ci Cleveland V8 in the RPO 83 was equipped with upgraded racing-spec components, including:
- A Holley 780cfm carburettor
- Manual Choke
- HM (Head Mod) Phase 4 header-style extractors
- Clutch Slave Cylinder Hydraulic pipe fitted with heat shielding from extra heat generated from Extractors
Though official power figures weren’t published, period road tests and dyno reports suggest outputs well beyond standard GT specifications—sufficient to make the RPO 83 a serious weapon, both on road and racetrack.
Provenance and Surviving Examples
With such a limited production run and very few surviving examples, genuine RPO 83s are closely tracked by collectors. Documentation & provenance is critical, Ford verification letters and original tags essential for authentication.
Famous survivors include:
- The “Chicken Coupe”, a barn-find XA GT Hardtop stored behind chicken wire for decades, later restored and sold for over $300,000 AUD.
- The first XA GT RPO 83 Hardtop built, finished in Red Pepper with white trim, now a showpiece within the GT community.
Restored examples today can command values rivalling Phase III GTHOs, such is their rarity and motorsport pedigree.
Why the RPO 83 Matters Today
The RPO 83 isn’t just a hidden treasure—it’s a crucial link in Ford Australia’s racing legacy. It was the bridge between the cancelled Phase IV and Ford’s Group C touring car dominance, ensuring that critical components made it to the track legally.
And more than that, it was a winner. Twice. At Bathurst.
For enthusiasts and investors alike, the RPO 83 offers rarity, provenance, and true performance heritage. It’s the car Ford never promoted, yet one that delivered where it mattered most: on Australia’s most sacred tarmac.
At Chicane Auctions, we are proud to represent a 1973 Ford Falcon XA GT RPO83 Hardtop that is a previous GT Nationals winner for Best Restored Overall, in our upcoming May Auction.
Available for inspection by appointment. Visit www.chicaneauctions.com.au or Call 03 9580 7369 for all details.