In this week’s Aussie Garage episode, we had the pleasure of catching up with Julia — a passionate car enthusiast with an incredible story behind her XL Ford Falcon Hardtop. With nearly three decades of commitment poured into this build, Julia’s ride is a testament to old-school restoration, Aussie ingenuity, and pure love for the craft.
From XM Sedan to XL Hardtop – The Transformation
Julia’s Ford Falcon has come a long way. Originally starting life as an XM Falcon Sedan, it was transformed into an XL Hardtop by the previous owner. Julia picked up the car around 28 years ago, and for the past 26 years, she and her husband have been working on restoring and evolving it into the stunning head-turner it is today.
This wasn’t a quick rebuild — it’s been a labour of love supported by countless friends and fellow enthusiasts. The Ford Blaze Yellow paint, laid down many years ago by a friend, still pops brilliantly in the sun and gives the car an unmistakable presence at any meet.
Built for the Street and Strip
Under the bonnet lives a 351 Windsor built by Bob Campbell with a street and strip focus — a proper old-school powerhouse. To make the engine fit, WA Suspension modified the strut towers, and the team put together a new front-end suspension setup.
The extractors? Hand-crafted the old-fashioned way — filled with sand, sealed, heated, and bent to fit just right. It’s rare to see this level of traditional craftsmanship, and it really sets the car apart.
Backing the Windsor is a C4 gearbox with a Stage 3 shift kit and a 2500 stall converter, sending power to the rear through a Borg Warner diff. While Julia has plans to upgrade to a 9-inch diff down the track, she’s just happy to be out driving it now after years of hard work.
A Classic Interior to Match
Inside, the cabin is finished in a classy off-white that contrasts beautifully with the bold yellow exterior. Julia kept things true to the car’s roots with the original dash and steering wheel, finished off with that perfect nostalgic touch — a set of yellow fluffy dice.
The painted dash with chrome detailing really gives off strong vintage vibes, and the attention to detail is obvious. It’s the kind of car you sit in and instantly feel the history and heart behind it.
A True Car Lover’s Ride
Julia doesn’t just own this car — she lives it. Her love for her Falcon is clear, and she’s out driving it whenever she gets the chance. This car isn’t a showpiece that sits under covers — it’s a living, breathing part of her life.
What makes this build so special is the journey behind it. It reflects a time when cars were built in garages with help from mates, trial and error, and late nights in the shed. It’s a real Aussie classic, made by real Aussie car lovers.
Julia’s future plans for the car are still ticking away in the background, but for now, she’s just enjoying the ride — and who can blame her?
Want to See More?
Check out our full interview with Julia on the Aussie Garage YouTube Channel to see this beautiful yellow Hardtop in action and hear more of her incredible story.
Watch now on YouTube
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Thanks again to Julia for sharing her car and story with us. It’s builds like these that keep the Aussie car culture alive and thriving.
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