If you love classic Ford Falcons and Australian muscle cars, this Ford XY GT Replica is one you won’t want to miss.

In this episode of Aussie Garage, we visit Motivation Garage and Cleveland Spares to check out a beautifully restored Falcon finished in the iconic Yellow Glow colour. Under the bonnet is the legendary 351 Cleveland V8, paired with a tough Top Loader four-speed manual gearbox, delivering the raw performance and feel that made the XY GT a legend.

Built to Capture the Original GT Spirit

With genuine XY GT Falcons now extremely valuable, high-quality replicas have become a popular way to enjoy the look, sound, and feel of this iconic Australian muscle car.

Marcus from Motivation Garage walks us through the build, explaining the restoration process and the attention to detail required to achieve authentic GT styling.

What You’ll See in This Build

In this workshop tour, we take a closer look at:

• 351 Cleveland V8 engine
• Iconic Yellow Glow paintwork
• GT-style body and interior
• Top Loader four-speed manual gearbox
• Ford 9-inch differential
• Restoration tips and insights
• Cleveland Spares parts supply
• Motivation Garage workshop

Keeping Classic Fords on the Road

Cleveland Spares continues to support classic Ford enthusiasts with quality parts for restoration and maintenance, helping keep these Australian icons alive.

Combined with the craftsmanship of Motivation Garage, this XY GT Replica shows what’s possible when the right parts and passion come together.

Final Thoughts

Whether you dream of owning a genuine Ford XY GT or a well-built GT Replica, this Falcon proves you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy one of Australia’s greatest muscle car legends.

A big thank you to Marcus from Motivation Garage and the team at Cleveland Spares for giving Aussie Garage an up-close look at this incredible build.

Would you choose a genuine XY GT or a high-quality GT Replica? Let us know in the comments!

#FordXY #XYGT #FordFalcon #351Cleveland #AustralianMuscle #ClassicCars #FordAustralia #MuscleCars #AussieGarage #ClevelandSpares #MotivationGarage #GTReplica #ClassicFord #CarRestoration #FordV8

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There are garage finds… and then there are honey holes. This Hidden Melbourne GT Falcon discovery is the kind of story that reminds us why Aussie muscle matters.

Phil and Dan were invited into a discreet Melbourne garage to meet owner John — and what was hiding behind the roller door absolutely blew us away. Sitting side-by-side were two seriously rare Ford GT Falcons: a genuine stealth-ordered XY GT Delete Stripe and a pristine 1997 EL GT Anniversary model with ultra-low kilometres.

If you love factory-correct Aussie muscle, rare options, and preservation done right — this one’s for you.

Hidden Melbourne garage Ford GT Falcon finds don’t come around often — but when they do, they stop you in your tracks. In what can only be described as a true “honey hole” discovery, Phil and Dan recently stepped inside a private Melbourne garage with owner John to uncover not one, but TWO seriously rare pieces of Australian muscle car history: a genuine Ford XY GT Delete Stripe and a concours-level 1997 Ford EL GT Anniversary model with ultra-low kilometres.

For Aussie Garage, this is exactly why we do what we do — uncovering, documenting and preserving Australia’s most iconic muscle cars before they’re lost to time.

The Stealth Weapon: Ford XY GT Delete Stripe

The Ford XY GT is already one of the most respected Australian muscle cars ever built. Produced during the golden era of Aussie performance, the XY GT has become a blue-chip classic among collectors and enthusiasts alike. But this particular example? It’s something even more special.

This is a genuine XY GT Delete Stripe car — ordered discreetly in white with no side stripes, giving it a sleeper-style presence that hides its performance pedigree. To the untrained eye, it may appear understated. To those in the know, it’s pure gold.

What makes this XY GT stand out even further is the factory options list. This car was ordered with integrated factory air conditioning — a rare and desirable inclusion for the era — along with a massive 36-gallon fuel tank. These options weren’t common, and finding them on a genuine GT only adds to its collectability and historical significance.

Under the bonnet sits the legendary Cleveland V8, the beating heart of the XY GT’s reputation. The engine bay presentation tells a story of care, preservation and authenticity. Factory details remain intact, with the correct finishes and hardware that serious collectors look for.

Inside, the cabin reflects the same level of originality and attention. From the dash and gauges to the trim and steering wheel, it’s a snapshot of early 1970s Australian muscle at its peak. Even the boot details reinforce how well this car has been maintained and respected over the decades.

This is not just a car — it’s a surviving piece of Ford Australia’s performance legacy.

The Modern Icon: 1997 EL GT Anniversary

If the XY GT represents raw, early-’70s muscle, the 1997 EL GT Anniversary model represents the refined, limited-production performance era of the late 1990s. Built to celebrate the GT badge, the EL GT Anniversary has carved out its own respected place in Aussie performance history.

John’s example is nothing short of a time capsule. With ultra-low kilometres and meticulous documentation, this EL GT presents at a concours level rarely seen today. Every factory detail appears to be preserved — from the engine bay finishes to the interior trim and badging.

The EL GT Anniversary models were produced in limited numbers, making them increasingly desirable among collectors who recognise their significance in the GT lineage. Under the bonnet sits a tickford-enhanced V8 package that delivered strong performance while maintaining the drivability of a modern grand tourer.

Inside, the leather, stitching, instrumentation and GT-specific touches all speak to a period when Ford Australia was proudly stamping its performance credentials back into the local market. The presentation of this particular car shows just how valuable preservation can be. It’s not modified. It’s not over-restored. It’s simply maintained to an exceptional standard.

The boot area, documentation, factory books and overall cleanliness reinforce the sense that this is one of the finest surviving examples of its kind.

Why Preserving Aussie Muscle Matters

Cars like these aren’t just machines — they’re cultural markers. The Ford XY GT represents the height of Australia’s muscle car wars. The EL GT Anniversary marks the revival of the GT badge in a modern era. Together, they tell a story spanning decades of Ford performance in Australia.

Preservation is becoming more important than ever. With values climbing and original examples becoming rarer, maintaining factory-correct details, documentation and condition is what separates good cars from truly exceptional ones.

As enthusiasts, collectors and storytellers, we have a responsibility to showcase and protect these cars for future generations. Hidden garage finds like this Melbourne honey hole remind us that there are still treasures tucked away — waiting to be rediscovered and appreciated.

Engine Bays, Interiors & Authenticity

One of the highlights of this visit was diving deep into the details. The XY GT’s engine bay, factory A/C integration and unique fuel tank setup demonstrate how special-order cars can be both subtle and highly specified. Meanwhile, the EL GT’s presentation showcases how a modern classic can age gracefully when properly cared for.

Interior originality, correct finishes, documentation and low kilometres are the hallmarks of investment-grade Australian muscle. Both cars tick those boxes — just in very different ways.

XY GT vs EL GT – Which Would You Choose?

Would you go for the stealthy, stripe-delete XY GT — a true early-’70s muscle icon with rare factory options? Or would you choose the ultra-low kilometre EL GT Anniversary — a preserved modern classic representing the rebirth of the GT badge?

Both represent significant chapters in Ford Australia’s performance story. Both are increasingly rare. And both deserve to be preserved.

Hidden Melbourne garage Ford GT Falcon finds like this don’t happen every day — and when they do, they remind us why Aussie muscle continues to capture hearts across generations.

Drop a comment below with your pick — XY GT Delete Stripe or EL GT Anniversary?
Follow Aussie Garage for more rare Australian muscle car features
Filmed in Melbourne, Victoria

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