Buyer Beware – $135K Ford Falcon GTHO Turns Out To Be $25k Replica

A pair of Ford enthusiasts have learned that a 1970 Ford XW Falcon GTHO believed to be the real deal is, in reality, a replica.

And the current owner of the car, Lyle Walker, has just had his claim for compensation dismissed by the Federal Court.

Fairfax reports that Walker travelled to Wodonga in 2013 to inspect the vehicle before eventually handing over $135,000 to purchase the ‘HO’ from previous owner, Glen Sell.

Mr Sell had obtained a letter from Ford Australia, along with a report from a party claiming to be an expert in the field. Both documents confirmed what Mr Sell had always believed during his 30 years of ownership - that the XW GTHO was genuine.

With the necessary proof, Mr Sell valued it accordingly. Mr Walker reportedly studied the letter and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN - although potentially just a chassis number given the age of the car) before agreeing to the purchase.

Walker planned to restore the Falcon, but during a preliminary inspection, his chosen workshop identified around 20 items that they believed identified the car as a replica. Further investigation reportedly confirmed the workshop’s suspicions.

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