According to some sources, Australia’s first muscle automotive was the Ford Falcon GT. Ford launched an XR collection of Falcons in 1967, together with a efficiency model badged XR GT. Aussie auto nomenclature is extra complicated than America’s, and the Falcon line had XA, XB, XC, XT, XY, XW (with HOs thrown in for good measure), and even “Phase” variants.

The XR GT was powered by a police-spec’d engine from a Mustang (4.7-liter, 289 ci, V8 with a four-barrel carb producing 225 hp), however was saddled with 4 doorways, which most American scorching rodders refused to label a “muscle car” because it wasn’t a coupe. Despite the tag, it was the primary “shots fired” and a brouhaha started with Chrysler’s Holden division.

Between ’68 and ’71 varied souped-up variations have been launched, many backed by a 5.8-liter, 351 Cleveland V8 listed as making 300 hp however pegged at 350 hp from first-hand accounts. Its first homegrown honest dinkum (Oz slang for “genuine”) mannequin was the ’72 XA Falcon, and the primary time it got here as a two-door coupe. The GT HO variant had a prime pace of 142 mph and did zero to 60 in 6.4 seconds, making it the quickest four-door on the earth.

Then we come to the magnum opus that may prime the listing as coolest film muscle on the planet — the 1973 Ford Falcon XB GT Coupe. Better referred to as the V8 Interceptor or Pursuit Special, the Falcon was the car driven by “Mad Max” throughout the dusty Outback. Sadly, the entire “Supercar Scare” was at its peak, and it was discontinued in ’73.