These two winners of The Great Race could not be more opposing.
Both are recent additions to my ‘Bathurst Winners’ collection (though technically, the Falcon didn’t win at ‘Bathurst’) meaning I’ve only got about eight more to collect (well, until October rolls around again…).
The Cars
| The White Car | The Black Car |
| Ford (XL Falcon) | Holden (ZB Commodore) |
| 170ci 6-cylinder ‘Pursuit’ engine | 5 litre fuel-injected V8 |
| Production car on narrow treaded tyres that was tweaked to go racing | Dedicated custom built race car on wide slicks specifically for racing |
| 1962 Great Race winner, “Armstrong 500” (the third, and final, time the Great Race was run at Phillip Island) | 2018 Great Race winner “Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000” |
| Drivers: Harry Firth / Bob Jane (both now deceased) | Drivers: Craig Lowndes / Steven Richards |
The Models
| The White Car | The Black Car |
| Primary Material: Resin | Primary Material: metal |
| Has interior detail | No interior detail |
| Includes display plinth & acrylic case | No plinth |
| Expensive: $110 | Less expensive: $40 |
The XL Falcon is by ACE Model Cars. While rather plain in appearance, it is a very well built model.
Conversely, the Autobarn ZB is a colourful and popular livery, however closer inspection reveals an inferior quality model.
The Classic Carlectables ZB is of similar construction and quality as CC’s earlier VF version, which means it is still far behind what both Biante and Apex produce.
Having said that, buried in the model cabinet with all the other cars, it looks fine. The biggest criticism I have is the lack of negative camber on the wheels (especially the fronts) and lack of interior. But for 40 bucks, one can’t whinge too hard.
Special note on the Falcon: There is a point of argument over the colour of the stripes that run across the bonnet and the C-pillars. This model by ACE (plus an earlier version I’ve seen photos of, EDIT: perhaps by Automodelli or Dinkum?? it was AMM, Australian Motoring Miniatures) have these stripes in black. However, a few years back a 1:1 ‘tribute’ car was built where these stripes are red. I also see there is a painting titled “Ford’s First” where the lines are also… red.
Are there any in-period colour photos of the real car to settle the score?
Hi Wixy. Nice site and collection. Good articles too.
I have the AMM model of the XL Falcon. I acquired it in the 90s so a very old model now. It has black stripes on the bonnet, but no side blackouts or pattern on the boot. However, I do think it is a better shape than the ACE model, which doesn’t look right to me — it has somewhat of a banana shape to it. Just my thoughts.
Regards,
Brendan
Hi Brendan, thanks for the kind words. Until you pointed it out, I hadn’t really noticed, but yes, the ACE version does have a banana look to it!
Hi Mark,
I have seen a coloured photo of the XL and the stripes are red for sure.
Also of note the checker on the boot is in fact a finishers flag.
You can see this clearly from a pic. from Autopics site.
There is the number 21 on the boot lid which is visible from some old
movie footage as seen on the net.
Phillip.
Thanks for the info Phillip! Was the colour photo you saw a period photo from 1962? I’ve seen images/footage of tribute/replicas that have had both red and black stripes, but I’m yet to find a colour pic of the original racing at Phillip Island.
Yes Mark the photo was a period photo.
Just a note, I was involved in the making of the AMM version.
I made the grill bumpers and tail lights for AMM.
He got the colour wrong though.
I still have the original pattern and moulds which I purchased from him.
Phillip