‘The holy grail’: Australia’s ‘rarest car’ up for auction with starting bid of $1

A car, believed to be the rarest in the whole of Australia, is going under the hammer with a starting bid of just $1 – with experts describing it as “the holy grail for Ford fans”.

The rare factory-built 1970 Ford 6-Door XY Falcon is the only one of its kind ever made and remains in “immaculate condition” after previously being used decades ago as a limousine. It’s believed the car was made-to-order by Ford for TAA Airlines in Tasmania.

“This Ford XY Falcon Wagon embodies collectability and could be the rarest car ever manufactured in Australia. It’s the holy grail for Ford fans, the only one of its kind and it is in immaculate condition,” Lee Hames, COO for Lloyds Auctions, said. “The story behind this car is just as special as the car itself.

“Winning numerous awards and featuring in auto magazines all around Australia, it has received great attention already, with enquiries flooding in since being published online.” He added: “Bidding will be extremely active on this car with the bidding starting at just $1.”

Hames revealed the Falcon is rarer than the three surviving Ford Falcon GTHO Phase IV’s, one of which sold for $2 million at a Lloyds auction to a mystery buyer last year.

“It is a collectors dream and presents an incredibly rare investment opportunity,” the Lloyd’s auction listing reads. “The car has won numerous trophies and has to be seen to be believed.”

The wagon has clocked up only 13,217 miles (21,270km) and reportedly features an array of mod-cons, including air conditioning, power steering and a Pioneer stereo. And while bidding started at $1, is has since climbed to $50,000 already.

The car is due to go on auction at 6pm on September 30, alongside a 1982 Holden Commodore Group III in “original and meticulous condition”, a 1977 4-door Holden A9X Torana “which has sat in storage for 15 years” and a 1970 Holden HG Monaro GTS. The incredible auction will also feature a multiple podium finishing race car chassis, built and run by Walkinshaw Andretti United Racing. It has previously been driven by the likes of Garth Tander and James Courtney.

“This time last year we auctioned Scott Pye’s #2 Supercar (Chassis 24) which went on to place 2nd at Bathurst, and no doubt we’ll see strong interest in this VF chassis opportunity from upcoming motorsport enthusiasts,” Hames said. “This car has earned multiple podium finishes since 2014 and apart from its investment potential, offers a unique opportunity for anyone who has dreamed of touring as a race car owner.

“It is an honour and a privilege to be the largest classic car auctioneer in Australia, having such a mind-blowing array of rare and collectable vehicles coming across our auction blocks in what is an amazing and maturing classic car market.” The Ford wagon is up for auction on Lloyds’ site.