Icon Puts Legendary Falcon GTHO Within Reach of Every Muscle Car Enthusiast

SUTHERLAND, AUSTRALIA – April 29, 2009: Australia's best known and most valuable 70s muscle car, the Ford Falcon XY GTHO Phase 3, is now within the reach of just about every motoring enthusiast thanks to a brand new release from Sydney company Icon Models.

While a full size "HO" is out of the reach of most enthusiasts, with road going examples fetching upwards of a quarter of a million dollars, the new Icon GTHO means you can have a large scale replica of this classic muscle car for less than $1500.

Icon has released a second limited production run of its 1/8th scale Falcon GTHO Phase 3, and in keeping with Henry Ford's own philosophy you can have it in any colour as long as it is "Ultra White".

Just 1000 examples of the Ultra White Falcon GTHO have been produced and they are priced at just $1295.

The new release follows the highly successful limited edition run of 1000 "Track Red" Icon GTHO Phase 3s, which sold out within weeks of going on sale last year.

The die cast 1/8th scale replica "Ultra White" GTHO is complete in every detail, from the spare tyre, jack and wheel brace to the dash, seatbelts, steering wheel and engine and comes ready to be easily assembled.

The model kit comes fully pre-painted and pinstriped and contains over 500 components.

Measuring 60cm in length and standing 10cm high, the Icon GTHO is the ultimate muscle car ornament for the study, playroom or garage and is the closest you'll get to having a genuine HO without the enormous investment demanded by a real one.

According to Icon Models' Ken Leach, the detail and finish of every aspect of the 1/8th scale GTHO is astounding and replicates every aspect of the real thing.

"It is a car that has captivated car enthusiasts in Australia for the past four decades so we knew we had to work hard to get it right and that is exactly what we've done," said Ken Leach.

"The car is so realistic we have shown people photos of the model and they thought they were studio shots of the real full size HO," he added.

"The first limited edition red GTHO was so popular and we had so many enquiries about a white one that we had to go ahead with it," he said.

With working steering, legendary 12 slot wheels, a highly detailed engine, replica bonnet hinges, metal leaf springs and even its own numbered compliance plate, the limited edition Icon GTHO Phase 3 is a unique collectible that will be the crowning glory of any Australian muscle car collection.

The GTHO model kit comes complete with a reprint of the original Ford XY Falcon sales brochure and a certificate of authenticity.

Icon Models has also planned a special 40th anniversary 1/8th scale model of the original XW Falcon GTHO Phase 1, which made its debut at the 1969 Bathurst 500.

The new Icon XW GTHO Phase 1 will be finished in silver with orange stripes and will come fully assembled. Full details of the new 1/8th scale Falcon will be made available closer to release due in the third quarter this year at a fully assembled price of $1295.