The 1972 Hardie-Ferodo was almost an anti-climax after the sensational publicity that preceded it. "160 MPH Supercars On our Roads" screamed the press headlines…Ford's power message of the year before had sunk home. Rumours flew of a phase IV GTHO even faster and more brutal than the Phase III, a V8 version of the XU-1 Torana, and similar treatment for Valliant's Charger.

The Phase IV and the V8 XU-1 were still-born (many said frightened off by the press build-up) but a bigger faster Charger with a four-speed gearbox - the now classic E49 - did appear. Read more ->