FORD VS HOLDEN

TUFF STREETERS
HT KINGSWOOD VS XW FALCON

ARTICLE: JESSE BONNICI | PHOTOGRAPHER: JESSE BONNICI

The boys have been shopping and found some of Australia’s Tuffest street cars for sale, but the hardest decision was which car to buy? So they made the easy decision to just buy both and the one lucky winner will have the difficult choice between the two!

IN THE RED CORNER: 1969 HT KINGSWOOD UTE

Performance and Engine:
The 1969 HT Kingswood Ute is a prime example of classic Australian muscle with a modern twist. Under the hood, it roars a Dart 350ci Small Block Chevy engine that’s rebuilt with high-performance components. The engine is turbocharged with twin Garrett turbos easily making 650 horsepower. This setup not only delivers impressive acceleration but also provides the thrill of turbocharged performance. The engine’s rotating assembly is top tier, featuring Scat Rods, CP Pistons, and an LT1 Crank, all nestled inside the ASR Race pan. The hydraulic roller cam creates the engine’s idle note, giving it that classic muscle car rumble.

Transmission and Drivetrain:
The power is transferred through a built 2-speed Powerglide transmission, paired with a Dominator 3500 Hi-Stall converter. Moving towards the rear sits the Strange 9” diff which is equipped with 3:1 gears, a Truetrac centre, and 35-spline axles ,making sure it’s built to withstand that boosted horsepower. The rear end is further developed with a Calvert mono-leaf spring and nine-way adjustable shocks, along with CalTracs bars for optimal traction when trying to get the power down.

Brakes and Wheels:
Stopping power is crucial for this calibre of car, and the Kingswood doesn’t disappoint. It features Wilwood front brakes and a master cylinder with Strange rear drums. The vehicle sits on Weld Alumastar wheels, with a 17×4.5 front runner and 15” rear double beadlock wheels, wrapped in 255 radials, these wheels set off the car just perfectly.

Interior and Exterior:
The interior of the Kingswood is a showstopper in itself. It features a complete trim in GTS Goya Red, adding a touch of luxury and sportiness. The roll cage, painted to match the trim complementing the car’s aesthetic. The exterior of the ute is designed to turn heads, with its classic lines and aggressive stance it’s got a reverse cowl scoop and the body is as straight as an arrow painted in PPG Alaskan White.

IN THE BLUE CORNER: 1970 XW FALCON

Performance and Engine:
The 1970 XW Falcon is a legendary Australian muscle car that stands out with its naturally aspirated power. Under the bonnet, it houses a 434 Dart block Windsor engine, featuring an Eagle 4340 crank, Clevite bearings, Oliver I-Beam rods, and CP forged pistons. The CHI heads and intake manifold work in harmony to maximise airflow and performance. The Camtech solid roller cam contributes to the engine’s unforgiving idle. A 1050 Dominator carburetor feeds the engine sucking in enough air that it could rip birds out of the sky. With 650 horsepower on tap, the Falcon delivers a raw, unfiltered driving experience that Tuff Streeters enthusiasts crave.

Transmission and Drivetrain:
The power is transferred through a Protrans-built Turbo 400 transmission, paired with a JW bell housing and TCE 5000 Hi-Stall converter built strong to withstand whatever you throw at it. The vehicle features a Spicer tailshaft connected to a 9” diff, with 35 spline axles and a Truetrac centre. The diff is geared with a 3:25 ratio, offering a good balance between streetability and the driving experience when you open her up. The suspension, provided by Gazzard Bros, is fully adjustable, allowing for fine-tuning of handling and ride quality.

Interior and Exterior:
The interior of the XW Falcon is finished in black leather, with a classic bench front seat and modern upgrades like a B&M ratchet shifter and Autometer gauges, including a rev tach hidden in the glovebox. The exterior boasts a Quicksilver and orange GS stripe combo, giving the car a striking and distinctive look. To put the cherry on top for this silver fox it has been equipped with Weld V-Series wheels, with 17” front runners and 15” rear beadlock wheels, wrapped with PSR 255 radials.

It’s easy to love both team blue and red, but it would be a difficult decision if you were the lucky winner and received a phone call from us and had to pick between the two. Which team would you want in your garage or shed? Both cars have gone sub-10 seconds down the quarter mile and are well-proven street cars. Both have Weld wheels. But do you want a boosted Holden ute or a naturally aspirated Ford sedan? The winner is drawn on August 26th good luck!

1969 HOLDEN HT KINGSWOOD

1970 FORD XW FALCON