The throaty rumble announces its presence before you even see it. As it rounds the corner, sunlight glints off immaculate paintwork—the Falcon XB Hardtop, Australia’s muscle car legend, reborn with modern performance that would make even the most hardened gearhead weak at the knees.
A Legend Reimagined
The Australian Ford Falcon XB hardtop holds a special place in automotive history. Produced from 1973 to 1976, these two-door coupes became icons of Australian muscle car culture, immortalized on screen and in the dreams of enthusiasts worldwide.
What we’re examining today isn’t just any XB—it’s the “Firebrand,” a meticulously crafted restomod that maintains the soul of the original while pushing performance boundaries that would have seemed impossible in the 1970s.
“I wanted to build something that honored the original but wasn’t afraid to evolve,” says Mark Donaldson, the builder behind this masterpiece.
“The XB has always been about presence and power—I just turned both dials up to eleven.”
Heart of the Beast: The 429 Stroker
Pop the hood, and you’ll understand why this machine earned its “Firebrand” moniker. Nestled between the frame rails sits a monstrous 429 cubic inch (7.0L) stroker V8—a modern interpretation of Ford’s legendary big block architecture. This isn’t simply an enlarged engine; it’s a complete rethinking of what’s possible with the platform.
The foundation is a seasoned Ford Racing block, bored and stroked to achieve that magical 429ci displacement. Inside, you’ll find a forged rotating assembly from Eagle, custom-ground Comp Cams camshaft with roller lifters, and CNC-ported aluminum heads that flow air like a hurricane.
Topped with a modern electronic fuel injection system disguised as a period-correct intake manifold, this powerplant delivers the best of both worlds—classic aesthetics with contemporary reliability.
“We dyno-tested it at 625 horsepower and 595 lb-ft of torque,” Donaldson explains, “but more importantly, it delivers that power in a way that makes the car usable. It’s not just about the numbers—it’s about how it feels when you’re behind the wheel.”
That feeling is translated through a modern six-speed manual transmission—a Tremec T56 Magnum—sending power to a custom-built 9-inch rear end with 3.73 gears and a limited-slip differential.
The combination allows for both blistering acceleration and surprisingly comfortable highway cruising.
Chassis Dynamics: Modern Underpinnings
The original XB was impressive for its era, but suspension technology has come a long way since the 1970s. Recognizing this, Donaldson’s creation rides on a completely reimagined chassis setup.
“We kept the basic structure but reinforced everything,” he says. “The original unibody has been seam-welded and gusseted at key stress points, essentially creating a semi-spaceframe that’s vastly more rigid than factory.”
Up front, custom tubular control arms work with adjustable coilovers, while the rear features a triangulated four-link system with Panhard bar—all engineered to maintain the classic stance while delivering handling that would shame many modern sports cars.
Braking comes courtesy of six-piston Brembo calipers up front and four-piston units in the rear, clamping onto massive cross-drilled rotors. The setup provides fade-resistant stopping power that matches the engine’s prodigious output.
The rolling stock consists of custom-machined 18-inch wheels that pay homage to the original Bathurst Globes but with increased width to accommodate modern rubber—Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires measuring 275/35ZR18 front and 315/30ZR18 rear.
Exterior: Subtle Evolution
While some restomods scream their modifications from every angle, the Firebrand takes a more nuanced approach. At first glance, it could pass for an exceptionally well-maintained original—until you notice the details.
The body has been subtly widened by 30mm on each side to accommodate the broader track and larger wheels without compromising the car’s original proportions.
The front splitter and rear diffuser are custom fabricated pieces that look period-appropriate while providing genuine aerodynamic benefits.
The paint—a custom-mixed shade called “Molten Bronze”—appears to change from deep copper to burnished gold depending on the light. Applied over hundreds of hours of metalwork and preparation, the finish has a depth that photographs struggle to capture.
“We wanted something that would stand out without being garish,” explains Donaldson. “The color is inspired by the desert landscapes where these cars became legends, but with a modern twist in how it plays with light.”
Chrome has been selectively replaced with brushed nickel finishes, providing a contemporary feel without losing the car’s intrinsic character.
The iconic FORD lettering across the trunklid remains, now crafted from billet aluminum with subtle backlighting that activates with the taillights.
Interior: Comfort Meets Performance
Inside, the Firebrand walks the tightrope between vintage character and modern amenities. The dashboard maintains its original shape but houses digital gauges with analog faces.
The seats are custom-built units upholstered in British tan leather with bespoke patterns inspired by the original’s trim but offering vastly improved support and comfort.
A modern climate control system provides set-and-forget comfort regardless of outside conditions, while a discreetly integrated touchscreen handles navigation and entertainment duties. It can be completely hidden behind a period-correct panel when not in use.
“We wanted the interior to be a place you’d be happy spending hours in,” says Donaldson. “The original cars were great for their time, but modern expectations around comfort and refinement are different. We’ve met those expectations without losing the car’s soul.”
Sound deadening materials throughout the cabin reduce road and exhaust noise to comfortable levels during cruising, though a button near the shifter opens exhaust valves when you want to hear the full orchestra of that magnificent V8.
Driving Experience: The Ultimate Test
Specifications and aesthetics only tell part of the story—the true test of any restomod is how it drives. Behind the wheel, the Firebrand immediately impresses with its blend of raw power and surprising sophistication.
The clutch action is hefty but not punishing, engaging with precision that makes smooth launches easy despite the mountain of torque on tap. The shifter falls naturally to hand, with mechanical precision that makes every gear change satisfying.
Acceleration is simply breathtaking. Floor the throttle from a standstill, and the rear tires struggle momentarily before hooking up and launching the Firebrand forward with shocking urgency.
The 0-60 mph sprint takes just 3.9 seconds—faster than many modern sports cars costing several times as much.
More impressive than straight-line performance is how composed the car feels through corners. The steering offers feedback that modern electric systems can only dream of, while the suspension manages both compliance and control in equal measure.
Push hard into a bend, and the chassis communicates exactly what the tires are doing, allowing you to dance right at the limit of adhesion with confidence.
A New Breed of Classic
What makes the Firebrand special isn’t just its technical specifications or stunning appearance—it’s how these elements come together to create something greater than the sum of its parts.
This isn’t just a modified classic; it’s a reinterpretation that honors its heritage while establishing its own identity.
“Building a car like this is about respect,” reflects Donaldson. “Respect for the original designers, for the cultural impact these vehicles had, and for what modern technology allows us to achieve. But most importantly, it’s about creating something that delivers joy—both to look at and to drive.”
In an automotive landscape increasingly dominated by electrification and autonomy, the Firebrand represents something vital—the raw, emotional connection between human and machine.
It’s a rolling testament to the fact that while technology marches forward, our love affair with mechanical masterpieces showing both heritage and innovation remains undiminished.
For those fortunate enough to experience it, the Falcon Firebrand XB with its thundering 429 stroker isn’t just a car—it’s automotive poetry in motion, a fire-breathing reminder of why we fell in love with driving in the first place.