Reborn fast Ford Falcons to compete once more with hot Holdens
Off the back of HDT announcing its return, the family behind one of the most famous eras of the Ford Falcon is promising something big for its Blue Oval hero.
Last week, billionaire businessman and successful race driver Kenny Habul announced he is bringing back the Holden Dealer Team (HDT) Special Vehicles brand, with the reborn performance icon to be based in Bathurst.
Set to provide support to existing HDT owners as well as produce a ‘Reimagined’ HDT road car – which is currently being tested in Australia, Germany and the US – the return of the brand has been welcomed by fans, as well as a spiritual rival.
What HDT plans to do for hot Holdens, HO Phase – founded in 1979 by legendary Ford designer Wayne Draper and Bob McWilliam – has been doing for fast Ford Falcons, turning them into tougher versions of the XD and XE since its beginning.
Now run by Wayne’s son, Rob, HO Phase has welcomed the return of HDT while announcing its own plans to build its next high-performance Falcon.
Having now employed the services of famed Touring Car Masters (TCM) car builder Gary O’Brien, the brand has announced its latest creation, named ‘Trudee’, is currently in the works, gifting a very modern heart to the classic Falcon.
Based on an XE Falcon but with an XD front end, Trudee will feature the HO Phase 5 front air dam and wheel-arch flares, alongside new-design HO bonnet scoop, rear wing and ‘Rebel One’ light-gold coloured wheels.
Powering Trudee will be a 7.3-litre Ford ‘Godzilla’ crate engine, which HO Phase says will be mated to “modern running gear”, hoping it will have similar attributes to a BMW M4 CS, Mercedes-AMG GT 63 and Porsche 911 Carrera GTS.
Fine-tuning the machine will be John Bowe – 1995 Australian Touring Car Champion, and two-time Bathurst 1000 winner – who has an existing relationship with O’Brien, and will not only be test-driving HO Phase’s cars but also providing driver coaching to owners.
“Having John offer to test the cars and teach our clients how to use them is a huge plus,” Draper said
“You want people to enjoy what we’ve built for them. To be able to take it to a track and learn about it with John Bowe beside you – that’s pretty special.”
Former Ford chief designer Steve Park is also taking part in the Trudee project, while HO program manager Josh Hillman as well as builder O’Brien will have an impact on the end result.
“Trudee has Dad’s design heritage, Steve’s ideas and Gary’s craftsmanship coming together. Gary still jumps out of bed wanting to get stuck into race cars,” Draper added.
“That’s the guy you want building yours. The other thing I love about Gary is he was a Holden guy until we talked him into coming to the dark side.”
HO Phase relaunched in May 2025, with Draper announcing at the time that its rebirth would first centre around wheel packages for Falcon owners: from ‘Snowflake’ to ‘Minilite’ and Simmons mesh-style options, all suiting the XD, XE and XF.
In addition to this kits of the XD-based Phase 5 and XE-based Phase 6 also available, bringing back the wide fibreglass panels, racing-inspired interiors and spoilers which were never allowed to compete in Australia’s top championship.
At the time, one of the firm’s builds was of the ‘6-Pac’, based on the Phase 6 but with a modern Atomic 2.0 Barra block and camshafts, a Nitto de-stroker kit, custom turbo manifold and intake.
Draper says that HO Phase is also working on “an AU-based project” and has an FG ute in its sights, while additionally working on a modernised EB Falcon.
“The AU project is something pretty special. And the FG ute is certainly one Ford should have done. Steve has some wild ideas,” said Draper.
We have a Ford Falcon designer redesigning Ford Falcons. That’s seriously unique and special to me. If it can’t be Dad, it has to be Steve. Look… we’re certainly not running out of things we want to build.
“I bought an EB Fairmont because I needed a family car. I live in the inner city. I don’t need a twin cab. I don’t enjoy driving them or SUVs. I like sitting low. I like racy sedans.
Jordan Mulach
“The classic Australian family V8 is perfect for me – as long as it doesn’t drive like a boat. I’d love to develop something people could consider alongside a mid-range SUV or ute. A proper Australian family car you actually look forward to driving.”
Draper also welcomed the return of HDT, claiming the reignited interest will benefit HO Phase.
“It’s good for us too. We were the little underdog on the Ford side back in the day. Looks like we’re going to be the little underdog again. We’ve come full circle.
“But with the demise of local manufacturing, we’re comrades in arms now too. There’s room for us all. We’re excited to see what Kenny and HDT come up with. Welcome aboard. We’ve been keeping the flame burning.”
According to HO Phase’s website, its ‘Signature Builds’ can cost between $150,000 to $250,000, while Concept and Bespoke builds command $250,000 to $350,000.
Jordan Mulach
