SOLD - Ford Falcon GT-1 Race Car
Ford Falcon GT-1 Race Car
First of only two cars ever built
Riggins Engineering GTS chassis
D3 Ford 358ci NASCAR engine freshened by AEC, Inc. - 815hp, 575lb/ft
Capable of 1:34:8 lap time at Sonoma Raceway
Major investment in recent performance and technology upgrades
Professionally maintained by Seymour Enterprises, Inc.
Extensive spare parts list
This 1963 Ford Falcon GT-1 race car was built by Tommy Riggins using Riggins’ own Riggins Engineering GTS chassis and is the first of only two car builds that were ever created. Riggins spent considerable time deciding on the upgrades that he wanted to outfit the Falcon with so that it would be a formidable challenge and completely legal in SCCA’s GT-1 class, and accepted in SVRA and HSR. The chassis was initially built in 2008 with the subsequent build being completed in 2009.
When first built, the Falcon was outfitted with a D3 Ford 358ci NASCAR Roush engine with a Dan Timm rebuild that created 815hp and 575lb/ft of torque, with power routed through a Jerico 5-speed manual transmission and a 9” Ford rear axle external pump with a 4:40 ratio. An ATL fuel cell, Penske triple adjustable racing shocks, and CDS Dash and data system rounded off the build. The custom fiberglass body was created by Hairy Glass and Tommy Riggins that was made specifically for this car.
The current owner purchased the car from Bill Riddell in 2018 and enjoyed the car for a considerable amount of time. During his tenure, the Falcon was maintained by Mike Seymour of Seymour Enterprises, Inc., a high-end motorsport facility. While the Falcon has been with Seymour Enterprises, the car has gone through a list of modifications in order to increase performance, reliability, and serviceability.
The upgrades began inside the cockpit with the Falcon’s data acquisition equipment, upgrading to an AIM MXL dash with a full suite of sensors that includes steering, throttle, brake PSI, GPS, Smart cam, and all engine temps and PSI. In the cabin a RaceTech seat, belts, and steering wheel were installed. A 5-gallon oil tank was added, along with Brown and Miller hoses and fittings, and Aeromotive in-tank fuel pumps with front and rear PSI regulators.
Mechanical upgrades began to bring the Falcon up to its full potential. These upgrades included BrakeMan rear brake calipers and pads, AP master cylinders, a new Tilton bellhousing, starter, and 5.5” 4-disc clutch with throw-out bearing. Sweet steering rack was added, with modified mounting and bump steer checked. Aluminum front brake ducts were added, Brown and Miller front and rear flex brake lines, new circuit breaker switches and miscellaneous wiring were routed, new transmission and differential coolers added, and BMRS hoses and fittings were installed. The Ford 9” rear end was upgraded with Gforce internals. The Ford Roush 358 engine was refreshed by AEC in Wisconsin, now running great and has consistent compression, though should be freshened now with around 25 hours on the engine. The 5-speed Jerico transmission also performs well, but should also be freshened as it has 25 hours on it. The Penske Racing shocks were fully rebuilt in 2021.
Thomas Merrill, the 2022 Trans-Am TA2 Series champion racing car driver who has participated with WeatherTech Racing at the likes of 24 Hours of Le Mans and other prestigious racing tracks around the world, acted as test driver of the Falcon during the upgrade process. With Seymour Enterprises dialing in the Falcon enhancements, Merrill would go on to be able to run an extremely competitive lap time of 1:34:8 lap time in 2022. Merrill would take the car and take first in class at the 2022 SVRA Sonoma Speed Tour.
This 1963 Falcon Race Car is now available for a new owner, including an extensive spares list. Please contact Mike Seymour at Seymour Enterprises, Inc. for any questions. See the attached photos of the car as well as the video for the fastest lap at Sonoma Raceway.
Spares list:
2 sets of wheels with used Pirelli tires
Multiple sets of chassis springs
Engine belts and pulleys
Miscellaneous AIM sensors and associated cables
Engine gaskets
New complete set of brake rotors
Miscellaneous brake hats
Miscellaneous suspension components
Nose frame with lower nose section and hood
Tool tray for top of radiator
Miscellaneous wheel bearings and associated assemblies
Wheel studs and nuts