Ford came back to motorsport in a big way during the 2000s and when the BA Falcon debuted it was rewarded with success as the ‘Devil Racer’ Marcos Ambrose took back-to-back titles leading to a special edition road model being released in his honour.
Ambrose debuted in 2001 for Stone Brothers Racing and it proved a successful partnership after breaking the drought for Ford in 2003 to win the V8 Supercars title, before defending the championship the next season.
The determination displayed by Ford Australia CEO Geoff Polites to get Ford back to the front in V8 Supercars competition was met and Holden’s domination entered in a whimper for the Lion.
Ambrose’s success was honoured with a special edition road-going Falcon coined the Devil R and using the XR8 as its base.
Incorporating the familiar colours of Ambrose’s Pirtek-sponsored Stone Brothers Racing into its exterior design, the Devil R included unique branding, bonnet bulge decal, an engine mounted signature plate, owner’s manual signed and framed racing picture both signed by the two-time V8 Supercars champion.
Inside, luxury XR seats featured Devil R embroidered on the head rest, sports steering wheel and unique carpet mats with branding.
There was nothing really special mechanically about the Devil R except for premium brakes wrapped by 18” alloy wheels in shadow chrome appearance.
Just 125 Devil Rs were produced in what proved a boom time for Ford special editions with Craig Lowndes and Russell Ingall also honoured, while surf brand Quiksilver also collaborated with the Blue Oval.