One of Dick Johnson’s most famous creations was the ‘Greens Tuf’ XE Falcon and not just because it ended up in the trees at Bathurst.
It all started 40 years ago when Johnson built the new XE for the 1982 endurance races when it wore different colours to highlight main sponsor Palmer Tube Mills’ new Red Roo pipe range.
The XE replaced a very successful ‘Tru-Blu’ XD Falcon, which delivered Johnson his maiden Bathurst win the previous season in addition to two Australian Touring Car Championships.
In its first Bathurst it was disqualified for using illegal cylinder heads to cap off a controversial year of touring car racing and it proved an omen for future 1000s.
As the Group C regulations evolved, so did Johnson’s development as new freedoms allowed larger tyres and a much more aggressive aerodynamics package.
Running the championship in red and blue, Johnson was sixth as ill-handling hampered his title defence with the XE’s Watts Linkage proving troublesome. By the end of Group C, the amount of grip produced was placing extreme strain on components such as the gearbox and axles.
A colour change to the now iconic ‘Greens Tuf’ scheme came ahead of the endurance races when further freedoms by CAMS allowed American-produced cylinder heads and an increased width.
Another key association began for Johnson during this period when Shell provided small support to the Queenslander placing its XMO oils product on the XE.
Qualifying second at Sandown, Johnson pitted on the opening lap into retirement with gearbox problem. Of course worse was to come at Bathurst.
Determined to add another Bathurst victory, Johnson clipped the wall exiting Forrest’s Elbow and sent the ‘Greens Tuf’ Falcon into the trees.
A remarkable switch to Andrew Harris’ privateer Falcon ensured Johnson and Kevin Bartlett started the race, but problems befell the brave crew forcing its retirement at 61 laps.
The destroyed XE was sent to the crusher, with Johnson building up a new version for the 1984 season and it proved a rewarding campaign as it won the Australian Touring Car Championship ahead of the introduction of Group A in 1985. This version is part of the Bowden collection.
The Harris replacement XD currently resides in Melbourne.