The story in Gerard's own words.
Written off for financial reasons the car was a sorry sight, all burnt down one side right through the fibreglass on the wings. 
I viewed the two-tone navy blue and steel grey car with my son on a sunny Saturday in April 2001 and thought, “no it is too much to do”. Rick said, “go on you will only regret it, I will help you”. Then he went back to University. 
So I placed a bid and got it. Three days later it came on the back of a transporter complete with 4 inches of water in the foot wells and a burnt out front tyre!

What have I done I thought as I emptied gallons of water with the Vax and that was just from the seats!  

I thought of repairing it to get through the MOT but soon realised that 10 years motoring and a fire had taken quite a toll. I can say in all honesty you can strip down a car in days (building it takes a bit longer!) 
I set about rebushing, rebuilding and powder coating the suspension and all the mechanical bits first. 
The engine seemed OK and fired up well so that was serviced and left in. 

At this time I agonised over the colour, red said my wife, racing green said a son, but no, I wanted bright silver. The paint is Ford Moondust Silver.
Every body panel was removed and checked over, the burnt ones replaced with new from JBA. So the nearside is new and the offside is original, you can’t tell now it’s all done. 
The interior was scrapped except the seats and dash panel, which I preserved as a mark of respect to Terry’s work.

The car went into the body shop in July and stayed until October! Even then they had to repaint some bits. 
The stainless bits were sent off for re-polishing and chrome renewed. 

Finally the Falcon called Phoenix is back on the road.

The long job of rebuilding came next and went on all through the winter. In spring she came out of the garage under her own steam what joy!  
I tried to save the old exhaust but the front box was holed and the rear pipe fouled the rear tyre. The front was replaced with a Cortina box which was modified to clear the chassis and sit high up under the wing. The rear pipe/box was cut in 3 places lowered and rewelded straight. 

I got some X type Jag carpet from the manufacturers for £18.00 for 12 sq metres!! This was cut to the car and heat moulded into place. The seats and side panels that I cut were trimmed in black leather and look great. Some really classy chrome on brass finishes the interior beautifully. 

At this time I discovered the 5 speed gearbox had only 4 speeds!, too late! 
I bought a CD player for it and upgraded the speakers. 
The hood still needs sorting yet, but I try to get out if the weather is good enough. 

Today I had the suspension set up on a very special rig at Sunside Garage; the car is now tracking true and the castor set dead on. She handles like a dream now that all is straight. 
Next job is to fit a 5-speed box, but that will have to wait. I want to drive, drive, drive.

I sold the Plus 2 in ’96 because the kids were too big to go in the back and it didn’t seem fair to leave them behind. 
The moment the car went I regretted it. 

From Gerard. 

Since the Falcon went back on the road in 2002 I have replaced the very highly tuned 1600 engine with a 2000cc injection pinto.  This I got from another owner who had fitted a Zetec to his Falcon. The gearbox was changed to a 5 speed unit.  She is now easier to drive and a lot faster than before.  The initial acceleration is phenomenal due to the low ratio 1600 axle still fitted.

The wheels were changed to Ford alloys of cross spoke design with new Avon tyres. 
I have still not finished yet though, there’s always something to do to alter or improve things, like a bigger fuel tank.  

Safe Driving All the Best Regards Robbie