Russel's AU1 TE50 - Burgundy Bullet:

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It seems some people get all the breaks - as in this case where Russel has the arduous task of having to put up with owning this beast - not! Not content with the EL GT equalling 200kW motor fitted at the factory, Russel chose to knock on Melbourne based Herrod Motorsport's door for one of his stroker conversions stretching the baby Windsor to a more credible 5.7 litres using imported components unlike Tickford's T3 conversion. - All this with only 38,000 on the clock!

Spending just over 2 weeks at Herrods saw the imported stroker kit fitted and finished to perfection (Tickford's version uses almost entirely Australian made products). More than just a new crank, Rob at Herrod's Automotive in Melbourne takes each 5.0 litre Windsor V8 and gently massages it beginning with a 0.010" bore clean-up, the stroke was increased via way of a new crank from 76.2mm (std) to a more credible 87mm under Rod's guidance.

As is a must with any late model hi-po Windsor 5.0 litre, Herrods fitted a main bearing stud girdle to keep the whole show from grenading into a million tiny little pieces... With the extra power on tap blue printing becomes almost mandatory keeping things nice and smooth avoiding any dreaded engine destroying vibrations whilst making the most of each cylinder.

Looking more for torque than outright power, Rod left the cam alone but still managed a very respectable 265kW @ 4800 rpm and 540 Nm of torque at an incredibly low 1800 rpm!!! - To put that in perspective, that's more than the AU3 T-series - well known for it's skyscraper tall levels of torque.

Now those in the know about AU1 T-series realise they are rare beasts and Russel's Sparkling Burgundy example is no exception, being build number 020 of a total of just 54 AU1's built.

For such a small production run (no doubt Ford thought it'd sell more at the time) Ford allowed a huge selection of rear spoilers so Russel's deletion of the standard spoiler and fitting of the XR's bi-plane version dipped in body colour doesn't exactly go against the grain of such a rare vehicle.

Adding the TE50 side decals from the AU2 version, Russel's T-series came interestingly without the more usual silver painted sections on the front and rear bumpers. Choosing to go for the monochrome treatment instead, Russel's choice compliments the TE50's body coloured headlight backings just nicely! Based on the Fairmont's interior, Russel's TE retains it's velour covered interior and steering wheel mounted gear change buttons - and so it should! Containing an interior most Street Machiner's would die for, the TE50 is a wolf in sheep's clothing and has no trouble getting our vote! Thanks go to Russel for sending these shots in for all to see - with all of the best wishes for plenty of T-series fun in the future!

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