When most people think WRC (World Rally Championship), they tend to think of Mitsu EVO’s, Subaru WRX’s, and maybe even the coveted Lancia Stratos. But many don’t know that Ford had their hand in the European rallying scene long before the Focus RS and Escort Cosworth.

If you look as far back as the mid-‘60s, you’ll find guys like Graham Hill of British Touring Car fame and Bosse Ljungfeld, the Swedish rally driver known for his impeccable talent campaigning V8 Ford Falcons. We’re not talking about some goofy-looking Euro-spec version either; they were wheeling the same US models that were available to the general American public in the ‘60s, and are still available to today’s enthusiast wanting something a little different from the everyday Mustang or Camaro.

Obviously, these versions weren’t exactly showroom-stock models, but in fact were prepped by American tuners Holman & Moody with modified suspensions, brakes and a respectable 300hp small-block Ford, which was more than enough power to handle the tight turns and the competition at the Monaco Rally and other events around Europe.

Nowadays, rally drivers prefer turbocharged, AWD econoboxes but for a brief time in the sixties, it is nice to know that muscle cars had their crack at European rally events. If you’re looking for a budget bad ass, or would like to replicate these cool classic rally cars, ‘60s Falcons are still sold at bargain prices all over the country, and with advancements in today’s engine, brake, and suspension technology –you can make them far better than Holman & Moody could have ever hoped for back then.