Fans will have the chance to drive a recreation of Dick Johnson’s famous Greens’-Tuf Ford Falcon as part of a new program launched by V8 Race Experience.

The firm, which runs a fleet of late-model, production based Falcon and Commodore V8s throughout Australia, has added the replica to its stable with the endorsement of Johnson.

Although not part of Johnson’s team during the Group C era, DJR legend John Bowe’s ongoing association with V8 Race saw him kick-start the replica idea.

Like the original, which was destroyed against the trees at Forrest’s Elbow in qualifying for the 1983 Bathurst 1000, the Volkmann Motorsport-built replica features a 351 Cleveland V8 that produces around 500bhp.

“There’s a massive amount of interest in that era of racing when the cars closely reflected what was being driven on the road,” said Bowe.

“Couple that with the high levels of interest at the moment in historic racing and ‘retro’ racing and I think we’re onto a winner with the Big Banger experience.”

Johnson is scheduled to take passenger rides with the car during V8 Race days at Sandown in December and at Bathurst next February.

“It’s a car that still evokes a lot of emotion from race fans of the 1980s and putting together this program will no doubt have plenty of people lining up for a ride,” said Johnson.

“But the first person that tries to crack a joke about keeping it away from the trees can get out and walk.”

Days at Sandown, Barbagallo, Wakefield Park and Mallala will see customers given the choice of driving the car or joining Bowe for passenger laps.

Greens’-Tuf ride car specifications

Engine
Ford 351 Cleveland V8 with 2 head phase 3 GTHO solid lifter cam shaft, roller rockers. Extractors side exit exhaust 3 inch. Modified ASR Touring Car Masters sump.
No of Cylinders: 8
Cubic Capacity: 5760
Horsepower: 500
Aspiration: Balanced 750 double pumper Holley.

Clutch
Clutch Industries 11 inch ceramic button clutch.

Gearbox
Number of Gears: 4 speed + Reverse
Transmission Type: Muncie Dog Box

Front Suspension Type
Bilstein shocks and coil springs, lowered 110mm, standard front control arms and pivot points, triangular chassis bracing between shock towers and firewall.

Rear Suspension Type
Ford 9 inch original control arms with modified bushes. Bilstein coil-over suspension front and rear, reconfigured Watts-link with bell crank.

Front Brake Type
Disc Brakes Australia 12.5 inch disc rotors and pads with 6 pot Brembo callipers.

Rear Brake Type
Disc Brakes Australia 11 inch disc rotors and pads with Nissan GTR callipers.

Wheel Type and Size
WORK VS-XX 18 x 11 inch three-piece wheel with gold mesh.

Tyres
Hankook Ventus F200 Circuit 280/650 R18 F200 Slick and Z207 Wet.