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Vehicle Description
1963 Ford Falcon Sedan
Historically, the "Big Three" auto manufacturers (GM, Ford and
Chrysler), focused purely on the larger and more profitable
vehicles in the US and Canadian markets. Towards the mid-1950s, all
three manufacturers realized that this strategy would no longer
work. Large automobiles were becoming increasingly expensive,
making smaller cars such as Fiats, Renaults, Toyotas, and
Volkswagens increasingly attractive. Furthermore, many American
families were now in the market for a second car, and market
research showed women especially thought the full-size car had
grown too large and cumbersome. Hence the project which became the
Falcon was started and sponsored by Ford General Manager Robert S.
McNamara, who commissioned a team to create what by American
standards of the time would be a small car but elsewhere in the
world considered a mid-size. McNamara, who was promoted to Group
Vice President of Cars and Trucks by the time the Falcon was
launched, was intimately involved in development, insisting on
keeping the costs and weight of the car as low as possible.
For consignment, a result of much market research that aimed at
women, a second car for families, and a smaller car that was less
cumbersome and expensive. We give you the 4th and last year of the
first generation of the Ford Falcon. This simple yet powerful
grocery getter is as utilitarian as it gets, with little trimmings,
and black wall tires. 4 doors and low miles (42,849) make this a
very attractive buy and an early example of the compact car meant
to be the second car.
Exterior
In typical 60s Detroit fashion, Ford's first generation Falcon,
adorned with curved surfaces and creases that stretch from stem to
stern, is incredibly hard to make straight once it's been
overhauled or reworked. Fortunately, the metal on this compact
coupe has been benefited by low mileage and usage over the years,
so good panel alignment and an astute attention to detail remains.
The car's classic flanks are very straight, prior to the respray
being laid on its solid and sculpted body. That body's gaps are
better than average, featuring doors that operate with precision,
vertical components that are centered in their respective openings.
And overall, this pint-size cruiser carries every indication that
its high quality original condition is a well-kept effort to create
a timeless compact car which looks good on the road and great in
the parking lot!
Interior
This cool Ford's correct and tasteful interior is a classy reminder
of the days when style and appeal were the central focus of
automotive design. At the front of the car, an original dash hangs
pristine stainless instrument cluster, all within the dual
elongated eyebrow design stretching across the front and bathed in
a tasteful taupe color. In front of that dash, completely original
bench seats with broadcloth small striped inserts and clean smooth
taupe vinyl bolsters provide the perfect spot for Main street
cruise nights for driver and passengers front and rear. Below those
seats, fade-free carpet in gold covers the floors. At the edges of
that carpet, great looking door panels wrap like-new smooth taupe
vinyl and mix it with light cream tuck and roll vertical stitched
panels and a touch of stainless trim delineating the two. Clean
chrome door handles and correct chrome window cranks are within
these panels. Above those panels, a like-new headliner hangs
tightly above all this wonderful color and design. Also in front of
the driver, an impressive original taupe colored Ford steering
wheel has the Bakelite cream topped shift lever and signal lever on
the column.
Drivetrain
A 170ci inline 6-cylinder sits within the simple wide open engine
bay. This engine is not restored, has some orange paint for the
valve cover and air cleaner housing, a new distributor, supple
hoses and overall looking good. A 1-barrel carburetor is atop the
inline 6 popper, and a 2-speed Ford-O-Matic transmission is on back
with a 3.50 ratio axle at the tail end.
Undercarriage
Underneath we note some light surface rust and plenty of patina,
but all structurally sound with no invasive rust even seen. Simple
is the word of the day, with a single shock absorber dampening the
road blows for the leaf spring suspension on back, and independent
coil springs for the front. Drum brakes are all around.
Drive-Ability
Even now and again we get an unexpected surprise and this car
provided it. After a quick turn of the ignition and initial fire
up, it was off to the test track where this car had surprising
acceleration, smooth cruising, and great handling. This car is full
of pleasant surprises, and I was duly impressed. Interior is near
perfect with all working controls. A great ride, and surprisingly
powerful. I checked under the hood to see if it was actually a V8
under there, but alas the 6-cylinder remained!
A very nice example with a complete exterior color change during
the respray, but it mates with the original interior color
wonderfully. A simple yet beautifully designed compact with
performance that was impressive. Low miles and a very nice
original, this Falcon swoops into our hallowed halls and has nested
into the west wing. Definitely worth a look.
VIN DECODE
3T02U125971
3-1963
T-Metuchen, NJ Assy Plant
02-Falcon 4 Door Sedan
U-170ci I6
125791-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY TAG
BODY 54A-Falcon 4 Door Sedan
COLOR X-Heritage Burgundy
TRIM 18-Gold
DATE 26L-November 26th Build
DSO 14-Pittsburgh
AXLE 5-3.50
TRANS 3-2 Speed FordOMatic
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
