Vehicle Description
1963 Ford Falcon
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 car. 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. And talk about a fresh nut and
bolt restoration, the consigner states that it was performed a mere
1K miles ago. The completely documented journey is fully recorded
for posterity pictures and receipts.
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 turned into a well-kept effort
to create a timeless compact car which looks good on the road and
great in the parking lot! For the corners let's throw in some
snappy 15-inch Vision wheels to go with the beautiful trim spear
and rocker trim. all on the near perfect red field.
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 with a
pristine stainless instrument cluster, all within the dual
elongated eyebrow design stretching across the front and bathed in
a tasteful body matching red color as well as making ample use of
chrome surrounds and horizontal trim pieces. In front of that dash
are 2 pristine fully restored low back wide buckets. They are in
black vinyl and have tuck and roll inserts with smooth stitched
black bolsters. Some silver piping adds to the allure, as does a
center console with chromed horizontal ribbed glove box and
surround. Below those seats, fade-free carpet in black and looking
like new covers the floors. At the edges of that carpet, great
looking door panels wrap like-new smooth black vinyl and mix it
with red painted metal uppers and sills. In the center over the
black vinyl, is some of that jet age styling in finely ribbed
aluminum looking a lot like Chuck Yeager's ride when he broke the
sound barrier. This wonderful shiny trim wraps entirely around the
interior panels and is just beautifully done. 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 black
Ford steering wheel has the bakelite cream topped shift lever and
signal lever on the column. All very nicely done and a standing O
for this early 60's interior.
Drivetrain
With a car of this restoration caliper, one would almost expect
something special to be under the hood, and opening it your
wandering eyes will just say WHAAAAAAAT? Yes, there it is in the
flesh, or should I say cast and machined metal, a Shelby air
cleaner topped 302ci power plant with aluminum heads and intake.
Topping the intake is a 4-barrel carburetor. On either side,
covering those heads are ribbed cast valve coverings. On the back
is a C4 3-speed automatic, and way back a narrowed rear axle, (by 1
inch), Ford 8-inch 3.50 pumpkin. All beautifully put together and I
cannot wait to drive it.
Undercarriage
Underneath we note as expected a fully blasted and repainted
undercarriage. Solid as a rock with dual exhaust. Simple is the
word of the day, with a single shock absorber dampening the road
blows for the leaf spring suspension on back, and some traction
bars. Independent coil springs are for the front. Drum brakes are
all around, and all like new.
Drive-Ability
Every 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, and there was!
A nearly concours (although modified) example with a deep red
color, and it mates with the original interior wonderfully. A
simple yet beautifully designed compact with performance that is
super impressive, as is the case with this entire automobile.
Awesome nut and bolt rotisserie restoration which included the
outlay of an unimpressive 60K, this Falcon swoops into our hallowed
halls and has nested into the west wing. Definitely worth a
gander.
VIN DECODE
3H17U229146
3-1963
H-Lorain, OH Assy Plant
17-Falcon Futura 2 Door Hardtop
U-170ci I6
229146-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY TAG
BODY 63C-Futura 2 Door Hardtop
COLOR Y-Glacier Blue
TRIM 82A-Blue Buckets W/Console
DATE 14F-June 14th
DSO 23-Memphis
AXLE 3- 3.20 Gears
TRANS 3-2 Speed Ford-O-Matic
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.