Vehicle Description
1960 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 1st year of the first
generation of the Ford Falcon. This simple grocery getter is as
utilitarian as it gets, with little trimmings, and white wall
tires. 4 doors and an older restoration still holding up well 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
sedan has benefited from a restoration at some point in the past
and careful 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. Black covers the lower
sections of the body and white tops off the roof, a tuxedo with 4
doors if you will. A few blemishes in the paint in the form of
cracking and a small bubbling but overall, this pint-size cruiser
carries every indication that of 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
a pristine stainless instrument cluster, all within the dual
elongated eyebrow design stretching across the front and bathed in
a body matching black color. In front of that dash, completely
original bench seats with broadcloth small striped inserts and
clean smooth light gray vinyl bolsters provide the perfect spot for
Main Street cruise nights for driver and passengers front and rear.
While remaining in good condition overall we do note a tear in the
driver's upper section with stuffing spewing forth. Below those
seats, black vinyl covers the floors. At the edges of that vinyl,
great looking door panels wrap lightly wrinkled gray vinyl and mix
it with ivory tuck and roll vertical stitched panels and a clean
gray armrest within the ivory field. 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 black colored Ford steering wheel has the Bakelite cream
topped shift lever and signal lever on the column. While showing
some wear overall this interior is original to the car and has held
up well during its 62 year tenure.
Drivetrain
A 170ci inline 6-cylinder sits within the simple wide open engine
bay. This engine is not the original as this car was born with a
144ci 6-cylinder, has some blue paint for the valve cover and air
cleaner housing and block as well as supple hoses and overall
looking good. A 1-barrel carburetor is atop the inline 6 popper,
and a 3-speed manual transmission is on back with a 3.10 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 per side
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, the only flaw we
could find was a slight pull during braking, however an adjustment
of the drums should rectify this. 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 respray and spruce up during the
restoration, and it mates with the original interior color
wonderfully. A simple yet beautifully designed compact with
performance that was impressive. A throwback to suburban America
and the need for a second car in the driveway. A very nice
original, this Falcon swoops into our hallowed halls and has nested
into the west wing. Definitely worth a look.
VIN DECODE
0T12S124322
0-1960
T-Metuchen, NJ Assy Plant
12-Falcon 4 Door Sedan
S-144ci Inline 6 cylinder
124322-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY TAG
BODY 58A-Falcon 4 Door Sedan
COLOR AM-Raven Black, Corinthian White
TRIM II-Gray Cloth & Vinyl
DATE 19B-February 19th Build
TRANS 1-3 Speed Manual
AXLE 3-3.10 Conventional
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 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.