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 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 talking about an
eye-catching redux, the consignor states that it was performed in
2016. Much of thebuild has been documented and recorded for
posterity in the form of 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 meticulous maintenance 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 red respray being laid on its solid and sculpted body. A few
bubbles and touch ups are noted in the lower body panels, but you
have to be down on your hands and knees to notice them. That body's
gaps are very good, featuring doors that operate with precision and
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 14-inch Weld Rodlite wheels to go with the mirror like
chrome bumpers, beautiful stainless grille, chrome front window
surround and Thunderbird-esque chrome trimmed hood scoop, 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, ivory bakelite knobs, and horizontal trim pieces.
In front of that dash is a pristine fully restored low back wide
split bench seat. This is in black vinyl and has tuck and roll
inserts with smooth stitched black bolsters. Some white piping adds
to the allure, as does the Grant rally style steering wheel and Sun
tachometer on the column. 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 upper sills. In the center over
the black vinyl, is some of that jet age styling in polished and
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 with some wrinkling above
all this wonderful color and design. All very nicely done and a
standing ovation for this early 60's interior.
Drivetrain
With a car of this restoration caliber, 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 chrome air
cleaner topped 289ci power plant with an aluminum Edelbrock intake.
Topping the intake is a Holley 4-barrel carburetor. On either side,
covering those heads are polished Ford Racing valve coverings. On
the back is a Toploader 4-speed manual, and way back a Ford 9-inch
pumpkin turns the tires. All beautifully put together and I cannot
wait to drive it.
Undercarriage
Underneath we note as expected, an undercoated and repainted
undercarriage. Solid as a rock with headers and Turbo muffler dual
exhaust. 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 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 fire engine
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 restoration, this Falcon swoops into our
Hallowed Halls and has nested into the North wing. Definitely worth
a gander.
3T01U133337
3-1963
T-Metuchen, NJ Assy Plant
01-Falcon 2 Door Sedan
U-170ci I6
133337-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY TAG
BODY 62A-Falcon 2 Door Sedan
COLOR I-Champagne
TRIM 181-Gold Vinyl
DATE 17M-December 17th Build
DSO 23-Philadelphia
AXLE 3-3.20
TRANS 1-3 Speed Manual
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.
