Vehicle Description
1963 Ford Falcon Sprint Hardtop
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 the first year for the
Sprint package. And talk about a fresh nut and bolt restoration, a
thick folder of receipts, manuals and invoices come with this
Sprint that was sold new in Colorado. Sit back and breathe in a
Sprint hardtop, with bucket seats from the very first year of
introduction
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 caring hands 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
Corinthian White 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 14-inch American Racing Torque
Thrust wheels to go with the beautiful trim spear and rocker trim
all on the near perfect white 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, a red padded topped
dash with a pristine stainless instrument cluster, all within the
dual elongated eyebrow design stretching across the front and
bathed in a tasteful body complimenting 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 red vinyl and have tuck and roll inserts with smooth
stitched red 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 red is looking
like new covering the floors. At the edges of that carpet, great
looking door panels wrap like-new smooth red vinyl and mix it with
red painted metal uppers and sills. In the center over the red
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 is an impressive wood rimmed 3
spoke Ford steering wheel. Gracing the center hump is a Hurst
competition shifter and all is 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 saychromed and machined metal, a chrome air
cleaner topped rebuilt 289ci power plant with a solid lifter HiPo
289ci camshaft installed lies between the shock towers. Topping the
Weiand aluminum intake is a Holley 4-barrel carburetor. On either
side, covering those heads are chrome Falcon Sprint finished valve
coverings. On the back is a Toploader 4-speed manual transmission,
and way back a Ford 8-inch 3.00 geared 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 new dual exhaust and Flowmaster
mufflers. Simple is the word of the day, with shock absorbers
dampening the road blows for the leaf spring suspension on back,
and independent coil springs 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. The interior is
near perfect, the car gave a great ride, and was surprisingly
powerful. A few small frowns crept up during our time behind the
wheel, those being: the dash mounted tachometer not recording RPMs,
a horn that wouldn't honk and a radio that didn't belt out any
tunes.
A nearly concours, (although modified), example with a crisp white
color, and it mates with the complementing red interior
wonderfully. A simple yet beautifully designed compact with
performance that is super impressive, as is the case with this
entire automobile. An awesome restoration which included the outlay
of an unimpressive amount of coin, this Falcon has swooped into our
Hallowed Halls and has nested into the West wing. Definitely worth
a gander.
3H17F198965
3-1963
H-Lorain, OH Assy Plant
17-Falcon Futura Hardtop
F-260ci V8 2bbl
198965-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY TAG
BODY 63C-Falcon Futura Sprint 2 Door Hardtop
COLOR M-Corinthian White
TRIM 85-Red Vinyl Buckets
DATE 05D-April 5th
DSO 42-Fargo
TRANS 4-Cruise O Matic
AXLE 1-Ford 8" 3.00 Conventional
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 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.
