Vehicle Description
With the Mustang's runaway success, the Ford Falcon Sports Coupe
got a full makeover in 1966. Packing a 289 cubic inch V8, a 4-speed
manual gearbox, and a clean, uncluttered look, this 1966 Falcon
2-door offers Mustang performance and value with a distinctly
sporting look and a very reasonable price tag.
Just try to find a V8 Mustang coupe restored to this level for this
price. You won't. But with this Futura Sports Coupe you not only
get the same performance but also a look that will get people to
notice. Moving away from the dowdy big car styling of the earlier
Falcons, the all-new 1966 models looked grown up yet sporting, with
trim proportions and clean lines. Wearing a 2-year-old coat of
basic black paint, this one seems pared down to the bare essence, a
clean shape that offers nothing beyond what you'd need to have some
fun on the road. Workmanship is quite good overall, showing clean
gaps and smooth bodywork that took a pretty serious investment in
time and effort. Nice chrome bumpers, a bit of stainless trim, and
familiar Ford jet-exhaust taillights make this car easy to
recognize, even at a distance, and it is all in very good shape.
And for a bit of an upscale look, this one wears a nicely fitted
black vinyl top so it looks like it should cost a lot more than it
does.
The handsome black bucket seat interior is a pleasant surprise, and
the nicely detailed seat covers and instrument panel are cool in a
'60s minimalist kind of way. The seat covers, carpets, and door
panels are in excellent shape and anyone who has driven a vintage
Mustang will probably feel at home here, too. Instrumentation is
basic, with two big round dials just ahead of the driver, but
someone has added the usual trio of auxiliary gauges under the
dash. The woodgrained Grant GT steering wheel matches the shifter
knob on the 43-speed manual transmission, which is a lot of fun
with the V8. A/C is a nice find in a car like this and there's an
updated AM/FM/CD radio in the center of the dash that sounds worlds
better than the original AM unit. And unlike the Mustang, the
Falcon offers a giant trunk, which is neatly finished and ready for
your next road trip.
Glancing under the hood, you'll find the same 289 cubic inch V8
used in the Mustang. Rebuilt three years ago with an .030 overbore,
upgraded camshaft Holley 4-barrel carburetor, and long-tube
headers, it's a nasty little motor that makes ensures this Falcon
delivers on its serious looks. The engine is bathed in Ford Blue
and dressed up with finned valve covers and a matching air cleaner,
so you won't mind opening the hood now and then. Service access is
great in the cavernous engine bay, and with a big radiator up
front, it never gets cranky in traffic. The aforementioned 4-speed
manual transmission spins an 8-inch rear end with 3.83 gears inside
and a Track-Lok limited slip. The clutch, throwout bearing, and
pressure plate are new and both the front and rear suspensions have
been rebuilt. Traction bars out back do a good job of hooking it up
and it's nice to see power steering and disc brakes up front.
Flashy Torque Thrust wheels add just the right period performance
look and are wrapped in fat 235/60/15 BFGoodrich blackwall
radials.
Affordable fun is still out there, and this 1966 Falcon stands out
simply because it's unusual. This is more V8 fun than you'll find
just about anywhere else for the price, so call today!
