The 1960-1963 Ford Falcon: Classic, Affordable
Early Detroit Compact Remains Attractive
Feb 16, 2009
When the Big Three American automakers introduced their compact cars, Ford's 1960 Falcon stood out for its elegance. Chrysler's Valiant wore intricate styling while Chevrolet's Corvair used a decidedly un-Detroitish air-cooled rear engine, but the Falcon's restrained appearance and basic six-cylinder engine were pure simplicity.
Available as a station wagon or sedan, the Falcon bore an unmistakable family resemblance to full-size Fords thanks to its grill-mounted headlights, large circular taillights and overall lack of busy visual features.
Designers broke up its slab sides with stampings that extended from ahead of the front wheels to the rear of the car, where they turned to wrap around the taillights. Other than a fake hood scoop, there was little decoration and at a time when proudly outrageous cars were in every showroom, Ford sold over 435,000 Falcons by the model year's end.
Tweaking the Basics Boosts 1961 Falcon Sales, Increased Competition Impacts 1962 Falcon
A slightly larger six and some minor trim differences were new for 1961, when 470,000 Falcon sales proved Ford's thinking correct. The next year saw restyled rooflines on Falcon sedans and optional simulated wood panels on Squire wagons.
Sales were just under 400,000 cars for the 1962 Falcon due at least partly to increased competition by additional compacts from Dodge's Lancer to Pontiac's Tempest, not to mention American Motors' Rambler and Studebaker's Lark.
Ford recognized that problem and something else, namely the initial stirrings of what would evolve into muscle cars. Compacts provided small bodies and it was a simple matter to fit engines more powerful than necessary.
Ford Gives the 1963 Falcon a Convertible and a V-8
Different manufacturers followed different approaches at this point, whether Pontiac's Tempest with its V-8 option available since 1961 or Corvair with its turbocharged six for 1962. Ford responded in 1963 with both looks and performance, adding two-door hardtop and convertible Falcons and giving the line its first V-8.
The new body styles could be ordered in either the Futura or the Sprint series and when combined with the 260-cubic-inch V-8, the result was a smooth transition from a pleasant economy car to a potentially serious performer.
It was serious enough, in fact, that Ford chose to unveil the 260-equipped Sprint at 1963's Monte Carlo Rally. Doing so was brilliant; rallying is tough on cars, Monte Carlo was a very visible event and best of all, a Falcon won its class.
Mustang Takss on Performance Role
Unfortunately for the Falcon, the Mustang's introduction was approaching and the Falcon was about to lose its chance to become Ford's ultimate high-performance muscle car. The second-generation Falcon appeared for 1964 and later versions were produced into 1970, but the earliest models have much to recommend them to enthusiasts.
Affordability is a Falcon strong point and it should be possible to find a presentable example - even a V-8 convertible - at a reasonable price. Any Falcon is an uncomplicated car with little to go wrong and when something does break, repairs are likely to be straightforward.
An owner new to vintage cars shouldn't have many problems in dealing with a Falcon and if he does, someone with slightly more experience will probably be able to help him through it. The rewards will be reliability and economy, the same points that pushed early Falcons out the door as fast as Ford could build them.
Next, consider that what's under a Falcon's skin isn't unique to Falcon. Much of what makes it run will interchange with other Ford products and perhaps most interesting of all is that the Falcon was the basis for the immensely popular Mustang. Today, that helps to ensure a good supply of parts.
It all makes a solid case for the Falcon, but for those who need further convincing, there's something else. The first-generation cars that disappeared from the American market at the close of the 1963 model year continued in other parts of the world for decades.
The basic design really was that good.
