Excellent Straight Steel/Rust Free/Original Interior/170ci Inline 6

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. 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. This simple yet powerful grocery getter is as utilitarian as it gets, with little trimmings, and black wall tires. 4 doors and low miles (42,849) 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 coupe has been benefited by low mileage 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 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 is 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 pristine stainless instrument cluster, all within the dual elongated eyebrow design stretching across the front and bathed in a tasteful taupe color. In front of that dash, completely original bench seats with broadcloth small striped inserts and clean smooth taupe vinyl bolsters provide the perfect spot for Main street cruise nights for driver and passengers front and rear. Below those seats, fade-free carpet in gold covers the floors. At the edges of that carpet, great looking door panels wrap like-new smooth taupe vinyl and mix it with light cream tuck and roll vertical stitched panels and a touch of stainless trim delineating the two. 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 taupe colored Ford steering wheel has the Bakelite cream topped shift lever and signal lever on the column.

Drivetrain
A 170ci inline 6-cylinder sits within the simple wide open engine bay. This engine is not restored, has some orange paint for the valve cover and air cleaner housing, a new distributor, supple hoses and overall looking good. A 1-barrel carburetor is atop the inline 6 popper, and a 2-speed Ford-O-Matic transmission is on back with a 3.50 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 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. 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 complete exterior color change during the respray, but it mates with the original interior color wonderfully. A simple yet beautifully designed compact with performance that was impressive. Low miles and a very nice original, this Falcon swoops into our hallowed halls and has nested into the west wing. Definitely worth a look.

VIN DECODE
3T02U125971
3-1963
T-Metuchen, NJ Assy Plant
02-Falcon 4 Door Sedan
U-170ci I6
125791-Sequential Unit Number

WARRANTY TAG
BODY 54A-Falcon 4 Door Sedan
COLOR X-Heritage Burgundy
TRIM 18-Gold
DATE 26L-November 26th Build
DSO 14-Pittsburgh
AXLE 5-3.50
TRANS 3-2 Speed FordOMatic

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 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.