Thi, Gateway classic cars of Nashville is Happy to digitally present to you this 1961 Ford Falcon. [11] Ford also promoted that in a Mobilgas economy run, the Falcon got 32.5mpgUS (7.2L/100km; 39.0mpgimp).[12]. Your email address will not be published. Stay up-to-date on our special promotions and deals. When the three major compacts were introduced, Chrysler put out an allegedly objective study by an independent testing agency, entitled We Family Tested All Three!. 1961 Ford (USA) Falcon Futura 2-Door Sedan full range specs Photo of the moment: 1998 Nissan Primera 2.0 TD SX 5d (Photo: Nissan Motor Co.,Ltd.) My roommate, a more timid and non-car freak guy than I was/am, flat out refused to drive his wagon when loaded down like this. If you do, put them on the Flickr site. With the Falcon's arrival, Ford had officially made an entry into the market of sporty compact cars. Over 42 in. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. $475.00 /each. The heater-defroster became standard. I wouldnt say the problem with the Ford-O-Matic is the transmission itself its the underpowered I6 that Ford paired with the Ford-O-Matic transmission. I know hes talking about the Australian versions, but the U.S. models interchanged like crazy, too. Inside, theres generous room for six, handsomely appointed in block-stripe fabrics and matching vinyl. Chrysler later included Valiant sales with Plymouth sales for 1960, as that was the only way to keep Plymouth in third place. It also added the option of a manual transmission floor shift. From 1961 and 1962, the Falcon was available with a British Ford sourced four speed, and even had a column shifter for it, as was the common European practice at the time. The Valiant-Falcon story for 1960 shows how bizarre styling, bad build quality and confused marketing can overwhelm very good engineering, and lose out to conventional, clean styling and focused marketing and product development efforts. 2-door convertible Use Classics on Autotrader' intuitive search tools to find the best classic car, muscle car, project car, classic truck, or hot rod. Attractive gray block-stripe patterned nylon seat inserts and morocco-grained vinyl bolsters standard with every Falcon Sedan. Thus, all three introduced compacts: the Valiant from Chrysler (becoming the Plymouth Valiant in 1960, and joined by a downsized Dodge Dart in 1961), GM's Chevrolet Corvair, and the Ford Falcon. By 1961, McNamara was gone, and Lee Iaccoca began squeezing more profit from the Falcon by tarting it up. The Mustang probably wouldnt have happened. 4-door sedan In 1962, Ford introduced the Ford Falcon Club Wagon and Deluxe Club Wagon, an eight-passenger, Ford Econoline cab over engine van. I see you are just as crazy as I am! The Mustang dealt Falcon sales in North America a blow from which they would never recover. Interesting to contemplate how Fords future would have played out had McNamara not been tapped by JFK for his defense administration and instead served a long career as president of Ford (the whole Vietnam War thing may have turned out differently too). At the time of the Falcon's debut, Ford was not in great shape financially. Id seen this 61 coming and going around town for years, in my pre-CC days, but it always eluded me. The Falcon was the bechamel sauce that Iacocca made all kinds of gravy with for the first half of his career (the K-car filled that role for the second) but as Ive said elsewhere, besides that these initially-fullsize-sales stealing conventional compacts freed up the big cars to get even bigger and fancier and go after the market that really wanted them without incurring the kinds of complaints (from societal critics as well as auto experts) the 58/59s incurred. In my garage, I would throw a few 64 and 65 models into the mix because I really like their more substantial styling and all of them are available for 64/65. Alongside its larger counterparts, the Falcon offered a full range of body styles, including two-door and four-door sedans, two-door hardtops and convertibles, two-door and four-door station wagons (the former, serving as a basis of the final Ford sedan delivery), and coupe utility pickups (serving as the basis of the Ford Ranchero). But what makes it so classic, exactly? The somewhat similar in concept Peugeot 404 that also arrived in 1960 had accurate rack and pinion steering, and a killer ride. IDK how we didnt get rear ended by the Louisiana tailgaters on I-10! The 1961 Futura arrived with its Monza-like specs: chrome trim, bucket seats, and a bigger engine with a bit more oomph. This prestigious accolade represents the continued growth of the company, and ClassicCars.com's dominance as the world's largest online marketplace for ACDelco (61) Tuff Stuff Performance (48) Scott Drake (31) Distinctive Industries (30) Show All. And that's room aplenty for most any pickup job. Are you looking to buy your dream classic car? A reminder light was added for the seatbelts;[22] 1968 was the first model year for the square tail lights.[23]. The tech team and sales staff are available by email seven days a week to answer any questions. The market shift that spurred the development of the Falcon and its competitors also precipitated the demise of several well-established marques in the late-1950s and early-1960s. Does not have any seats. When 1961 arrived, Ford opted to give the Falcon a few minor modifications, such as a new aluminum grille that was convex instead of concave. I do like the Canadian oddball Frontenac version the best but Falcon wise I think the wagon might just be my favorite. $5 Off Your $100 Mobile App Purchase . TV commercials now used the character Hazel as well as the Peanuts cartoon characters. $20,000 Dealership CC-1715336 1961 Ford Falcon Gateway classic cars of Nashville is Happy to digitally present to you this 1961 Ford Falcon. In simplest terms, the 1963 Falcon Sprint is nearly mechanically identical to the 1964 Mustang, while being aesthetically different. I have a 62 Mercury Comet as a weekend driver/project car(sadly more often the latter than the former). As a basic economy car, its brief sales spurt in 1960 soon evaporated. Whats interesting about ALL of the Big Three compacts from 1960 is how small they look in real life. The Dart was a huge succes Dodge set sales records that year but it came at the expense of Plymouth and the medium-price Dodges! Learn how your comment data is processed. My old man was a Ford guyhis first car was a Model A; but hed bought a 1957 and was completely disgusted with the build quality and premature rusting. It was, 1961 Ford Falcon Ranchero Original a 6 cylinder car. The Ford Falcon is a model line of cars that was produced by Ford from the 1960 to 1970 model years. The Valiant was also hobbled by Chryslers divisional structure and dealer network. Now if it had that hot new aluminum cylinder head that is now available, Related posts: Fords 021c Concept: The Falcon Reincarnated How To Make Your Falcon Six Generate 350 HP. The Ford Motor Company was a sponsor of the show, and also sponsored The Ford Show during the late 1950s. Unibody construction, which had previously been introduced by Ford on the luxurious 1958 Ford Thunderbird and Lincoln Continental, accommodated coil spring front suspension, leaf spring rear suspension, and drum brakes front and rear. My g/f wants a classic of her own down the line, Im tryign to get her interested in a 63 falcon convertible, she likes them, but her heart belongs to the 65 mustang convertible. Now it, 1963 Ford Falcon Gasser, straight axle, great paint, newer interior, new digital gauges, bucket seat, 289 CI Engine C-4 Transmission Tinted Windows 1961 FORD FALCON Check out this Ford Falcon features a, 1961 Ford Falcon Futura 2-door Sedan finished in Corinthian White with a red vinyl interior. 2-door sedan Popular Mechanics surveyed owners of all of the Big Three compacts in 1960 (the old Owners Reports are very interesting and a great idea one wonders why the magazine discontinued them). I am not mechanically inclined, the reaso. So he went and bought the Miracle Car instead, a 1962 Rambler. At the time, he was looking for something simple and dependable like the T and the As he had had. All that time, Ford was cranking out these little tower-suspensioned sleds and ringing that cash register. But, alasthe Falcon is still going strong at 50; while it was a miracle that that Rambler made it to six years before collapsing of rust and internal ailments. Further, the Falcon received a new engine called the Special Six, which was basically a larger version of the previous engine, the Falcon six. Unless you were applying the same kind of attention to a Valiant, that is. Solid vehicle. Theres something left out, in describing the appeal of the Falcon: the F O R D badge on the front of it. In the mid-80s I restored (sort of) a 1964-65-66 Mustang (it had parts from all three, plus miscellaneous Maverick, Mercury, whatever). Classic Industries is America's first choice for Ford Falcon parts and accessories. Falcon Sedan interior As durable as it is beautiful, Falcons deluxe pleated, tweed-patterned nylon inserts and vinyl upholstery is available in four color combinations. The 1961 Futura arrived with its Monza-like specs: chrome trim, bucket seats, and a bigger engine with a bit more oomph. Cars Trucks & More - Call 517-546-7000861 E Grand River, Howell MI 48843www.ctmas.com, 1961 Ford falcon clean title This car belonged to a loved one who is sadly no longer with us. The darned thing rocks from side to side at stop lights, and sounds awesome when accelerating. Read on to find out more about the way the Ford Falcon became an instant hit and why history remembers it as a classic. This 1961 ford falcon wagon has a great look and is a great driver! Famed 85-hp FALCON six engine delivers up to 30 miles a gallon with regular gas (optional FALCON 101-hp engine available for more demanding terrain or power needs does nearly as well! Ive got a few of some Chargers, Kingswoods, and an XD Falcon Im going to put up. Set an alert to be notified of new listings. leg, and shoulder room. MAC's has been an authority in classic Ford DIY work since 1978. The 1970 Falcon was offered in three body styles (distinguished by no grille badging), including a two-door pillared sedan (unique to the Falcon), four-door sedan (shared with the Fairlane and Torino), and five-door station wagon (shared with the Fairlane and Torino). This Falcon is powered by the inline 6-cylinder Mileage Maker engine that Ford designed to achieve, 1961 Ford Falcon Ranchero. Branson, MO 5 years at classiccars.com 3 9,999 1961 Ford Falcon 722 below average purple automatic How did it take off? In 2016 The Journal, brought to you by ClassicCars.com, was celebrated as the SECOND MOST INFLUENTIAL automotive blog in the world by NFC Performance. He oversaw every unloving detail, and the end result speaks for itself: a very compact car that weighed a mere 2400 lbs yet could sit six (slim) adults in an interior not all that much smaller than a big Ford. Econoline Van A padded instrument panel, power steering, power brakes, a radio, a remote-control trunk release, and a parking brake warning light were optional. Much like the buying public in 64/65, oddly enough. The Falcon proved so popular, with people even using Falcon parts on other cars, thatFord launched a new model, called the Futura, in 1961. it was able to accumulate 44,470 units sold before the year's end. Impressive for a little car like that, and a little 6 cylinder. Some of this comes home to me. It was . The Ford mill is backed up by a C6 automatic transmission and a bulletproof 9 inch rear end. As mentioned previously, the Falcon outsold new cars from both Chrysler and Chevy, becoming the most successful vehicle launch Ford ever had at the time. The key to deriving any driving pleasure from a Falcon was this: avoid the automatic transmission like the plague. A great article that really captures the essence of this car. But Im not. McNamara left Ford shortly after the Falcon's introduction, but his faith in the concept was vindicated with record sales; over half a million sold in the first year and over a million sold by the end of the second year. I was never a big fan of the early models. Our term for the 60 Falcon with a 144 ci six automatic was gutless wonder. For the second half of the 1970 model year, Ford renewed the Falcon model line for a final time in North America. I got my license in 1972 and drove it once or twice and if felt pretty old too. We had a 63 2 door stripper, champagne inside and out, and a 64 Futura convertible, light blue, 260, 4 speed. A careful right foot was needed to keep the gas pedal mashed down at 98% of the way down. The initial engine, the Falcon six, was a 144 cubic inch inline engine, and it was lighter than the engines of previous Ford models. Vacation-size trunk offers over 23 cubic feel of luggage space. 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