1963 Ford Falcon

Description

Mustang performance and cool '60s styling make this 1963 Falcon convertible a great choice for cruising. Fortified with a muscular 302 and a handsome bright red interior, it's a fast, comfortable convertible that's available for a fraction of the price of its pony car siblings.

Falcons have been overlooked for so many years that it's quite rare to find one as well finished as this one. After decades of living in the Mustang's shadow, enthusiasts are discovering that the Falcon has a lot to offer, including trim proportions, timeless styling, and easy parts availability. The eyeball-watering red paint job has been done in what might pass for Rangoon Red, but it's so vivid that it'll stand out like a beacon amongst all the Wimbledon White Falcons you're likely to see. The slick faux hood scoop and dramatic jet-inspired taillights are styling cues borrowed from its big brother the Galaxie, and the delicate fender-mounted ornaments are the last vestige of the '50s visible anywhere on the car. Paint quality is good throughout, just the way you'd want it on a cruiser built to drive, and it shows quite well with a bright shine and great panel alignment. Restored chrome and polished stainless indicates that someone cared about making this car look right, and all the factory emblems are in place.

Red crush vinyl (code 55A) is the car's original upholstery choice and looks fantastic inside the bright red ragtop. Like the bodywork, the workmanship is well done and appropriate to the car, with few signs of wear or damage anywhere on the soft surfaces. New red carpets fit well and show the proper weave, and there's even a rubber heel pad for the driver, just as in 1963. The gauges offer speed, fuel level, and temperature, and it's important to note that the generator light is on simply because the car has been converted to an alternator. The original AM radio lives in the dash and there's a row of neat tan plastic knobs under the dash for the auxiliary controls like heat, defrost, and headlights. Originally equipped with a 2-speed automatic, the column shifter now controls a C4 3-speed automatic that makes a big difference in comfort and performance. A recent white power convertible top fits well and offers a matching red vinyl boot while the trunk sports a proper plaid mat and a space-saver spare that's a clever idea in the compact Falcon.

The original wheezing 170 cubic inch inline-six is long gone, replaced by a robust 302 cubic inch V8 dressed in Ford Corporate Blue and looking like it was born between the Falcon's fenders. Of course, it's got a few upgrades, including an aluminum intake topped by a Holley 4-barrel carb. Rebuilt just two years ago, it starts quickly and has a very un-Falcon-like idle thanks to the dual exhaust with tips just under the rear bumper. The C4 spins the original rear end, which is full of 3.50 gears that are an ideal compromise for potent acceleration and easy cruising. There's a lot of performance in this compact package, so it's a good thing there are 4-wheel disc brakes living behind those flashy 15-inch Torque Thrust alloys which wear one-year-old 185/65/14 Uniroyal blackwall radials.

A neat little convertible with a big surprise under the hood, this Falcon delivers fast, affordable fun any time the sun is shining. Call today!