As a sales leader and one of the highest selling new car models in history up to their 1960 introduction, this 1963 Ford Falcon is a first-generation car and, as you can see, it’s also a project car. This one is located in York, South Carolina and it can be found on Craigslist with an asking price of $2,500. No CL archive is needed here, this is the entire listing: “6 cylinder, 3 on the tree, Barn Find” and there are only four photos. Let’s check them out.
A decade ago, a first-generation two-door Falcon was near or at the top of my master wish list. I’m still haunted by a drop-dead perfect 1960 two-door in white with a teal interior, all original and literally like new, for $3,600 that I passed up in 2008. Now a project car is creeping up on that price. How times have changed. Maybe I’d better go back to a few of the other cars on my decade-old wish list to find something cheaper: King Midget? Metropolitan? Crosley? Hey, where did everyone go? Yes, before I got heavily into vintage Japanese cars I was heavily into small American oddball cars. The Falcon isn’t an oddball in the least, quite the opposite. This example actually looks pretty nice compared to many that I have seen in the last half-dozen years for much more money than $2,500.
Just about every piece and part is available for the Falcon through catalogs or online. There is no mention of rust but it doesn’t look too bad with maybe just a bit starting on the bottoms of the doors? Who knows what the floors look like, South Carolina isn’t exactly the bone-dry desert. Hopefully it’s a solid car. The interior sure looks great overall. A new headliner, some windlace, a steering wheel and horn ring, who knows what else but from how it looks in the photos it doesn’t look like a major project by any means. The engine could be the wild card. There are no photos of the engine, even though the hood is open in the second photo! I’m guessing that it’s the 101 hp 170 cubic-inch inline-six but I don’t know for sure. Again, parts are available for almost every portion of this car. I really regret not buying that perfect Falcon in the late-2000s, what are your thoughts on this one?
I remember when these came out everyone thought that they were good looking and afFordable, but not many wanted to go up against the other big steel on the road in an accident. None in my family.
Looks like a good start for the price. Hopefully it is a 170 six and not the weak 144 with only 85 horses.
I kick myself every day for passing on a driving 63 Falcon Ranchero with deluxe trim for $3000 in 2008.
My son was 13…was looking for a father/son project that wasn’t too intimidating while being useful for weekend projects.
Damn…..
man i like this coupe of the falcon too bad that the coupe never came to argentina but at least it had many years of production 1962-1991 but not many as the peugeot 504 1969-1999 both were the best built cars in the country
I remember wanting one of these soooo badly around 1975/76 when I was in high school. Seemed like every one I found had a beat-up looking dash, as if someone had pounded on it. Never got one.
” Seemed like every one I found had a beat-up looking dash, as if someone had pounded on it.”
__________
Oh there was some pounding allright! Usually some young ladies feet, but you never what can happen on lovers lane or a secluded overlook. Sometimes dents on the hood.
(From stargazing of course, or that drive in movie. Get your minds out of the gutter)
(Sorry, couldnt help myself- More likely it was the anemic stock Ford motor and angry commuters)
Had to do a double-take when I saw this one. My best friend since junior high (since 1957) had a ’62 red Falcon that looked just like this ’63 as his first car. We went everywhere in that little car. He still had it when he left home for Texas Tech c.1964. I ended up there in ’68 and he was still driving “Li’l Red” at the time. He eventually gave the car (dammit) to his mom’s brother and bought a 70s Olds 442 which was just a tad faster than Li’l Red was…..don’t you think.
Had model year same low budget.
5 years old and 12k miles 500US $.
At end of 3 years had nice wheels and tires, 260 Ford 8, 2brl,headers, with constant replacement of brakes, sold 500US$, two 22 rifles, 30/06 Springfield, 30/40 Krag and 410 shotgun.
Car still on road, 3rd owners grandson in Cali daily driver.
Goes to show, if you take care of auto they will last.
I was going to get a 61 falcon Ranchero roadworthy to sell for a friend’s mom. A zero option striper, it was such a pleasure to work on and so amazing simple and solid I bought it myself!
Too much $$ for a weak on excitement striper that needs paint, even assuming it doesn’t have a seriously broken engine or transmission. Granted, it seems a practical point of entry for someone wanting to get involved for a small down payment. But, if you’re going to do the work this needs to get it nice and you’re going to pay all the costs, why not start with something that would be worth anywhere near what you’re work and out of pocket would equal?
Not over $1k, even if you like these..
My brother had the same car, only green as his first car; the previous owner had repainted it in the original colour… using a roller. Being 5 years his junior, I was amazed by the”three on the tree”. Nice find, good memories… thank you Scotty.
Plus: small light hot rod material, and not a bad entry price in todays market, Negative: These handle like S**t, same defective front end as the mustang and early Chev Novas. ( A few parts interchange) When you turn the wheel the wheels camber and go to a contact patch the size of a dime.
For East Coast,, good deal for you my friend,, West Coast,, Meh,, maybe talk him down a little. BUT a very marketable car as the hipsters LOVE the styling on these, even 4 doors and similar make and models.
I meant to add,,, to make these drivable with a serious amount of HP, you have to totally upgrade suspension, rear diff and especially the brakes. Some people make a kit with a
Mustang 11 Rack & pinion and many other options. I eventually sold my 63 Nova SS because of these issues and having to change my undies every time I drove it. Go like stink in a straight line but dont corner or stop so well. Once did a 360 in the middle of a freeway in a panic stop and that was the pretty much the end of my relationship with driving deatyhtraps with powerful motors. Do it right or leave it stock and drive it like Granny is at the wheel.
Dig that red interior. I had a 63 Biscayne with a bright red interior and it always seemed to trigger flashback psychedelics in my head. That being said, I had a buddy with one of these with the 3 on the tree with a real small V-8. Does a 260 V-8 sound familiar? With a decent exhaust, that car would fly decently while being on a budget or for those who could not afford the more expensive and powerful muscle cars.
Bought a 1961 off white with red interior – bucket seats and consul , nice interior. 6 cylinder, automatic. Bought it in 1966 for $650.00 at 1,670 miles from a neighbors brother. Good buy and a really practical car. My young wife wanted something bigger – traded it 2 years later.oh well.
Not enough pics. Not enough story. I’ll take it, but owner pays for hauling…since that would leave me ALL the work.