Ford got on the compact car bandwagon in 1960 with the Falcon and it was so successful that the platform spawned other cars, including the Mercury Comet, Ford Mustang and Ford Maverick. By 1963, the car was hitting its stride and begin branching out, getting a convertible, hardtop and a V8 engine. This ’63 Falcon is a station wagon and – from the looks of it — was probably basic transport (not a Deluxe or Futura). But this one has a 302 engine from a later model Ford. Located in El Monte, California, the Ford is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $5,700.
Most of the noise around the Falcon in 1963 was with the sporty Sprint or Futura models. But Ford assembled and sold quite a few basic Falcons, especially station wagons in 2 and 4-door versions. The seller’s grocery getter has the maximum number of door openings that accounted for about 18,500 units that year. The standard Falcon was not glamorous, but very functional for growing families that might have needed a second set of wheels.
The seller’s ’63 wagon has a 302 V8 under the hood, an engine that Ford would begin building later in the 1960s. The Falcon got its first 260 V8 in 1963, but they were reserved for the new Falcon Sprints. This wagon likely started life with an inline-six and a swap was made later for more power. The giveaway can be traced to the number of lug nuts. Wheels with a 4-lug pattern meant a six, a 5-lug pattern meant a V8. This seller’s wagon has wheel covers, so we can’t check that.
We’re told this wagon has been in storage for the past nine years, with no attempts to start it during the interim (it was running when it was parked). It appears to have been covered in a crowded garage, which has helped preserve what we can see of the body and paint. No rust or crinkles or peeling is apparent in the limited photos.
The 302 is supported by a C4 automatic transmission that needs to be finished (we’re guessing it’s not in the car. At a minimum, the little Ford is going to need brake and electrical work and the carburetor cleaned out from sitting. We’re also told it needs an interior, but none of the photos zero in on that. By Hagerty’s estimates, one of these Falcons is worth $4,000 in Fair condition and the scale goes up to $21,000 for perfection. With a little work, maybe this one could net out somewhere in the middle.
Not your usual Falcon trivia: Andy Warhol rode in one of these (same color) from NYC to L.A. California with a couple of his friends/studio assistants in ’63 or ‘ 64 to attend an art opening and party to celebrate his early work–hosted by Dennis Hopper. The three men were supposed to take turns driving and sleeping in the back. Andy had other ideas and never left the makeshift sleeping quarters. It pays to be the boss!
Members of Kenny Rogers’ band The First Edition and folk band New Christy Minstrels also crossed the country from Oklahoma to Greenwich Village in NYC sometime around that time as well. In a white Falcon no less!
This thing will be a blast to drive when
finished. All I can think of is boy, what a
screamer! The 302 became the engine
of choice for Falcon builders after Peterson publications featured one in
their annual Big Ford Book in the fall of
’73. Before that, if you wanted to go fast, you scrounged the wrecking yards
for 271 HP HiPo 289. Can you say
dynamite daily driver? I can. It’s great!
What’s the price on the wagon and where is it located
$5,700, El Monte. CA.
My grandfather had a close relative in a 64 Fair lane wagon with the 260, he loved that girl, but my Ahole stepdad borrowed it and blew the engine moving us to Vermont
Sure would be nice to have more than six pics. What we can see doesn’t look bad. But for example it says “needs interior” but no pic to provide any detail. Perhaps with not too much effort (read: money) it could become a nice, simple Cars & Coffee entrant.
It’d go fast
Not all 260 powered Falcons had 5 lug wheels. A friend had a bare bones, 64 Falcon 2 door factory equipped with a 260/4 speed/4 lug wheels.
Nice little Falcon wavon and yeah wud be nice to find oit how many lugs and what more is needed to get trans installed. For this price it will get gone quickly
Auto makers should study this vehicle and bring one back. Same size ,simple design economical six cylinder fuel injected engine,disc brakes and optionl all wheel drive system and you would have a SELLOUT WINNER>
Can’t. Today’s cars need to meet such strict emissions and fuel mileage requirements.that they can’t be made simple. Everything is tightly electronically controlled. You can’t even wrench on today’s cars.
I said the same thing George….but was quickly dismissed by many. Todays market is driven by “stuff” all electronic stuff. While we dont need the super duper mando vehicle the rest of the world demands. Ive always said why is it so hard to produce an electric car…they had them in the 1890s early 1900s many cars of that time frame in NYC were electric. Then all the power requirements come into play for todays vehicles. Huge power, 155 amp alternators plus, most have 7 computers on board…monster power.
So much power in my view that even a slight irregularity in the system they burn.
So we end up with Hyundai, or the like.
This is the reason why barn finds is so important, we find and build our own. We make it the way we want it. Exactly as you said.
NO ALL IS ON FACEBOOK, would be interested in buying it, but no way to find owner….
Looks nice from available pics. What a neat car. Would love to have a one preferably a non wagon just to drive and enjoy. It’s amazing what’s under all the car covers, love BARN FINDS.
this vehicle, the VeeDub fighter introduced the econo box, SUV and muscle eras. It beat the Bug as it hada bigger/better motor, roll up/dwn windows, more room, etc etc. It evolved into the bronco (my ’77 bronk is justa 4 WD falcon) and stang (muscle). Wish 10, 12 yr later we came up w/something abt the Japanese invasion, we R still playin catsup.
I am wid da others above – right sz, oem motor, etc (even color in my book). Luv ta C the 1st ThriftPower (a 144/2.36) turboed. I only need 1 seat so the wagon or this gen chero is perfect~
You’re comparing apples to oranges. A closer VW Bug competitor was the air-cooled, rear-engined Corvair. And that car was way superior to the bug.
Quote: “The Falcon got its first 260 V8 in 1963, but they were reserved for the new Falcon Sprints. This wagon likely started life with an inline-six and a swap was made later for more power.”
Incorrect on both counts. The 260 V8 was offered beginning in midyear 1963 (1963 1/2) as an option across the entire Falcon line, not just Sprints. And you can see the “260 V8” badge on the front fender of this wagon so it likely did not start life with an inline six.
Also has gunsights on the front fenders, high trim option. If anything, this car has had trim removed over the years
Just looked at the pics again, this is a high optioned wagon – stainless trim around all the door frames, factory power steering, full wheel covers not just hubcaps. Also note: hood springs not a prop rod, only available on V-8 cars. Battery mounted on passenger side: V-8 only. 6-cyl batt is on driver’s side.
This is a factory v-8 car with factory power steering. Rare for a wagon
Wiki “The only time a V8 option was available in a first-generation Falcon was the 1963½ model, and these cars were produced in very limited numbers (Sprint two-door hardtop (bucket seats) 10,479 produced and Sprint convertible (bucket seats) 4,602 produced).”
i love this wagon too.
One of a kind rare. If someone values the uniqueness then they should not blink and make a move. Definitely worth restoring. Transmission work interior work blah blah blah is all academic. I have an 86 Eagle wagon that I restored and it’s worth it because it’s one of a kind and so it is with this Ford falcon wagon. Hopefully somebody will rescue restore and enjoy.
In 1963 1/2 the 260 V8 came out. In 1964 the 260 was in the Sprint But it could be ordered in the Falcon Futura. In 1965 the 260 was in the first half and then the 289 was installed. When I was 17 I bought a 1964 Ford Falcon Futura with a 260 V8 4 speed for $150. You can see mine on my face book cover photo.
Love it also, but no way to contact the person who has it to buy it…..BRAGbook not everyone has it.
Quit complaining about facebook and create a bogus account linked to a bogus email and go see the car and others , you dont have to post or read anything , simply log to marketplace and enjoy …