No one who is being honest would call any 1963 Falcon “rare,” but this Futura “Sports Coupe” has an interesting enough backstory and a vague enough presentation that it’s hard not to be intrigued by it. The seller on craigslist in McCleary, Washington, includes a mere three pictures in the ad, but mentions that this car was bought to “pull behind an RV.” In 1963? Now I want to see a picture of the RV, which will never happen. Regardless, this uncommon midyear Futura “fastback” is in “really good condition” and is priced at $8,500; thanks for Curvette for bringing it to our attention.
If you look at an early-1963 Falcon brochure, you won’t find the “racy new roofline” of the hardtop models; it was a midyear introduction coinciding with the introduction of the 260-powered Falcon Sprint. Upon its introduction, the upscale Futura models, which featured special interior trim and wire wheel covers, were offered in two versions: the Sports Coupe with its bucket seats and the Hardtop with a bench.
The Sports Coupe more-or-less emulated the Sprint interior with its buckets and consolette. Notice under “Popular Options and Accessories” that you could order a “170 Special Six” and “4-Speed Manual Transmission,” and that’s what the original owner of our featured car did.
And here’s the proof, with that four-speed shifter and console “bump” out there for all to see. The transmission was a Dagenham four-speed, so named because it was built at Ford of England’s Dagenham factory for use in cars such as the Ford Zephyr. (Here is a link to an exploded diagram of a Dagenham transmission courtesy of econolines.org.) Parts availability is a bit tricky these days as you might expect, and it has a reputation for not being quite up to the task of transmitting the power in a “Yank Tank.” On the other hand, some online forum commenters mention that they were perfectly acceptable as long as you didn’t abuse them too much.
Although the car is advertised as being in “really good condition,” as I mentioned, the “interior needs work.” The upholstery seems to be available, but it won’t be cheap, even if you can do the work yourself.
It is difficult to think that someone could abuse a transmission with a 101-horsepower 170, even if it was the top engine option in the Falcon for half the 1963 model year. If this car was purchased for towing, the manual transmission makes sense, but why the four-speed? Why not, I guess.
Apologies for the digression: Do you think the seller of this Falcon is making room for another Studebaker? It’s straddled by two white examples of those compacts from South Bend (or Hamilton, Ontario).
OK, so this is a neat Falcon with a curious history and an uncommon transmission. It’s also one of the most uncommon Falcons of 1963; out of 265,518 total sales, only 10,972 were Futura Sports Coupes. This one is obviously missing its wire wheel covers, and the coves have been painted a completely clashing (with the interior) shade of maroon/burgundy, but if you’re a fan of Ford’s famous compact, this example has to raise an eyebrow or two, and the price doesn’t seem unreasonable. Perhaps you could tow it behind your RV.
This Falcon has a lot going for it. If there is no rust especially. I’m going to have to say that a 2 door hardtop Futura with a 4 speed and “Consolette” ( neat term by the way) is not your typical Falcon. I was going to comment on the body lines on Falcons, and I think someone was trying to highlight that, but probably a different color to go with the interior might have been a better choice.. That being said it would be nice to see this one kept stock and an original set of wire wheel covers and period correct white wall tires too. I’ve always liked the styling of the early Falcons and how they tied in with the full sized Fords. Curvette, once again great find, thank you for the write up of this “rare” Falcon too Aaron!! I enjoyed it. .
Thank you! I like the “consolette” because it really looks like a mini-version of the console on a ’63 Thunderbird, which was certainly intentional.
I had to go back and check the consolette since I have a pitiful 62 Thunderbird Sports Roadster parked under cover in the back corner of the drive. Yes, it is definitely very similar. My friend has the Thunderbird here as the top won’t go up and it has rust, maybe less of an issue? I was out today trying to blow the leaves out from under it as we expect snow and rain tomorrow. It sits so low I had to use a rake to get them out. Pitiful.
I have always liked the styling on these early Falcons, and this would make an excellent project. I’d probably go with a period correct dark blue for paint. My dilemma would be what to do under the hood. While very dependable, the 6 was also very slow, though the manual transmission would help. I’d be tempted to go with a 260 or 289V8. Nice start either way.
Unfortunately, a meager ad on what is a fairly interesting Falcon. I agree that it would look better without the two-tone paint, or at least if it matched the interior. Fix the upholstery please. Replace those cheap generic parts store plastic wheel covers with the cool wire wheel covers or the unique wheel covers which had the red, white, and blue accents, with whitewalls. And give it whatever mechanical work it needs. One would end up with a fun and frugal cruiser.
Thanks Aaron.
Those red,white and blue inserts with Ford emblem wire hupcaps are what I have on my 66′ Mustang. Available over counter at Ford dealerships from 62′-68′ for Falcons , Fairlanes,Galaxies and Comets etc.I just saw a set on FB for $ 50.00
Too bad that they didn’t use colored tape for the side coves.
Please remove that brown from the sides, bring it back to solid white, and where did those wheel covers come from, a late 80s Tempo? This car deserves a lot more, though I’d greatly prefer the 260 Sprint.
Are either of the Studebakers for sale?
Saw the o’Falcon is in great company of two Studebakers as well….
nice, even if the interior needs some work
A manual transmission lends itself to easy towing.
Pop it into neutral and the drive train is completely disengaged.
Not so with an automatic.
Plenty of RVs around in ‘63 capable of towing this little gem.
Back in the day my friends Mom had a falcon like this one and it was quite snappy for what it had ,nice car!