The Falcon Sprint was something of a dry run for the Ford Mustang. It came with a V8 engine and bucket seats like the Mustang, though it was a bit less stylish. And sold in far smaller numbers. The seller has a sweet 1963 ½ Sprint (they were all called mid-year models but were titled as ‘63s) that’s either in super nice original condition or an older restoration. Located in Denver, Colorado, this black and red drop-top is available here on craigslist for $22,000 (less than a Mustang?). Kudos for the tip, Mike F.!
Under the hood of a ’63 Sprint was a 260 cubic inch V8, the same motor offered a year later in the new Mustang. This one has an automatic transmission, which we assume is a 2-speed due to the selections for the shift lever. The hardtop coupes were more popular, so the 4,602 convertibles built in 1963 were rare then and even more so today, regardless of condition. The seller’s car has 87,000 miles with no mention of any mechanical work needed to keep it running well.
If your budget is limited, we’re guessing a Falcon Sprint will set you back less than a comparable Mustang, even though the latter saw exploding demand and production. The unibody is sound on this Ford, and the black paint looks really good until you start looking for the minor imperfections that you will surely find. Fortunately, the little car has never been in an accident, per the seller.
The red interior looks quite tidy, and the color contrasts well with the black exterior. The car sports rear fender skirts which are a take it or leave it thing based on your preferences. The convertible top comes with powered controls. The little Ford even has power steering, something that most of the six-cylinder Falcons didn’t get ordered with. If you want to do some cruising to tunes, a CD player is hidden in the glove box, as are the speakers. The seller has provided a video of the car in action for your perusal.
I like Falcon Sprints. The coupe appeals to me more than the drop-top, but that’s just personal preference, based in large part on seeing one race in California sports-car races.
They were almost Q-ships, especially if the owner ditched the “Sprint” and “V8” badges, as I remember seeing a few do. Performance parts were available for the 260 and, later, beefier aftermarket suspension parts for the Mustang could be bolted on, too. It didn’t take a lot of time or effort to makes these surprisingly quick.
I’d want the four-speed, of course, and would have to resist the urge to bolt on a set of Torq-thrusts, which to me jazz up the appearance considerably.
Sweet little car, I would drive this every day if I had it. I’d bet you can’t hear the stereo cruising down the road though if the stereo and what would have to be tiny speakers stuffed in the glovebox.
Different front & rear plates – for conflicting eye witness reports?