- Seller: Hernan S
- Location: Northbrook, Illinois
- Mileage: 82,955 Shown
- Chassis #: 3H15F215090
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: V8 5.0L 302
- Transmission: Automatic
Some classics are better candidates for a Restomod build than others, and the ready availability of parts made this 1963 Ford Falcon Futura Sprint Convertible an obvious choice. The owner retained the car’s inherent 1960s charm, hiding a more modern, user-friendly, and safer drivetrain than the car featured when it rolled off the line. It is a turnkey proposition that runs and drives well, but addressing its few minor faults could allow someone to personalize this gem. The current owner feels it deserves a new home, listing the Sprint exclusively with us at Barn Finds.
Ford enjoyed a successful year in 1963 with its compact Falcon range. However, the Sprint Convertible is the rarest of the breed. Only 4,602 buyers took one of these classics home, and this is one of those cars. Choosing the most appropriate candidate is sometimes challenging if someone plans to build a project. This Convertible stood out to the owner because it is a dry-climate vehicle. It has never seen snow or other conditions that might cause concern. Therefore, rust is not an issue, with this Sprint as solid as the day it left the factory. A previous owner treated it to a repaint in Corinthian White, and while it is presentable, the owner admits the work quality is lacking. Therefore, a repeat performance might be on the agenda to lift the car’s appearance to a higher level. A minor dent in the driver’s door requires attention, and the new owner will spend around $150 to replace the cracked windshield. The Black power top operates as it should, and, like the rest of the exterior, it is presentable for a driver-grade car. The holes developing on the lower extremities on either side will undoubtedly motivate the buyer to source a replacement which is readily available and inexpensive. The trim is in good order for a vehicle of this vintage, and the aftermarket alloy wheels provide the first hint that there could be more to this Ford than meets the eye.
Ford introduced a V8 to the Falcon range in its 1963½ Sprint variants. These formed part of the blueprint for the upcoming Mustang range, with the 260ci powerplant producing 164hp and 258 ft/lbs of torque. That V8 provided above-average performance, but many motoring journalists and owners agreed that the Sprint didn’t handle or stop as effectively as they would have liked. The owner tackled this Restomod build as a total package, with every mechanical aspect upgraded to provide an enjoyable and safe motoring experience. The original 260 has gone the way of the dodo, with the engine bay housing a 5.0-liter fuel-injected V8 from a 1990s Fox-Body Mustang. It should deliver around 225hp and 300 ft/lbs of torque, giving the Sprint performance potential beyond its creator’s wildest dreams. Shifting duties fall to a four-speed AOD automatic transmission, which feeds the power to a bulletproof 9″ rear end. It would have been easy to close the books there, but the owner added a Mustang II front end with power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering. The brake upgrade was another sensible move, with the original drums making way for power front discs. A larger and more efficient radiator controls engine temperature, while a transmission cooler does the same for the AOD. The package retains the car’s charm, but with improved manners and safety, it could act as a practical daily driver. The owner recently installed a new starter, with the 5.0-liter leaping into life at the first turn of the key. He describes it as amusing to drive, meaning the buyer may struggle to hit the road without a mile-wide smile on their face.
One challenge many classic Convertible owners face is hiding an interior that hasn’t aged well. That isn’t an issue with the Ford, because its dazzling Red vinyl trim and painted surfaces are excellent. There is no evidence of significant wear or deterioration, with the bucket seats and console providing a luxurious feel. The owner heightened its appeal by installing a tilt wheel, allowing the driver to tailor the seating position for maximum comfort. The dash houses a retro-style stereo, and the owner includes a modern dash upgrade kit. However, with the original gauge cluster working properly, many potential buyers may decide to leave that aspect of the interior untouched.
This 1963 Falcon Futura Sprint Convertible is a well-executed Restomod where the difficult and expensive work is complete. There is still enough fine weather remaining for the buyer to achieve immediate classic motoring gratification, tackling its minor shortcomings as a rewarding winter project. That approach should ensure it is at its best when it rolls out of their garage next summer. It could also function as an eye-catching and practical daily driver, and with so many possibilities available, it deserves a closer look.
I’m not sure I’d refer to the drivetrain as “safer” with such a huge gap between the accelerator and brake pedals. Instead of rotating your foot to hit the brake, you have to completely reposition it, unless you have feet like Sideshow Bob.
Not only that, but the pedal is narrow – from a manual trans car.
I like a brake pedal on automatic cars that will fit 2 feet in an emergency!
On some new vehicles, the brake pedal is too(but not as) narrow too & it & the accel pedal are sometimes too CLOSE together & i often step on the brake & accel pedal at the same time with my right foot on my ’91 mits.
I wonder how many incidents slamming into a building or even people is caused by these dumbly placed pedals today.
If you need 2 feet on your brake pedal,YOU NEED NEW BRAKES!!!!!!!
Guys, i’m talking about old cars with manual 4 wheel drum brakes or even manual front disc brakes – especially going down a steep mountain – lol. There’s a REASON why old cars with automatic of course have such wide brake pedals – power assist was not standard on most of them back then.
& i do not drive with 2 feet – tho back in the day my left foot would try to assist braking, like in the above example.
That’s for the person that drives with both feet! Have to agree that all that was modified, could have done better there. Might have done better to use an aftermarket fuel injection unit rather than than that obsolete Ford FI, just my opinion though.
Actually I do have feet like Sideshow Bob…lol. Driving this would be like my ’76 Plymouth with manual stoppers. You had to lift your foot off the floor and apply the brake pedal. Made you think about your next move.
“Ford introduced a V8 to the Falcon range in its 1963½ Sprint variants.”
Actually, beginning in ’63 1/2 the V8 was an option on all Falcons — it wasn’t exclusive to Sprints. The Sprint just bundled a bunch of options like the V8 and bucket-seat interior into one model. The V8 in the Sprint had a chrome dress-up kit you didn’t get in the others but the engine was the same 164hp 260 offered in every other Falcon.
Where’s the dashtop tach on this car that was standard on Sprints? Too bad the original steering wheel is gone — it was just like the early Mustang wheel (except for the “Sprint” hub emblem, of course).
Yep……and hardtop only I’m sure…..
My buddies was a rag top sprint.
Well, call me weird,,,,,,nothing? Well, anyway, I’m actually a bit disappointed, as I feel, while swapping a non-like make motor is bad enough, dropping a motor, even if from the same camp, in a car that was groundbreaking with what it came with, is almost as bad. Don’t get me wrong, it’s an awesome swap, looks very well done, but for todays use, this car could just as easily have a 6, which boasted high 20s for mileage, for those top down rides to the Dairy Queen, IDK, does everything have to be this ultimate scorcher, that’s all for show anyway? At least it has an automatic, and somebody did a lot of quality work here to get this to this point. With all the variations the Falcon went through, pretty amazing, it all started with these.
All this car needs, in my opinion, is a third pedal and an original style lock-out T- shifter.
This restoration is ALMOST complete…. seems the builder got distracted setting up the pedals and forgot one….. just need to finish off that interior with the missing 3rd pedal. I mean, that tiny manual brake pedal just hanging out there in the breeze is just begging for a partner. It’s like they knew it should’a been a stick…. Why anyone would go through such excellent hard work and desecrate it with a slushbox at the finish line is beyond me. I’m sure the next buyer will correct this tragic oversight. Easy fix!
I like alot of what the owner did in upgrades, especially a Mustang 11 front and brakes. But I’d much rather have the original 260 and manual transmission. Swapping out the manual brake pedal for an automatic assembly is probably something seller didn’t want to tackle doing. I’ve got a real soft spot for Falcon Sprints and this is first one I’ve seen with a fuel injected engine swap,but I prefer the smell of carbureted gas.
When I was a kid my buddy across the street from me had one just like this except white on blue with blue interior. That 260 with the 4 speed was a blast and was fun as hell cruising central with the top down. The 260 finally gave up the ghost so we swapped it for a 289. Sorry to say he ran it into the ground, would love to have that car today.
Maybe a Sprint badge Falcon convert. There would be a Sprint emblem on the right rear trunk panel. Plus the tach mount on the dash (could be missing?). Over all very nice upgrade done well. Keep as is, and enjoy. Too much $$ to go back to stock…..
That is a 5.0 but I’m not sure that’s an HO Mustang 5.0. We had a 1989 Crown Victoria that had a standard 5.0 engine with no HO markings on the upper.
It would be nice to know what year Mustang he got the donor engine and wiring harness from. As said, I’m partial to the 260 that it came with in 1963. All electrical was swapped as well with the efi harness. Definitely more than I would have done.
Could we see a few pictures from under the car please
I think it is awesome. I have always driven an automatic with both feet, just makes sense.
How does one connect with the seller here? I don’t see any responses from him.
I would like more details on the motor specifications, the 9” rear installation and the front end conversion.
Thanks