Ford joined Chevrolet and others in the “new” compact car market in 1960. Their product was thoroughly routine in its engineering (in contrast to the air-cooled Chevy Corvair). In the beginning, the Falcon was a pure econobox, but the Futura model was added in 1962 to give it some sporty attributes like bucket seats. This first year, Futura appears to have been in hibernation thanks to a stuck engine. You can find it on the back of a trailer in Pueblo, Colorado, and it’s available here on craigslist for $3,500. Thanks, “Zappenduster,” for another vintage tip.
Ford continued its domination of the compact segment in 1962, outselling both of Chevrolet’s players (the Chevy II also debuted in ’62). Dearborn sold 381,500 Falcons that year, of which 17,000 were Futura 2-door sedans (the only body style offered). While sportier in terms of trim, the Futura was still a sedan and only came with six-cylinder power (a V8 didn’t arrive until mid-1963). The seller says this car has a 4-banger, but no such engine was ever part of the Falcon equipment list.
Zero history is provided on this Ford, and it was likely acquired by a flipper since he/she hasn’t attempted to release the car from its trailer. The body and paint look decent, and there is no mention of rust in/on the unibody. The interior will require reupholstering of the bucket seats (at a minimum, along with new carpeting). We’re told the paint color is “custom,” but it looks like standard Ford to me.
The seller didn’t pop the hood for any photos, but a 170 cubic-inch I-6 is probably there. It’s frozen, which opens the door for a larger, more potent powerplant should you decide not to restore the car to original specs. An automatic transmission is said to be on board, probably a 2-speed (like Chevy’s Powerglide). If you’re relatively local, the seller can provide delivery. Is the Falcon Futura an auto you’d restore?
I’m not spotting the color of this car on the ’62 Falcon chart, unless it’s Sandshell Beige.
https://www.hdpaintcode.com/1960-1969-ford-paint-codes/
Seeing this Falcon with bucket seats and a console prompted this thought:
The history of the Mustang includes Lee Iacocca’s “read” of the state of the country in the early 60’s: solid economy, young president, positive mood, two-income families, lots of baby boom kids. And how that might translate into the desire for a second car, specifically one which would not be expensive and would be economical, yet would be sporty and attractive to match the mood of the day. And how Ford could fill this emerging marketplace by simply re-bodying the completely conventional Falcon.
So how do the bucket seats fit into this thought? At the time of the Futura, Ford would have been working on the Mustang. Perhaps a basic Falcon with nicer trim and interior served as a dry run of sorts for what was to come. I don’t have the data but my sense is that they sold well.
The seats and console are desirable parts for Falcon people. I have a 62 with a 200 and a 4 speed.
This looks to be a pretty straight and solid looking car, which is pretty rare as most people back then, when purchasing a Falcon, were budget minded. Locate a strong 289 and 4 speed setup, interior, paint…etc and you will have a slick little rocket without breaking the bank.
As most know, I’m not a fan of small cars. To be blunt, This FALCON IMO is a complete basket case with no FUTURA in sight. GLWTS. You’ll need it.
But Rick you could keep this car in the trunk of one of your luxo boats as a spare in case of a breakdown! Actually, this cars body looks straight and solid, I don’t even see surface rust. You could probably get away with just buffing it out. Drop a 5.0 in it and a four or five speed and you’re ready to rock once the buckets get reupholstered. Looking at the back seat and door cards I’m surprised how up level this looks compared to the base model. Dad bought a 1960 Falcon new, out first car. And it was a strip out except for the automatic. He couldn’t drive a stick. Not showing the dash makes me hesitate.
But Rick you could keep this car in the trunk of one of your luxo boats as a spare in case of a breakdown! Actually, this cars body looks straight and solid, I don’t even see surface rust. You could probably get away with just buffing it out. Drop a 5.0 in it and a four or five speed and you’re ready to rock once the buckets get reupholstered. Looking at the back seat and door cards I’m surprised how up level this looks compared to the base model. Dad bought a 1960 Falcon new, our first car. And it was a strip out except for the automatic. He couldn’t drive a stick. Not showing the dash makes me hesitate.
To paraphrase Joan Crawford (Of course I know ALL about her) *Don’t FOX with me,fella! This Ain’t my first time at the Rodeo * I really admire FOX platform, having owned many. BUT to the point, I wouldn’t allow that falcon to contaminate any LAND YACHT. I’m with your Dad. I NEVER wanted a stick. But it’s nice to be recognized 😌. Maybe Angel would consider it? 😃 😀 😄 😁 🤣 😂
Cool little Falcon. My wife’s first car was this car in red.
5.0/ 5 speed or whatever, would be a worthwhile, but fairly daunting project. Engine, transmission, pedal set. Steering column update or replacement, hubs, brakes, driveshaft, differential, radiator… you get the idea.
200 six and a C4 would be a nice upgrade, and a lot cheaper and easier.
Not a hard top?
Had a friend in high school had a 62 Fairlane sport coupe with bucket seats and the same console. 260 automatic
The pricing is very much on the high side, because; everything has to be gone through.
One is going to put more into it, than one could sell it for once complete.
In my area cars/projects like that will sell at auction for 500 to 1100 max.
I am only about 200 miles south of this place.
I think this car has potential at the right price. I agree, $3,500 is too high, but it does appear to have all the body chrome trim, and bumpers are available. An early Mustang aftermarket interior should drop in. That leaves the driveline and brakes. A strong 289 or 302 with a 4-speed, a disc brake conversion and a 5-lug axle conversion, with an 8-inch rear end and you would have a nice little cruiser. It would get around pretty well and surprise a lot of people. Probably wouldn’t cost over $15,000 total, and for 15k you can’t even buy the body numbers plate off a clapped out rusty 69 Charger.
Finally someone with a logical approach and more open mind to this project! I left out the 5 lug conversion, but this would be a sweet little ride that also has some rarities about it. I would reupholster the original seats and convert that console for the 4 speed shifter, shouldn’t take much. It would be nice to see more pics of the dash, but an overall nice solid foundation for a build.
Well guys.
The era of the ugly Mustang as an organ donor has passed.
The Hot Rodders I know of have already harvested everyone in the region and put all that running gear under something else.
I have only seen 1 in the last 5 years; it was an 85ish, in new condition and the guy was cruising 66 in ABQ, wearing Ill plates heading home.
If you want more recent parts? It seems every other kid has 2020 and up, they wreak them out rather quickly.
As I see; this Falcon was at the high end of cheap transportation.
If the buyer doesn’t want the 6? I’ll take it!
I build Not Rods.
Late to the party. FWIW the C-pillar on the facon is more appealing than the standard fare on the Fairlane.
A guy down the road from me built a ’63 Falcon for his daughter, when she turned 16. 302, FI, 4 speed, and a nice Grey metallic paint job. She had the coolest car in the HS lot.
These early first gen Falcons were very light (2300 lbs) so the injection of a big motor will make something that will really fly. The problem with them is that the reason they were so light is that they were pretty poor structurally. They had very low torsional rigidity, as that wasn’t really a design criteria back then. The later years with the V8 got torque boxes in the toe panel area and thicker rocker panels and that made the car much stiffer and those changes were carried over to the Mustang. Early cars like this with a V8 tend to twist like a pretzel when you use big power in a lower gear. It’s nothing that can’t be fixed as those parts are available but putting in a 5.0 in there and doing it right means more than just an engine tranny and rear end swap. That said, if you’re looking for a good set of bones to start that process this is probably as good as you will find. Falcons are actually pretty low priced compared to other more desirable cars from the early 60’s and I think they have a lot of potential, while $3500 may be a bit high, if it doesn’t have much or any rust then it’s not that overpriced. Since you’re going to change the motor, tranny and rear end the fact that it’s stuck makes no difference anyway.