After the pain and humiliation of the Edsel debacle, Ford desperately needed a successful new model that demonstrated to the world that the company hadn’t lost its way. After the excesses that marked the Edsel, the Falcon, championed by Robert McNamara, swung in like a breath of fresh air. Regarded as the first compact car produced by the “Big Three,” it would achieve global sales success and serve as the basis for the legendary Mustang. Our feature car is a 1963 Falcon Futura Convertible that is an original survivor. It is far from perfect, but it seems that the buyer could fly in and drive this classic home. Located in Middletown, Delaware, you will find this rough diamond listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set a BIN of $11,500, although he may consider offers.
I’ve always found it fascinating that while Ford is often referred to as “the Blue-Oval,” one of its most iconic shades from the 1960s wasn’t blue, but Rangoon Red. That is what graces the panels of this Futura, and it is well past its best. It has many flaws and defects, but considering the type of vehicle we are viewing and its age, it still presents acceptably as a survivor. The car also features a White power top, and while we don’t see photos, the owner states that it is in good condition and operates perfectly. The panels have accumulated some dings and blemishes, but there’s nothing that would require immediate (or any) attention. That brings us to the subject of rust. Externally, the buyer could tackle some small areas in the lower front fenders with patches. The seller fitted new floors in 2014, and these still look good. They are a bit rough around the edges, but if they’ve survived eight years with no problems, that suggests that the owner performed the work pretty well. It also makes this Convertible structurally sound and a prime candidate for a restoration.
The McNamara mantra was one of simplicity and restraint, which is graphically demonstrated by this Falcon’s interior. Don’t search for power windows, power seats, air conditioning, or other automotive tinsel. Apart from the power top, buyers receive an AM radio and a heater. When you look beyond that, you are confronted with an interior that looks tired but serviceable. The upholstered surfaces show signs of wear and physical damage, while there are no carpets or mats on the floor. One of the attractions of these classics is that their “bare bones” nature means that trim kits tend to be pretty affordable. Complete upholstery and trim kits, including a new carpet set and kick panels, are easy to find for under $1,500. That represents a bargain in the classic world, and fitting one in a home workshop is one of the most satisfying tasks an owner can perform.
When you consider the modest mechanical specifications of this Convertible, it is incredible to think that this car served as the foundation for the legendary Mustang. Forget a V8 because what this buyer gets for their money is a 170ci six-cylinder engine bolted to a C4 automatic transmission. With 101hp at its disposal, this Falcon doesn’t race through the ¼ mile. It is more of a leisurely stroll that takes 20.7 seconds. If the buyer keeps their right foot welded to the floor, they will be rewarded with a speedometer needle that will nudge 88mph. None of that suggests that the Futura Convertible is a barrel of fun, but that lack of power and outright performance makes them surprisingly satisfying “driver’s” cars. It’s worth remembering that if you point it at a stretch of open road, this classic will cruise all day at 60mph without breaking a sweat. Combined with excellent fuel economy, that makes the ’63 Futura an excellent long-distance tourer. The owner indicates that he treated the transmission to a rebuild in 2017 and recently replaced every hose in the vehicle. He doesn’t use the car as a daily driver, but it is on the road two or three times every week. It runs and drives perfectly, so potential buyers could fly in and drive this baby home.
By all accounts, Robert McNamara was a person driven by efficiency who had little time for excess or a “Hollywood” approach in any area of business. He is not viewed in the best light by many people, but when you consider his personality, it is little wonder that he had no time for the Edsel but championed the “cheap and cheerful” Falcon. Due to their very nature, many of these cars saw out their useful life as basic family transport before undertaking their final journey to the scrapyard. This ’63 Futura Convertible is not perfect, but that is a large part of its attraction. There’s no doubt that it would represent an easy and affordable restoration project. However, if I found it parked in my workshop, I would leave it untouched and drive it with pride as an original survivor. What would be your approach?
I may be mostly a Buick/Olds/Pontiac guy, but I have always wanted one of these.
Buy it now has been reduced to 9995. In today’s market, I’d call that a pretty attractive deal.
Yes, and still can make a offer.
Dad had a 63 Falcon 4 door that we used as the family car. I believe it was a 170 inline 6. No PCV valve, a hose ran from the valve cover down by the oil pan. At idle, the engine would puff out “smoke rings” from that hose. Lol. Going to church on Sunday with eight people loaded in that small car was quite entertaining.
The only thing I despise more than the 170 six is the standard 144 six, which can nearly be outrun by a 40HP VW bus loaded with hippies.
Nice car..nit pick on the hubcaps if those were for the full size Ford cars or pickups? Maybe Edsel was ahead of it’s time with the horse collar grill…look at a 1st gen Subaru Tribeca. The current BMW grills look like a Hitler, Chaplin or Oliver Hardy stache.
My grandparents had this same model in a hard top and it was a good car all around. Came in an attractive light blue metallic.
I would love this car. I lost a ‘63 Comet convertible in a fire a couple years back. It had been upgraded to a 200 six (much stouter engine) and had a two speed automatic- just like this car has, unless it was swapped out. These cars were inexpensive to buy, and economical to operate. They were/are no rocket ships, nor were they designed to be. Fun car! Buy it, drive it, and upgrade as time and funds allow.
C4 is a 3speed🙂
Funny to see checkered flags flanking that big 170 number on the air cleaner. Definitely a local driver at 35 mph or less.
Randy, I question if you have ever driven a round body Falcon. My ’61 Falcon had the optional 170 CID engine and a 3.50 diff. I had no problem exceeding the then 55 mph speed limit. For the last 15 years my Falcon has had a 200 engine and a 3.00 diff ratio – quieter cruising at today’s freeway speeds. Before retiring, I had no problems keeping up with traffic in the far left freeway lane in perush hour morning traffic.
Aribert, I’m sure in all of my Dad’s records from the 60s I could produce a good many pieces of “evidence” issued by the State Highway Patrol and others where they took VERY careful of the speeds inexcess of the posted limit (the limits were 70 in those days, 75 in Western Kansas – yup, exceeded 75 a couple of times too). I could show some personal evidence, but I’m taking the fifth on that one.
I would offer, furthermore, that the little Falcon made a lot of trips to the top of Pikes Peak with Aunts, Uncles, parents, and very brave friends.
All of those trips were with the OEM 3 speed on the column.
I had a Futura 1963, 2 door Sedan one owner Had the Full Futura hubcaps, was a 170 Cu stock engine with a Duntoff 4 speed Factory,Made in England, A great fun car. Got rid of it when I got into a drag race with a Corvair turbo monza, . Pulled him off the start by a car length@ 1/2,He couldnt gain on me, Later put a 221 62 ford V8 in it with a 3 speed over drive@ 15 in rambler 4 bolt wheels on the rear an used a toggle switch making it a 6 speed, What a ride till I spun it out on the Express way on wet pavement, Great car !
That would have been the Dagenham transmission, from Ford’s UK plant in Dagenham.
I had a Futura 1963, 2 door Sedan one owner Had the Full Futura hubcaps, was a 170 Cu stock engine with a Duntoff 4 speed Factory,Made in England, A great fun car. Got rid of it when I got into a drag race with a Corvair turbo monza, . Pulled him off the start by a car length@ 1/2,He couldnt gain on me, Later put a 221 62 ford V8 in it with a 3 speed over drive@ 15 in rambler 4 bolt wheels on the rear an used a toggle switch making it a 6 speed, What a ride till I spun it out on the Express way on wet pavement, Great car ! Still have the trans, lost the front bearing in the trans was in a 60s full body ford car
I had been searching for a genuine ’63 1/2 Falcon Sprint with a V8 and 4 speed for some time, and finally found one in SoCal. It was a project but much of the expensive work had been done (freshly rebuilt motor, trans, clutch, dual exhaust, brakes, bushings, etc. The body was straight and rust free, and factory black with red interior. It had the Sprint dash tachometer, simulated wood steering wheel, buckets, and console. The price was a measly $5000 which I gladly paid. The best part? The seller said he had a “parts car” that went with it. As it turned out, this was another factory black rust free 4 speed Sprint, which I quickly sold off for more than I originally paid for both! The other is still in my collection-
I was charged with driving a 60 model from Montana to Oklahoma in the late 60s.3 on the tree and halfway through Wyoming, the shift lever broke, leaving about 3 or so very sharp inches to change gears. My right wrist still bears the scars.
Go for it.. Nice car..
yes its a 3speed automatic chevy power glide was a 2 speed fodomatic was a 3 speed in the 50s the 1st ones started in 2nd unless you put it to the floor or shifted to low than to drive
My neighbors car that I have seen at local shows. Solid driver I’d love to have to cart my mom around in.
My brother-in-law gave me one of these after he drove it 102k miles. I drove it through college and sold it to a neighbor. It had 143k on it when I sold it. My Dad bought it back with 187k on it and drove it till he sold it to another neighbor. That was in 1983. That neighbor put a four speed manual in it to replace the howling 3 speed. He also gave it a floor shift from a Mustang. That neighbor sold it to another neighbor. That was 1995. I have no idea of it’s current mileage but the neighbor’s grand daughter is now driving it to college. It’s had three paint jobs all white. It’s had new floors, a new right front fender, and a new windshield. When the neighbor’s daughter finishes with it I hope to buy it back. The car has nothing to recommend it except that it just keeps going.