With the Falcon in 1960, Ford joined the movement to add a compact car to their lineup. Studebaker and AMC had already gotten there, with GM and Chrysler right behind. The Falcon would prove quite successful and was a mainstay into 1970. The second generation of the car was revealed in 1964 and had a more squared-off look in its styling. For ’65, the cars were little changed, like this station wagon which has an unusual feature under the hood: a GM V6 engine and automatic transmission! Located in El Paso Texas, this nice-looking wagon is offered here on eBay as a project and a lot of heavy lifting may have already been done. There is no reserve and the bidding has reached $4,950.
One of the downfalls for Ford from the popularity of the ‘65 Ford Mustang was that it took a lot of attention away from the Falcon on which it was based. I doubt that was intended (but maybe anticipated), but the 1964-65 Falcons sold in fewer numbers than their 1960-63 counterparts. Even the wagons felt the shift in demand although no wagon variant of the Mustang was on the market. From 1964 to 1965, Falcon wagon production fell by one-quarter.
When this Falcon wagon was built, it may have left the factory with a 289 cubic inch V8. The rear wheels (at least) have five lug nuts while the inline-6 would have had four. For whatever reason, the original engine and transmission are gone, replaced by a 4.3-liter motor the seller says is a V6, but could it be a 262 cubic inch V8 that Chevrolet built in 1975-76? Either way, the substitute tranny is said to be a TH-350 Turbo-Hydramatic.
Why would you replace a Ford engine with one from the company’s rival? Ready availability, perhaps? Or was this perceived to be a better choice than the Ford 289 which saw so much use in the 1960s? At any rate, the seller says the car runs and drives but does not include an adjective as to how well it does these things. While the body and paint look good overall, we’re told there is a bit of rust in one of the floor pans and the interior will need new upholstery (no current photo included). The tires are either new or good (the seller uses both terms) and with some TLC perhaps this hybrid Ford/GM could be an interesting and relatively inexpensive car to take to local shows.
The car looks good…just lose that GM mtr.and trans.
And any other gm running gear.
to Coyote motor and Tremec 5 speed
Who does this? I wouldn’t reward these dummies with a nickel.
Engine must have been FREE.
V6 is crap, but at least it has a 350th to make the conversion to either an LS or SBC that much easier.
This is one of my all time favorite bodies, but the Ford drivetrains have always been a deterrent.
There is a reason you see millions of Ford to Chevy swaps out there, but the reverse is like finding a needle in a haystack.
There are a lot of cheapskates out there, that put Chevy engines into Fords, because they like to see those oil spots on their driveways.
4,950 is for the solid body the junk under the hood is what is repressing the price.
Only 3 bolts(which are curiously missing) hold down the”chrome” valve covers so definitely 6 cylinder. If it runs, why aren’t there any bolts holding down the valve covers? Love this body style. Had a 64 sprint. 260 v8 3 speed. Really nice looking and although I’ve had good luck with the 4.3 v6, it certainly doesn’t belong in there. If the price doesn’t skyrocket I may be a player.
That style valve cover with the bolts thru the top is vortec is it not? Agree it’s 6cyl.
I would pull the engine and trans and put a straight-6 with automatic and it would be a great vehicle.
I had a 65 falcon station wagon in the mid 70’s. 302 and a 3 speed manual transmission. It was a great car, but no air conditioning, so when I was offered a 67 Malibu 2 door with factory air, 283, power glide I swapped.
I bought the running, driving, stopping Falcon for $500.
Of course everybody knows that the Falcon was the platform for the Mustang. I had a 65 Mustang, too and the handling of both cars was really similar, but the Falcon had more room, and, possibly, more personality.
This has to be a first. GM V6 in a nice Ford. Why? The only thing I can think of that they had this V6 and automatic laying around. And maybe this car came without a dry train or it was shot. But seriously a nice 289 with c4 been find in this. Not a plain Jane 289 the 289 with the 271 horsepower or 300. Dual exhaust. Nice wagon to go to Lowes for plants.😄
Some times there’s know need to comment.
Like the popular bumper sticker says, “Built Ford Tough With Chevy Stuff”! There’s a reason that you see so many old Fords with Chevy drivetrains, but hardly ever see an old Chevy with anything but Chevy hardware under the hood.
Some times there’s NO need to comment.
But they do it anyway!
No… just, no.
I’ve always liked the square Falcons. Maybe I’ll get it, pull the GM stuff and install an old rebuilt Packard V8 I’ve got sitting here along with a rebuilt powerflite tranny. I’d be the only one at the car show with that combination!
320, 352, or 374? Any one would likely weigh more than the whole Falcon!
320 out of a Super Panama. Bought car, rebuilt motor, then decided the body was too far gone. Did the same thing with a 23rd series Standard, got a 288 straight 8 apart. bought it only to find out that cranks are different between standard and Ultramatics, so just rebuilt the old one. Powerflite is out of a 54 Desoto Coronado that I’ll get around to finishing some day.
I weighed the straight 8 with the manual tranny on it, 754 lbs!
A square Falcon with a V6GM engine and transmission would probably be the only one at the car show, too.
But the Packard V8 would keep everyone guessing, and that’s for sure.
the falcon came out in response to the ve dub Bug decimating the usa auto industry late 50s early 60s. It faired better (more room, power, amenities, price) than the next response from the other coast’s (the Japanese, our pinto) 10 yrs later. In fact it’s influence can still be felt (spawned the stang – only bent8 ina bird wuz limited to ’63 and a half, Iaccoa’s mule pre-‘stang) as it developed the 4WD falcon (a bronco is justa 4WD falcon/stang) or today’s SUV addiction. So – a look at this humble rig (during a moment of silence) can pay homage to both the muscle cars and suvs of then and now. Industry changing by fact~
Me? I’d drop in my spare 200 and daily this sumagun. Perfect size & model for my needs. Might find an AOD and flip down the back seat (remove?) for a protective ‘plywood box’ hi enuff on driver’s side to protect the windows, low enuff on pass’s side for traffic view (intersections)…
Add this?
https://www.vintageinlines.com/product-page/deposit-only-aluminum-head-package
A few months ago I traded a 67 short bed step side pickup I took apart in the 90’s and just haven’t had the inner drive to put back together for a 64 Nova wagon THAT RUNS!! It’s not the original motor but it’s still a straight 6 with a power glide. Good glass, no rust as it’s always been a desert car since new.
What’s it need?
Big fat tires in the back, but 255x60x15’s are 3.5” too wide, and it’s got to have vintage air!
But I’m sure digging it.
I think if I was going to go though the trouble of putting a Chevy motor in it, I’d have done an LS motor or a 350. 289 or 302 would be nice as well and more like right…or a Coyote 5.0 if I’m spending other people’s money. This would be awesome with a modern Mustang (or even F150) drivetrain in it.
Well nice looking car, but a big pass with GM powertrain
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, keep a Ford all Ford. The 64 and 65s have always been my favorite years for Falcons.
Nope not for me. Not interested in the whole Ford body with a GM engine thing. If I want a GM I would buy a GM. The only reason I would do the whole one companies engine in another body would be something completely obsolete like a IH Scout. Since finding a running engine for one is both hard to do and cost prohibitive to the average Schmoe, dropping in a drivetrain from Ford or GM would be the route to go.
For this Falcon, no. 302 or 351, a c4 automatic or 5 spd tremec would be the right course of action. It’s like a 350 in a deuce coupe. Sure it’s what is recommended but why do it at all. Or like someone I used to know shoehorned a 429vinto a tr6. Took him 5 years to do it and the car literally killed him. Sometimes it’s not worth the swap
This is one of my all time favorite bodies,
I have three 1965 Falcons, number 2 is a Sedan Delivery.
This is one of my all time favorite bodies,
I have three 1965 Falcons, number 3 is an Australian XP Coupe (hardtop) “project”
I will thin the flock this year.
My yellow 289, 5 speed 1965 Falcon Sport Coupe is number 1
My white 200, 3 speed 1965 Falcon long roof Sedan Delivery is number 2
Love the square body Falcons :-)
To Josh B Why would you ruin this nice Ford Falcon with a chevy mtr???
Would have made a great pizza delivery car, back in the day. Now, mmmm…… It looks like to me that this car would require more work/ money than it could be worth. Could be that just leaving it alone as is or mild paint job and a few minor issues resolved be just the ticket? Why spend big bucks? Besides, unless you “pop” the hood – nobody knows what’s underneath. JUST HAVE FUN WITH IT! Nice article.
A sedan delivery is a two-door station wagon with solid panels in place of the rear side windows. They were almost always ordered from the factory with few or no options and Spartan trim. They were used in the same way a delivery van is used today, by businesses ranging from plumbers to bakeries, and are now popular in hot rod circles. Ultimately, light vans put the sedan delivery out of production, although the Falcon delivery lasted through 1965.
I get the Coyote swap desire, but the cylinder heads are pretty wide, there isn’t a ton of room between those shock towers, you will need a custom front suspension to make it all work. If you want to stay Ford, 302-351 seems more reasonable. If you want the best performance bang for the buck, LS it.