There were two Ford Falcons during the 1970 model year. First, was the wind-down of the original compact at the end of calendar 1969. Second, the 1970.5 Falcon that was a mid-size stripper version of the redesigned Fairlane/Torino. It was as basic as they came and found few buyers while the other nameplates flourished. The seller has one of 26,000 2-door sedans, which are seldom seen now, but it has been beefed up under the hood. This army green sleeper is in Massapequa, New York, and is available here on eBay, where the reserve is unmet at $18,600.
The Falcon debuted in 1960 but had run out of steam by 1969 after the new Maverick had been proven a winner. A 1970 version of the compact was sold for a few months before the plug was pulled. The 1970 ½ Falcon replaced it and searched briefly for a market that apparently wasn’t there, as it wouldn’t return in 1971. The 1970 ½ edition was bare bones with little bling and rubber floor coverings. An inline-6 was standard, but the rest of the Ford engine inventory was at its disposal.
Ford managed to build 67,000 1970 ½ Falcon sedans (2 and 4-door) and wagons, so it was hardly a sales failure. This example left the factory with a 302 cubic inch V8 with a 3-speed manual transmission, but both have been replaced. The current motor displaces 306 CI but produces 350 hp according to the dyno, significantly greater than the 302. With the accessories, someone built this car to run and included a 5-speed manual tranny.
Despite these changes, the car has only clocked 52,000 miles, and the drab green paint and interior are from the factory. It’s not perfect with a few little dings and scratches, which don’t seem to be detractors. The front brakes are discs, but there is no power assist. Oversized rims are at each point, but the poverty wheel covers are still used to help the car blend into traffic. 1970 Fairlanes and Torinos are hard to find compared to Chevelles of the same era, but these mid-year Falcons are elusive. Offers will be considered.
Kind of an odd decision to place the Falcon name on a base Torino, for a half-year. I guess it was part of the at-the-time transitions including the demise of the (compact) Falcon, the success of the Maverick– but before its four-door arrived, and the attractive restyle of the Torino. I do remember seeing one or two at my dealer, back in the day.
Our family had a low-option 1970 Torino, which my dad ordered in spring 1970. In hindsight, I wonder why he didn’t order a Fairlane 500. Or even a Falcon, given low cost was a main factor in his decisions.
Looks like a clean stripper-look car. Thanks Russ.
The great mystery is that this half-year special was the only pillared two-door offered in the Fairlane-Torino line in this entire generation, when its’ position as a placeholder for the 4-door Maverick leads to the question why it was offered as a 2-door at all.
These are very cool!! You could have ordered a CobraJet powertrain in these sleepers also!!
Somewhere there is a white falcon w/ a 429 SCJ drag pack. God help my bank account if I ever find one
I read somewhere a few years ago that a total of 12 of the 1970.5 Falcons left the factory with the Drag Pack. They would be quite the collector’s item, not to mention a blast to drive.
These will not blend into any traffic in today’s automotive landscape! You’ll stick out like the Jolly Green Giant, with today’s grey, white and black pod mobiles.
I doubt this will actually post but I’ll try. I’m not sure if you get out very often or not but I’m very pleased to say that a wide variety of colors is back. It certainly was pretty much what you said for quite awhile but thankfully no more.
Looks like a nice car with some smart, well executed upgrades. It will be interesting to see where the bidding ends.
Steve R
Looks like what a county building inspector would drive, circa 1970. So wild that it survived.
Really grooving on this particular car, basic but man what a dose of style (IMO)
Nice, and I never thought I’d say this, but it needs a vinyl roof! Or at least, some paint stripes in white maybe? I do like the steelies with dog dishes though. I did some research and Ford’s branding was just so weird. In 1970 you had the Torino, the Fairlane and this Falcon all sharing the same platform and looking very much alike. Was the Fairlane name kept for name recognition the same way Oldsmobile ran the Cutlass name into the ground?
No, just no.
I would have never given this car a second glance. Now I have to say I don’t know my Butt, from second base!
I’ve never seen a 70 1/2 Falcon in person. They are such an oddity. This would be a great conversation piece.
The 26000 unit production number is incorrect and the correct Falcon production number is likely lower. The Torino was not available in a two door pillared sedan model for 1970. For the 1970 and 1970 1/2 model year, two door sedan offerings were only available as a Fairlane 500 or Falcon models. Total production for both body/model configuration “62A” was 26071 units with no breakout for Falcon of Fairlane 500
Cars built on or after January 1, 1970 had to have a locking steering wheel. With the Maverick sedan coming for 1971, Ford was unwilling to invest in a locking steering wheel for the lame duck Falcon, yet also unwilling to walk away from the bottom rung of the market. The Torino-based 1970.5 Falcon was the solution. Any Torino drivetrain was available, so there are 429 CJ Falcons out there.
We had one of those for a brief time about 1980. Same colour with rubber floor covering. Probably the only options were 302 and automatic.
Nice car! I saw it on Sunrise Highway! Sweet!
20k seems to me to be all the money. really nothing fancy. it’s not a scj or anything like that. my guess is seller is looking north of 30k
If my math is correct, this would be a 0.030 over bore on the engine. Since it has a 5 speed this engine/transmission combo is most likely from a 5.0 Mustang. Which would also mean an aggressive roller bump stock to hit that 350 horsepower dyno reading. This is a family hot rod. I would have kept the fuel injection for better fuel economy. But the carburetor keeps things simple. I think the price is in the right neighborhood. If in the market for another car. I would consider this car, but dicker for a lower price.
Which is never going to happen since the bid is over $18K now.
I think this will get to $25,000, likely higher. It will be a good auction to watch. There is a segment of Ford enthusiasts that really like these 1970 Falcons and are willing to spend money to get one, a trait not shared by many vocal groups of enthusiasts.
Steve R
I had a 1970 Torino GT with the 351c 2b. It was nose heavy and a poor handling car. It was cheap in every possible way – small example- the tail lights had no protector, and if you were careless about putting a box in the trunk, you would snap off the lights at the socket. In many ways, my 1957 Chevy 210 was a far better car.
That engine rumble heard in the eBay video is sa-weet.
I have a wagon version of that vehicle. 302, manual trans, rubber floor mats. :)
Get it on Marketplace right now for $27500. Seller is flipping as it was $15K a few weeks ago on FB. Not that its an issue but it is what it is. Really clean car!
Cobra emblem is a nice touch. Needs a shock tower brace and thats about it. Brings back memories of my 1971 Maverick.
My mom had the Torino Cobra version. It was a screamer. This looks like a great “sleeper” car.
Back in “the olden days” when I was in high school, our Vo-Ag teacher had a 70 1/2 Falcon station wagon. Bright red with black vinyl interior.
I had a 70 Torino GT with a 429, and a 71 Torino GT with a Boss 351, both were great cars, I wish I still had them both. Oh and by the way, they were both 2 doors, just sayin.
Awesome find Barn Finds !
By FAR the best looking Falcon to ever wear that nameplate.
Interesting
Sold on 5/7/2026 for a high bid of $20,600, there were 44 bids from 14 bidders.
Steve R