Many consider the Ford Falcon Sprint to be the forerunner of the highly successful Mustang. It was sporty, came only in coupe and convertible body styles, and could be quite peppy. All of that describes the Mustang, which was based on the Falcon platform. The Sprint was only around for 2.5 years as the Mustang’s popularity ultimately rendered it unnecessary in the lineup. This nice example from 1965 is in West Wareham, Massachusetts, and is available here on eBay when the reserve is still in play at $8,800.
Ford joined the compact car movement in 1960 with its new Falcon. It was in production for more than 10 years before passing the torch to the Maverick. But until the middle of 1963, you could only get a Falcon with an inline-6 engine. That’s when the Futura Sprint debuted with a 260 cubic inch V8 borrowed from the mid-size Fairlane. Partial-year sales for 1963 resulted in more than 15,300 copies and improved to 18,600 units in 1964 when the Falcon got a styling refresh. But demand dropped to only 3,100 Sprints in 1965 as buyers didn’t see any reason to buy one when they could get the sexy new Mustang for about the same money.
The 1964-65 Falcons had “edgier” styling that would track somewhat with the rest of the Ford line-up. By the time the seller’s Sprint was built in ‘65, the 260 had been replaced by a 289 cubic inch V8 that produced 200 hp with a 2-barrel carburetor. That’s how the seller’s car is equipped along with a 3-speed automatic transmission. Other than a small noise coming from the rear end that the buyer should get checked out, we’re told this Ford runs great.
No issues seem apparent with the body and the Falcon wears its white repaint very well. The interior has been replaced and looks quite tidy, but the dash pads have two cracks you might want to get fixed. Dual exhaust makes the car sound really sweet, and the tires are all new, supported by original wire wheel covers. The seller refers to a rebuilt center “nest” that needs to be installed (not sure what that is, something like min-console?). If you don’t have the budget for a mid-1960s Mustang, perhaps this Sprint will be a more affordable Plan B – and less often seen.
You want a classic car, this would be a great entry point. And if you have a point ignition in it, it will still run after the EMP we are bound to get!
Lovely car and presentation. I’d probably swap in a 4 bbl carb on an aluminum manifold, throw on some classic American Torq-Thrusts and go cruising.
I’ve got a 65 Mustang that I finished a few months ago. Driver with new paint, Factory A/C, rebuilt V8 & auto, posi, cruise, PS/PB. Thought I was done with Fords and started on Studebaker. But if I could find a 64-65 Falcon Sprint v8/4spd in the same condition I’d swap in a heartabeat. Don’t know why, but I prefer the styling of the Falcon to the ‘Stang.
I bought a new 64 Sprint, Convertible, Silver with red interior and factory 4-speed, 260 V8 that was chromed out from the factory. I still dream of walking into my garage and it is there. Sold it to get married still am.
My first new car was a ’65 Sprint. It was pretty quick but became a real performer when I swapped the 2 bbl carb for a Carter 4 bbl and added a dual exhaust system. I only kept it for a year and traded it for a ’65 GTO. Don’t know what I was thinking because I got drafted three months later.
I love the Ford fast back styling The entire FoMoCo line made you feel first on race day. I had a new 64 Comet, 289 and a four speed and a copy of the Ford Performance cstalogue Tose where the days. Even had a Ford T bolt hood.
I bought one of these to restore in 1977. Needed to get it 80 miles to the town in Arkansas where I lived. Fuel pump was shot, didn’t have time or money to fix. Got a 1 gallon milk jug and a 5 gallon can of gasoline. Filled the milk jug with gasoline, set it on top of the car. Ran fuel line from jug to carb. Sucked enough to get siphon going. Left hood on secondary latch. Rolled down driver’s window so I could hold the milk jug in place while I drove. Cop stopped me on I-55 and asked what the hell I was doing. I explained it to him. He said “Well, it’s your ass…good luck!”. How did I live this long???
You might be a red neck if….
That would offend me if it weren’t true! The sad part is I went to Saudi for a couple of years, and while I was gone my brother-in-law gave it away before I even started working on it!
I was thinking more Macgyver than redneck.
Sometimes you’ve got to improvise.
Henry… I like your story…
The seller was talking about a loud rear-end, so I thought he was talking about having an extra third member, but I am not sure.
Whole engine bay rattle canned with matt black paint?
So clean.
Very nice vehicle.
With only 3 weeks left until my Air Force discharge, I needed to get rid of my ’57 Fairlane 500 2 door in September of ’64. The Mustang was in the showroom, but this “poor” A1C couldn’t afford it. Ended up with a new Falcon , but not the Sprint. All I could afford was the 2 door coupe with the 140 ci 6 cylinder. It ran good, got fairly good gas mileage and only cost me $59 @ month! But I still regret not putting a little more money in that 57 to keep it running, lol…
Nice Ford….I always liked the 1964-65 Falcons.
mounted a 4 bbl Demon and an aluminum manifold on mine.
later installed a T5
best size classic, now a days!
I’m a Mustang fan, but these 65 Falcons with a V8 are hard to beat. Great little cars and so easy to work on too. Shame it’s in need of a rebuilt dif, as described but still a great little car. Good find.
Oh My. ln November of 1964 I went into the Ford Dealership in Spokane, Washington just to “look” around. Ended up buying a 1965 Ford Falcon Futura Sprint Hardtop with a 289 and 4 on the floor. Drove it for several years until the wife conned me into selling it. Looking back I should have sold her and kept this wonderful car. Never dreamed it had such a low production #. It rode like a dream on a soft pillow compared to the hard seats on a sharp rock of the Mustang. I was just back from Nam and did not realize what I had at the time.
Better hop she’s not reading this or it’s the couch for you buddy
Better hope she’s not reading this or it’s the couch for you buddy.
Unfortunately she died way back in 1986. I still wish I could find this car if it still exists.
What Makes The 1965 Falcon The Easiest Muscle Car To Maintain
oughta honor this car as it brought the muscle era (stang) mid or dwn sz vehicle and the suv era (bronk) we’ve still in.
I like the round bodies (’60 – 63) better but these are fine. All just to beat back the vedub bug that was decimating the usa auto industry (Y ur car had the 144/2.3 motor, JG) in late 50s.
Six i6 motors (ThriftPower) evolved; the latest going from 1965 – ’96 w/the efi, one ‘family’ (ford lingo) 2 separate blocks. That 300 or 4.9 one of the million mi motors, “the gasser that’s a diesel’ all started from the lowly ‘bird’ (not ‘t-bird’).
’60/3 chero model is my fav. W/the 2vOz iron head or modern alloy head on the 200/3.3 or 250/4.1 (more transmis available in it) lowered an inch, R&P, wide tire, susp, break’n other mods to produce a SCCA canyon carver~
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7SpYuwbvqM
Early Sprints are cool, but the ’65 doesn’t seem all that special. Apart from a couple of emblems how is it any different from an optioned-up Futura hardtop or vert? Where is the cool dashtop tach, the chrome engine dress-up kit, the “sport” steering wheel, etc.? Seems that after ‘63.5, Ford started “de-contenting” the Sprint as they were putting their chips on the Mustang. In ’64 even the formerly standard bucket seats and console were optional (though the buckets were back as standard in ’65 with the console optional on the hardtop). Just not much “Sprint” left by ’65 apart from the V8 and buckets being standard equipment.
Earlier years Ford Falcon Sprints are more desirable, and also much more expensive. This 65 Falcon with 289 and bucket seats and console works just fine with me. But definitely sounds like rear dif needs rebuilding or at least inspected. Kinda of a big thing spending this kind of money an time on that right out of the gate.
HC, the 1963 Sprint is very good, because Jay Leno has one, but most people prefer the square body (1964-1965) Falcons for Styling.
Door tag code says it had the 2.80 rear gears.
That is very common out of Mavericks
I have two extra good ones in my shop!
The eBay buyer only paid $19,700
Great price…