Henry Ford II was no fool, and he knew he faced the mammoth task of transforming the fortunes of the dysfunctional company bearing his grandfather’s name when he took the reigns. He proved a fast learner but was also willing to spend the money hiring the right people to get the job done. The result was a group dubbed “The Whiz Kids,” ten individuals who formerly served as officers in the Office of Statistical Control. One of these people was Robert McNamara, who became known as the father of the Falcon. This 1963½ Ford Falcon Sprint emerged after he left the company, and is a solid and complete classic requiring restoration. Its lack of significant rust could make it ideal as a home workshop project. The seller’s decision to list it with No Reserve makes it more appealing.
McNamara was an interesting character within the automotive industry because it is fair to say that he didn’t have gasoline coursing through his veins. He viewed cars purely as a tool to make money and was one of the few people within management who stridently opposed what would eventually become the failed Edsel exercise. He believed that there were greater profits to be made from marketing a low-priced and lightweight compact than from more luxurious vehicles. As such, he sponsored the development of what became the Falcon, leaving the company almost immediately following its launch. Initially hitting the market in 1960, Ford added the V8 Sprint to the range as a 1963½ update. The seller isn’t forthcoming about this Sprint’s history, although its baked Rangoon Red paint suggests it has never undergone restoration. It needs its share of TLC, but the lack of significant rust might make the process relatively straightforward. The seller confirms metal penetration in the lower rear quarter panels and the floors, feeling that repairs should be pretty easy. All of the exterior trim is present, and while the windshield is cracked, the remaining glass looks okay. However, the wire wheels provide the first indication that there might be more to this classic than meets the eye.
The 1963½ model update for the Sprint saw a V8 under the hood for the first time. Ford opted for its 260ci powerplant producing 164hp and 258 ft/lbs of torque. Buyers could select from a pair of manual transmissions or a two-speed automatic. The V8 didn’t transform the Falcon into a full-blown muscle car, but it significantly improved overall performance. This Sprint no longer houses its original 260, with its rightful spot occupied by a 302ci engine. The specifications are unclear, but power feeds to the road via a four-speed manual. The seller doesn’t indicate whether the car is roadworthy but confirms the 302 is healthy and runs extremely well. Therefore, returning this Sprint to active service could be a realistic short-term goal.
Ford envisaged the Sprint as a slightly more luxurious and potent version of the Falcon, equipping its interior with touches like bucket seats and a console. Those items are intact, although there are plenty of aftermarket additions and custom touches. These include diamond-patterned door trims, a radio/cassette player, and a Hurst shifter. However, none of the changes are irreversible, and a trim kit would seem the most cost-effective solution if the winning bidder pursues the sympathetic path with their build.
The seller listed this 1963½ Ford Falcon Sprint here on eBay in New Bern, North Carolina. The No Reserve aspect of their auction has created interest although even after nineteen bids, the price sits at a mere $1,125. It will find a new home when the hammer falls, regardless of the price. However, the indications are that it could be an affordable starting point for a restoration or custom build. That makes this Sprint worth a closer look.
Always loved this version of the Falcon.
Extremely similar to our XL Falcon, (and XM, and the one everyone wants the XP.
Over here in Aus, the biggest motor we got in the XM thru to the XP, was the 179 Pursuit straight 6. But you could get a Falcon sprint with a 289, but not from the factory.
The Tudors (as there called here), are commanding top dollar.
not everyone in australia wanted an xp , i prefer the m’s and l’s and we had a 200 persuit in the xp
I would pull the motor set up the suspension and shoe horn in a coyote engine….
Why pay a premium to start with a factory V8 4spd Sprint, when you could find a finished Falcon 2dr hardtop and convert it. I’m not a purist that thinks everything needs to be kept stock, but more of a frugal realist that looks at how to accomplish something economically.
Steve R
Yup.
My thinking as well.
The other advantage to such a build is it will probably get a lot more use. Which is what these machines are really all about.
Dang SR – those 1963 hardtops are hard to find in any condition….
Still Runners, that’s probably true. You still see a few at the track, I don’t do car shows and any Ford from that era is a rare sight on the streets. There was a time they littered the local Pick Your Part wrecking yards, that’s the lasting impression I have of them.
Steve R
The reason to start with a Sprint is that the Sprint is very different than the earlier cars. It has torque boxes to stiffen the frame as well as the thicker rocker panels from a convertible, which makes it a MUCH stiffer chassis. There are a number of other differences in the suspension as well as a much stronger 3rd member. Lastly and most importantly the “semi-fastback” roofline makes the Spirnt a much better looking car than the “bubble” backlite of the base car or the squared off roofline of the Futura.
Gonna need a pretty big shoehorn! Those Coyotes are really wide!!!
Remember the guy when I was in HS that had a Falcon Jones? To review, he was bit older than me, lived at home, he got a 63.5 Falcon like this, only 6, automatic, in PERFECT shape, and found a ’64 Sprint, and this is what he was going for, but failed miserably. The ’64 was actually not wasted, similar to this, he guts the thing out, junks the Sprint, and puts everything haphazardly into the ‘63.5. It never ran right, except at full throttle, poor brakes, bald tires, suffered wicked wheel hop, and I think he wrapped it around a tree. It was the fate of 95% of the cars, and why we only see the remaining 5% today. With 468 viewers and 20 bids, for such a neat car as this, sure seems to me like the bottom is falling, for this stuff anyway.
This is my favorite body style for a falcon, and it was only made for half a year. As of right now it is up to $2225, but with 5 days left to go I think it will go much higher. Most Falcons were used up and thrown away and to find a Sprint that is solid is kind of rare. I think the only Falcon harder to find than a ’63 1/2 Sprint would be the sedan delivery version.
You are right, it’s a neat little car, the bidding has barely started to warm up. The last few hours could be very interesting.
Steve R
Sold with a high bid of $6,600.
Steve R
I have a 63 1/2 down in the garage. All original and in Rangoon Red with red interior (same set up as I had in high school). Found her in a barn in Montana 10 years ago. Went through the power train and new interior, replaced the drums with disc up front and a dual chamber master. Left the exterior “barn find”. It’s a great little car, and the 260 with the 4 speed has a surprising amount of get up and go. Oh, and the reason you don’t just take a factory falcon and make it a Sprint? Only the Sprint’s had the fastback roofline, which I think really makes the car look fast sitting still.
So I wonder if this is true Sprint, because there is no Tach on top of the dash, guy in town had one and it had a factory tach. Had the center console as well. Was a nice little car went well, side note his uncle had a 62 fulie he bought new and had until he died, bone stock looked and was like new wonder what that would be worth now
Unless someone took the roof off of a Sprint and put it on a base car it’s a Sprint for sure. That roofline was only available on the Sprint. Since the paint looks to be original it’s a Sprint.
Not true. The Futura hardtop had that roofline as well in ‘63.5. The Sprint is just a Futura with the V8 and buckets/console interior as standard equipment instead of optional as on other Falcons. Plus an engine dress-up kit and some emblems.
I agree that this car is likely a Sprint, though. You can see the hole in the top of the dash where the tach would be mounted. It also has an F engine code in the VIN stamped into a panel shown in one of the photos, which is correct for a 260 V8, and also has the correct Sprint emblems and steering wheel.
If you are looking for a genuine Falcon Sprint, you may want to ask for a picture of the door tag. I believe this one was on CL and I called him about the door tag and it was MIA.
I recently sold a 63 1/3 Comet S22 2 door hardtop. 260/auto. Mercury’s version of this car.
Actually, the 289 was available in late ‘63. I knew a guy who had one- bought it new. 289 badges on the fenders. Ford ran a magazine ad that said “Put away your boring bar!” Proclaiming that the 289 is now available-with a picture of a ‘63 1/2 Sprint.
Except for the Rallye Sprint racing specials of 1964, no 289s in the Falcon until ’65. You could get a hi-po 289 in the ‘63.5 Fairlane, though. But only in the Fairlane.
It’s nice enough and looks to have been loved and not trashed….see where it goes but it’s climbing up there…..good luck to the new owner !
Like the C-pillars on these. Not like the Fairlane with the deep/ wide pillar.