As the owner of a ‘62 Falcon Futura, I’ve encountered a range of opinions from car enthusiasts regarding the significance, or lack thereof, of Ford’s early ’60s compacts. That said, I think most of us would agree that this ‘62 Falcon Wagon would attract a fair amount of positive attention at the local cars and coffee. Available here on craigslist for $16,500 in Gladstone, Oregon, this cute little cruiser came our way via Curvette.
With its skymist blue paint (color code F), faux woodgrain, venetian blinds, and wide whites, this Falcon has nothing basic about it. The VIN tells us the car was built in San Jose originally with 170. The ad doesn’t specify, but we’re guessing that’s the straight six still under the hood. FYI: You have to click “Visit the dealer’s website” to see more photos. While I haven’t personally driven a Falcon with a 170, I have a buddy with one, and he keeps up with traffic fine. Based on my research, this isn’t a “Falcon Squire” wagon (despite the woodgrain) since it doesn’t have birch trim or “71B” in its VIN; instead, it’s a Falcon Fordor Deluxe Wagon with woodgrain added.
While the three-speed column shifter might intimidate some, others would call it part of the “classic” experience. The car isn’t perfect by any means—the trim doesn’t line up in places, and it’s completely missing in at least one spot. The “electric shaver” grille has been compromised on the passenger side. There are chips, scuffs, and the common gas spillage “stain” under the fuel cap on the driver’s rear quarter. For me, these are all characteristics that make a car a better candidate for real driving because there’s less concern about compromising its state of perfection. Not to mention the fact that they’re also negotiating points when it comes time to settle on a reasonable price. Of course, I use the word “reasonable” with caution, since that number depends on who you are, what you do for a living, and where you live.
As is often the case with dealer ads on Craigslist, some key details are missing, so it’s wise to look in person if possible. I’ve also found that a quick Google search will tell you whether the dealer can be trusted. Do your research. While we don’t know the history of this wagon, I could see a future where benign trips to the grocery store become memorable experiences—especially if you’re learning to drive “three on the tree.” Besides, you’re unlikely to get a speeding ticket, and you’ll definitely make a statement in any parking lot nestled between the modern-day gray and white blobs.
I wonder if the seller would give a credit if you left them the wide whitewalls, DiNoc, Venetian blinds and roof rack….
Underneath the frou-frou, this is a pretty neat little wagon. I would call it “attractive” rather than “stylish,” but it surely gets bonus points for reliability and economy.
All in all, I think I’d rather have the green Falcon featured a couple of days ago.
I’m with Ray T on this one. I like it, but I think I would like it better in its more-basic state. Especially, those wide whitewalls don’t do much for me. But overall it’s fine. Love the three-on-the-tree.
As was mentioned on the green Falcon, I consider them to be quite significant cars as the industry evolved into offering models in different sizes.
Good job Curtis.
Looks like someone with bad taste got a hold of a
JC Whitney catalog & went crazy.
Surprised there’s no surfboard on top,or a Winky the Cat
in the back window.
Well Angliagt….. If the ad gets pulled and shows up one week later with a surfboard on the roof rack and a Winky the Cat in the back window…. And a higher price tag……….
We are looking in your direction!!!
Just kidding.
Like I had said about the beautiful green 2 door from the other day, these have great lines. Ford could’ve just done something plain and simpler and probably cheaper to produce, after all, it’s an economy car. But they didn’t. These are very nicely styled. Even the wagons look great.
I’m with all the above, period correct white walls would look good instead. And the wood grain doesn’t look right on this one. I’d just keep it all blue with the white roof.
I went back and took a second look. Your dead on, Blue with the white top would look great. Tone down the white walls.
The white seats really pop.
We had the little weiner dog with the nodding head in the back window of the family 64 Tempest.
Can not remember the last time I saw venetion blinds in the vack of a wagon, except a car show.
Was tempted to take away for free a 63 Falcon wagon in 1972, till I found it was home to 6 cats.
Or blue dots in the taillights.
It’s always reassuring when the dealer dedicates 95% of the ad to their business and 3 lines to the car they are trying to sell.
This car gives off the feeling it was prepared for sale, not necessarily longevity. How long until the vinyl wood grain starts fading?
Steve R
Back in the day, sleazy car dealers restored the wood grain with automatic transmission fluid. Lasted less than a week, before a second application was required.
My Texas grandmother had a two door 1964 Falcon in the featured car’s livery. However, hers had a tan interior. It was “loaded” with no power anything, dog dish hubcaps, black sidewall tires, 2 speed automatic, and under dash dealer installed A/C. Great little car! Grandmother loved her Falcons. She had several in her time. I learned to drive in that 1964 model (Mom and Dad didn’t know it as my sister took me out to our grandparents’ farm and taught me😃👍!). That thing was slower than the flow of Maple sap in Maine in January but it was and still is one of the cars in my life that holds fond memories. I hope that this featured little jewel finds a great new home (even if the new owner straps a surfboard to the roof rack and/or puts a Winky Cat on the dash or package shelf).
Needs curb indicators.
Aren’t they called ‘curb feelers?’
Anyway, I think you’re right.
Needs alot less of what its showing, especially the rims that don’t match anything and the over done whitewalls.
Hey it’s a 4th of July car that didn’t sell on the right date! The wide “whites ” and red wheels gotta go. It would be a nice looking car if Uncle Sam hadn’t gotten his hands on this car. I like early Falcons in every model. But I think this is over the top, as is the price.
I actually drove a 62 wagon in high school ( yes I was the envy of all the jocks and cheerleaders) . Mine was pretty basic deep red with a black roof, but it did sports a first year power rear window. A 170 with 3 on the tree and later upgraded to a 67 Fairlane with the 289 and sold it for over twice what I gave for it.
That 170 engine will move that little wagon just fine. I owned Comets of the early 60’s. Both three speeds. One had the 144 cu in six and the other had the 170. Both were fun to drive, got great gas mileage and totally reliable. They kept up with traffic just fine.
should have left all the gack and the venetian blinds off it. those whites don’t help the cause either. take back to as built it would be a cool wagon.
I would pass — especially at this price. And, all the doo-dads are a turn-off. I don’t trust a car that’s been “gussied-up”: I’d rather have it just as Great-Grandma bought it and drove it in 1962.
Apparently building a tribute is acceptable but taking some artistic liberty is not right. I’m not speaking to the quality of workmanship but all the elements seem to work well together. The white roof over baby blue is nice and the wood tone gives the perception of length. Could do without the blinds, red wheels and wide whites but they do add character to this Falcon.
It’s just a Falcon after all, enough with all the add-ons. Steve R has it right, pics for a quick sale, not of possible longevity. Especially with chatter about how great the sellers are before any thing about the ad headliner.
Underneath all the lipstick it looks like it could a potential runner. But the dirty sun visors and the sloppy door card restos are a tell that leans toward something just gussied up for max sale potential.
Why do people spend so much money and time playing auto designer. Not good. Great find Curvette and great write up as well. New owner might spend more on corrections than anything else.
Great little wagon to save
First new car my Dad ever bought was a light green ‘62 Falcon wagon. We used it for a three week 5,000 trip from Indianapolis to Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado. No A/C for an August trip. We had a roof rack that was definitely needed for all of the camping equipment we brought. Fabulous trip and great little car.
Were the roof rack and the blinds at least factory accessories? It doesn’t make me want the wagon more, but if the blinds are factory accessories, they have to be quite rare.
nice
I luv it.
Made an offer and received a counter offer.
Still considering driving from Illinois to Oregon but need more pictures of the bad.
Unfortunately I’ve received no response.
Too bad, I guess they don’t really want to sell it because I’m very interested. Maybe the bad is really bad???