Growing up a couple of hours from the Canadian border isn’t really as close as a lot of you were to our friends to the north. Some of you were actually born in Canada and still live there, and I’m sure, since we’re all gearheads here on Barn Finds, you’ve heard of the 1960 Frontenac. This gorgeous example is posted here on Facebook Marketplace in Lexington, Kentucky, and they’re asking $25,000. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Sam61 for the tip!
Not badged as a Ford or Mercury, the Frontenac was its own marque in Canada. This “Ford Falcon” version was only offered for the 1960 model year and was sold in Canada’s Mercury/Lincoln dealerships. I don’t think I’ve seen a nicer example, which explains the eye-watering asking price. It’ll take a very, very, very dedicated Canadian car collector to pay $25k for this one, no matter how nice it is.
Even Ford Falcons weren’t always equipped with backup lights in this era, and this Frontenac doesn’t have them either. A governor of New France at the end of the 1600s, Louis de Buade de Frontenac, is the namesake of this line of cars. New France was the North American territory that was colonized by France, beginning in 1534, and it wasn’t only located in Canada. It stretched down through Canada and into the U.S., through Louisiana. Britain and Spain were also part of what is now known as the United States, at least the lower contiguous states. It’s a good thing I’m not a history teacher, as I left out several critical portions of that timeline, but I just wanted to give a quick overview of where the name Frontenac came from.
Made for just model year 1960, the Frontenac was obviously based on the Ford Falcon and came in the usual body styles, a coupe and sedan at first, but then two-door and four-door wagons were offered. The Frontenac didn’t have a Falcon grille: Wowie! As with the exterior, the interior looks like it’s right out of a brochure. The underside appears solid, and the trunk also looks great. We’ve only seen one Falcon-based Frontenac here on Barn Finds, and it was back in 2017. I believe these seats are “deluxe gray tweed” fabric (page 4 here), and is this bronze color/colour – Beachwood Brown Metallic?
Only one engine was available in this model, Ford’s 144-cu.in. OHV inline-six with 90 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque. Power here is sent through a two-speed Ford-O-Matic transmission to the rear wheels. The seller says it’s original, and it drives like a brand-new 1960 Ford. I can’t imagine a nicer one. Hagerty lists a 1960 Ford Falcon two-door in #1 Concours condition as being worth $18,500. Is the unusual factor of this car being a Frontenac worth the extra $6,500? I can already hear your collective answer ringing in my ears…
I don’t remember ever seeing one of these before i actually like the grill, it’s very unique. I was going to say, this is probably one of the cleanest Falcons featured on Barnfinds. These were unfortunately not typically babied and garage kept. Those hub caps are probably not easy to source along with that grill either. Tip of the hat to Sam 61 for finding this rare gem. And to Scotty for the history lesson too and great write up.
Ah, but another, there was. Apparently, there was a 1961 Frontenac still based on the Falcon, with a slightly different grill, in a press tour in Aug. 1960, but was cancelled in favor of the Canadian Comet. Living in Wis. every once in a great while, a Canadian car would come meandering over the MN. border( no access to Canada from Wis unless you swim) Pontiacs mostly, but I do remember a few of these. We’d gaze upon it like some bizarro object, and wondered what the occupants looked like?
This car has been around, Canada, then California, Kentucky, and not done yet. I read Frontenacs had kilometer speedometers, but look just like the regular 100 mph ones. If this is kilometers, it has only about 34,000 miles. It’s an amazing find.
The speedometers were in miles per hour until
the late ’70’s if I remember right.Some dealers had decals
that showed what mph in kph was,& they gave those away.
I remember driving my ’77 Toyota SR5 Longbed through
British Columbia in late ’77 or in ’78.I saw a mileage sign that
said “Creston – 25 miles”,then a little further up the road another
one that said something like “Creston – 32 Kilometers”.That caught
my attention until I realized what was going on.
I used to think that the Canadian market cars were cool,but
now think that the American versions are much better styled.
My Uncle had a ’60 Falcon that he bought brand new and it was a
really nice looking Turquois color.
The Edmund Fitzgerald immediately came to mind Howard 😔 🚢
That’s a lot of coin, but worth every penny (Canadian or US) for what this is. Best example I’ve seen – even has the correct air cleaner housing (also 1960-only Falcon).
I don’t think that interior fabric has ever been reproduced.
Very good write-up SG. I’m sure I’ve never seen one in the flesh, and I don’t think I’ve ever even seen one written up, anywhere. For what is clearly a slightly tarted-up version of the simple and humble Falcon, it’s actually an interesting car.
“Drives like a brand-new 1960 Ford.” That actually would be fun to experience.
I wonder why the decision was made to pull the plug, on the heels of one of the most successful cars ever, the Mustang, based off the Falcon. I can’t find any evidence of a “Canadian” Mustang, like with a different grill, or something. As one of my winter beaters while the MGB sat( until the MG became a beater itself) was a Falcon very similar to this. It had the 144 and automatic, and it really was a gutless thing, depressing the gas pedal increased the noise, but no apparent increase in acceleration. I make fun of the European puddle jumpers and their acceleration times, but these weren’t much better. Buyers for these lived a more sedate life where 0-60 was unimportant. Ah, I can smell the “draft tube” from here. There were 2 others featured here, but been 10 years already.
The sellers wrong when they state it’s not a freeway cruiser, I had a 62, super nice cruiser, even on the highway. For me the price is out there in the stars and dreams.
I had several uncles who lived in Canada, and farmed west and south of Winnipeg. I remember two of them talking about the Frontenac and I believe Melfort the bachelor was considering buying one. He had a two door hardtop ’56 Mercury parked next to the chicken coop with unknown drivability issues. The next time we were across the border visiting, they met us in the yard driving a new C10 with bucket seats, console, 4 speed, and a 396 under the hood. White with red interior and air conditioning. Talk about significantly more rare and desirable today than a Frontenac. I would love to have THAT Canadian offering even more, but this doesn’t take anything away from this unit. Rare and cool ….. Canada had some really cool rides offered only there.
One look at that interior and a guy is blown away by the condition. And, yes regarding the KM vs miles: That change never happened until much later, so during this timeframe, miles were still the norm