Are the complexities of the modern world wearing you down? Have you felt an urge to simplify your life by driving a car without a touch screen? If so, it doesn’t get much more basic than this 1965 Falcon Sedan. It’s the base model, not the upscale Futura. It has the base engine. It doesn’t have power steering, power brakes, or air conditioning. It’s cheaper than a new car, too. Priced at $12,500 or best offer on eBay in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, this Falcon might be the no-nonsense classic you’ve been hoping for. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Curvette for the link.
The door tag tells us a lot about a 1960s Ford (cool “Gulf Automotive Service” sticker, by the way):
- “54A” tells us that it’s a sedan.
- “R” means that the “Ivy Green” paint is the original color, if not the original paint itself.
- “15” in the District Sales Office column means that it was sold in the Newark, New Jersey, region, which makes sense.
The VIN of 5H02U222547 signifies that the Falcon is a 1965 model sedan built at the Lorain, Ohio, assembly plant. The “U” engine code stands for the standard 101-horsepower 170-cubic-inch six, shown here; the mileage is listed at 58,000, but no mention is made if the odometer is accurate or not. Although you won’t be the fastest car in morning traffic, you’ll probably get 20 miles per gallon with the little Ford six, which is pretty good for an old car.
- “19” as a trim code stands for “Palomino” interior appointments, which can be seen here. The upholstery pattern matches the sales brochure fairly well, even if it’s not perfect (the creases in the seat cover are often clues that the foam underneath is degrading).
- “6” in the transmission column tells us that the transmission is a C4 three-speed automatic. No more two-speeds in 1965.
- “2” in the axle column denotes a 2.83:1 ratio, which is common with the six.
The wheel covers are a neat upgrade; the Falcon would have originally come with 6.00×13 tires, but it appears that these have been upgraded to 14-inch units with 1963 Galaxie wheel covers. Not a bad choice.
The seller gives us little solid information about the car aside from the fact that it has been a dependable piece of transportation for the 25 years they’ve owned it. It does have scrapes and blemishes, and the radio doesn’t work, but otherwise, it’s apparently good to go. There are a couple of undercarriage pictures that don’t tell us too much, but the ad includes an invitation to check the car out if you’re local.
It also asks potential buyers to look elsewhere “if [they] are going to use it as a daily and if you don’t intend to keep it in an enclosed garage.” That’s a tough ask; after all, once someone buys a car, it’s their car. Still, $12,500 is on the high side for a basic Falcon Sedan, so I don’t think the seller needs to worry about tire kickers too much. As with many interesting old cars we find on the pages of Barn Finds, however, where will you find another one like this?
A 200 six automatic base model four door Falcon: a staple in my small blue-collar home town back in the day.
Reading the brief sales verbiage, I’d guess the seller still has lots of sentimentality to the car. After 25 years of ownership, I understand. Wonder why it is being sold.
Priced for perfection, there are too many issues with the paint, thus questions about what’s underneath to justify the asking price for anyone except those where this exact year, make and model is their dream car. The seller deserves kudos for pointing out the flaws in the ad, not everyone would.
As mentioned above, the seller seems sentimentally attached to the car.
Steve R
Had the same car only 2 door. Put 30k on it in a year going to school and working a job. 25 mpg all day long.
The only things missing for our current digs in the Sunshine State would be a light color roof and a/c.
Other than that, what more could one ask? Remember, “basic is good.”
Links to eBay are acting wonky again today. I’ve noticed this on two different devices so… Anybody else notice this? I’ll try clearing out my history. Nice Falcon BTW. Four doors on this car don’t look stodgy at all.
Clearing my browser history worked. Man if we had to tinker with cars as much as we fool with computers we’d all still be walking.
What’s it doing for you? Seems to be working fine on our end.