The seller is/was parting out this 1964 Ford Falcon 2-door hardtop. But does not mention whether it’s the V8-powered Sprint model, which seems likely. The Sprint brought V8 power to the Falcon, and it was offered for three years before the success of the Ford Mustang killed it off. Located on a concrete pad in the woods in Newnan, Georgia, this rusty collection of bits and pieces is available here on Facebook Marketplace. For whatever you’re willing to pay (but that was 10 months ago.
We’re going to operate on the assumption that this is a Sprint because it has a V8, a console, and it used to have bucket seats. The Sprint arrived as a 1963 ½ model with a 260 cubic inch V8 that would carry into 1964 with a 289 for 1965. First-year production crossed the 15,000-unit mark, growing to 18,100 in 1964, but dropped to just 3,100 in 1965 because the Mustang was cooler than the Falcon (though the same car under the skin). As such, there would be no 1966 Falcon Sprint, and no Falcon at all after 1970.
The Falcon got treated to a restyle in 1964, gaining more pointed edges in the process (and less rounding). This one has a 260 V8 with a 3-speed, floor-shifted manual transmission. But its overall condition points to it being parted out, though the seller would surely be happy if you carried the whole vehicle away. The glass and trim are good, but the floor pans and trunk are rusting away.
On the plus side, we’re told the only exterior sheet metal with rust is the doors. The rest of the key stuff seems to still be there and salvageable, like the 260 V8, console, and rear bumper. The seats are already gone (sold), and much more may be as well, too. Would you attempt to do more with this Ford other than picking parts off of it? Thanks for the tip, Moparman!
Remember the guy I mentioned that had Falcons when I was in HS? He took a ’63 Futura, with 6 and 3 on column, ( in perfect condition), “found” this car at a junkyard, in about the same condition, only a 4 speed, but certainly much more collectible than the ’63. We butchered,,,that’s right, butchered everything from the Sprint into the Futura, with 2x4s and shade tree lift with disastrous results. The car had awful rear wheel hop, handled poorly, didn’t stop well, and he wrapped it around a tree.
I think 30( 40?) years ago, this would have been a great find, but today, I just don’t see it happening.
To be clear, this is a column shifted 3 speed, with what appears to be the 4 speed hole blocked off. I read, Sprints were available with a 3 speed column shift. Why? Another great automotive mystery there’s no answer to.
Well at least the seller shows the true condition, does not try to hid it.
Maybe some one will try to bring it back. I hope so, but this is close to junk.
3 on the tree not floor.
It seems like mainly small parts are left. The ad states what’s been sold, not what’s still there.
Steve R
Next year duct tape drag car.
Not a sprint. Look at the futura on the deck lid.
worth if you own 1 just to have sitting around.
“We’re going to operate on the assumption that this is a Sprint because it has a V8, a console, and it used to have bucket seats.”
Assuming facts not in evidence, as Perry Mason would say. There is zero indication this is a Sprint. This has regular Falcon badging not the unique Sprint badging and even says “Futura” on the rear panel where it should say “Sprint.”
“The Sprint brought V8 power to the Falcon,”
It’s a persistent myth that the Sprint was the only Falcon with a V8 in ’63 1/2, but in reality the 260 was offered across the entire Falcon line at midyear. The difference was the 260 was standard in the Sprint as was the bucket seat interior (from the Futura), “wire style” wheel covers, dash-mounted tach, engine dress up kit, etc. Apart from the V8 the Sprint was mainly a cosmetic package. By ’64 Ford was already “decontenting” the Sprint (and lowering its price) by making the buckets and tach optional. By ’65 the Sprint was merely a sub-$300 option package with the 289, buckets (console optional on the hardtop), and Sprint badging.
Oddly, early ’63 brochures show the Sprint was originally envisioned with the 170 six.
In 1973, I bought a base 1963 Falcon 2dr sedan (window bars) from the original owner for $250. It had no options other than a factory ( that’s right, factory) 4 speed on the the floor and it was the base 6 cylinder. It was an interim car when I blew up the trans on my MGB-GT. It was fun to drive and reliable. I took it down to Florida from NJ for Bike Week in Fort Lauderdale and back with no problems. After my other car was fixed, I sold it to of my buddies and the took it across country with no problems. They nicknamed it ‘Futty’ as it did have the Futura name badge on trunk. I could not understand why it had the ‘Futura’ badge and not just the plain ‘Falcon’ badge. It had no amenities!!
It’s a new catagory at Palm Beach and other prestigious venues…CrapRod…
Nice starting point?