Some cars inevitably become a staple in some families much like this ‘63 Ford Falcon has. Declared as a true California survivor, this is one pretty birdy for sure. Showing no signs of rust, and a shiny coat of paint, this sleek little Ford is a fabulous find. With enough bird feed (approximately $11,900 worth) this little birdy could follow you home. Check it out here on craigslist out of Covina, California. Thanks to reader Michael for sharing this wonderful survivor.
With a tidy appearance, this sweet inline 6/automatic drive-train is in smooth running condition. There is some minor dust in the engine compartment, but after 30 seconds of compressed air, this engine bay would be quite clean. It is unclear as to whether or not this has been a continuous driver, but it is certainly apparent that this Falcon has been well kept.
In fact, the only signs of aging in this old Ford is the sun and shoulder/hand wear to the top edge of the bench seat. There is also some wear/discoloration to the carpeting, and there is a steering wheel wrap, but overall the interior has a pleasant first impression.
The exterior is phenomenal on this Falcon with its bodywork and bright work shining like new. Although the paint looks quite glossy, the seller claims the paint to be decent. Shiny like new mirror, the bumpers are fabulous, and the trim work looks clean and crisp with no immediately visible concerns. With a fresh set of tires and a perceived reliability, this Falcon is a wonderful example that would surely make for a great show car and cruiser. Would you bring this pretty birdy home for the sellers asking price?
Nice car, but I have to admit I was glad I was sitting down when I saw the price.
I’m not sure if it’s worth $11K, but I’m sure the market and a few of the folk who post here will have something to say…
I remember passing over this era of Falcon when they weren’t selling in the $500. – $1500.00 range. My how times have changed…
I agree, I remember passing on a convertible that was near mint condition with a new top. Price was$1,000.00, I offered $800.00, seller wouldn’t take any less than $850.00, so I passed.
Just to show my age, I remember when these were $125-200 cars, and they couldn’t be given away!
I knew a guy in Bakersfield that collected these. I thought that they were the ultimate dorkmobiles. Now they look pretty good to me. He had a wagon, a 2 door, a convertible and a Ranchero.
Other than maybe repairing the front seat, I would not change a thing. To me, it is near perfect.
11K?…No way! Think he’ll be keeping it
a long, long while. Truly another case of
Barrett-Jackson Syndrome or this guy is
smoking some really good stuff. Sure,
this car is very clean and drivable, but not
that desirable. Only worth maybe $8,500
to $9K all day long. Bet if you dangled
$7,500 in front of him, you’d be driving
it back to your house.
Ain’t nothing purty about that thing except the condition…..
If that is the 144 six, it, along with the 2 speed “Ford-O-Matic”, comprises the most agonizingly slow drivetrain in existence, outside of the VW bus. Hard to believe they took this car and made the Mustang.
Yeah. Hopefully it’s the 170. You could do an Offenhauser on the 144 but that still wouldn’t get you much.
Ha! Nice car, but it makes the one I saw last week for $1,400 OBO look like a smokin’ good deal!
Agreed, overpriced and a weezebox for a powertrain. I like the car at $6500 and a coyote V8 transplant soon after. IF I was a Ford guy, which Im not.
To me, the next year looked a lot better.
I liked Falcons, had a couple I paid $100-$200 bucks for, one guy I knew was into V8 Falcons, but this is a wonderful find. This was in direct competition with the highly debated Romney Rambler ( or vice-versa). Like the Rambler, very few survived, they were usually passed down through the family, until one of the kids killed it altogether, so to see one like this is truly rare.
Nice condition, but it is still a Falcon.
Maybe a young person can be convinced it is more than it really is.
Maybe they can be told, it is really a Mustang in disguise.
Love the comments about these “cheap” cars. I bought a 61 when I was in the military in 1970 for $100! Ugliest car I ever owned but it ran perfect for two years. Never put a cent into it except gas and oil changes. I bet today it would be worth $200.
Granny bought a 60 with 144 & Fordomatic for $100 back in 1969.
Stopped at a light the thing blew so much smoke out it’s down draft tube that people kept calling out that it was on fire.
It stalled at a stop sign right after she had given the guy the money and got the keys. We went back and he wouldn’t answer the door.
A trip to a nearby service station and new plugs to replace the oil fouled ones and it ran fine.
I loved that car and the fa8ting sound the engines used to make on acceleration.
Eventually she traded it in for a bright yellow Maverick Grabber, the first one in the area, straight off the showroom floor.
Price is steep, though I saw one for sale @ Suburban Motors for around $12,000.
Check Hagerty for Falcon car prices today. A lot more than $200 in decent drivable shape.
As a pre-teen boy, I always considered Falcon styling of these years akin to a poor man’s T-Bird. That same “bird beak” profile being present on the front corners of the fenders. Nice car but way overpriced IMHO.
I am constantly shocked at the high asking prices for Falcons…and I don’t mean just V8 Sprint convertibles! Seems prices are higher for “Grandma” versions of Falcons than full-sized Fords, or even seemingly more desirable cars of the era…almost in Mustang price ranges. Can anyone explain this to me?
My grandparents and next door neighbors had probably 8 Falcons among them when I was a kid…I’ve always had a soft spot for them. Would love to have a 1960 or 61 plain-jane four-door with automatic, but can’t justify the prices. It’s puzzling that I see advertised, nice-condition Comets for half the money of a 4-door Falcon. What gives?
Like I said above, the fancy ones, people tended to hang onto, but nobody saved these. They were beaters in the “back row”, we bought for $100 bucks, were tired to begin with, and we usually finished them off. The next stop was the junkyard, it’s where my Falcons ( and a Comet) ended up. The only reason this looks like this, is they never drove it, especially in any salt and probably didn’t have kids that would have killed it.
My brother owned one as his first car, in the late ’70s. His was somewhat of a peasoup green colour, that the previous owner rolled on. I recall that little Falcon being quite indestructible, despite his best efforts.
I remember back when I was a youngster my little 6 stick shift falcon was the only car in our family that would start in 30 below tempature
Wow. Mr. Drysdale’s secretary, Miss. Hathaway, would have driven this. But she sure wouldn’t pay the ask . Or a third. :)
In 1966 I bought a 1960 Ford Falcon 2-door wagon for $125.00. First thing I did was pulled the 6 cylinder motor and auto trans and dropped in 225 h.p. 289 with a 4-speed trans that I bought for $450.00 complete with everything from an auto wrecking yard. I had more fun with that wagon for 2 years until Uncle Sam said he needed me in Vietnam.
I keep looking and I still can’t find the birdy you speak of.