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Step Into The Light: 1961 Ford Falcon Sedan Delivery

From time to time, we feature a Ford Falcon here on Barn Finds, and the general consensus from the readership is that they are pretty cool cars.  Built as a low cost compact, the Falcon built a fan base by having attractive styling, good build quality for the day, and affordable pricing.  While the lion’s share of production was that of two door and four door models, there were some unique variants that are rarely seen.  Take a look at this 1961 Ford Falcon Sedan Delivery, which is currently residing in Shelbyville, Tennessee, and is posted for sale here on craigslist.  While it is certainly unique, and that uniqueness is amplified with the bright yellow paint, is it neat enough to justify the $10,500 asking price?

When looking at this Falcon, the color catches your eye before the rare bodywork does.  The yellow on this car seems to be a bright yellow with a hint of green.  However, I do not think that is a factory color for 1961.  The only color that is even close is one called Desert Gold which is a light, yellowish gold.  As you will see in the pictures, it seems that the owner has taken some liberties in configuring this unique vehicle to their tastes, so maybe the color is just another example of this.

You have to admit that this would be a good advertising piece for a florist or some other type of cheery business.  1961 was the first year for the Sedan Delivery for Ford, and it was seen as a partner vehicle for the Ranchero, which was also built on a Falcon platform.  While accessing the back area might have been a little difficult without a set of rear doors where passenger doors would have been on a standard station wagon, the large rear tailgate would have made getting goods from the back a cinch.

As sold, this particular model Falcon was considered part of Ford’s “Commercial Economy Twins” with the Ranchero.  This image is in contrast with the car we see here.  I doubt that these came with wide whitewall tires, and wire wheel hubcaps.  However, since they shared so many parts with the regular Falcon line, they could have been offered as an extra cost option, added at a dealership, or even added farther down the road by a style conscious owner.  The mirrors are pretty truck like though.  Of the pictures I have seen of these from the factory, they all seem to have mirrors identical to the ones from the car line.

Inside, the upmarket theme continues.  Air conditioning seems to have been added, and I think the seats are from a Thunderbird.  Maybe some of our more gifted Ford experts can chime in and let us know if I am correct this time.  The door panels are patterned to match the seats in the same brown vinyl, and the overall look works here.  It looks like the driver would be pretty comfortable in this cockpit.

In the back, the owner has installed indoor-outdoor carpeting, and has either upholstered or painted the wheel wells to match the rest of the interior.  The various tools and the air cleaner assembly are pretty good clues that this one has been the subject of a lot of tinkering or worse.

Under the hood, we see where most of the tinkering has taken place.  As evident even to the visually impaired, the head and the rest of the associated parts have been removed, leaving the delicate cylinder bores to the elements.  Given that these Ford inline six cylinder engines are about as indestructible as an anvil, it makes me wonder why the engine is in such a state of disrepair.  I doubt it would be expensive to get things back in running order again, but the whole disassembled engine situation is a big red flag on this one.

With an asking price of $10,500, there shouldn’t be many red flags.  While neat to see and undoubtedly rare, this sedan delivery isn’t exactly a vehicle that collectors are actively hunting down.  It wouldn’t take much to restore it back to factory correct, or you could continue with making the car a bit more of a luxurious (for a Falcon) long distance cruiser.  You would definitely have room for a lot of luggage.  One of the best uses for it would be as an advertising piece for a small business, and actually drive it around town to conduct business.  With the right signage, this would be a fantastic ride for a photographer, DJ, or a delivery service.  All you need to do is get the owner to accept a more realistic price, and you’d be in business.  Just like Ford intended.

Comments

  1. Avatar half cab

    Early proto type for the soon to be full cab (U15)Bronco…lol😎

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  2. Avatar Mountainwoodie

    Why do owners always paint these cars with the loudest house paint color available!

    Like 0
    • Avatar KEN TILLY Member

      I once had a bright Alfa Spider that I had on on the floor that I couldn’t sell at any price so I re painted it red and sold it 2 days later for top dollar. Since that day I have never bought a yellow car at any price!

      Like 0
      • Avatar Dick Johnson

        Rustoleum Resale Red. My favorite. Works every time.

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    • HoA Rube Goldberg Member

      This person clearly worked for a school bus company.

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    • Avatar Mike

      I coulda poked myself in the eye and got a better color….

      Color makes or breaks the vehicle no matter what condition it is in. No matter what the vehicle is. If yellow is your thang go on….but at sell time its another story.
      On the other hand sedan deliveries, find one in premium shape then dig deep. So I guess yellow aint bad from the big picture.
      Solid Black with apple green pinstripes, Gunmetal Blue with electric blue pinstripes…..See, to each his own.

      Like 0
  3. Avatar JW

    Now I know why they didn’t move it out in to the sunlight for photos, Engine disassembled is not a good sign for a asking price of $10,500.

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  4. Avatar boxdin

    These are rare but this one needs too much for the price.

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  5. Avatar lawrence

    Going across the pond….rare yes….and they dig it….or are not winners like over here in the states…….

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  6. Avatar Duffy

    Very nice but priced to high.

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  7. Avatar Adam T45 Staff

    Variations on the Falcon (which in Australia was referred to as a panel van) were a staple of the Ford range from the early 1960’s right through until the late 1990’s. They were widely used by tradesmen such as electricians.

    During the 1970’s in Australia they developed something of a cult following among customisers who would adorn them with amazing paint jobs featuring hand painted air-brushed murals (as pictured). They could be specified from the factory with a 351 ci Cleveland plus a Top Loader 4 speed. The back would be fitted out with plenty of padded velour, a bar, up-market sound system and usually a mattress. In this guise they were often referred to as a “sin bin”, and I’m pretty sure that most of you can work out exactly why!

    Like 1
    • Avatar Oingo

      Shaggin’ wagon

      Like 0
  8. HoA Rube Goldberg Member

    These are even more scarce than the Ranchero. In the 60’s, these were merely a glorified tool cart for most contractors. They didn’t go far, across town, mostly, and unless something was done to the final gearing, it will not be a pleasant ride. While it certainly is out of my price range, try and find another this nice. Very cool find, but since it’s all apart, go with a modern 4 cylinder or V6 and O/D trans. AND IT’S IN SHELBYVILLE!!! ( Simpson reference)

    Like 0
    • Avatar Dick Johnson

      Hmmmm… 250 Cummins? Full length frame connectors might be warranted.

      Like 0
  9. Avatar Jack in NW PA Member

    A very worthy project, bit expensive for me but he might find some one to come close. My first car was a 1961 Falcon coupe painted bright orange. first thing I’d do even before I opened the hood is peel off the plastic chrome side trim !

    Like 0
    • Avatar Roger

      My first car also was a ’61 Falcon two door sedan that I bought for the sum of $65 in 1973 a couple of years before I got my license but those two years were taken up rebuilding the rusted body and replacing a lot of parts that needed it from when it had sat for several years,as far as the panel delivery models the first one I remember seeing was used as a pizza delivery vehicle in the mid sixties.

      Like 0
  10. Avatar LAB3

    As to originality it would make sense that it was a special ordered color for fleet vehicle use, either way it’s not likely that you’d come across another one very often. If the car as a whole shows as well as it appears to then the price might be worth it, a rebuild on that engine shouldn’t be too terribly expensive.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar Madmatt

    I’ve always wanted a sedan delivery,and even customized
    a ranchero model into one.I like yellow,but it doesn’t work
    for me on this one.Those seats may be 64 galaxie 500 xl seats,
    as the console looks very similar?,maybe bullet bird vintage?
    “Rare as hens teeth”,as most sedan deliverys are,these Falcons
    are very fun with resto mod updates,and will make someone
    a really neat car to take to local cruises/shows…sure to be the only one,…maybe!LOL

    Like 0
  12. Avatar Tyler

    I think this same one was for sale a couple years ago for more like $5k, in running condition.

    Like 0
  13. Avatar David

    Scariest thing to me is the Romex running through the engine compartment. Harness is probably all wire nuts and electrical tape! Otherwise a neat car. I love old Falcons.

    Like 0
  14. Avatar Ralph Myers

    I had a 1937 Chevrolet sedan delivery that was bright yellow, and it got complements every place I went.

    Like 0
  15. Avatar Keith

    Dude sounds like a d!#k the way he talks in his ad, he thinks he has gold…… I say keep it along with his attitude!…….. nuff said.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Loco Mikado

      I agree with your assessment of the situation.

      Like 0
    • Avatar Adam T45 Staff

      I also agree….and can someone please tell him to turn off his Caps Lock, and to get an adult to proof-read his ads before he posts them.

      Like 0
  16. Avatar chad

    right sz, right co. The Chrysler below is correct to request a higher price…

    Y is there that big ‘hump’ (box) in the floor in the back?

    Like 0
  17. Avatar 64 Bonneville

    Many were used as flower cars for funeral homes back in Pennsylvania. slow driving, lots of carboning up in the cylinders, usually a sluggish 2 speed automatic. Still a really seldom seen vehicle, with all the changes done to it, it is losing some of its’ collector (?) value. In current state, maybe $5K max for someone who absolutely has to have it. I feel like it is good money after bad to buy a none running “classic”, unless it has proven rarity, similar to some Shelby Mustangs, Corvettes, COPO Camaros’ etc.

    Like 0
  18. Avatar john e

    Hi Take a look at the tv show Wheeler.Dealers.S17E06.Ford.Ranchero.
    how to fix up and sell .

    Like 0
  19. Avatar Mike W H

    This vintage of Falcon is welcome at any Mustang show, as we all know the platform is the same on the ’65s as a Falcon. So it’s a legit progenitor. As long as the 6 is in that condition, you can do the rebuild it will so need, and add some period correct speed accessories.

    Like 0
  20. Avatar Brian M Member

    Ford had sedan delivery vehicles back at least as far as 1955 and continued them until 57 or 58. May have even had them starting with the new, all metal ranch wagons of 1952. I have personally seen 55 and 57 versions.
    Having owned two 61 falcon wagons, one a 2 dr standard and one a 4 dr deluxe it is interesting that the side trim is for a deluxe version, but not all there as it should continue around the tail lights and the stylized bird is missing next to the word falcon on the front fender. I also don’t think the fish scalers on the fenders showed up until 63 or so. Seems like an awful lot of chrome (stainless) trim for what would have been a utilitarian transport. Looks more like a deluxe 2 dr wagon has been cobbled together into this thing, especially since the sedan delivery would have had a flat floor all of the way up to the back of the seats, which look like they may have come from a 63 Futura along with the console.

    Like 0

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