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True Barn Find: 1963 Ford Falcon Futura Convertible

The Falcon was Ford’s first entry into the compact sector. First appearing in 1960, the name would last the decade and its platform spawn other popular cars, such as the Mustang and Maverick, also products of the ‘60s. This Futura convertible, the high-line model until the Sprint arrived mid-year in 1963, has been tucked away in a barn for 30 years and needs life breathed back into it. Located in Wallkill, New York, it’s offered here on eBay where the most recent bidder submitted $4,300 as their ante.

American car manufacturers had been watching the market carved out by the VW Beetle in the late 1950s and concluded there was a need for a car in size between the Bug and the full-size automobile. First was Studebaker with the Lark and AMC with the Rambler American, but soon the Big 3 were in the game, including Ford. It would sell very well and remain largely unchanged from 1960-63. If you wanted a drop-top in 1963, you ordered the Futura which came with a nicer level of trim (but if you wanted a V8, you had to wait for the mid-year Sprint). Ford built just shy of 19,000 Futura convertibles for 1963 and 12,250 came with bucket seats like the seller’s car.

The seller’s Futura has been captive in a barn since 1991. The motor is said to turn freely, which gives hope that resuscitating the little beast won’t be too much of a challenge. It has an inline-six under the hood – typical Falcon fare – and we’re going to guess it’s the 170 cubic inch version (the even smaller 144 usually found its way into the bare bones sedans). The car comes with a variety of new or newer parts, including the gas tank (installed). Not installed are inner fenders, entire new interior and a new top.

White paint in the trunk suggests that the original color of this Falcon was later changed to red.  The seller says the body is solid except from a bit of rust in the driver’s side lower rear quarter panel and the passenger side door. The trunk looks good, and we’re told the undercarriage has no issues. Exterior chrome bits seem to be intact and looking good. Inside the car, the carpeting and driver’s seat are shot, but since the seller is kicking in new materials, not so much an issue. All the stuff he’s purchased that we can see or not see are said to add up to $4,000. So, the cost of restoring this car already has a leg up.

At 47,000 miles, we’re guessing there are plenty of smiles left for Sunday drives once the car is brought back into showable condition. Unlike the Mustang that the Falcon would enable a couple of years later, only the Sprints seem to command much over $20-25,000. If there are no surprises with this Ford and you’re looking for a reasonably economical car to get into the Cars & Coffee scene with, cars like this will turn up less often than a Ford pony.

Comments

  1. Avatar Johnmloghry

    Could be a nice car, but has a long way to go, and any needed body panels are one year only. If I was a young buck I’d jump on this. It would be a great project for a teenager wanting to build and learn as they go.
    God bless America

    Like 7
    • Avatar robert semrad

      John, didn’t the 59, 60, 61, 62, and 63 all have the same body? Google those years and see if it’s not true. Thanks

      Like 0
      • Avatar robert semrad

        To be accurate, the same basic 2 door Falcon, not the four door Falcon.

        Like 0
  2. Avatar Pail B

    A boring drive but the ragtop is fun and these look pretty sharp, very representative of their era. My aunt had a ‘63 convertible, 170 six with three on the tree and bench seat. I rode a lot of places in it, often with top down. Hers was a dark purple eggplant color. Fond memories.

    Like 3
  3. Avatar Jeff L.

    The cost to restore it will definitely exceed the value of this car. Way more prudent to buy a done car.

    Like 5
    • Avatar LMK

      Jeff L.
      A lot of ‘wisdom’ in that comment….

      Like 4
  4. Avatar Angel Cadillac Diva Member

    Jeff L……. if everyone thought that way, no cars would get saved and restored.
    You guys have got to start thinking with your heart and not your wallet.

    Like 9
  5. Avatar Angel Cadillac Diva Member

    Also, my cousin up the road traded in her black ’56 Fairlane for a new ’62 Falcon convertible. Can’t remember the color, but I know it had a manual top, three on the tree and a six.
    In ’67 she traded the Falcon in for Chevy Camaro convertible. Same deal, manual top, three on the floor and a six. Kind of a burgundy color.

    Like 1
  6. Avatar Chuck

    To bad it’s not a 63 1/2 Sprint hardtop. I am desperately looking for one to replace the one I stupidly let go. If anyone has any leads on one please
    get in touch with me.
    cjskol@yahoo.com

    Thanks
    Chuck

    Like 1
  7. Avatar Lowell Peterson

    Angel has the right idea guys. You all seem to be under the wrong impression that everyone that has a car for sale on Barn Finds wants someone to buy so low that the new owner can fix and flip it to a profit. That is the RARE EXCEPTION FELLAS.

    Like 3
  8. Avatar James Petropulos

    I have it’s twin! Mine: Rangoon red with a Powered white top. Same 170 Six, with a Fordomatic trans, bucket seats, Bought it in 1970 at the Blue Book value at that time for $450.00. I asked the school teacher lady I bought it from “What she was gonna replace it with?” She told me “The new 1970 Ford Pinto ” ! These Falcons with their under powered motors always reminded me of Bi-Planes. Slow but beautiful to ” Fly “

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Jeff Maxwell

    Don’t make decisions with your heart, you’ll lose most the time.

    Like 1
  10. Avatar robert semrad

    The write-up states 1960 was the first year for the Falcon….not so….1959 was….https://www.bing.com/newtabredir?url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FFord_Falcon_(North_America)

    Like 0
  11. Avatar robert semrad

    The first Falcon was made in 1959, not 1960.

    Like 0
    • Avatar bone

      Built in 1959 for the 1960 model year ; there ae no 1959 Falcons.

      Like 1
  12. Avatar THOMAS HAYWOOD

    Bought a 1960 Falcon in 66 . Paid $670.00 . I think it had 16,000 miles on it . White with red buckets and consol . Really nice little car . Traded it for a 65 Ford Fairline convertible – ( box on wheels ) . Dumb , should have kept the Falcon and fixed the rear end that went bad .
    Subject car will make a decent project for someone. Enjoy ! .

    Like 0

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