It’s amazing how circumstances can change, and how often a restoration project can stall. With all the good intentions in the world we believe that we will eventually complete our project, but eventually, we have to admit defeat, and the car that we’ve sunk all of our time and effort into has to move on. That is what has happened with this 1961 Falcon Futura, which is located in Columbia City, Indiana. You will find the Ford listed for sale here on eBay.
The owner dragged this Ford out of a barn in 1986, and work commenced to bring the car back to life. The lower quarter panels were replaced, the body whipped into shape, and then it went off to the paint shop to receive the paint job that you see on the car now. The owner says that there is still some rust to repair in the floors, as well as a single rust hole in the trunk floor. The rest of the car looks good, and it has also been fitted with new bumpers and some other new exterior trim. Since the paint was applied, the car has only left the workshop a couple of times.
The original 170ci engine has been given the old heave-ho, and in its place is a 200ci engine from a 1970 Maverick. Behind this is a 3-speed manual transmission with a column shift. The engine has been treated to a new fuel pump and a valve job, while all of the brakes have been replaced, and the Ford has also been fitted with a new fuel tank. The car now has one leaking wheel cylinder, which is hardly surprising given how long it has been sitting. The engine hasn’t been started since 2006, but the owner is confident that some fresh gas and a battery should see it fire back into life.
The interior sports a new headliner, new kick panels, and new carpet. The original console is in place, but the front seats aren’t original, so the new owner may choose to replace these. The rear seat looks pretty sad and will need a new cover, while the dash pad is also cracked. It’s a bit hard to tell, but the remainder of the interior trim looks to be in good order.
With so much work already completed on this Falcon Futura, at first glance, there doesn’t appear to be a huge amount left to do to return it to the road. I will qualify that statement by saying that we don’t know just how extensive the rust is in the floor, as that could impact this. The rust in the trunk is quite clear, and that should be an easy fix. The owner has set a BIN price of $4,000 for the Ford, which would seem to be close to the mark if the rust isn’t too bad. Is this one that you would potentially take on, or is the price too high for you?
Nice little Ford.
The asking price of this car barely covers what it would cost for the engine rebuild and chrome…I label this one a bargain! Nice find……
I might be interested if there was a tree growing out of the trunk. I’m here all week, try the veal.
That’s a sweet lightweigth Ford to turn into a wolf in sheep’s clothing 6=8 project!
Give it the sleeper treatment with a thorough drop and poverty caps.Or turn it into a Monte Carlo racecar lookalike with MX wheels and a roll cage.
Finally we see a 60s car priced sensibly that will stand out from the all too common Mustang, Camaro and Corvette crowds.Great find!
I thought the ‘Futura’ model also had chrome spears on the rear quarter panel ? it looks like a good buy for someone .
not a future they were two door ht and had scrpt makeings