Second Generation 1964–1965 Ford Falcon
1964 Ford Falcon Futura (Credit: Joe Ross/Wikimedia)
The Ford Falcon returned for a second generation from 1964–1965, and for the first time you could consider some models to be muscle cars. Both the Futura and Sprint lines continued to be the top-tier offerings, and now the V8 became a $153 option for all models. In addition, the Sprint line continued to only have V8 power as the only option. Production remained strong throughout the generation, and in 1965 the 289 Challenger V8 became available. A lucky few north of the border had the 271 horsepower K-code version, but the states only got 200 horsepower.
1964 Ford Falcon
Things started with the 1964 Ford Falcon, which got more aggressive styling from sculpted body sides, a new grille, and a convex feature line on the sides. Available engines were the 144 and 170 inline-sixes and 260 V8 from the year prior. Also, a new 200 inline-six was an option. The Sprint package was a $185 extra, and included bucket seats, wheel covers, a chrome engine dress up kit, sport steering wheel, tachometer, and a four-on-the-floor manual.
1965 Ford Falcon
For the 1965 Ford Falcon, the big news was the introduction of the 289 Challenger V8 engine. Using the same shell, Ford updated the grille and taillights, but for the most part it looked the same. The new 289 Challenger V8 produced 200 horsepower, utilizing a 9.3:1 compression ratio and Holley double-barrel carburetor.
For the Canadian market only, Ford of Canada made the Hi-Po K-Code version of the 289 Challenger an option. This was the same engine as inside the Ford Mustang, and used a stronger block, beefier internals, higher 10.5:1 compression ratio, a 600-cfm Autolite quad-barrel carburetor, and solid-lifter camshaft. It produced a maximum of 271 horsepower and 312 lb-ft of torque.
Second Generation 1964–1965 Ford Falcon Engines
| Model Year | Engine | Horsepower | Torque |
| 1964 | 144 I6 (1bbl) | 85 horsepower | 134 lb-ft |
| 1964 | 170 I6 (1bbl) | 101 horsepower | 156 lb-ft |
| 1964 | 200 I6 (1bbl) | 116 horsepower | 175 lb-ft |
| 1964 | 260 V8 (2bbl) | 164 horsepower | 258 lb-ft |
| 1965 | 170 I6 (1bbl) | 105 horsepower | 158 lb-ft |
| 1965 | 200 I6 (1bbl) | 120 horsepower | 190 lb-ft |
| 1965 | 289 V8 (2bbl) | 200 horsepower | 282 lb-ft |
| 1965 | 289 V8 (4bbl) (Canada Only) | 271 horsepower | 312 lb-ft |
Second Generation 1964–1965 Ford Falcon Production Numbers
| Model Year | Body Style | Production Total |
| 1964 | Standard Falcon | 119,106 |
| Futura/Sprint | 130,103 | |
| Station Wagon | 51,276 | |
| 1964 Total | 300,488 | |
| 1965 | Standard Falcon | 66,044 |
| Futura/Sprint | 174,548 | |
| Station Wagon | 39,053 | |
| 1965 Total | 279,645 |
Ford Falcon Overview
The Ford Falcon spanned three generations from 1960–1970, and it sold well over 2.6 million units. Ford introduced the Falcon as a new compact for 1960, which they dubbed “The New-Size Ford.” It was available as a wagon, sedan, or coupe, but was severely lacking in the power department. In 1963, the line got its first V8, a 164 horsepower 260 cid small-block.
The second generation began in 1964, and the 1965 Ford Falcon got the two-barrel carb version of the 289 Challenger V8 used in the Mustang. It was good for 200 horsepower, and in 1967 it got the four-barrel version, making 225 horsepower. The third generation began in 1966, and the 1968 Ford Falcon used a double-barrel version of the 302 V8, making 220–230 horsepower.
This was the most powerful domestic compact Falcon ever built. Unfortunately, production stopped on it just a few months into the 1970 model year. In its place, halfway through 1970, they brought out the intermediate sized version based on the Fairlane/Torino chassis. This version got the all-powerful 429 Cobra Jet Ram Air V8, producing a maximum of 370 horsepower.
Unfortunately, the new intermediate Falcon was short-lived, and did not survive to make it to 1971. Instead, the Pinto and Torino took over in its place. As of 2024, Ford has still not revived the Falcon namesake. Still, we can only hope they decide to stick a 450+ horsepower 5.0 Coyote V8 underneath the hood and try again.
“I bought a brand new Falcon, swapped out the 2bbl carb for twin 4bbls, drove to Bonneville from Los Angeles and went 136.77 mph. It was a great little car.”Ron Hope, Rat Trap Racing
For 1964, a new, faster looking Gen II body was introduced with arrow-like moldings extending back from the headlights to the tail. The Falcon was all set to kill it in the marketplace until, that is, Ford literally killed it with the 1964-1/2 Mustang that was derived from the Falcon. Ford tried to make it up with a Sprint Package and the 289 V8 late in ’64 but it was really too little, too late.
On the track, however, the Falcon continued to excel. In ’63 Ford had contracted Holman & Moody to build three cars for European rallying in a laudable effort to promote the Falcon as more than family transport.
Photo Credit: Tony Thacker
In England, Alan Mann Racing (AMR) became a Ford factory team racing cars in events as diverse as the Monte Carlo Rally to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In ’64 Bo Ljungfeldt and Fergus Sager set the fastest time on every stage of the rally. Meanwhile, at the Bonneville Salt Flats, the California-based team of Hope & Schottmuller ran a 260-powered Falcon in E Production Coupe and Sedan. According to Ron, “I bought a brand new Falcon, swapped out the 2bbl carb for twin 4bbls, drove to Bonneville from Los Angeles and went 136.77 mph. It was a great little car.”
Photo Credit: Tony Thacker
In ’66, an AMR Falcon set the first ever 100+ mph lap of the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit with Sir John Whitmore driving. The following year, Frank Gardner driving a Group 5 Falcon for AMR won the British Saloon Car Championship.
Photo Credit: Tony Thacker
Back on the home front in the U.S., the Falcon was doing equally well in SCCA road racing, Trans-Am, and on the drag strips where, according to driver Dick Brannan, there were a couple of “factory” Falcons powered by 427 ci engines. One of the cars driven by Phil Bonner won Top Stock and Stock Eliminator at the ’64 AHRA Nationals while Brannan won S/SX at the ’64 AHRA Summernats.
There would be two more generations of Falcon, the 1966-’70 version and the 1970-1/2 but the bird had flown and people had moved on. Nevertheless, the Falcon continues to hold a special place in people’s hearts. It’s an affordable, entry-level collectible that can be restored or modified without destroying its integrity. And, there’s the Falcon Club of America at www.falconclub.com
Особенности[править | править код]
1963 Falcon Van.
1964-65 Ranchero (с типичным для американской глубинки тюнингом).
Mercury Comet.
Все поколения Falcon представляли собой вариации на тему одной и той же базовой платформы, включавшей панель пола с усилителями, передний подрамник, набор агрегатов шасси и специально разработанных для этого автомобиля силовых агрегатов, более лёгких и компактных, чем использовавшиеся на более крупных автомобилях компании. Впоследствии на базе этой платформы «Фордом» было построено множество связанных между собой моделей (Ford Mustang I, Ford Maverick, Ford Granada), некоторые из которых сходили с конвейера до начала 1980-х годов.
На машину в базовой комплектации устанавливался 90-сильный рядный шестицилиндровый двигатель объёмом 2,4 литра (144 дюйм³) с нижним расположением распределительного вала и однокамерным карбюратором. Кузов был несущим, передняя подвеска — поперечные рычаги с расположенными над верхними рычагами витыми пружинами, задняя — на продольных листовых рессорах. Тормоза были барабанными несаморегулирующимися на всех колёсах, усилитель предлагался в виде опции.
Не очень большой Falcon вмещал 6 человек (благодаря дивану спереди). Предлагались кузова: двух- и четырёхдверный седан, двух- (редко, до 1966 года) и четырехдверный универсал, двухдверный хардтоп (до 1966 года), кабриолет (до 1966 года) и пикап (назывался Ranchero и был формально отдельной моделью, с 1967 года выпускался на базе более крупного Ford Fairlane), микроавтобус (разделял с седаном механику, но имел мало общего в дизайне).
В Канаду машина экспортировалась под названием Frontenac с видоизменённым внешним оформлением, но только в 1960 году, позднее — как Falcon.
Более дорогая и хорошо оформленная модификация выпускалась под маркой Mercury как модель Mercury Comet, имела улучшенную отделку салона и более вычурную внешность с плавниками на корме. Первоначально это была модель марки Edsel, но эта марка оказалась «мертворожденной» и в 1961 году выпуск «Эдсэлов» прекратили, а «Комета» пошла в серию сначала как просто «Comet» без указания марки (но продавалась и обслуживалась эта машина через дилерскую сеть «Меркьюри»), а потом стала Mercury и формально. После 1965 модельного года Mercury Comet перешла на класс выше и стала среднеразмерным автомобилем на технической базе модели Ford Fairlane.
1966—1970[править | править код]
Ford Falcon третьего поколения, кузов «4-дверный седан».
Купе — вид сзади.
Универсал.
Следующее (и последнее) поколение — Mustang-styled Body Falcon — находилось в производстве дольше всех прочих — с 1966 по 1970 гг.
Этот автомобиль уже сильно отличался по концепции от изначального (при в основном той же технологической начинке), приобрёл подчеркнуто-молодёжную ориентацию, дизайн в стиле «long-hood/short-deck» («длинный-капот/короткий-багажник»), приземистый профиль с заниженной крышей, увеличенную колесную базу и линию боковины «coke-bottle» с изломом в районе задней стойки крыши, по форме такая боковина напоминала бутылку Coca-Cola, хотя на Falcon это было выражено слабо.
Исчезли все типы кузовов, кроме двух- и четырёхдверных седанов и четырёхдверного универсала. Варианты двухдверного седана носили фирменные обозначения «club coupé» и «spots coupé» и внешне имитировали хардтоп — рамки дверей имели хромированные накладки и полностью скрывали центральную стойку кузова. Утилитарные же модели — многие модели универсалов и (с 1967 года) все пикапы — были переведены на платформу более крупного среднеразмерного Ford Fairlane. На машины этого поколения ставились действительно мощные двигатели V8, заимствованные у того же Mustang.
Стоимость (в 1966 году) составляла от $2060 за двухдверный седан до $2553 за универсал в комплектации Futura, плюс опции.
Однако, падение к 1970-м годам интереса к компактным и молодёжным автомобилям и увеличение интереса к более крупным и роскошным, а также неспособность старого кузова удовлетворять новым федеральным требованиям по безопасности, вызвали прекращение производства модели «Falcon».
Последним модельным годом для Falcon стал 1970, автомобиль которого производился с декабря 1969 по 1 января 1970 календарного года. Выпускавшийся недолгое время после этого так называемый Falcon 1970 1/2 был уже совершенно другим автомобилем, выполненным на платформе среднеразмерного Ford Fairlane / Torino, отражая общую тенденцию американских автомобилей тех лет к укрупнению.
Тем не менее, ещё с 1969 года выпускался Ford Maverick, с технической точки зрения построенный на той же платформе, что и Falcon, но получивший новый кузов.
Настоящим же продолжением исходной концепции Falcon как компактного семейного седана с консервативным дизайном в модельном ряду Ford Motor Company стал построенный на слегка увеличенном варианте той же самой платформы североамериканский Ford Granada (не путать с европейским).
Технические характеристики Ford Falcon 1966-67 годов.
| Технические характеристики Ford Falcon 1966-67 годов (в скобках для модели с V8). | ||
| Кузов: | Седаны и купе | Универсалы |
|---|---|---|
| Двигатель, тип: | рядный, 6-цил. (V-образный, 8-цил.) | |
| Рабочий объем: | 2,8 л. (4,7 л.) | |
| Диам. цил. x ход поршня: | 3,5″ x 2,94″ (88,9 х 74,7 мм) (V8: 4,00″ х 2,87″ (102 х 73 мм)) | |
| Материал: | чугунный блок и чугунные головы цилиндров. | |
| Мощность: | 105 л.с. (200 л.с.) | |
| Степень сжатия: | 9,1:1 (9,3:1) | |
| Карбюратор: | Holley, с нисходящим потоком, 1- или (опция) 2-камерный. | |
| КПП: | базовая — 3-ступ., мех., рачаг подрулевой; как опция — 3-ступ., авт., рычаг подрулевой; (На V8: как опция — 3-ступ., авт., рычаг подрулевой, или 4-ступ., мех., рычаг напольный) | |
| Кузов: | несущий, цельнометаллический | |
| Колёсная база: | 110,9″ (2817 мм) | 113″ (2870 мм) |
| Длина: | 184,3″ (4681 мм) | 198,7″ (5047 мм) |
| Ширина: | 73,2″ (1860 мм) | 74,7″ (1890 мм) |
| Высота: | 54,6″ (1387 мм) | 56,2″ (1430 мм) |
| Колея: | 58″ (1473 мм) | 58″ (1473 мм) |
| Объем багажного отделения: | 12,3 куб. фута | 85,1 куб. фута |
| Масса: | 2519 (2-дверн.) или 2559 (4-дверн.) фунтов (1134 кг и 1152 кг) | 3037 фунтов (1367 кг) |
| Передняя подвеска: | независимая, пружинная, с поперечными рычагами, пружины расположены над верхними рычагами, стабилизатор попереч. устойчивости, аморт. гидравл., телескоп. | |
| Задняя подвеска: | на прод. полуэллиптич. рессорах, аморт. гидравл., телескоп. | |
| Рулевое управление: | винт-шариковая гайка, передаточн. отнош. 29,4:1, ГУР как опция | |
| Колёса: | 6,50×13″ или 6,95×14″ (6,95×14″) | 7,75×14″ |
| Шины: | диагональные, бескамерные |
The Ford That Got Away—From Me!
We all have those stories of the cars that got away. The ones that were so close you could almost drive them but for whatever reason didn’t clinch the deal. One of mine involves a Ford Falcon. Never a favorite, the Falcon reminded me too much of a Ford Cortina when I was growing up in England. To me, they just didn’t cut it. I know now I was wrong but back then I just couldn’t see it and so when the phone rang and my friend told me about a 1964 Falcon for sale for a mere £600 (about $900 U.S.)…
Vehicle: 1964 Ford Falcon FuturaTires: Milestar MS 70 All-Season
I said, “No. They’re ugly,” and more or less put down the phone. Stupid me. Turns out it was a rare, Alan Mann Racing Falcon which would now be worth tens of thousands of dollars. I spoke to the late Alan Mann’s son Henry who said, “That was probably the ’64 that Bo Ljungfeldt drove in the ‘Midnight Sun’ Rally. That’s a nice car.”
Oddly, and maybe it’s the bad taste in my mouth but I’m still not a fan of the Falcon even though now I appreciate its accomplishments. The Falcon was introduced to the world in the fall of 1959 and immediately set a Ford Motor Company sales record of 417,000 units. It was only eclipsed by the Mustang that sold 418,812 in its first year.
Photo Credit: Shelby American Collection
Tiny by American standards, “The New Size Ford” Falcon was a 109.5-inch wheelbase compact. Available with two or four doors it seated six passengers and came in various configurations: Sedan, station wagon, sedan delivery, convertible, and the Ranchero pickup. Power came from three optional engines: a 2.4L 144 ci “Mileage Maker” straight six, a 2.8L 170 ci six in 1961 and in ’63 a new 4.3L 260 ci small-block V8 that would lead directly to the iconic 289.
Photo Credit: Shelby American Collection
Photo Credit: Shelby American Collection
Photo Credit: Shelby American Collection
Photo Credit: Shelby American Collection
Photo Credit: Shelby American Collection
Photo Credit: Shelby American Collection
Photo Credit: Shelby American Collection
The so-called “Father of the Falcon” was Ford executive Robert McNamara who would go on to be U.S. Defense Secretary. McNamara championed the car, its low-cost construction using a uni-body and pre-existing parts, including the coil front and leaf spring rear suspension, sourced from other Fords.
First Generation 1960–1963 Ford Falcon
1963 Ford Falcon Sprint (Credit: GTHO/Wikimedia)
The first generation of the Ford Falcon kicked off in 1960 and lasted four model years through 1963. Ford introduced it originally as “The New Size Ford,” which was essentially just a term that meant compact. It rode a 109.5 wheelbase, which compared with the Thunderbird and Galaxie was 9.5 inches shorter, and it was more than 20 inches smaller from end-to-end.
Styling-wise, it was somewhat bland and conservative, with a slab-sided body, single headlights and taillights, power-bule simulated scoop hood, chrome bumpers, unibody construction, and Ford branding on the hood and rear end. Ford made it available as either a two or four-door sedan or station wagon. They called the two-doors “Tudors,” while the four-doors were “Fordors”
From 1960–1961, buyers could order the Deluxe package, which became its own line under the Falcon in 1962. In 1961, they made the Futura model available. It was essentially a standard Falcon but with bucket seats up front and a center console. For 1963, the Futura became its own model, and it replaced the Deluxe as the top-tier option, and a convertible became available.
Also in 1963, Ford introduced the Futura Sprint, which was the first true performance version. Prior to the Sprint, the only available engines were either a “Falcon Six” 144 cid inline-six at 85-90 horsepower, or a 170 cid inline-six at 101 horsepower. With the Sprint, Ford used the 260 “Challenger” V8. It had 8.7:1 compression, a Holley double-barrel carburetor, and pumped out 164 horsepower. It was a good start, but soon the Falcon would turn into a real muscle car.
First Generation 1960–1963 Ford Falcon Engines
| Model Year | Engine | Horsepower | Torque |
| 1960 | 144 I6 (1bbl) | 90 horsepower | 138 lb-ft |
| 1961-1963 | 144 I6 (1bbl) | 85 horsepower | 138 lb-ft |
| 1962-1963 | 170 I6 (1bbl) | 101 horsepower | 156 lb-ft |
| 1963 | 260 V8 (2bbl) | 164 horsepower | 258 lb-ft |
First Generation 1960–1963 Ford Falcon Production Numbers
| Model Year | Body Style | Production Total |
| 1960 | Four-Door Sedan | 167,896 |
| Two-Door Sedan | 193,470 | |
| Four-Door Station Wagon | 46,758 | |
| Two-Door Station Wagon | 27,552 | |
| 1960 Total | 435,676 | |
| 1961 | Four-Door Sedan | 159,761 |
| Two-Door Sedan | 149,982 | |
| Two-Door Futura | 44,470 | |
| Four-Door Station Wagon | 87,933 | |
| Two-Door Station Wagon | 32,045 | |
| 1961 Total | 474,191 | |
| 1962 | Four-Door Sedan | 126,041 |
| Two-Door Sedan | 143,650 | |
| Two-Door Futura | 17,011 | |
| Four-Door Station Wagon | 66,819 | |
| Two-Door Station Wagon | 20,025 | |
| Four-Door Squire Wagon | 22,583 | |
| 1962 Total | 396,129 | |
| 1963 | Four-Door Sedan | 62,365 |
| Two-Door Sedan | 70,630 | |
| Futura Four-Door Sedan | 31,736 | |
| Futura Two-Door Sedan (6) | 16,674 | |
| Futura Two-Door Sedan (5) | 10,344 | |
| Futura Two-Door Hardtop | 17,524 | |
| Futura Two-Door Sport Hardtop | 10,972 | |
| Futura Two-Door Convertible | 18,942 | |
| Futura Two-Door Sport Convertible | 12,250 | |
| Futura Two-Door Sprint Hardtop | 10,479 | |
| Futura Two-Door Sprint Convertible | 4,602 | |
| 1963 Total | 266,518 |
Ford Falcon FAQ
Is the Ford Falcon a Mustang?
The Ford Falcon formed the chassis that the Mustang would later be based on. The two models look similar, but the Mustang sold much better and had higher performance engines.
Is the Ford Falcon a muscle car or a pony car?
The Ford Falcon can be described as more of a muscle car than a pony car, though it’s right on the border between the two. The 1970.5 intermediate Falcon is a muscle car, but the compact version can go either way.
What is the best Ford Falcon?
For many enthusiasts, the 1970.5 Ford Falcon with the 429 Cobra Jet was the best Falcon ever made. It combined clean styling with tons of raw power, and is an iconic muscle car today.
The Falcon was introduced to the world in the fall of 1959 and immediately set a Ford Motor Company sales record of 417,000 units.
The Falcon was such a hit at home—over a million sold by the end of the second year—that Ford’s overseas branches, particularly Australia and Canada, wanted their own. The Falcon would become the first Ford to be truly manufactured in Australia. To begin they were copies of their American cousins, albeit with right-hand drive, but eventually, they took on an Aussie personality and ultimately, millions were sold.
Photo Credit: Shelby American Collection
With an advantageous power-to-weight ratio, the Falcon made for an obvious racecar especially when the “Challenger” V8 became available, however, even before the factory fitted the V8 Ford outfits such as Bill Stroppe in California and John Holman & Ralph Moody of Charlotte, North Carolina, were shoving V8s under the Falcon hood. For example, in 1962 Holman & Moody entered Challenger I in the 12 Hours of Sebring. “The World’s fastest Falcon,” driven by Marvin Panch and Jocko Maggiacomo won its class.
Vehicle: 1964 Ford Falcon Sprint ConvertibleTires: Milestar MS 775 Touring SLE All-Season
Challenger II was not so much raced as used as the prototype for the Falcon Sprint. Introduced midway through 1963, the Sprint had sporty pretentions with bucket seats, a tach, chrome valve covers, and wire wheel hubcaps. At the same time, a convertible became available, as did the 260 ci V8. To accommodate the power increase the body and suspension were stiffened, 10-inch drums replaced the previous 9-inches and five-lug wheels replaced the 4-luggers. Just over 15,000 ’63 Sprints were made of which 4,602 were convertibles.
Challenger III was a beast of a different kind—a chopped, sectioned, fastback with aluminum body panels fabricated by famous Indy fabricator Lujie Lesovsky. The car, powered by a Weber-fueled 289 with a four-speed, was shown at the New York Auto Show and went on to race at Nassau in the Bahamas. NASCAR driver Marvin Panch won the first heat race but lost a fan belt while leading the second heat.