Learn me .... 1961 Ford Falcon

Looking on CL for minivans, I run across this..

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/3329828375.html

It's a 1961 Ford Falcon. Supposedly in good enough shape that the guys wife DD it rel recently. Im in no shape to buy anything now, but I love the lines on this car.

Are they as good a classic project platform as they say it is? Basically a sedan version of the early mustangs, right?? Has anyone here ever raced these and what can you tell me about them?

It's got the rare 320 engine option.

You can learn a lot reading the The Ford Falcon News forum. Be aware the moderator/owner is a bit of a nut, so follow his rules to avoid the ban hammer. Lots of repro parts available but really watch out for rust.

I'm curious about that 320 motor and with a mild cam too.

I am currently looking at a 63 Falcon Futura 4dr. 170ci six with the 3 on the tree.

If I buy it (and I will if everything aligns for me) I plan on a drivetrain swap, but in the interim does anyone have enough familiarity with the early sixes to be able to tell me if it is capable of maintaining modern freeway speeds? Can it do 70-75MPH for an hour or two?

My experience is mostly with old euro and japanese cars that were geared for the 55mph speed limit and they just can't cope with freeways for long.

I know he 2 speed auto is happiest at 60 tops

Is that the one that... Well thats a dumb question. It can't share equipment from the same year mustang. There weren't any.

iceracer wrote: I'm curious about that 320 motor and with a mild cam too.

Not sure if sarcasm or trolling.......

Just remember, if either party buys those falcons......just don't drop the bar of soap

Falcons like to rust in typical 60s car places(floors) and in the rear frame rails where the shackle ties in.

yamaha wrote: Just remember, if either party buys those falcons......just don't drop the bar of soap

I have no idea what you mean by this. Are early Falcons notorious for prison rape or something?

In reply to ditchdigger:

Obviously

ditchdigger wrote:

Gah! Those wheels! That looks... awesome.

They competed at Monte Carlo

looks like a typical small block Ford...

320... maybe dyslexic... for 302??

If the rust is truly minimal... it would make a nice project DD

Wait, is 320 some sort of law enforcement code for prison rape?

I'm still waiting for an explanation on that one...

Are the differences between the 60-63 and 64-65 versions only cosmetic? My understanding is that the 64-65 is basically a Mustang in more conservative clothing.

C'mon guys, do a little reading first. Ford Falcon History Ford inline sixes

Dr.Linda hates that car with a passion. Her dad had one.

Saw a beautifully done one one my trip to Hondural last month. Rode past it in a bus and didn't get a chance to take a pic.
Was trying to figure out which way he typo'd, 230 or 302. The pic with the V8 answers it. Maybe done up as a 320?

My old daily driver '62:

I also had a '61 4 door that I was going to duplicate this car with, but sold it to a guy that paid me way more than it was worth. They are cheap to keep running and easy to work on. Solid, basic cars, that, so long as they don't ahve much rust, will keep going forever. And the rust can be taken care of with new panels, since pretty much everything is availble for them.

MACs is a great source of parts.

^Never get tired of seeing that car, Chris. Such a cool look.

I'd like a coupe or a wagon:

ditchdigger wrote: Can it do 70-75MPH for an hour or two?

It can do it just fine. You won't maintain that up a mountain, not enough power. But on level land, it can cruise just fine at 1961 highway speeds.

Thanks for all of the good info. Its one thing to read a wiki page, but its entirely diff to get it dir from an owner.

Thanks again!! This is going on the list. Its alot cheaper than a 510.

I have nothing constructive to add here.

I have a soft spot for early '60's Fords.

I'm glad that car isn't close to me.

An early Falcon would be a good basis for a RWD Zetec and T5 combo, just to be different.