The Ford Falcon was a line of cars that was produced by Ford from 1960 to 1970. It was preceded by the Rambler American; the Ford Falcon was noteworthy because it was the first compact car marketed by the Big Three American manufacturers. In contrast to its Chevrolet Corvair and Plymouth Valiant competitors, the Ford Falcon was developed as a scaled-down version of the full-size Ford Galaxie sedan. The Ford Falcon offered a full range of body styles, including two-door and four-door sedans, two-door hardtops and convertibles, two-door and four-door station wagons, and coupe utility pickups.
Ford Falcon Facts
For almost twenty years, the model architecture used by the Ford Falcon was used by eleven distinct vehicle lines. Alongside the first generations of the Ford Mustang and Mercury Cougar pony cars and the Ford Econoline/Ford Falcon Van/Ford Club Wagon vans, the platform was used for two generations of successors to the Falcon, including the Ford Maverick and Mercury Comet and the later Ford Granada and Mercury Monarch; the Lincoln Versailles luxury sedan was the final model line derived from the Falcon.
During its production, the Ford Falcon was manufactured by Ford in several facilities across North America and the world. Following its discontinuation in North America, the platform continued in production through 1991 by Ford Argentina (as the Ford Granada). From 1972, Ford Australia continued development of the Falcon as a model line distinct to the region, lasting through 2016.
Historically, the “Big Three” auto manufacturers (General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler) focused on larger and more profitable vehicles in the United States and Canadian markets. Towards the mid-1950s, all three manufacturers realized this strategy would no longer work. Large automobiles were becoming more expensive, making smaller cars such as Fiats, Renaults, Toyotas, and Volkswagens increasingly attractive. Furthermore, many American families were now in the market for a second car, and market research showed women especially thought the full-size car had grown too large and cumbersome.
Ford Falcon Generations
Image by Olof Rotze Ulbricht | Courtesy of Pixabay
First Generation
The 1960, the first-generation Ford Falcon was powered by a small, 95-horsepower Mileage Maker straight-six with a single-barrel carburetor. Unibody construction, which had previously been introduced by Ford on the luxurious 1958 Ford Thunderbird and Lincoln Continental, accommodated coil spring front suspension, leaf spring rear suspension, and drum brakes front and rear. A three-speed manual column shift was standard, and the two-speed Ford-O-Matic automatic was optional. The car had room for six passengers. Body styles included two- and four-door sedans, two- or four-door station wagons, and the pickup.
The 1961 model year introduced an optional 101-horsepower V6, and two new models were introduced: a bucket-seat and console sedan model in a higher trim level called the Futura, and a sedan delivery. In 1962, the model received a moderate facelift, with a new grille, front bumper, and taillights, which gave it a slightly more angular look. In 1963, even more models were available. The only time a V8 option was available in a first-generation Falcon was the 1963½ model, and these cars were produced in very limited numbers.
Second Generation
The second-generation 1964 Falcon, launched in 1963, featured revised, more squared-off styling. Later in the 1964 model year, Ford’s new offering for that market was launched: the Ford Mustang, based heavily on the Falcon’s unified frame design. In 1964, Ford added a Sprint Package, which gave the Falcon the Fairlane’s 260 V8, a stiffer suspension, and a louder exhaust. Because the Mustang had the same options that the Sprint had for only a small amount more, the Sprint never caught on. Even with the addition of the 289 V8 in late 1964, the Sprint was overshadowed by the Mustang and was discontinued after 1965.
The Mustang dealt Falcon sales in North America a blow from which they would never recover. Front suspension was coil springs pivot-mounted on upper arms plus double-acting absorbers. Six-cylinder cars had four-lug hubs with 13-in steel wheels. V-8 cars got five-lug wheels. For 1965, changes were minimal, including a simpler grille and revised side trim on deluxe models. Production ended on June 26, 1965, for convertible Falcons.
Third Generation
In late 1965, Ford launched the third-generation Ford Falcon, based on a shortened Fairlane platform with revised styling. At the top of the line was the highly trimmed Futura Sports Coupe, which featured chrome side window frames, giving this two-door sedan the look of a hardtop. It also featured a premium all-vinyl interior. Large “Sports Coupe” script on the “C” pillar was borrowed from the 1964–1965 Fairlane Sports Coupe. Several features became standard, among these were the heater.
After Generations
After a shortened 1970 model year, the third-generation Falcon was replaced by the Ford Maverick. As a mid-year introduction (designated as a 1970½ model year), Ford returned the Falcon nameplate, using it for its entry-level intermediate line (slotted below the Ford Fairlane and Ford Torino). To comply with federal safety regulations, the Falcon was fitted with a locking steering column and 3-point outboard seatbelts.
Conclusion
The Ford Falcon had a brief existence, but was the basis for several more successful Ford models; in that way, the Falcon had a secondary run of much greater length. Speaking of secondary runs, the Falcon had one. It was produced for a brief time in 1970 (after production, for all intents and purposes, ended in 1965).
