1964 Ford Falcon Futura Sprint

(I happen to LOVE these cars!) The Ford Falcon was produced by the Ford Motor Company from 1960 to 1970. It was a huge sales success for Ford initially, easily outselling rival compacts at the same time. It was offered in a wide range of body styles: two-door and four-door sedans, two-door and four-door station wagons, two-door hardtops, convertibles, a sedan delivery and the Ranchero pickup.

At the start, Ford Falcons were powered by a small, lightweight 90 hp , 144 CID Straight 6 cylinder engine with a single-barrel Carb. (yeah, not very powerful..no threat on the street by a long shot). It had a "Unibody" construction, (one piece, subframes front and rear), and suspension was  standard with coil springs in front, and leaf springs in the rear. Drum brakes were used at the front and rear wheels. Front suspension was independent with coil springs. A three-speed (A.K.A. "three on the tree") manual column shift was standard, with the two-speed Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission optionally available .

A redesign changed the Falcon's looks for 1964. The new look was more squared-off, more modern, as Ford pursued the younger market.  For the 1964 year Ford added a Sprint Package which gave the Falcon the 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 64 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.  Production ended on June 26 of 1965 for convertible Falcons. A padded instrument panel, seat belts, power steering, power brakes, a radio, a remote-control trunk release and a parking brake warning light were optional.

Too bad...personally, the square-ish body with a V8 made a small but ready out of the box instant mini Muscle Car that to this day, I make a "bee-line" to check out at any local cruise night or car show.  (Love 'em ! All Falcons...1960 to 1965, preferrably. But...that's how I roll.......) The photo example is of a Falcon showing how cool they still look with very few mods to this day.