It’s always a bit heart-warming to run into an old friend that you haven’t seen in 15 years and didn’t know that they were still around. I first shot this Falcon back in 2009, in the early days of my curbsiding, and wrote it up here. Yes, it was the heyday of the Falcon as the hipster’s car of choice, and it looked a bit better then, but here it is, still intact and probably all it needs is a hot shot to get that little Falcon six purring again.
Looks like its owner might have had just that in mind recently, given how its hood is cocked open a bit. As to whether its the 144 or mighty 170 version, I know not.
Either way, it’s exhaust exits the rear via this vintage-style exhaust deflector. I tried to find out just when these first became a thing. Best as I can tell, in the late thirties.
As its lengthy title proclaims, this is not just a regular Falcon, but a Sports Futura. That included the bucket seats, console and some other trim items.
The Futura had been around since 1961, as a response to the very popular Corvair Monza. But in the spring of 1962, it also got this new Thunderbird-style roof, and thus it was now the Sports Futura. Not exactly all that sporty, but the optional UK-sourced 4-speed manual with floor shifter definitely helped a bit to coax the most out of the Falcon six.
Our featured Sports Futura does not have that rare option (I’ve yet to ever see one), but at least it has the three-speed manual and not the power-sapping two-speed Fordomatic.
This Falcon also sports some custom touches.
All that sitting outdoors has also supported the growth of this moss that has gone to seed along its lower window ledge. And that reflection is of its partner, a Chevy El Camino.
Let’s give it its 15 seconds of fame at CC too.
Here’s how the Falcon looked 15 years ago. Well, 15 years will age all of us; actually us more than it. I look at this and remember how different life was then; little did I know that my hobby of taking pictures of old cars on the streets would amount to anything.
Related CC reading:
Curbside Classic: 1962½ Ford Falcon Sports Futura – Ford Sees The Future; At Chevrolet
Curbside Trends: The Ford Falcon – #1 In Classic Cars Among Hipsters
I have recently come across one of my old write-ups too. It is an 80s Dodge conversion van and it has also aged a lot. Unfortunately, it is in a place that makes it hard to photograph.
I still think these early Falcons are among the most cheerful looking cars of all time.
I, too, have encountered a few of the vehicles I have written up over time. It hasn’t always been pretty.
My father purchased a ’62 Falcon new; I guarantee it was not a Sports Futura. He put about 90,000 miles on it within three years, so it was obviously a reliable example.
“90k”, in “3” years? When did he ever get out of the car? Yike!
That isn’t any herculean feat. Especially so for a young bachelor who traveled a fair amount.
Sad to see the moss growing, this is a rust generator .
I hope someone comes along and saves this before it gets scrapped .
-Nate
The interior looks pretty much unchanged between the 2009 photo and this updated photo. Although the moss looks greater which isn’t a good sign.
I am amazed that, from what I can tell, is that you are wandering around someone’s house/property, with a camera and no one says boo? I recall parking across a busy street from a house that had five cars between the 85-04 to take a picture from my open window. No sooner had I then the house owner rushed out and from the distance and challenged me.
These Falcons make great hobby cars. They are so simple and easy to work on. They might not be fast, but they get okay fuel economy. And, they are small, and will fit in your garage and not take up all the room in your driveway. I was looking for a nice little Ranchero back in the ’80’s. I never got one, but had two early Mustangs over the years. This example would be worth saving.
This Falcon still looks savable.
After spending nearly 4 months in China (2 more than planned), I am probably going to be looking at some moss growing on my Ghia when I return.
Hope the owner does clean up and drive this old bird of prey soon, as it looks like a very usable example.
I remember that post and that Falcon! It has been rather a few years since then, and I’m annoyed to realise I’ve aged as much as the car. Mind you, least there’s no moss on me. Yet… It’s been years since I wrote anything up for CC (marriage + self-employment = no spare time) but I sometimes see cars I wrote up – in fact I see my magnificent elderly Ford Sierra every day! Mainly because the battery’s flat, again and I have to walk around it to get at the freezer. The mirrors fell off (plastic fatigue) but other than that it seems happy to slumber like the Falcon. The Falcon’s survived 62 years now, here’s hoping it lasts another 62!
This is funny that I came across this write up. Just yesterday I purchased this same car from a guy in oregon. I hope to have big plans for it, guess we’ll see. Thanks for sharing
Steve