BF Exclusive: 1964 Ford Falcon Sprint
It wouldn’t be stretching credibility to suggest that the release of the First Generation Mustang sealed the fate of the Ford Falcon Sprint. Potential buyers became so swept up in their desire to park a Mustang in their driveway that cars like this 1964 Falcon Sprint remained lost in the shadows. Therefore, finding a solid Sprint project car today can be a battle. This one looks like a gem, and its overall condition makes it a prime candidate for a straightforward restoration. It is located in Denver, Colorado, and has been listed for sale here on Barn Finds Classifieds. You could drive away in this promising project car for $19,500.
There’s a bit to consider with this Sprint. There’s no denying that its Dynasty Green paint has seen better days, but it’s when you look beyond the tired paint that you begin to appreciate what this classic has to offer. The panels are impressively straight for a vehicle of this age, with no evidence of anything beyond a few minor marks for the buyer to tackle. Nothing visible would justify panel replacement, and the same is true when we consider the crucial question of rust. The owner says that the frame is rock solid and that the remaining sheetmetal is virtually rust-free. That means that the new owner could tackle any potential repairs with small patches in a home workshop. The glass is in excellent condition, and the owner includes a new set of rubbers for potential buyers seeking a high-grade restoration. Before spending any money on trim or chrome, I would give everything careful attention with a quality polishing product. I believe that it would be worth the effort because I feel that most of the trim would react positively to that type of attention.
When Ford initially introduced the Sprint, the company’s 260ci V8 occupied its engine bay. This motor continued into 1964, although it made way for the iconic 289ci unit late in that production year. That is what we find under the hood of our feature car, while this Sprint is also equipped with a four-speed Top Loader manual transmission and power steering. The Sprint tipped the scales at around 100lbs more than an equivalent Mustang, but their performance figures remained neck-and-neck. If the owner pointed a Sprint at the ¼ mile, the journey would be over in around 16.4 seconds. The owner believes that this car still retains its numbers-matching 289, although he acknowledges the transmission codes from the 1968 model year. He describes it as a fun driver that can easily smoke the tires. Therefore, the buyer could drive and enjoy this classic immediately and could undertake the restoration work as time and circumstances allow.
This Sprint’s interior is a blank canvas, and how the buyer tackles it will depend on their vision for the car. It remains serviceable as-is, although it would “pop” with a bit of effort. The front bucket seats wear aftermarket cloth upholstery, although the rear bench retains its original vinyl. The dash houses a radio/cassette player in place of the factory radio, but nobody has cut the dash to accommodate it. That means that returning the interior to a factory-fresh state would be possible. The lower production totals of the Sprint compared to the equivalent Mustang means that trim kits are slightly more expensive. I had no drama locating a high-quality kit with everything required to return this car to showroom condition for $2,700. That may seem like a significant cost, but it’s worth remembering that an interior retrim should represent a one-off expense. Treated with ongoing care and respect, upholstery can easily last for many decades. This Sprint has fifty-seven years under its belt, and if the buyer puts the effort and expense into the interior, there’s no reason why it couldn’t still look pretty dazzling when the car clocks a century.
Had Ford ignored the potential available to them in the First Generation Mustang, there’s no doubt that the Falcon Sprint would have sold in significant numbers. The 1963 model year saw the company sell 15,081 examples of the Sprint in both Hardtop and Convertible guises. For 1964, that figure rose to 18,108 cars. However, with a mere 3,106 cars rolling off the line in 1965, the party was over. Finding a good Sprint project car today is a battle, but that appears to be what is on offer here. That makes this one worthy of closer consideration and worth being returned by a new owner to its former glory. Could that new owner be you?
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Comments
I am by no means a car collector expert, but I am a car guy.
I had a 63 1/2 sprint (and a couple other falcons) this just doesn’t seem like a $19k car to me. I could be wrong.
Agreed. I love the Falcon and, would take one over a 1965 Mustang any day, but $19k is steep for a project of this magnitude. BTW, the Falcon Sprint is supposed to have a dashboard top tachometer.
Tachometer was an option in the Sprint, not a standard item.
The dashboard-top tach was optional on the ’64. They had de-contented the car quite a bit compared to the 63 1/2, making several previously standard features optional.
When my son was 16, I bought a ’64 falcon sprint with the common 260, 2 Spd. He quickly blew that so in goes the 302, C-4. He is now 42 years old, in the Air Force, and I am storing it covered, on jacks, under my carport. What should we do with this car? I am incapable of doing it correctly. He wants to finish it with a midnight blue, gray interior. I will not kid you, this car has sat for years and needs a complete re-store. If you have had several of these maybe you could respond with a tip, as to advice on whether this car is even worth re-storing. I see cars like his for 22,000. I told him to just buy one of those. But he will not do it. Thanks for your time.
The last picture is the best, the one showing the dual exhaust, and car from the back. I love the paint and the condition its in, this car is straight, This has it going on
These are great cars. I would take a ‘64 Falcon over the Mustang in a heart beat.
I had a ride in a ’64 Falcon, back in ’72. I don’t remember if it was a Sprint, but it had a built 289 under the hood, with a 4 speed. He had a torque chain hooked up, and after that that crazy fast ride, I could see why. Anyway, I’d take a ’64 or ’65 Falcon over a Mustang, too.
I like it when they get posted on eBay. They are easier to save, follow and bid on.
I like it, but in its current condition it is over priced by about $10k in IMHO.
being retired and considering buying myself a toy for a while now, this suits me to a “T”. The $19K price tag is going to scare me off this one. I know this is an expensive hobby but I just don’t see it in this car.
Have had a love for these for a long time. The neighbor across the street from my best friend growing up had one sitting next to his house. He was a longtime owner and my friend had an eye for it. We never saw it run until one day a different friend whos dad was friends with the owner came to buy the car. Nooooo!!!!! The dream was over, we were too late. It was however cool to see the car transform in a short period of time. Originally a black on black sprint with 289/4speed it was restored to black with white interior. 289 was punched to 302 and ran pretty healthy for the time. It retained the aluminum slots that were on it when purchased but obviously new rubber. Just a good looking car and sounded great, ran mid 12’s. That friend passed on at a young age, i regret not purchasing his car back then for the mere price of $8k. Supposedly the car is still around a couple hours south of me but haven’t made the trek to see if it may again be for sale or even just to see it. Its been 20 years since ive seen the car. I hope its still going strong. Thanks for helping keep the memories alive. As for this car, price is high for what you’re getting IMO.
Just thought I would throw my two cents in on the price of this car. A 64 restored Sprint at Mecum earlier this year had trouble breaking into the low 20s. So yes this is pipe dream price hoping someone doesn’t know better. Hopefully people will shop the going price on one of these and not pay to much.
As mentioned by @Doug from MD. recent auctions would indicate this is overpriced by a fair amount. (yes It’s an auto but still)
https://www.mecum.com/lots/CA0821-485017/1964-ford-falcon-sprint/
I owned a 64 sprint. White over Red.
Well several times in my short time of ownong it, the car behind me was Red over White (LAPD)
Well per the add I could drive it home for $19,500 but I’m not going to I personally believe that the price is to high considering what else I can get for the money. What the seller calls patina in my world it needs a paint job.
Good luck I hope they get their asking price
If you bought this car for $19K and sunk another $15K into restoring it you might have a car worth $19K.
I had a 67 Falcon sport coupe ; it had the look of the Mustang with the long nose short trunk . I always liked the looks of the Falcon over the Mustang
For not much more money you could get a Falcon Sprint with a better paint job and interior. Great cars and I love them but this $19,000 is too rich for the cars current condition. As said you can easily spend $2700 for new interior parts, not labor and easily $ $6- 10k for a decent replay paint job. Do the math.
Not that I’m the most knowledgeable guy, but if it’s OG shouldn’t it have a 260 instead of that 289?
Depends on when it was manufactured. 289s were available in late 1964. Prior to that only 260 was the largest available.
$19,000? Someone has clearly lost their mind. That’s the restored value, not the value in its current condition. If that’s the case, I’m selling my 1964 Falcon Sprint Convertible for $80k.
What was the line from Aerosmith, oh yeah “Dream on, dream on, dream on hahahahah” Out of their frickin minds, I want some of the weed they smoke.
Sounds like you already have….
I had a Falcon this year, but a six-cylinder. By the time I got it, it burned more oil than gas. Owned it before the Duster mentioned in this article. One night we left from Toledo, Oh to drive to the UP of Michigan. For reasons that would require an article of a different type, we fought for the privilege to drive. Stops for gas,oil, and bathroom only. Got there at sun up driving a road that would give a 4WD reason for pause back then (about 1973). We could not make it across the river! So we hoofed it the last few hundred yards! You can’t buy adventure and memories like that nowadays!