Daily Driver? 1964 Ford Falcon Deluxe Wagon
The seller of this 1964 Ford Falcon Deluxe wagon was planning to give it a V8 engine transplant, but the car is so original that he has advertised it here on craigslist for $9800, hoping that a Falcon fan will maintain it as is. The wagon’s factory Skylight Blue paint and darker blue interior are points in its favor – and it’s running, unlike many project cars. The new owner can retrieve it from Snohomish, Washington. T.J. found this sweet grocery-getter for us – thanks, T.J.!
The Falcon was sold as a family/economy vehicle in 1960, essentially a compact version of Ford’s Galaxie. The base engine was the Mileage Maker 144 cui six-cylinder – not the most potent pony, but easy on gas. The Falcon was upstaged when the Mustang was launched, despite a foray into sportier body styles and more extensive engine options. This car is equipped with the Special Six, a 200 cu. in. six-cylinder making about 116 hp. The Fordomatic three-speed automatic was an option. The seller indicates that his Falcon runs, drives, and shifts perfectly; presumably, it stops, too, since the brakes have been “fully serviced.” The 1964 Futura package dished up fancier interior trim with color-keyed components, full carpeting, rear armrests, courtesy lamps, dual sun visors, and other niceties. Later, bucket seats were a Futura hallmark. I suspect this car’s front seat upholstery isn’t in perfect condition – thus the blanket.
The headliner is in fine condition; the rear seats, finishes, sheet metal, and trim have their share of tears, dents, rust spots, and scrapes. The cargo area needs a thorough scrubbing. Still, the entire car has aged gracefully, with the same patina everywhere. Change one thing, and it will stand out like a sore thumb.
First-generation Falcons were styled with rounded fenders front and rear, but 1964 marked a departure from that softness, with a spear running down the waistline, accented by sheet metal creases. Wagons came in three styles – the Squire with faux wood exterior trim and the Standard or Deluxe two- and four-door wagons. The generous greenhouse made the most of the scenery. Total wagon production ran at about 50,000 units in 1964 out of 300,000 Falcons of all types made. Wagons were flogged pretty hard, so survivorship has probably made these models rare today. Prices hover in the mid-teens for a nice wagon, with a premium for the Squire and/or a V8. If a buyer weren’t too ambitious, our subject car would make an excellent starter classic, but embarking on a resto-mod or a full restoration would sink the economics fast. Would you take this honest wagon home?
Auctions Ending Soon
2006 Ford Mustang Saleen S281 SCBid Now1 days$15,000
2002 Subaru Impreza WRXBid Now4 days$100
1975 Chevrolet Corvette ConvertibleBid Now4 days$3,000
1964 Ford F-100 Camper CustomBid Now4 days$2,000
2006 Jeep Wrangler SportBid Now6 days$5,150
Comments
This has the C4 3-speed auto. The Fordomatic was a 2-speed. This example is in good shape but I think it’s a tad overpriced.
I agree with you Terry, a little optimistic on the seller’s ask, but most definitely agree with Michelle, don’t touch a thing on this wagon!!
More than a tad.
More than a tad.
I see nothing wrong with installing a V8 or going the mild resto-mod route with this Falcon. It’s never going to be particularly valuable, and the driving experience isn’t all that engaging, so why not spice it up a bit? Leave the appearance alone, make reversible modifications, keep the original parts, and have some fun.
I think a 289 would be a nice touch, VIN-dependent. A later ’64 would make it period-correct. Not sure about bellhousing bolts on the C4 (as my experience with mating different engines to existing transmissions is limited to AMC), but the C4 should be able to hold up.
Proper V8 upgrade would involve transmission/ hubs/brakes/ front springs/ radiator/ rear differential, wheels….
It can be done, but it’s more than yarding out the 6 and plunking a V8 in its place.
My son has a ‘66 Mustang that started life as a 6/3speed car. Now 289/4 speed. Same process.
Im not 100 percent sure this has a C4. If you look at the Craigslist ad, theres a close up of the horn button, you can see the shift quadrant indicator and there is only one Low position after drive that I can see. Maybe because of the small six this has the 2 speed auto in it? I know the C4 was available in 64, thats when it came out I believe.
See what I mean? Maybe its the angle.
The 200 ci six is no slouch, and was used for many years. At least in the late 1960s and early 1970s, there were plenty of performance parts available for it. Replacing the 2 speed auto with the period correct 3 speed, and adding a few period performance parts should be more than enough for a daily driver. These shared a lot of parts with the Mustang, so there are plenty of options for a restomod, but I’d keep this one original or mostly so.
yup, went upto ’83 in LTD/Marquis (thru zepher/fairmont) their 1st yr (of 4). It’s a lill rev-er. Raced well south & Dwn Under.
I like the looks of the ’round body’(0-’63), better than this, the ‘square body’ (’64 on
We towed first a Sears than a Nimrod camper thru Texas and the next states with that little 6/auto and five of us kids to boot ! Like most it’s a little high but as my old salvage yard owner use to say “where ya going to find one”…..this nice I might add.
I had a 65 Fairlane with a 289 mated to a 2 speed fordomatic. So while it was not exactly a hot performer , the early question , it’ll work. Fird sent it from Dearborn that way after all
Yeah and although I never drove one personally. Dad swore by the 200 6 with a 3speed manual in all his mustangs. He had 4 65-66 over the years , one was a 289 , all others the 6. He liked the 6.
2.8 (170), 3.3 (this un) & 4.2 (250) all came in stangs.
I gota 4.2 (from ’69 stang) in my 1st gen bronk (after all,
just a 4WD falcon) & 5 speed (’02 heep’s). Both (sometimes
together) are oft used swap-ins for this vehicle. ThriftPower motors,
hi tq i6. The 300 (4.9) wuz in 10,000 lb dumps w/a stevens HD exh manny.