Garage Find: 1962 Ford Falcon
The introduction of the Falcon in 1960 brought Ford into the new compact car game – and would provide a launching point for several other cars in the family, including the famous Mustang. The car was small, practical, and economical – and sold like hotcakes. This 1962 edition, apparently in Deluxe trim, is said to be in good running condition but needs some attention taken in the interior. The seller is moving, so it has to leave his garage in Lawrenceville, Georgia. It’s available here on craigslist and the asking price is $4,999 but that’s not a fixed number. Hats off to Larry D for bringing this tip our way!
Falcon production for 1962 was just shy of 400,000 cars, likely aided by there being no less than 13 models to choose from. Sales were off slightly as the Falcon had competition from the Chevy II for the first time. Styling was only mildly changed and new factory options included air conditioning and backup lights (my, how things have changed). Ford advertising made it a point that you could buy a Falcon in Deluxe trim for less money than other compacts with more frugal comforts.
The seller’s 2-door sedan is said to be in good running condition, with an inline-six under the hood. It’s likely the 144 cubic inch version that produced 65 horsepower or the 170 that was good for 101 hp. Confusion arises regarding what transmission this car has. The ad summary says its an automatic, the seller says it’s a 3-speed on the floor and the interior photos seem to show 3-on-the-three, which would be my supposition.
If the car runs so well, why not back it out in the driveway and take some more complete photos? All the pics provided are from inside the garage and focus only on parts of the automobile. The white paint looks fairly good and there seems to be no rust or other body damage. The interior doesn’t fare quite as well. While the front seat looks to have been recovered in more modern material, the headliner is gone and both door panels will need refurbishing.
The reported mileage for the car is just 36,000 which suggests a mostly gently used car, but the seller will release it with only a bill of sale. There is no mention of what happened to the title if there ever was one (Georgia is one of those states that have title exclusions on older cars). A ’62 Falcon in “Fair” condition is a $5,700 car, according to Hagerty. “Good” is more like $9,500. As this car maybe somewhere in between the two, the seller’s price indicates a need to make it go away as soon as possible.
Auctions Ending Soon
2006 Ford Mustang Saleen S281 SCBid Now3 hours$17,000
2002 Subaru Impreza WRXBid Now3 days$333
1975 Chevrolet Corvette ConvertibleBid Now3 days$3,000
1964 Ford F-100 Camper CustomBid Now3 days$2,000
2006 Jeep Wrangler SportBid Now5 days$10,500
Comments
Russ, with the clutch pedal resting on the floor, the aftermarket shifter on the floor, the column levers not connected to anything under the hood… I’d say it is an automatic.
It also looks like it could have a solid bench seat in front. That would make it a bit of a trick to get in the back seat.
It’s also a less desirable 2 door sedan, not a 2 door hardtop as stated in the ad.
Buyer beware on this one.
Steve R
Falcon “hardtop” (no B pillar) not available before 1963.
Same oil filter as when they painted the block?
Not that it matters, but the 144 cubic inch engine was rated at 90 hp. I had a 1960 Falcon with this engine and three on the tree. It was bone slow. I recall getting annihilated by a similar vintage VW Beetle in an uphill drag race in 1969. Of course, the greater question is, why were we even racing?
Because you could, and nobody would know you were racing except you two.
Very funny bro..!
Lmao…
Whoever took these pictures was either drunk, doesn’t know how to operate a camera, or is hiding something they don’t want you to see. I see they spared no expense by not replacing the oil filter, or perhaps taping it so you don’t see the over spray. Run fast run far.
I agree- run. The tail light bezels look painted, a sloppy paintjob is suspect- that seat, the auto- what a waste. Ive had 4 falcons and a comet -. I would make this one original again, the three on the tree was great. I’m guessing the z bar for the manual trans is missing – I had a hard time getting one for a falcon 20 years ago. At 5k – easy pass. Trans swap might explain the low mileage readout – with lack of effort shown in the pics, odometer likely does not work.
Yeah, dude was either drunk or stoned when he took the pics, especially the one with the painted oil filter, but, on the other hand, if it’s main bones are good, and maybe chop a grand off the price, it’d be worth picking up. People are paying a lot more for a lot less.
More like chop 2500 off the the price, who’s taking the gamble here?
“…including the famous Mustang…”
yup, the muscle era as well as the SUV (as my ’66 bronk is justa 4WD falcon) era.
Not sure the motor but maybe oe as the ‘road draft tube’ looks 2B there above the oil filter. Respray of a lil more quality on the body? I’d say 2K$ from what’s seen, up from there w/a visit? But I’m low market on all these things~
My first car was a ’60 4 door. 3 on the tree and non-syncro first gear. It was my 16th birthday present back in ’68. Another one of my 30 or so cars that I wish I had back.
In 1960 Ford & GM had some vision of the need for an economy car. The Ford Falcon was a success, the Chevy Corvair wasn’t. Scrambling, in 1962 the General came up with the more conventional Chevy 2. End of story? Hardly. The Mustang was based on the Falcon platform and the Camaro was based on the Nova platform. :-) Terry J
During the 1957-58-59 economic recession every car manufacturer saw the sales possibilities and had a time to create a new low price entry.
Metropolitan, Dodge Dart, Plymouth Valiant, Mercury Comet, Buick Special, the Oldsmobile F-85 and Pontiac Tempest, the cheapest was the Rambler American.
This focus on smaller cars domestically was coordinated to cause a sharp drop in import sales. It worked.
Add Nash Metropolitan, Studebaker Lark.
WERE there Others???
American Bantum, Willys(car), Allstate (Sears & Roebuck).
King Midget. :-)
I live not far from this car, i text the guy about it, he says it is an automatic in the floor. Said it runs and i could drive it home. His story is that he is out of state and will be back on Monday if i want to see the car. I am looking for a three on the tree, but it would take a lot to put it all back if you can get all the parts. Would not give much for it.