Surf’s Up! 1963 Ford Falcon Squire
In 1960, Ford introduced its compact Falcon to supply a developing desire for smaller cars after the excesses of the 1950s. The Falcon was penned by Robert McNamara – yes, that McNamara, later named US Secretary of Defense – and it was Ford’s best-seller in its first year. By 1962, the Falcon family gained a new body style, the Squire wagon. Ford was already selling several full-sized wagons by then, but the market loved the handy little Falcon variant. (Incidentally, Ford used the word “Squire” any time it clad the sides of a car with wood paneling – faux or not. There are Country Squires, Pinto Squires, Fairlane Squires, Granada Squires…. you get the picture.) Here on eBay is a restored 1963 Ford Falcon Squire, bid to $8,800 with a buy-it-now price of $24,500. The reserve is not met. The wagon is located in Louisa, Virginia. The seller refers to it as his “rat rod” but other than a motor change from the original six-cylinder to a V8, the car looks fairly stock.
The car was found in a Texas barn and it’s apparently rust-free. Cosmetic work includes new Satin White paint and brand-new faux wood trim. The chrome and stainless trim are not all perfect; the front bumper is wavy and the grille has some damage near the lip of the hood. These round body Falcons are especially appealing with their vestigial fins and simple circular tail lights.
The interior is brand new and the original radio is present. White knurled switch knobs boost the vintage appearance. The car has a B&M shifter and a foot-shaped gas pedal. The lucky buyer also gets to keep the surfboard and the dash-mounted hula girl. I think these items qualify the car as a “rat rod” in the seller’s lexicon.
The seller replaced the original 170 cu. in. six-cylinder with a 289 cu. in. V8 paired with a four-speed automatic overdrive transmission. The 170 made about 95 bhp; this 289 could range from 200 bhp up, depending on the build, making the wagon a snappy performer. The seller has replaced all brake lines; and rebuilt the brakes, rear end, and front suspension. The gas tank and fuel lines are new. New tires on the plain steel wheels with poverty hubcaps match the wagon’s classic demeanor. The speedometer cable is not yet installed and the gas tank sending unit is new but doesn’t register. The seller also hasn’t indicated whether the wagon runs and drives; I want to assume so given the asking price, but that’s an obvious question mark. My sense is this should sell in the high teens if it runs well; what do you think?
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Comments
Reminds me of the Falcon wagon used in the movie “The Help”. I’d buy it if it came with the actress from the movie.
What’s up with the front windshield? Maybe it’s just dirty and has mist on it from being outside?
The picture was probably taken in the morning, before the sun hit the car. Cool, relatively humid night air condenses on the windshield forming the damp layer (which can also trap dust in the air). (Soon enough the overnight air will get cold enough that it’ll be a frosted windshield in the morning, not just a damp one.) It’ll evaporate and the windshield will dry after the sun hits it for a short time.
More than likely it means water inside the car from either leaking windscreen rubber, or water getting inside the car from somewhere else.
I was with my mother when she bought a new 62 Squire off the showroom floor. White with the red interior and bucket seats with console. I remember it being very slow so it most likely had the 170- 6. Anyway, the car in The Help was a Fairlane, not a Falcon.
Nice rig.
I’d pay the ask if the surfboards were mia, so stupid.
I like what he did with the 289 swap, and wonder what rear end he put in back. Maybe a Mustang 8.5? These are sweet little cars and it runs more like a Mustang now I’m sure. High teens sounds right to me. Good find.
The Falcon, whether sedan or a wagon….were a major fail, for Ford.
After the Edsel.
Although they did sell quite a few Falcons, which is telling.
Sort of like Motel 6 & Walmart.
You are actually VERY incorrect about that statement! This platform was what were the underpinnings of the Mustang! Then became the Maverick/Comet! FoMoCo got excellent mileage out of this chassis! A very smart move.
The Falcon was a very popular model and it sold in large quantities. It was inexpensive and easy to maintain. And its basic platform was still in use for several years after the actual Falcon had been discontinued.
yup, this stopped the VeeDub invasion, decimating the merican auto industry, & brought on the muscle era (stang) and suv (bronk) period some of which we R still in. The motor (“Falcon Motor” actually “ThriftPower” i6), there were 6 of them 3 ‘small block’ (a cheb misnomer) an odd ball mid sz (4.1L) & 2 ‘big block’ (ford uses “families” – thriftpower ie not SB/BB) 240/300 who’s production laster from (‘6o/4) 36 yrs later w/efi models (’96). The 300/4.9 is a million mi motor like the MB OM614 and the 2 Chrysler “slant 6” & hasa large following (not the 144/2.3L the grandfather to the 6).
https://www.vintageinlines.com/product-page/the-ford-falcon-six-cylinder-performance-handbook
https://www.vintageinlines.com/product-page/ford-inline-six-how-to-rebuild-and-modify
For any enthusiasts who clicked on this waggy.
Most people in this forum know the facts of Ford and the Falcon. It was one of Fords best sellers, ever thru the early 60s and the precursor to the even better selling Mustang thru the mid 60s and onwards. Ford made a huge sales footprint in its entry into compact size cars with the Falcon
I think certain people post obviously wrong comments here just to tick other people off . No one that knows the history of the automobile would call the Falcon a failure.
Falcons forever!
The early ones were great looking cars with the Rancheros, Convertibles, Coupes, and Squire station wagons. Ford had a good idea !
agreed, I like “the round body” too (’60/3) for less chrome & smoother body panel. Sedans good too. Any (even Chevy II & Nova) small or some mid sz (fox bodies) of 60s, 70s (till’90s) is alright by me. But here the round body Ranch in SCCA livery is an all time winner.