Hot Rod Ramblings: Ford Falcon is “Car of the Week”
After doing the Volk ’29 Roadster story last week, I was way into traditional hot rods. But, knowing that my daily driver/hot rod needs to be more practical, have a heater and a back seat, 1960’s rods make more sense.
My parents were up visiting from California and of course, poppi and I talked cars. He had a 1964 Mercury Comet Cyclone for about 15 years or so. I’ve thought many times I should do a tribute Comet, black just like dad’s, high revving 289 ci or 302 ci and a modern 5 speed. The problem is, Comet’s are hard to find clean. Plus, they’re a little bigger than I typically like. I’m a small car kind of guy. The Ford Falcon is the Comet’s baby brotha from another motha.
I was doing my usual daily classifieds browsing on Craigslist and found this 1964 Ford Falcon Futura with a V8 and 4 speed trans, front disc brakes, and a straight body already being used as a daily driver.
Typically what I do when I get hooked on a new “Car of the Week” is I go straight to Google Image searches. My ultimate Falcon build would be a combination of Trans-Am, SCCA, Pro-Touring and Restomod build styles. These were some of the inspirational cars I found on Google. Enjoy!
This Falcon has a great road race feel going on. I love those wheels and the flat cornering.
I really dig the 5 spoke grey Torque Thrust wheels on the left above. Silver is a good color for the Falcon.
Pikesan found this one and sent me the link. Thanks buddy! I think this is the perfect setup for a Falcon road racer. I really like the mini-fender flares. The radiused rear fender is just what the small rear wheel well needs to fit these 16×10 wide PS Engineering wheels on a Falcon. I think it looks great don’t you? That 2 tone paint is a nice touch too.
Found this red one on RacingJunk.com. This is a perfect example to start building a track ready Falcon. It looks clean with the painted front and rear bumpers.
I’ll finish up with this resto-mod Falcon running 17″ wheels. The Falcon looks good in white I think. The hardtop coupe Sprint model is a great cruiser.
So, I check Craigslist (Utah, Phoenix, LA, Vegas), RacingJunk.com, BringaTrailer.com. What else do you guys use for finding your project cars?
Let me know by leaving a comment below.
Hechtspeed
For more Falcon fun, check out Pikesan’s project: 1963 Ford Falcon Wagon Build
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Thought I was gonna have to correct you on the “little” brother thing. I always thought the Comets and Falcons were totally same, just looked different. I found this at BringaTrailer.com from user JH:
…did a little quick research and the 63 – 65 comet IS based on a falcon tub, but had extra inches added in the middle to give it a 4″ longer wheelbase and more interior room. this left the comet approx 2″ shorter in wheelbase than the same year fairlane, but with the ‘pointed’ quarters, almost the same overall length. now we know.
More info:
http://bringatrailer.com/2009/08/09/bargain-starter-1964-mercury-comet-caliente/
This might change your mind about the Comets:
http://www.historicgrandnational.com/81.htm
Awesome pictures of a road racing 1964 Comet
Love your Falcon I have exactly the same idea for a 63 Futura “fastback” that I own. Mine has a 289 and a T5, and I am fitting a rear disc Explorer 8.8 rear to it. 64s and 65s have more in common with Mustangs, and they have larger wheewells for larger tires, but I love the smooth shape of the 63. If you run across any 63s with the 60’s road racing vibe, please let me know.
nice car i bought a 1964 falcon futura it has a 350 chevy out of a1973 camero bored out 30 over est.bhp 450-500hp at 7200 rpm est turque 420-475 ft lbs at 5500 rpm i got it from my x brother in law for $1400.00 the cars name is runn bear the only thing is he scrued it up by puttin a straight axel were gettin ready to insall mustaing II front suspension & minni tub it he must still like me cuz he even gave me the built sheet with it..enjoy ur ride …
Hey, i am de Guatemala, I have a ford falcon, 1964 I have no money to repair it, I wonder if esxiste a chance to enter any promotion of repair, I want my dad before going to heaven to see it repaired, thanks.
I own i 1964 falcon sprint i have tubbed the back out put a 9 inch in also have swapped a fuel injected 5.0 out of a 91 mustang bored it .30 over with many more mods added and a vortech blower its sitting on disc brakes also on the front and so much more. Im 18 now and have built this car ground up with my dad with much more to go car runs 11s all day at the track and cruises great.
Sounds like an awesome car Zac! It’s even better that you’ve built it yourself with your dad. We should do a feature story on your Falcon.
I used to drive my Dad’s in the 80’s == great car- he had a rag top same year- sold both now- I wish I would have kept the hard top great car started every time in our ONTARIO weather no problem love and miss that car… Rag car has been redone and he is quite thrillled with the outtcome. but he viewed this and brought him back with some regrets but great enjpyment so thank you for sharing!!!