Price :
$19,000.00

3398 Olive Street, Arlington, OH 45814

Contact Seller

Vehicle Description

1964 Ford Falcon Sprint Convertible

Historically, the "Big Three" auto manufacturers, (GM, Ford and

Chrysler), focused purely on the larger and more profitable

vehicles in the US and Canadian markets. Towards the mid-1950s, all

three manufacturers realized that this strategy would no longer

work. Large automobiles were becoming increasingly expensive,

making smaller cars such as Fiats, Renaults, Toyotas, and

Volkswagens increasingly attractive. Furthermore, many American

families were now in the market for a second car, and market

research showed women especially thought the full-size car had

grown too large and cumbersome. Hence the project which became the

Falcon was started and sponsored by Ford General Manager Robert S.

McNamara, who commissioned a team to create what by American

standards of the time would be a small car but elsewhere in the

world considered a mid-size. McNamara, who was promoted to Group

Vice President of Cars and Trucks by the time the Falcon was

launched, was intimately involved in development, insisting on

keeping the costs and weight of the car as low as possible.

For consignment, a result of much market research that aimed at

women, a second car for families, and a smaller car that was less

cumbersome and expensive. We give you the first edition of the

second generation in a 1964 Ford Falcon. This racy beauty is

somewhat rare with this Sprint convertible being one of a mere

4,278 out of a total of 18,108 Falcons built for 1964. This was the

high end of the Falcon line.

Exterior

In typical 60s Detroit fashion, Fords second generation debut

Falcon, adorned with curved surfaces and creases that stretch from

stem to stern, which are incredibly hard to make straight once its

been overhauled or reworked. Fortunately, the metal on this compact

coupe has been benefited by low mileage and usage over the years,

so good panel alignment and an astute attention to detail remains.

The cars classic flanks were made very straight, prior to the

Dynasty Geen respray being laid on its solid and sculpted body.

Those bodys gaps are better than average, featuring doors that

operate with precision, vertical components that are centered in

their respective openings. And overall, this pint-size cruiser

carries every indication that its high quality original condition

turned into a well-kept effort to create a timeless compact car

which looks good on the road and great in the parking lot! A

paperclip trim spear adorns the sides, and is the telling feature

of this 64 bird of prey. With a nice white convertible top it oozes

an early 60s mantra. The shaver chromed styled in-swept grille,

with a single headlight on either corner and shiny bumper below

leads the way. For the corners lets throw in some snappy 14-inch

chromed wire wheel covers with faux spinners all wrapped in

205/75R14 rubber all from the 48th week of 2014.

Interior

This cool Fords correct and tasteful interior is a classy reminder

of the days when style and appeal were the central focus of

automotive design. At the front of the car is an original dash in

medium turquoise hung with pristinesilver instrument cluster,

utilizing the horizontal speedo and a circular deep bezel on either

side. Much like the Mustang of the day, making ample use of chrome

surrounds and horizontal trim pieces. On the dash top now resides a

factory option tachometer, not oft seen. In front of that dash are

2 pristine fully restored low back wide buckets. They are in 2 tone

light turquoise smooth bolsters and slightly darker, (nearer to

blue), tuck and roll inserts made of vinyl. Some light turquoise

piping adds to the allure, as does a center console with chromed

central single ribbed highlighted turquoise glovebox and surround.

Below those seats, fade-free carpet in turquoise is looking like

new covering the floors. At the edges of that carpet, great looking

door panels wrap like-new smooth turquoise vinyl and mix it with

some aqua-blue painted metal uppers and sills. In the center is a

silver padded smooth fabric covering looking much like Chuck

Yeagers ride when he broke the barrier. This wonderful shiny trim

works with the dash wraps entirely around the interior panels and

is just beautifully done. Note is a matching wide rear bench. Also

in front of the driver, an impressive original wood rimmed factory

Ford steering wheel turns the front tires. A curved shifter reached

for the driver in the hump. All very nicely done and a standing O

for this early 60s interior. Clap Clap Clap!

Drivetrain

With a car of this restoration caliper, one would almost expect

something special to be under the hood, and opening it your

wandering eyes will just say WHAAAAAAAT? Yes there it is in the

flesh, our should I say blue oval blue painted block with chromed

valve coverings and a 260 badged round open air cleaner. It is the

quintessential 260ci V8 as were all Sprints adorned with making a

respectable 164hp. Topping the intake is a 2-barrel carburetor. In

back is a 4-speed manual Toploader. Way back a Ford 8 inch 3.25

geared pumpkin. All beautifully put together and I cannot wait to

drive it.

Undercarriage

Underneath we note as expected a solid undercarriage with no

surface rust, and some overspray of undercoating. Solid as a rock

with dual Flowmaster mufflers and like new stainless exhaust.

Simple is the word of the day, with an independent coil spring

front suspension, and for the back we see traditional leaf spring.

Drum brakes are all around, and all like new.

Drive-Ability

Even now and again we get an unexpected surprise and this car

provided it. After a quick turn of the ignition and initial fire

up, it was off to the test track where this car had surprising

acceleration, smooth cruising, and great handling. This car is full

of pleasant surprises, and I was duly impressed. Interior is near

perfect with all working controls, although the radio turned on but

did not play anything, the speedometer reads a touch slow, and the

fuel gauge stops moving at 1/4 tank. A great ride, and surprisingly

powerful. I checked under the hood to see if it was actually a

260ci V8 under there, and there was!

Location