Auto123 take a look at drives the 1960 Ford Falcon!
Standing on the shoulders of others is a hallowed custom in human historical past. A number of the most important names in historical past would by no means have risen to prominence had it not been for the work completed by some predecessor, particular person or factor that paved the best way for them. To offer only one instance near dwelling, Jacques Villeneuve would in all probability by no means have taken up motor racing if his father Gilles had had a ardour for macramé reasonably than velocity.
Generally the trailblazer additionally features some degree of recognition; such was the case with our Gilles. Fairly often, nevertheless, the pioneer works within the shadows, and the glory goes to the one who comes subsequent.
What applies to folks will also be utilized to issues… like the auto. In that specific universe, we’ve seen the phenomenon happen again and again: if it hadn’t been for this or that early, forgotten mannequin, another future traditional would by no means have seen the sunshine of day.
Working example is the fabled Mustang. The Ford Mustang, which first appeared in 1964, is immediately a really legendary automotive. However owes an important deal to a different Ford household automotive.
Uncover Shopicar! All new makes and fashions and all present promotions.
From little issues, huge issues develop…
Within the 1950s, American producers weren’t actually providing compact vehicles to customers. There have been the Corvette at Chevrolet and Thunderbird at Ford, however they had been sports activities vehicles, not family-friendly fashions.
Progressively, a change in mentality took maintain over that decade. Little by little, European vehicles had been making their method onto North American driveways, and plenty of customers, profiting from the booming post-war financial system, had been now contemplating shopping for a second automotive.
Enter a completely sudden personage into this story: Robert McNamara. Earlier than he was Secretary of Protection for Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, the businessman labored at Ford; and there, he was in some methods the daddy of the Falcon. On becoming a member of the corporate in 1946, he drew kudos for his aptitude and enterprise acumen. He contributed to the rebirth of Ford, for which the conflict had not been simple.
McNamara inherited the Falcon venture, floundering on the time, and turned it round to provide the automotive it will definitely turned. His purpose was to provide a automotive that was cheap to purchase and preserve. One that might supply the buyer one of the best of the American car, however in a small format.
And naturally, it needed to be worthwhile for Ford.
Scorching begin
Although its efficiency capabilities weren’t precisely distinctive, the Falcon bought off to a flying gross sales begin. Launched to the press on September 21, 1959, the Falcon clearly touched a nerve; Ford’s order ebook crammed up at lightning velocity.
In its first yr in the marketplace, in 1960, Ford offered 435,676 models. In 1961, it surpassed this mark with 474,191 models offered. In 1962, the a million mark was handed.
Inside two years, the identical type of success was repeated with the Mustang; sadly for the Falcon and its place in historical past, its preliminary success was largely forgotten.
Simplicity as a purpose
The success of the Falcon got here down to 2 issues; simplicity and value. In 1960, the two-door mannequin offered for $1,912, whereas the four-door mannequin offered for $1,974. It was arduous to discover a higher deal. Chevrolet had the Corvair and Plymouth the Valiant, however they had been barely costlier to purchase.
As for the simplicity of the Falcon, once more, there was nothing to match it in the marketplace. Its engine was a 144-cc 90-hp inline-6, the suspension was coil-spring within the entrance and leaf spring within the rear, and braking was offered by 4 drums. The three-speed guide shifter (on the steering column) was commonplace, whereas the two-speed Ford-O-Matic was accessible as an possibility.
(Now, wouldn’t anybody with an oz of nostalgia in them not enjoyment of having a car that includes a bit of kit known as the Ford-O-Matic?)
There have been 4 variations within the catalogue: sedan, coupe and two wagon variants; one with two doorways, the opposite with 4 doorways.
Unsurprisingly, the most well-liked mannequin was the least costly. In all, 193,470 two-door models had been offered. The 2-door wagon, priced at $62 lower than its four-door sibling, was the least in style variant with 27,552 models offered.
Behind the wheel
Those that opted for a Falcon in 1960 knew what they had been stepping into, in each sense of the phrase. Right here one needed to neglect the notion of nice consolation that had been launched by the large sedans of the 1950s. It was additionally essential to dismiss any preconceived notions about efficiency. The numbers advised the story: the Falcon’s engine wasn’t precisely intimidating.
Alternatively, the automotive wasn’t very heavy, and because the 1958 financial disaster was simply within the strategy of coming to an finish, its decreased gasoline consumption was engaging. After which there have been the mannequin’s charming seems.
All this to let you know that once I was not too long ago supplied the prospect to drive a beautifully-preserved 1960 Falcon, there was completely no twisting of arms.
As you agree in on the entrance bench seat, you understand how easy issues had been completed again then. There’s simply sufficient room to slip behind the wheel, dashboard gives up the naked minimal, the extent of consolation is spartan, and the dearth of soundproofing makes the presence of a sound system irrelevant.
Once you flip the important thing, the little engine activates and shakes the casing to the purpose the place you’re feeling such as you’re sitting on an overfull dryer within the spin cycle. Then, all the things calms down because the engine warms up a bit. Instinctively, you possibly can really feel when the Falcon’s able to take flight; it’s as if it’s speaking to you.
Out on the street, you perceive anew what intentional automotive simplicity is. There’s after all no trace of any drive help programs, and by that I imply not blind spot warning or computerized cruise, however energy steering or energy brakes. Right here, all the things relies on the sensation of the particular person on the controls. Nonetheless, as soon as in movement, you neglect about it and information the little chook with out overthinking issues. Above all, you shortly recognize its sobriety. And, opposite to the mannequin’s larger compatriots of the time, you don’t really feel the heaviness that characterised so many vehicles of that period. I gained’t say it’s agile, however the Falcon behaves virtually nimbly.
And as is usually the case whenever you drive an outdated mannequin like this, the smile is just about frozen in your face as you drive alongside, waving amiably at passersby. Within the case of the Falcon, it’s many charms make it simple to know why it’s bought cache amongst collectors, 60+ years after it first appeared.
Perhaps that’s additionally as a result of that is one traditional automotive mannequin you gained’t go broke buying. It’s attainable to get your arms on a Falcon in magnificent situation someplace round $10,000.
Conclusion
Was the Falcon a hit? The figures I discussed earlier are there to show it. When the time got here to design the Mustang, it was primarily positioned on the Falcon chassis and that was it. Glory went to the horse automotive and never the chook of prey. Little doubt, in flip, the Mustang will encourage different creations additional down the road.
Consider it: the upcoming Mustang Mach-E all-electric efficiency monster may by no means have been attainable had been it not for the Falcon.
Respect for the little chook, please.
See additionally: Revisiting the 1960 Pontiac Laurentian: All-Canadian, Ey?
See additionally: 1962 Volkswagen Microbus: Love at First Sight
See additionally: 1965 Datsun L320: On the Wheel of a Miracle
See additionally: Street Take a look at of the 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Pocket Rocket!
See additionally: The 1975 Lincoln City Automotive Continental: Social Distancing Made Straightforward
Technical specs
Model : Ford
Mannequin : Falcon
Model: Tudor (2-door “sedan”)
12 months: 1960
Manufacturing: 193,470 models (two doorways)
Value: $1912 USD
Choices: computerized transmission ($159)
Engine: 144-cc 6-cylinder inline engine
Energy: 90 hp @ 4200 rpm
Torque: 138 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
Transmission: Ford-O-Matic 2-speed computerized transmission
Weight: 2282 lb
Related fashions from 1960: AMC Rambler, Chevrolet Corvair, Plymouth Valiant, Studebaker Lark
Let’s block adverts! (Why?)
