Falcons are a predatory bird that is widespread and common, existing on almost every continent. More than that, though, they’re legendary for their speed and elegance. While Ford Falcons are one of the best selling cars of their time, selling over a million units in their first year, I wouldn’t compare them in the speed department. beginning in 1960, the Ford Falcon came with a 144 CI inline 6. Reliable and fuel efficient, getting 25-30 mpg, they didn’t exactly break land speed records with the 95 horsepower 2.4 liter motor. Despite this, i would argue that in both 1961 and especially today they’re one of the coolest ways to get around. Not to mention the options.
Coming in 2 and 4 door versions of both the Sedan and the Wagon, as well as a pickup truck known as the Ford Falcon Ranchero, What’s not to love? Particularly in the Wagon department, there’s a huge amount of room, Unique and wild style, and if you’re Fatman’s garage, a level of horsepower that would make the original Falcon look like a flightless bird.
Fitted with a Carbureted 5.0 302 out of a Mustang( with a stylish Mustang air cleaner cover), a C4 Automatic transmission and a custom driveshaft that’ll handle every burnout you throw at it and ask for more, you really couldn’t ask for a cooler hotrod. If you’re worried about comfort, dont worry, because so is Fatman’s garage. We upped the anti with bucket seats out of a stylish and classy 1960 Thunderbird. If you’re weary of the 95 original horsepower and grocery getter sound, open up the throttle and listen to the open headers on the awesome Fatman’s garage edition 61 Falcon wagon on the Fatman’s garage youtube channel, or better yet, buy it for yourself and listen to it every day.
The term ” Ford Falcon” was originally used in 1935 by Edsel Ford on what would become the first Mercury, due to stylistic differences between the concept car and the Ford Catalogue of the time. So why did the Falcon come back in the 60’s? Capitalism would be to thank, due to the decline of high priced, high profit vehicles. Many families at the time were searching for second vehicles. Coupled with the research showing that women preferred smaller and more efficient vehicles in juxtaposition to the large unwieldy vehicles on sale, Ford had a clear option. Release the perfect combination of small, reliable, useful and efficient. The Ford Falcon.
This movement was championed by the soon to be Secretary of Defense, Robert McNamara “the Father of the Falcon”. He believed in the Falcon wholeheartedly and was a huge part of this car actually coming out, before leaving the company partway through 1961 for the previously mentioned government position.
Thank you for coming to learn with me today, and thank you to Fatman’s Garage for letting me use photos of their unique piece of automotive history. Check them out at FatmansGarage.com