Ford Falcon

It may have been short lived, but the Ford Falcon was one of the top cars of the 1960s. Most people know it as the basis for the Ford Mustang, but it was a solid offering on its own. The Falcon started life as a compact and economy car, but by the late-1960s was verging on muscle car territory. The short lived 1970.5 Falcon on the intermediate Ford Fairlane/Torino chassis got power plants all the way up to the 429 Cobra Jet Ram Air V8, which produced 370 horsepower. It’s not quite as iconic as some of the other more legendary cars of the day, like the Plymouth Road Runner or Pontiac GTO, but enthusiasts still fondly remember the Falcon today as a formidable compact muscle car. Read on to learn all about the 1960–1970.5 Ford Falcon.

Ford Falcon Overview

The Ford Falcon spanned three generations from 1960–1970, and it sold well over 2.6 million units. Ford introduced the Falcon as a new compact for 1960, which they dubbed “The New-Size Ford.” It was available as a wagon, sedan, or coupe, but was severely lacking in the power department. In 1963, the line got its first V8, a 164 horsepower 260 cid small-block. 

The second generation began in 1964, and the 1965 Ford Falcon got the two-barrel carb version of the 289 Challenger V8 used in the Mustang. It was good for 200 horsepower, and in 1967 it got the four-barrel version, making 225 horsepower. The third generation began in 1966, and the 1968 Ford Falcon used a double-barrel version of the 302 V8, making 220–230 horsepower. 

This was the most powerful domestic compact Falcon ever built. Unfortunately, production stopped on it just a few months into the 1970 model year. In its place, halfway through 1970, they brought out the intermediate sized version based on the Fairlane/Torino chassis. This version got the all-powerful 429 Cobra Jet Ram Air V8, producing a maximum of 370 horsepower. 

Unfortunately, the new intermediate Falcon was short-lived, and did not survive to make it to 1971. Instead, the Pinto and Torino took over in its place. As of 2024, Ford has still not revived the Falcon namesake. Still, we can only hope they decide to stick a 450+ horsepower 5.0 Coyote V8 underneath the hood and try again. 

First Generation 1960–1963 Ford Falcon

The first generation of the Ford Falcon kicked off in 1960 and lasted four model years through 1963. Ford introduced it originally as “The New Size Ford,” which was essentially just a term that meant compact. It rode a 109.5 wheelbase, which compared with the Thunderbird and Galaxie was 9.5 inches shorter, and it was more than 20 inches smaller from end-to-end. 

Styling-wise, it was somewhat bland and conservative, with a slab-sided body, single headlights and taillights, power-bule simulated scoop hood, chrome bumpers, unibody construction, and Ford branding on the hood and rear end. Ford made it available as either a two or four-door sedan or station wagon. They called the two-doors “Tudors,” while the four-doors were “Fordors”

From 1960–1961, buyers could order the Deluxe package, which became its own line under the Falcon in 1962. In 1961, they made the Futura model available. It was essentially a standard Falcon but with bucket seats up front and a center console. For 1963, the Futura became its own model, and it replaced the Deluxe as the top-tier option, and a convertible became available.

Also in 1963, Ford introduced the Futura Sprint, which was the first true performance version. Prior to the Sprint, the only available engines were either a “Falcon Six” 144 cid inline-six at 85-90 horsepower, or a 170 cid inline-six at 101 horsepower. With the Sprint, Ford used the 260 “Challenger” V8. It had 8.7:1 compression, a Holley double-barrel carburetor, and pumped out 164 horsepower. It was a good start, but soon the Falcon would turn into a real muscle car. 

First Generation 1960–1963 Ford Falcon Engines

Model Year	Engine	Horsepower	Torque
1960	144 I6 (1bbl)	90 horsepower	138 lb-ft
1961-1963	144 I6 (1bbl)	85 horsepower	138 lb-ft
1962-1963	170 I6 (1bbl)	101 horsepower	156 lb-ft
1963	260 V8 (2bbl)	164 horsepower	258 lb-ft

First Generation 1960–1963 Ford Falcon Production Numbers

Model Year	Body Style	Production Total
1960	Four-Door Sedan	167,896
	Two-Door Sedan	193,470
	Four-Door Station Wagon	46,758
	Two-Door Station Wagon	27,552
	1960 Total	435,676
1961	Four-Door Sedan	159,761
	Two-Door Sedan	149,982
	Two-Door Futura	44,470
	Four-Door Station Wagon	87,933
	Two-Door Station Wagon	32,045
	1961 Total	474,191
1962	Four-Door Sedan	126,041
	Two-Door Sedan	143,650
	Two-Door Futura	17,011
	Four-Door Station Wagon	66,819
	Two-Door Station Wagon	20,025
	Four-Door Squire Wagon	22,583
	1962 Total	396,129
1963	Four-Door Sedan	62,365
	Two-Door Sedan	70,630
	Futura Four-Door Sedan	31,736
	Futura Two-Door Sedan (6)	16,674
	Futura Two-Door Sedan (5)	10,344
	Futura Two-Door Hardtop	17,524
	Futura Two-Door Sport Hardtop	10,972
	Futura Two-Door Convertible	18,942
	Futura Two-Door Sport Convertible	12,250
	Futura Two-Door Sprint Hardtop	10,479
	Futura Two-Door Sprint Convertible	4,602
	1963 Total	266,518

Second Generation 1964–1965 Ford Falcon

The Ford Falcon returned for a second generation from 1964–1965, and for the first time you could consider some models to be muscle cars. Both the Futura and Sprint lines continued to be the top-tier offerings, and now the V8 became a $153 option for all models. In addition, the Sprint line continued to only have V8 power as the only option. Production remained strong throughout the generation, and in 1965 the 289 Challenger V8 became available. A lucky few north of the border had the 271 horsepower K-code version, but the states only got 200 horsepower. 

1964 Ford Falcon

Things started with the 1964 Ford Falcon, which got more aggressive styling from sculpted body sides, a new grille, and a convex feature line on the sides. Available engines were the 144 and 170 inline-sixes and 260 V8 from the year prior. Also, a new 200 inline-six was an option. The Sprint package was a $185 extra, and included bucket seats, wheel covers, a chrome engine dress up kit, sport steering wheel, tachometer, and a four-on-the-floor manual. 

1965 Ford Falcon

For the 1965 Ford Falcon, the big news was the introduction of the 289 Challenger V8 engine. Using the same shell, Ford updated the grille and taillights, but for the most part it looked the same. The new 289 Challenger V8 produced 200 horsepower, utilizing a 9.3:1 compression ratio and Holley double-barrel carburetor.

For the Canadian market only, Ford of Canada made the Hi-Po K-Code version of the 289 Challenger an option. This was the same engine as inside the Ford Mustang, and used a stronger block, beefier internals, higher 10.5:1 compression ratio, a 600-cfm Autolite quad-barrel carburetor, and solid-lifter camshaft. It produced a maximum of 271 horsepower and 312 lb-ft of torque. 

Second Generation 1964–1965 Ford Falcon Engines

Model Year	Engine	Horsepower	Torque
1964	144 I6 (1bbl)	85 horsepower	134 lb-ft
1964	170 I6 (1bbl)	101 horsepower	156 lb-ft
1964	200 I6 (1bbl)	116 horsepower	175 lb-ft
1964	260 V8 (2bbl)	164 horsepower	258 lb-ft
1965	170 I6 (1bbl)	105 horsepower	158 lb-ft
1965	200 I6 (1bbl)	120 horsepower	190 lb-ft
1965	289 V8 (2bbl)	200 horsepower	282 lb-ft
1965	289 V8 (4bbl) (Canada Only)	271 horsepower	312 lb-ft

Second Generation 1964–1965 Ford Falcon Production Numbers

Model Year	Body Style	Production Total
1964	Standard Falcon	119,106
	Futura/Sprint	130,103
	Station Wagon	51,276
	1964 Total	300,488
1965	Standard Falcon	66,044
	Futura/Sprint	174,548
	Station Wagon	39,053
	1965 Total	279,645

1966–1970.5 Ford Falcon

The Falcon returned for a third and final generation from 1966–1970, and things continued pretty much the same as before. The Falcon got restyled for 1966 like the rest of the line, and the Futura lasted alongside it through 1969. Ford offered it for the first part of 1970, selling mainly old 1969 models. However, when they released the Maverick partway through the year, Falcon sales completely dropped and it got pulled from the lineup.

Yet, that wasn’t quite the end, as Ford brought back a larger intermediate size version based on the Fairlane/Torino chassis. To some enthusiasts, this version is the only true muscle car. In contrast to the economy compacts, the intermediate Falcon got all of Ford’s high-performance engines for the year. This included the behemoth 429 Cobra Jet Ram Air, which made 370 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque. 

Unfortunately, they did not bring back the intermediate version for 1971, and the namesake has not been revived since. They replaced the compact Falcon with the Maverick and Pinto, and the intermediate version disappeared like it never even existed. 

1966 Ford Falcon

The entire lineup got restyled for 1966, including the Falcon. The new model got a longer hood, more rounded sides, and a smaller trunk. The Futura continued as the top line, and the Sprint was no longer an option. Luckily, that didn’t mean the disappearance of the V8, as Ford continued to use the 200 horsepower C-Code 289 Challenger V8. 

1967 Ford Falcon

The only significant change for the 1967 Ford Falcon is the slightly better version of the base 289 V8. The A-Code 289 made 225 horsepower through 10.0:1 compression and a Holley quad-barrel carburetor. Despite the more powerful engine, however, sales declined considerably, and 1967 was the worst year for sales ever.

1968 Ford Falcon

The 1968 Ford Falcon used square taillights and a new grille, but it still had the same body. Power on the 289 Challenger V8 dropped to 195 horsepower, and only the C-code version was available. However, Ford did add the new 302 V8 to the lineup. The 302 V8 made 230 horsepower with a 10.0:1 compression ratio and Motorcraft quad-barrel carburetor. 

1969 Ford Falcon

The 1969 Ford Falcon was the last to go through a full-year of production, and sales were down considerably from their peak at the beginning of the decade. Both the 289 Challenger V8 and the four-barrel 302 V8 were gone, and a Motorcraft double-barrel version of the 302 making 220 horsepower with 9.5:1 compression was the top power plant. 

1970 Ford Falcon

The 1970 model was the last year for the compact Ford Falcon, and it was the same as the year prior. The introduction of the Maverick killed sales, and Ford dropped it from the lineup just a few months into the new year. 

1970.5 Ford Falcon intermediate

After discontinuing the compact Ford Falcon, they brought out the intermediate Falcon based on the Fairlane/Torino for the second half of the year. Most people refer to it as the 1970.5 Falcon to distinguish it from the compact version. The Futura line was not available, and it was now the lowest priced option among Fairlanes/Torinos. Available body styles were a four-door sedan or wagon and a two-door sedan.

However, the Falcon did have a plethora of optional engines, including the small-block 351 and big-block 429 Cobra Jet V8. The 429 Cobra Jet Ram Air produced 370 horsepower through an 11.3:1 compression ratio and Holley quad-barrel carb. 

Sadly, Ford did not continue the intermediate version after 1970, though emissions were sure to curb its output had they continued it, anyways. Today, the Falcon is still warmly remembered by muscle car enthusiasts as a solid compact and budget-level muscle car that looked great and could be modified to perform incredibly. 

1966–1970.5 Ford Falcon Engines

Model Year	Engine	Horsepower	Torque
1966-1967	170 I6 (1bbl)	105 horsepower	158 lb-ft
1966-1967	200 I6 (1bbl)	120 horsepower	190 lb-ft
1966-1967	289 V8 (2bbl)	200 horsepower	282 lb-ft
1967	289 V8 (4bbl)	225 horsepower	305 lb-ft
1968-1969	170 I6 (1bbl)	100 horsepower	156 lb-ft
1968-1969	200 I6 (1bbl)	115 horsepower	190 lb-ft
1968	289 V8 (2bbl)	195 horsepower	288 lb-ft
1968	302 V8 (4bbl)	230 horsepower	310 lb-ft
1969-1970.5	302 V8 (2bbl)	220 horsepower	300 lb-ft
1970	200 I6 (1bbl)	120 horsepower	190 lb-ft
1970.5	250 I6 (1bbl)	155 horsepower	240 lb-ft
1970.5	351 V8 (2bbl)	250 horsepower	355 lb-ft
1970.5	351 V8 (4bbl)	300 horsepower	380 lb-ft
1970.5	429 V8 (4bbl)	360 horsepower	480 lb-ft
1970.5	429 V8 (4bbl) (Cobra Jet)	370 horsepower	450 lb-ft
1970.5	429 V8 (4bbl) (Cobra Jet Ram Air)	370 horsepower	450 lb-ft

1966–1969 Ford Falcon Production Numbers

Model Year	Bodystyle	Production Total
1966	Base	92,770
	Futura	89,899
	1966 Total	182,669
1967	Base	35,198
	Futura	29,146
	1967 Total	64,344
1968	Base	81,185
	Futura	50,204
	1968 Total	131,389
1969	Base	63,550
	Futura	31,466
	1969 Total	95,016

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