Ford first used the Falcon nameplate in the 1960 model year for its new compact sedan, and added a four-door station wagon and Ranchero pickup hybrid mid-year. Sedan delivery and van models came in 1961, and when the ’63 models rolled out in the fall of 1962, a convertible was added to the lineup. Ford kept adding to the Falcon family, with 14 different body styles available for the 1964 model. The introduction of the Mustang in 1965 hurt Falcon sales, especially for the sportier models, but Ford still produced 430,000 Falcons in 1964 and 1965. Ford cut back on the Falcon lineup in 1966, offering two sedans, the wagon, and the Ranchero.
The Falcon only lasted until the middle of 1970, when the badge was moved to the Torino chassis. Those 1970 1/2 Falcons could be had with Ford’s 429 cubic inch Cobra Jet V8 that produced as much as 370 horsepower, but only 42 were made with this option. The older members of the Falcon family are not nearly as rare, and can usually be snatched up for a few thousand dollars. Upgrade-minded DIYers will want to target Falcons from the last few years of the run; more than 350,000 were made.
