Old Cars Reader Wheels: 1963 Ford Falcon Futura convertible custom
Looking for a Mustang, a Falcon convertible found its way into one owner’s heart.
Thomas Truty was looking for a Mustang but opportunity knocked and a Futura found its way to him.
"I had an ardent desire to own and drive a classic '65 Mustang convertible but couldn't find one I liked. Then it happened; a good friend picked up a '63 Falcon convertible and grew tired of it. He decided to sell and was in the mood to do a little trading. Falcon was the basis for the Mustang and many parts are interchangeable. I gave it some thought and realized, Falcon was far less common and would really be a lot more notable. So, Russ and I made a deal, and I became the proud owner of a white 1963 Ford Falcon Futura convertible, 6-cylinders, 3-speed on the column."
"It was in reasonable driveable condition despite the broken rear leaf spring and a lot of gear noise from the rear axle. The body was fair, usual rust around rear wheels and rocker panels. I disassembled the rear axle and found the ring gear was shot. I decided it was smarter to simply replace the whole axle with a later unit and repair the spring. I went to a local scrap yard (Route 14 Auto Parts) in Woodstock, IL and negotiated a Ford Granada 8” 3.55:1 which fit the leaf springs spacing perfectly. While there, bumped into a fresh 1985 Mustang 5.0L HO wreck and kept negotiating 'til I bought the engine and transmission as well!"
"Ahhh! The slippery slope appeared, and the rear axle turned into a complete "Hot Rod" rebuild. It took almost 10 years to get it back on the road again, you can’t rush these things. There is no part of this car that I have not rebuilt or refurbished. I am quite pleased with the outcome and it's really far more interesting than just another Mustang. Most younger people have never heard of a Falcon, and some are puzzled as to the manufacturer. My license plates reflect my love of aviation since the F-16 is known to the U. S. Air Force as the 'Fighting Falcon.'"
This isn't your grandpa's Falcon. This is Truty's vision of what the classic Ford needed:
- 1985 Mustang HO 5.0L
- Borg Warner T-5 World Class 5 Speed Manual Transmission - 1st Gear 3.35:1, 2nd 1.93:1, 3rd 1.29:1, 4th 1.0:1, 5th OD 0.68:1, Reverse 3.15:1, Dextron III Lube.
- Ford SVO Clutch.
- 1980 Ford Granada Open 8” Rear Axle 3.55:1
- Cragar Star Wire 30 Spoke 14" Wheels
- Front Tires: Dunlop SP Sport A2 P205/60R14 88H M+S
- Rear Tires: Yokohama AVID S/T P225/50R14 94T
- 1965 Mustang Convertible Frame Rails
- Custom Fabricated Transmission Cross Member
- Custom Fabricated 2-1/2” Square Tubing Chassis Sub-Frame Connectors
- Suspension Plus Urethane Components, Front and Rear
- Shelby Cobra Drop and Negative Wedge Upper Ball Joint Modification
- 1967 Mustang Steering Column
- 1980 Ford Granada Front Disc Brakes
- 1980 Ford Granada Spindles Modified to 5/8” Straight Tie Rod Hole
- QA1 PCYML10T Spherical Rod Ends
- Massive Speed Prototype Adjustable Front Strut Rods
- Unisteer Rack and Pinion Steering Gear
- CPP Front Coil Over Kit 6165COK-2A
- Viking 2233044 Coil Over Shocks
- CPP 81037 450 Springs (.54” Spring Wire)
- 1-1/8” Front Sway Bar
- 1985 Mustang Power Brake Master Cylinder and Vacuum Assist Tunneled into Firewall
- 1985 Mustang Swing Pedal/Clutch Cable Assembly Grafted into Firewall
- Massive Speed Prototype Alternator Only Accessory Drive
- Gates 38116 Tensioner
- Dayco 5060595 Poly Rib Belt
- Visteon Aluminum Radiator
- Front Mounted Electric Radiator Fan
- 1967 Mustang Motor Mounts
- 1985 Ford Mustang 5.0 Liter H.O. V8 Completely Rebuilt and Balanced
- TRW Forged Aluminum Pistons
- Ported SVO GT-40 Cylinder Heads
- Competition Cams Roller Rockers
- Ford SVO Roller Valve Lifters
- Cloyes True Roller Timing Chain
- JBA/Crane 282° Roller Camshaft
- 1965 Mustang JBA Shorty Headers (Ceramic Coated)
- Custom Fabricated Dual 2-½” Turbo-Sonic Exhaust System
- Edelbrock Performer Intake Manifold
- Edelbrock 750CFM 4BBL Carburetor
- 1982 Thunderbird 4.2L Air Cleaner
- Mallory Electric Fuel Pump
- Mallory Uni-Lite Distributor
- Mallory Hy-Fire Electronic Ignition
- Mallory Rev-Limiter
- Custom Fabricated and Balanced Driveshaft
- Complete Body Dip Chemical Paint Strip by: Redi-Strip
- 1965 Mustang Rear Wheel Lips by: Dick's Auto Body
- Porsche Audi Indian Red (Code 027/LM3 42715A Centari Acrylic Enamel) Clear Cote Paint
- Body Work by: “Barrington Coach House”
- 1985 Mustang Front Bucket Seats and Complete Custom Interior and Top by: “Stitch”
- VDO instrumentation
- Pioneer Sound System
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