Old Cars Reader Wheels: 1963 Ford Falcon Futura convertible custom

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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