Really Red: 1961 Ford Falcon Wagon – Sold?

November 2, 2021 Update – We just confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

October 3, 2021 Update – The seller just replaced their expired ad with a new listing. While the description and pictures are carryovers, the private seller elected to reduce their asking price by $2,500 from $21,000 to $18,500.

The fun thing about Ford Falcons is that the ability for an owner to upgrade their car very easily using off-the-shelf and readily available Mustang parts. The restorer and seller of this 1961 Ford Falcon originally listed in September 2021 on Craigslist in College Park, Maryland provides a great example. 1961 vintage Falcons were available with a choice of two inline six-cylinder engines, so the seller upgraded the car properly to support the power of a V8 conversion back by a modern floor-shited T5 transmission.

Currently offered at $18,500 (the original ask was $21,000), comparing that price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms the private seller has their Falcon priced between this guide’s #2 “Excellent” estimate of $17,700 and its #1 “Concours” appraisal of $22,500 for a stock example.  More conservatively, the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool confirms the asking price is nearly four thousand dollars above this guide’s #1 “Excellent” appraisal of $17,200 for a stock example. The premium here is for all of the performance upgrades that make this Falcon a more usable car in modern traffic.

Ford produced the Falcon from model years 1960 through 1970 in three distinct generations: 1960-1963, 1964-1965, and 1966-1970 (savvy readers may be quick to point out the ’70 1/2 model, but for us, that was just a rebadged Torino doesn’t really count!)  In the late fifties, two trends in the U.S. emerged. First, the post World War II prosperity saw an increase in female drivers; consequently, many households could now afford a second car, provided it was inexpensive and economical.  Second, the U.S. recession of the late 1950s had some consumers longing for a small car rather than the typical full-size offerings the “Big Three” historically focused on.  Ford’s market research confirmed these emerging trends and the company launched its new Falcon line in the fall of 1959.  All of the domestic manufacturers came to the same conclusion and launched their own line of compacts cars in the early 1960s.

Early Falcons relied on a small 95 horsepower, 144 cubic inch Mileage Maker straight-six using a single barrel carburetor. Relying on modern unibody construction, the suspension was simple a scaled-down version of front coil springs and a solid axle mounted on leaf springs in the rear.  Despite being smaller than full-size cars of the time, Falcons offered room for six passengers in reasonable comfort with its nondescript interior. Boasting about the Falcon’s 31.5 mpg fuel economy, the car was a huge sales success during its first two years of production, with one-and-a-half million sold during that time frame.

Ford used cartoonist Charles M. Shulz’s Peanuts characters to pitch the Falcon lineup in the early 1960s. Here’s one of many examples:

In addition to the Rangoon red color combination both in and out, there is a lot to like about how this Falcon has been restored and tastefully modernized.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“I’m selling a 1961 Falcon Wagon, California car “all” original except for a new windshield. The car has been converted to a V-8 all weather striping is new, all chrome is original to the car
* engine 289 4V, mild crane cam, roller rockers, Holley 600 carb. Petronics ing. 289 HI-PO exhaust manifolds, new radiator, fuel pump, engine was recently rebuilt. Only around 600 miles on car since build.
* converted to alternator power
* five-lug conversion using 65 comet parts (all new parts) drum brakes all-new, 8″ posi rear 3.25 gears
* world-class T-5 trans, new clutch, flywheel, pressure plate etc. ( Hurst shifter handle see pick)
*interior re-done, paint is basecoat/ clearcoat cardinal red
** I got this car from the original owner 5 years ago and rebuilt it to a basic stock driver quality, it drives extremely well and is reliable. I’m asking $21K SCAMMERS DON’T BOTHER serious inquires only“

Show or go: what would you do with this restored Falcon?  Comment below and let us know!