61 Falcon as a daily driver?

I use my 63 Falcon convertible as a daily driver in the nice weather months. Great car around town. I just put it away for the winter, maybe a bit too soon the way the weather has been here lately.

And at that price, I wouldn't worry about getting a nick in the paint in a parking lot.

 

Don't use cars as investments...that hardly ever works out. My dad always said, " a car is only worth what another person is willing to pay"...So, with that in mind be aware. The guys that pay mega dollars for their cars are doing just that because they feel it is "worth that". Now, whether it is actually worth that is another story altogether. My feeling would be to buy or not buy based on what you want. It is a rear wheel drive car. It doesn't do that well in snow and ice. Just my thoughts.

 

I had a '65 with the 170 and 3 on the tree. It kept up with traffic and was great on gas. Parts are cheap and plentiful, they're a breeze to work on. Go for it or someone else will snap up the deal.

Bob

 

My 63 was great!I miss that car.

 

i had a 61 wagon as a daily driver, 170 with 3 on the tree. top speed of 60mph. vacuum wipers SUCK! I kept rain-x in the glove box. yes the brakes were not the best but i kept my distance from the other drivers.

If you don't have far to go and it doesn't rain much... see if they will take $1000 for it.

 

my 62 2dr was a great daily driver.. Ran awesome, 27mpg, no real hassles... Wife and I bought a house with a garage and thought, oil change, grease job, basic maintenance... well, havent got to the oil change yet, been fixing a few things first.

 

Are you kidding? Of course you should! I have never owned a "late model"in my life, and hundreds of thousands of miles have been logged with Falcons beneath my butt. Just make sure to upgrade the brakes.

 

As was said before, don't buy solely for an investment. I also mentioned that brake parts are annoying to get. They aren't very expensive, you just aren't likely to find a local parts store stocking them.

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Regarding driving in the snow & ice, mine was quite good in the snow. I have trouble walking on ice so I know I won't be able to drive on it well. If driving in snow & ice you only have to remember that you're not supposed to driving as if it was a clear 75 degree day. Shouldn't have any problems.

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Kael

 

I think it'd be a fun car, not bad for the price. With a little tlc and detailing...could be pretty fun.

 

I drove a wagon with a 170 & a Cruise-O-Matic in it for two years. I would be on the little four door like a frog on a June bug

 

If that car is clean 1800 is a good deal. I've seen one just like it in black that was most likely much cleaner but still a more door for 11,000. Granted that number is nuts but you are quite a comfortable distance from it.

 

Snatch that thing! Cool little daily....

 

I had 2 1960 Rancheros (basically the same) for daily drivers.
* Super Easy to work on
* Parts are cheap and plentiful
* Good gas mileage
* very reliable if kept up
The Downside
* Driving an old car in traffic everyday can get old
* Smelling like exaust when you get to work or elsewhere may not be desireable (goes to the "kept up" comment... Im pretty good at this but sometimes Im lazy or broke and dont always fix things).
* Resale on a 4 door is not so good but you should always be able to sell it for what you bought it for... so in that case its like having a free car.

My preference... I'd rather drive a newer (boring) car for a daily if I'm going to be driving in a lot of traffic / bad weather... hauling kids...letting my wife drive... etc.

 

I daily drive a 62 Ranchero with a 67 200ci and the stock trans and rear end with 373's rebuilt the front end and brakes and put new rear leaves in it. runs like a top and I have been starting it just fine here in the 40 degree mornings. we'll see what happens when the temp drops but it is a runner. the stock brakes work excellent for the car. and stop it very well. dont drive like an ass and it'll be fine. around 25mpgs on the freeway as well.

 

Yes, can't go wrong for the money. Leave a little room for stopping, but for a few coins you can upgrade the brakes. Do it.

 

i have a 62 4 door that i drive 30 mins to and from work everyday n doesnt give me a single problem!!!!!

 

i drive my econoline stock 4:11 and 3spd 30 minutes to work too every day too at 70 mph this thing has never quit or let me down

 

So, do you mean 12 months a year or just 7 or 8 months ? I have driven falcons and comets 12 months a year in Mn. Rear wheel drive, poor starting, and bad heat always makes it an adventure in the cold and snow. As a more-door falcon, it ain't worth a whole lot, so you might as well sacrifice it to the salt gods.......

All my classics are daily drivers from April until the first snow, then I drive a POS neon....

 

In the early 80’s, I drove a 1963 Ranchero daily in Los Angeles that included commuting in both stop and go traffic and highway speeds over 65 mph (the speed limit was 55).

Given the aforementioned, I upgraded the fruit jar master cylinder to a dual unit and added disc brakes from a 1966 Mustang as there were no aftermarket kits available. The Mustang also donated its larger radiator and modified shroud which kept the engine cool when temperatures hit triple digits.

If the '61 considered has a generator, it is easy to convert to an alternator which will prevent dim lights at night and allow you to run decent electronics without draining the battery. The vacuum windshield wipers on the '61 should also be converted to electric to avoid losing visibility when the wipers do not have enough vacuum to operate properly. Lastly, I ran lap belts in my Ranchero back then but would definitely upgrade to a three point system if I drove the Ranchero daily today.

 

This puppy http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/aribert/Falcon/P1080021-1.jpg is sitting out in the parking lot at work as I write this message during my lunch hr. Its my permanent car with 262K miles on it. I claim ownership for the past 43 years (first ten years were from the left rear seat). I first drove it with my learners permit 36 years ago.

Car was configured with the (big) 170 Special, 3 spd and a 3.50 rear axle ratio. I have upgraded to a 200 (donor engine is still a smog motor, getting a solid lifter cam & head milled this winter) a Weber DGV, 14 inch wheels and a 3.20 rear axle. I have also had the front brake shoes relined w/ a Kevlar (I think) lining that makes me confident in traffic w/ a tandem master cyl. I can, and have, locked up the fronts in a panic stop with a bit of leg force. I have a short freeway stretch on my commute - was running in the low 70s (mph) this morning and am still able to accelerate (modestly) at will at that speed.

I saw that the 2005 early Falcon picture thread was still active last week - I've got to post mine there - even though it looks bone stock.

 

Sounds about right to me - speak softly and carry a big stick. I'm just trying to get mine to resemble period advertising art.

-Dave

 

I just got my first Falcon back in march and love it!I wish I had ditched all the "look at me muscle cars"years ago.Try looking at www.tffn.net nothing but a bunch of Falcon lovers and a TON of info.

 

used my xp wagon, xp sedan and xl sedan as everyday, towed the car trailer with em, used and abused em good!

xf disks are the way to go...

 

I'm not a Ford lover, and I would absolutely have the cash in hand. At that price, adding better brakes, 3-point belts and a major tuneup are easily doable, and I don't think you'll lose any money at resale. Go for it if you haven't already!