The Falcon was on of several attempts to combat the popularity of European cars such as the Volkswagen Beetle in North America at the end of the 1950s. Ford introduced the Falcon for the 1960 year, giving it 2 and 4-door sedan bodies, 2 and 4-door station wagons, and a Ranchero pickup. For 1964 the Ford Falcon was extensively redesigned, and the 'Sprint' option equipped the 260 V8 Falcon with stiffer suspension. However the Ford Mustang had been launched in 1964, underneath essentially being a Falcon on a 108-inch version of the Falcon 109.5 inch platform. The V8 Falcons didn't sell even when upgraded to the 289 V8. There were small changes for 1965 to the grille and the side panel. A larger 111-inch Falcon was launched for 1966 built on a shortened version of the Fairlane 116-inch platform.
aa Ford Falcon 1962 Fordor Wagon badge
Ford Falcon 1962 Fordor Wagon - badge on front wing
aa Ford Falcon 1965 Sprint V8 2-door hardtop badgef
Ford Falcon Sprint 1965 2-door hardtop. The 'Sprint' option added the 289 (4.7-litre) V8 engine from the Mustang, but most people wanted Mustang performance in an actual Ford Mustang, not a Falcon.
Ford Falcon 1960
Mercury Comet
Ford Falcon 1964
Ford Falcon Australia
Ford Econoline 1964 front
Ford Econoline 1964. Launched for 1961 the Econoline was a new format for American vans, with a 'mid' engine placed behind the front axle. Mechanically the Econoline was Ford Falcon, but built on a 90-inch wheelbase. Engines were 2.4-litre or 2.8-litre Falcon 6-cylinders but a larger truck engine was also offered. The body may look like a Ford Thames 400E, but that's because it plagiarised the British van (instead of the other way around). Van versions were produced with up to eight doors, or with only rear doors. There were also pickups and minibus versions.
