THE SONOMA COUNTY FALCONS FOR FUN CHAPTER
AL AIELLO's 1965 FORD FALCON SPRINT Ó
Article by Al Aiello, SCFF Editor
My first car was a 1964 Ford Falcon Futura and my love for Falcons has not waned over the years. It had a 6 cylinder (170 Special) engine with the two-speed automatic. My first Falcon served me well through my high school years during the late 60s and early 70s. This was the era of the muscle car, and while my Falcon was faithful during those years, I always had a longing for a "Sprint" with bucket seats and a V-8 engine.
It appears from the paper work that I have on this car, that it may have been a "special order" vehicle. I have the original purchase order that lists the options on this rare bird. The total price including tax was $2,998.96.
Included on the list is the C-4 Cruise-O-Matic Transmission, and the Visibility Group (adjustable rear view mirror, windshield washer, 2-speed electric wipers) and the Night Group (interior lighting, back-up lights, and a rear trunk and glove compartment light). A center console was specified to go along with the bucket seats. Tinted windows were ordered for all windows, not just the windshield. The tinting of all windows is extremely rare, and I find this interesting since it was probably ordered to cool the interior, even though air conditioning was not ordered. The car was also ordered without power steering. A remote control mirror was specified, although the word "remote" has a different meaning back then when compared to the current definition. "Remote" back then meant a control knob on the inside of the driver’s door to manually adjust (by cables) the mirror mounted on the door.
By 1965, the Sprint designation was mainly a "badge" option. 1965 Sprints did not have many of the standard features of previous Sprints such as tachometers, unique wood steering wheel, and a chrome dress-up kit. While some have told me that these options could be ordered, I can only tell you what was on this "Sprint".
The engine in my Sprint is the original 289--the only engine choice for the Sprint. The 289 was rated at 200 HP with the standard 2-barrel carburetor. To my knowledge it has never been rebuilt and the odometer reads approximately 118,000 miles. The engine has a standard-type air cleaner and standard valve covers. These items are not chromed, but are painted gold. There are no decals in the engine compartment, or on the valve covers or air cleaner, that would identify the vehicle as a "Sprint".
(Engine Compartment of 65 Falcon Sprint photo by A. Aiello)
By 1965, the Sprint model was on its last run. Can you guess why? The Mustang was Ford’s new compact sporty car, and the fate of the Sprint was sealed. The Ford Mustangs sold like hotcakes and the Sprint was history. There were only 2,806 Hardtop Sprints made in 1965. Rarer yet were the Sprint Convertibles--only 300 were made.
The only exterior items that identify this vehicle as a "Sprint", are the unique V-8 emblem on the front fenders that designate the rare bird. The only Sprint hints in the interior are the "Sprint" emblems mounted on the doors. These emblems are located in the same location where the "Futura" emblems would be located on the Futura model. The steering wheel is the standard type which matches the interior color, and is equipped with the chromed "Falcon" horn ring.
My Sprint has been repainted twice since the original coating. I painted it approximately 10 years ago. This will be the first and last car that I ever paint, having learned that quality auto painting is definitely an "Art". The car was painted again approximately 2 years ago in the original color known as "Honey Gold".
The seats have been reupholstered with NOS Falcon Seat Covers. The carpet has also been replaced which matches the seats and door panels. The original door panels are still there, although I am contemplating the replacement of these items due to the deterioration of the chrome plastic trim.
Some of the improvements underway for the interior are the replacement of the dash pad, re-chroming of the dash plastic, and re-installation of the original 1965 radio. I recently purchased an NOS clock in a moment of weakness, but have not made the final decision to install it, or not. It is my understanding that you could order a tachometer in 1965, so I may consider the installation of this more functional item, although the current price is cost prohibitive. However, a "reproduction" tachometer may soon be available which will make an acquisition more feasible. Does anybody know of a Sprint that was equipped with both a tach and a clock?
Although I’m not necessarily a "stock" purist, I feel obligated to retain the "original" flavor of this automobile. Although I’ve made some minor modifications to improve performance, I like the idea of preserving the history and originality of a unique car.
The Hardtop "Sprint" model is identified by the 63 D designation on the Vehicle Data Plate located on the side of the driver’s door. To my knowledge, there is no method for verifying the "Sprint" designation from the vehicle identification number. Another "rare" find was locating the Build Sheet for this vehicle which verifies its "Sprint" designation.
I really love to drive this car. It truly has beauty, power, and grace. The 289 engine and C-4 combination allows for a variety of traveling modes. You can truly cruise in style and comfort, yet the power of the V-8 and gearing are there for those occasional bursts of power.