[singlepic id=699 w=640 h=480 float=center]
The alternate title for this post was Why I Have the Best Wife Ever.
Behold the newest edition to the Mad_Science driveway. You’re looking at a 1964 Ford Falcon Futura. It’s sporting a 260c.i. (4.3L) V8 running through a 4-speed manual transmission. It’s got power nothing: not windows, not locks, not steering nor brakes. The paint’s a re-do, and needs some love in the typical places. The interior’s a re-do, but needs nothing for the time being. We don’t need to get into price, but it was a pretty good deal for a very rare drivetrain combo. Roughly 1/50th the price of the Bentley pictured beside it earlier.
So, WTF am I doing, parking a fifth car in the _Science driveway?
It all makes sense, in that “only on Hooniverse” kind of way, so bear with me.
As I mentioned some time ago, The Missus is pregnant with Mad_Science Jr, with an ETA of March 1st. As such, as of March 1st the WRXagon becomes her daily driver, as it’s the most practical, efficient, safe, normal car that we own.
That leaves me with the option of doing my ~80 mile round trip commute in a lifted Jeep Wrangler, ’67 Ford Country Sedan (that would bea 390ci powered 10 passenger full-size station wagon), or C: None of The Above.
Living in a dry climate rich in classic (or just old) cars, with plenty of tools, skills and driveway space, I just couldn’t bring myself to go out and buy a 10 year old Civic. I was planning on making this a running series here on Hooniverse: “Help Mad_Science find a Car”, knowing it was a toss-up between some kind of “mini-muscle” (a classic compact domestic car) and maybe something like a non-LeMons 6-series. The overall goal was something reasonably efficient, reasonably comfortable, but definitely cool.
[singlepic id=711 w=320 h=240 float=center]Before I had the opportunity for you to give me a bunch of terrible ideas help me out, this puppy popped up: exactly what I was looking for. I’ve always loved the lines on the 64-65 Falcons. The 260ci is the little brother to the 289, with a smaller bore. To be honest, the smaller engine is a bonus for me: v8 torque and exhaust note, but potential for better efficiency. As most of you probably know, the Mustang was based on the Falcon chassis, meaning I’m now drawing from economies of scale like you wouldn’t believe. Parts for the Falcon are literally half the price of the equivalent on my oddball FE-powered 67 wagon.
So, where am I going with this? My ultimate goal is to have a comfy sport driver that pulls 25mpg if I can stay off the skinny pedal. I’m hoping a combination of the right engine tuning, gearing and the Falcon’s already light curb weight can get me there.
Straight away, I need to address a few issues: the gas gauge doesn’t work, the (2 bbl) carb needs a rebuild, the shifter linkage is a floppy mess, and the clutch takeup is way too chattery. The only love that 2bbl will see is a screwdriver and some carb cleaner: a 4-bbl intake and ~500cfm carb will be replacing it. I’m going to have to find my way to taller gears for the freeway, and I’m torn between just stepping up the rearend or swapping in a T-5 with its nice tall overdrive 5th gear.
In the meanwhile, the Country Sedan’s going to get some attention to get it ready to be sold. I don’t particularly want to part with it, but between LeMons and the rest of my life, it doesn’t get driven enough and doesn’t get the attention it deserves. So, stay tuned over the next few months as I clean up the Country Sedan and do some exploring and quick fixes on the Falcon.
[nggallery id=24]
![http://www.duncancumming.co.uk/photos/lucky.jpg"](http://www.duncancumming.co.uk/photos/lucky.jpg"){kind=link}
Leave a Reply