No Reserve: 1961 Ford Falcon

This 1961 Ford Falcon four-door is an unmodified sedan that reportedly remained with its original owner for over three decades and comes with documentation, service records, and factory-issued manuals dating back to new. According to paperwork furnished with the sale, the car was originally purchased June 8 of its model year in Fresno, California, and stayed with its original owner until that individual passed away in 1994, at which time the car was willed to the current owner who subsequently refurbished the paint and interior. Powered by a Mileage Maker 144ci inline-six coupled with a 2-speed Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission, this Falcon received a tune-up, oil change, and transmission service and is in good running and driving condition, per the seller. Refinished in Starlight Blue over a blue cloth interior, this second-year Falcon is now offered with documentation, service records, an owner’s manual, a service policy booklet, and a clear Oregon title in the seller’s name.

The Falcon launched in 1960 as a scaled-down version of Ford’s larger Galaxie and was made available in a variety of body styles. This example from the subsequent year is a four-door sedan and was reportedly subject to an exterior refurbishment in the late 1990s involving respray in Starlight Blue (D). Brightwork is said to present in nice condition throughout aside from some light hazing, including the bumpers, window trim, a driver sideview mirror, and other exterior accents.

Color-matched 14” steel wheels wear Ford-branded polished caps and are mounted to Milestar whitewall tires. The seller states that the four-wheel drum brakes have recently been replaced, and the unibody is carried by a suspension comprised of coil springs up front and leaf springs in the rear.

The interior is fitted with reupholstered blue cloth seating for the front and rear benches, while the remainder of the cabin is said to be original and trimmed in a matching color. Equipment includes a functional AM radio, heat, plaid door panels with armrests, wing windows, and a spare tire in the vinyl-lined trunk.

Instrumentation is housed within an aluminum bezel and displays a 100-mph speedometer along with a fuel gauge and a coolant temperature gauge. The five-digit mechanical odometer reads 81k miles, which the seller states is original, although true mileage on the chassis is unknown.

The Mileage Maker 144ci inline-six was factory rated at 95 horsepower and is fed by a single barrel carburetor. Recent maintenance included a tune-up, oil change, transmission service, and replacement of the fluids. The seller states that there are no fluid leaks. Power is directed to the rear wheels by way of a 2-speed Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission and a column-mounted shift lever.  

The sale includes service records, documentation, an owner’s manual, a service policy booklet, and a letter describing some of the history of the car.