Ford Falcon is First Produced

The Ford Falcon was an automobile produced by Ford Motor Company from 1960 to 1970. It was manufactured in Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Mexico and the USA. It was a huge sales success for Ford initially, handily outselling rival compacts from Chrysler and General Motors introduced at the same time. During its lifespan, the Falcon was offered in a wide range of body styles: two-door and four-door sedans, two and four door station wagons, two door hardtops, convertibles, and a sedan delivery and the Ranchero pickup. For several years, the Falcon name was also used on passenger versions of the Ford Econoline van.

Historically, the "Big Three" auto manufacturers (GM, Ford and Chrysler), focused purely on the larger and more profitable vehicles in the US and Canadian markets. Towards the end of the 1950s, all three manufacturers realized that this strategy would no longer work. Large automobiles were becoming increasingly expensive thanks to wage inflation, making smaller European cars such as Volvos and Volkswagens increasingly attractive. Furthermore, many American families were now in the market for a second car, and market research showed that women especially thought that the full-size car had grown too large and cumbersome. At the same time, that research showed that many buyers would prefer to buy US or Canadian if the domestic manufacturers offered a smaller, cheaper car. Thus, all three introduced compact cars: the Valiant from Chrysler (becoming the Plymouth Valiant in 1961), the rear-engined Chevrolet Corvair, and the Ford Falcon. Competition also came from smaller Studebaker, with the Lark, and AMC with its Rambler.

By American standards of the 1960s the Falcon was a small car, but elsewhere it would be considered a mid-size car. It was powered by a small, lightweight 90 hp (67 kW), 144 CID (2.4 L) straight-6 with a single-barrel carburetor. Construction was unibody, and suspension was fairly standard; coil springs in front, leaf springs in t...

Historically, the Big Three auto manufacturers, (GM, Ford and Chrysler), focused purely on the larger and more profitable vehicles in the US and Canadian markets. Towards the end of the 1950s, all three manufacturers realised that that former strategy would no longer work. Large automobiles were becoming increasingly expensive thanks to wage inflation, making smaller European cars such as Volvos and Volkswagens increasingly attractive. Furthermore, many American families were now in the market for a second car, and market research showed that women especially thought that the full-size car had grown too large and cumbersome. At the same time, that research showed that many buyers would prefer to buy US or Canadian if the domestic manufacturers offered a smaller, cheaper car. Thus, all three introduced compact cars: the Valiant from Chrysler (becoming the Plymouth Valiant in 1961), the rear-engined Chevrolet Corvair, and the Ford Falcon. Competition also came from smaller Studebaker, with the Lark, and AMC with its Rambler line.
By American standards of the 1960s, the Falcon was a small car, but elsewhere it was considered a midsize car. It was powered by a small, lightweight 90 hp (67 kW), 144 in³ (2.4 L) straight-6 with a single-barrel carburetor. Construction was unibody, and suspension was fairly standard; coil springs in front, leaf springs in the rear. There was room for six passengers in reasonable comfort in the simple interior. Body styles available at launch were two and four-door sedans, two or four-door station wagons, and the Ford Ranchero car-based pickup, transferred onto the Falcon platform for 1960.
Robert McNamara, a Ford executive who became Ford's president briefly before being offered the job of US Defense Secretary, is regarded by many as "the father of the Falcon". McNamara left Ford shortly after the Falcon's introduction, but his faith in the concept was vindicated with record sales; over half a million in the first year and hittin...

First Generation

Also called Frontenac
Production 1960-1963

Assembly
Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Claycomo, Missouri
Cuautitlán, Mexico
Campbellfield, Victoria, Australia
Buenos Aires, Argentina

Body style(s) 2-door sedan
4-door sedan
3-door station wagon
5-door station wagon
2-door hardtop
2-door convertible
2-door pickup truck
2-door sedan delivery

Engine(s)
2.4L I6
170 cu in (2.8 L) I6
260 cu in (4.3 L) V8

Transmission(s)
2-speed automatic
3-speed manual
4-speed manual

Related
Ford Econoline
Ford Falcon Ranchero
Mercury Comet