Words & photos: Gary Rosier
A little history might be in store here: Robert McNamara was the Ford Executive in 1960 responsible, AKA “the father of the Falcon.” Yes, the same person who later was the US Defense Secretary. His faith in the concept of the Falcon was rewarded with record sales – over a million sold by the end of its second year. Originally its boast was economy, but by 1963 more models were available, including the first time offer of a V-8 (1963 and a 1/2 model), called the Sprint. Only 10,479 were produced in this two-door Sprint model.
Bob Pepe of Port Orange, Fla. now owns this slightly modified – custom, even – ’63-1/2 Falcon Sprint. It’s powered not by the original 260 V-8 but by a full-on 347 stroker small block. It was built by Bob under the watchful eye of good friend and Master Mechanic Gerald “Grizz” Green of the Black Widow Hot Rod Shop. Bob has always been a hands-on guy and wanted to build his own motor, so “Grizz” encouraged him to do it… and he would watch over him!
Bob is currently the second of three generations of owners of an extermination company (Globe Exterminators), established in 1975. He served in the US Army and is a proud veteran of the Vietnam War (69-70). His expertise was carpentry, as he was an apprentice and journeyman for many years out of high school and after his service before relocating from his home town in New Jersey to Florida in 1972. After a near serious accident in the construction business, he went into the extermination business in Florida.
The motor was bored, stroked and balanced (302 block) by Express Engines in Deland, Fla. It has an Eldebrock manifold with ABS2 650 carb, headers and aluminum Griffin radiator. A Hurst shifter selects the gears in the Mustang world-class 5 speed trans. Power is transmitted back to the Trac-Lock posi with 3:50 gears aided by a set of Lakewood traction bars and coil-over shocks.
A few custom touches include the “Nerf” bars out back to the custom (bumper-less) rolled pans, front and rear. Bob always liked the nerf/push bars typically seen at the drag-strips on the push vehicles and so incorporated his version here at the back of the car. A very cool custom Coca-Cola cooler inspired battery (Optima) box is trunk mounted too and adds a nice, functional touch. The tail-lights have been recessed into ceiling light cans with LED lenses for an additional custom look.
It rolls on a set of American Torque-Thrusts with BF Goodrich red-line tires (P205/65R15 ft, P225/70R15 rear). It stops via front disc and rear drums. A Grant 14″ wheel keeps it steering in the right direction while a Sprint Tach and Moon Eye gauges monitor all the vitals. Its black vinyl interior with silver piping makes it both comfortable and good looking. David Moore Automotive of Port Orange, Fla. gets the credit for its wiring and some front suspension work.
Classic Paint and Body out of Holly Hill, Fla. was responsible for the paintwork. It’s painted a Mitsubishi Satin Platinum. The side-spear and insignias are stock. You may note that it has a ’61 front nose.
Bob has worked hard on this build, trying to do as much of the work as possible, he says. It’s a car that’ll “Terminate” most cars in a second because of its light weight, gobs of power and lightning fast shifts! It feels like the ’60’s all over again in this car, especially with those Blackhorse remote controlled exhaust cut-outs open. All Bob’s got to worry about now is just “ex-terminating” anyone who happens to challenge him!
