Words & Photos: Gary Rosier
Doug Neelands of Deland, Fla. spotted this car for sale recently: an all original example of a 1964 Ford Falcon Futura with the original 6-cylinder drive-train still intact. His interest in this car was because he had ordered a Falcon Sprint way back in 1964. He checked off the boxes for the Sprint package, a 260 V-8, special paint, bucket seats and more. He waited over six weeks for that car. The memories all came flooding back to him; he wanted THIS car!
It was previously owned by an elderly lady: Miss Price of Arlington, Va. She had purchased it new from Ford of Arlington Motor Co (see invoice). She drove it until she decided to give the car to her brother’s good friend when her loss of sight meant no more driving. As it so happens, this good friend moved to Port Orange, Fla., which wasn’t far away from Doug. When this fellow’s wife passed, he decided to put the car up for sale at a local car show Doug was attending.
Doug first made an offer and was turned down. As he continued not to have much luck, he recruited his wife about a month later. She offered one last shot at purchasing the car and, to their delight, it was accepted! The car was now theirs.
For 1964, the Falcon’s appearance was changed to a squared off, modern look. Ford was looking for more youth-oriented products, and hence the Mustang was introduced later in the year. It was based, of course, on the unitized Falcon’s frame design. Ford also added the Sprint package to the 1964 Falcon – Doug’s ordered model in 1964. The Sprint Model, however, was discontinued after 1965 because of poor sales, mostly due to the increased popularity of the new Mustang.
Doug decided to leave it pretty much stock, at least exterior-wise. The interior is original: carpet, seats, headliner and door panels. Trunk – original! Paint is the original Wimbledon White, but it had one repaint some time ago.
A friend of Doug’s was parting out the drive-line and more from a ’66 Mustang project, so he bought it all. Especially appealing were those 5-lug hubs and front suspension pieces. The 1966 289 cu in engine fitted nicely in the engine bay of the Falcon (after all – the Falcon and Mustang shared many parts). Go fast goodies were added, including aluminum heads, Comp Cam, Eldebrock manifold, Holly 570 carb and a C4 Transmission from a 67 Mustang. An aluminum radiator keeps it all very cool, monitored by a set of VDO gauges and 8k tach. Even the 8-in Ford rear came out of the ’66 Mustang.
Dual exhausts were fabricated, 2-and-a-quarter-inch with Magna Flow polished mufflers for that “just right” sound. Next up were the American Torque Thrust wheels, 14 inch but 5 lug now for better strength and safety. Tires are 215/70R14 Hankook’s at all four corners. Getting the drag link shortened a couple of inches was “challenging” to put it mildly, according to Doug.
This “Futura” is a nice – 78,000 mile – example from a period of time when muscle cars were commonplace. EVERY manufacturer was trying to get on the bandwagon and get their piece of the action.
Doug’s father was a mechanic, so it was only natural that he got bit by the car bug a long time ago. Going to the dealer and ordering up your own ride, equipped like you wanted, was all the rage. While his car back then was a “Sprint,” this Falcon Futura beckoned to be re-invented to Doug’s liking. Doug had the skill and the time and knew what he wanted.
It shows you that these time capsules are still out there, and while prices ARE skyrocketing, memories can still be re-lived and enjoyed. Doug feels he got the best of both worlds – a cool car, reasonably priced and so much fun to drive, PLUS he can relive times from his youth! Its a great looking example from the past which brings back so many memories daily. Feels good? You bet, he says, just like back in 1964… as well as now!
