Despite all new sheet metal for 1966, the Ford Falcon lived in the shadow of is glamorous sibling, the Mustang.
Introduced in 1960, the Falcon was a successful and important car for the Ford Motor Company. But once the sensational Mustang appeared on the scene in the spring of 1964, the Falcon slipped into the background. In this 1966 campaign, we can see Ford trying to inject some glamour and excitement back into its economy-class leader
In contrast to the Mustang, the ’66 Falcon offered a choice of only three engines, none of them terribly exciting: a 170 cubic-inch six, a 200 cubic-inch six, and a 289 cubic-inch V8 with a two-barrel carb and 200 hp. The body styles were now limited to a two-door post coupe, a sedan, and a station wagon—no hardtop, no convertible. Clearly, the emphasis was on economy and value rarher than performance and style. The Falcon did receive all-new exterior sheet metal in 1966, which would continue with only minor changes all the way through 1970, when it was finally replaced by the Maverick. Video below.
My first car was a 66 falcon 4 door in 74 paid 150 dollars for it it was a 6 cy I think 200
my dad had one he bought for $50 around ’72, it was dented all over and 2 different colors but it seemed to run okay for a fifty buck car.
My first car, amazingly enough and contrary to the article, was a Falcon Futura CONVERTIBLE.
The article correctly states that the new 1966 Falcon didn’t have a convertible model. Ford dropped the Falcon vert and added a convertible to the new Fairlane line, which was an extension (literally) of the new Falcon.
The Falcon convertible ran from 63 to 65. The Mustang convertible crushed it and did bigger business than the Falcon had.
The article is correct. When the Falcon was redesigned for 1966, the convertible and hardtop body styles were eliminated.
The Falcon of 66 and the Fairlane were very closely related. The Falcon Ranchero wore the Falcon front clip in 66, but switched to the Fairlane clip for 67, a one year only deal. 66 and later Falcons aren’t seen as much today, the 60-65 versions seem to be more popular, while the Fairlane kept it’s popularity from 63 to 68 when the new Torino came out, signaling the soon end for the Fairlane line. The last Falcon and Fairlane both were badge engineered Torinos in 1970 I believe.
Here in Oz we got the much modified version of these cars in 66.Aussie Falcons were a LOT tougher in the whole car. Ford Australia had to strengthen the original Falcons as they were piss weak and fell to pieces. Though ofcourse we only got 4 door sedan, wagons, utes and vans. 170 & 200 6 and 289 2bbl except for the very limited Falcon GT. Sedans came full poverty, Falcon 500 and luxurious Fairmont. For whatever reason our XR model had different grille and tailights. Those were used in 68 on our XT Falcon. We also got the longer wheelbase Fairlane, again 4 door only. The 2 door US Fairlane is a very good looking car