Early Falcons

[FASTBACK340]

Aside from the grills being different, what else distinguishes the 60 from 61 model years from each other? I've seen nicely cast '60's, so-so '61's (at least the one I saw....). I'm going to need a '61 Falcon soon. PM me if anyone can help besides with information.

Thanks!

[disabled modeler]

I dig the Falcons up to 1969...the 60 and 61 look about the same far as I know of.

[southpier]

yeah; one's an innie, the other an outie.

[unclescott58]

The grille is the big difference between a '60 and '61 Falcon. The '60 is concave. The '61 convex. The Futura came out in '61. Beyond that, there are not a lot of diffences.

Scott

[62rebel]

in 1:1 there's more than enough differences to make you want to pull your hair out. the entire front clip on the '60-'61 is contoured differently from '62-'63's and none of it swaps over without a lot of work. the '60-'61's don't have front gravel "splash" shields behind the bumper that the later roundbodies do. the early series has different taillight concave contours as well; later taillights won't fit them and vice-versa. the instrument clusters change from year to year. Rancheros had unique transmission crossmembers that differed from the regular sedans, as well as rear floor pans. to get a really good overview of the Falcon, trot over to the Ford Falcon News forum and check out their ID guide. "TFFN.net"

i've owned more than a dozen roundbodies and a few later ones including a "clone" Main Force Patrol '66 fordor V8 i built. love my Falcons.

[ChrisBcritter]

One notable difference between the '60 and '61 coupe kit bodies: the '61 has a trim molding that runs around the outer edge of the body cove from front to rear and around the taillights (interrupted only by the front wheel opening). It wasn't used to delineate a two-tone scheme on the real cars; the second color was still only on the roof.

Other than that:

'60: "Falcon" in script on front fenders and right side of the panel betwen the taillights

'61: "Falcon" in script on front fenders plus a "winged" trim piece ahead of it; "FALCON" in block letters spread across taillight panel

To be accurate, both should show a separation between the front fender and rocker panel plus a seam line running straight back from the bottom of the door to the rear wheel well:

[unclescott58]

in 1:1 there's more than enough differences to make you want to pull your hair out. the entire front clip on the '60-'61 is contoured differently from '62-'63's and none of it swaps over without a lot of work. the '60-'61's don't have front gravel "splash" shields behind the bumper that the later roundbodies do. the early series has different taillight concave contours as well; later taillights won't fit them and vice-versa. the instrument clusters change from year to year. Rancheros had unique transmission crossmembers that differed from the regular sedans, as well as rear floor pans. to get a really good overview of the Falcon, trot over to the Ford Falcon News forum and check out their ID guide. "TFFN.net"

i've owned more than a dozen roundbodies and a few later ones including a "clone" Main Force Patrol '66 fordor V8 i built. love my Falcons.

I don't think he asked about the '62s or '63s. But, your right about the differences. Though I do think the gravel shield may have been used on the '61 Futura. I'll have to go back and check on that.

Scott