Today I got a few submissions to share from riveranotario, recently posted at the Cohort. We’ll start with this silhouette, showing the familiar Ford Falcon we all know. As can be seen, this one still provides daily service to some driver down in Buenos Aires.
The one thing about this worn-out Falcon is it’s most likely of Argentinian origin, as most Fords from South America tend to be. It’s a chapter that’s already been covered at CC.
This later wagon clearly shows these are not your garden-variety Falcons. In that previous CC post, the Argentinian Falcon was called Near-Immortal for a good reason. The model started assembly in Argentina in 1962 and was to remain in production for almost 30 years.
Back in ’62, the model appeared solely as a 4-door and sported either a 170CID or a 187CID six. The Falcon would go through minor styling and drivetrain updates until the Ghia of 1982 arrived, the model’s most extensive revamp until the end of its run in 1991. It’s the generation to which the wagon above belongs.
If you wonder what the ’82 Falcon Ghia restyle truly looks like, here it is. I know it takes some getting used to these ‘alternative reality’ versions, but whatever your thoughts on the updated design, Argentinians took to it. Sales rebounded and the revised Falcon became the biggest seller in that nation in 1983, with 22K units sold.
Hardware-wise, by this time the Falcon offered either a 188CID or a 221CID six. An optional 2.3L 4-cyl. of Taunus origin was briefly available in ’82-’83. Sales of the Falcon finally started to recede in 1985, with production ending for good on Sept. 10, 1991. After 30 years, total production amounted to 494,029 units.
Let’s go to more familiar territory with this last image from riveranotario, showing an earlier version speeding away. Understandably, the Falcon enjoys a devoted fan base in South America to this day, as the model left a lasting legacy in the region.
Further reading:
Hi, Rich. Just a couple of corrections.
“Hardware-wise, by this time the Falcon offered either a 183CID or a 200CID six. An optional 2.2L 4-cyl. of Taunus origin was briefly available in ’82-’83. “ – Engines offered then were a 188 and 221. The 4 cylinder Taunus was a 2.3 liter.
Thanks Rafael, I updated those details and the image now is for the 1982 model.
Falcons are considered a classic car here in Uruguay. I don’t agree but that’s what people feel. I remember them new and the different problems they had. But they were relatively expensive and are associated with good memories.
Can any of the readers “translate’ the “ad copy”?
Thanks.
Of course, there you go. The ad copy is not the best for translation, and/or I’m not the best at translations, but it’s good enough.
Always new reasons.
All over this time, Falcon has never stopped offering you news. That kind of news that make sense. Like more economy, equipment, better maneuvrability or power steering. And then, time is what always offers new reasons for owning a Falcon. Because there are always less things that offer so much security and reliability. And all the time, there’s more people needing them. It’s true. Reasons for owning a Falcon don’t change. They add up every day. And that’s what’s good. That’s what’s reliable and gratifying of having a Falcon at home. A true classic.
Ford Falcon. The Argentine classic.
Please note that “power steering” is a novelty in a compact car (large for its market) being produced in 1980. The Falcon was available with PS starting in 1978, if memory serves well. AC had come some years before. Power windows, if at all, were available much later. Power disc brakes came relatively early, at the end of the 60s.
Thanks for the translation. A few comments: power windows were never available, and I think you are correct about power steering. 1982 brought power locks and AT as optional. A 4-speed became available from 1970 on, but most were equipped with the 3 on the three up until 1991.
I remember seeing a picture of a rare DeLuxe automatic, with the shift lever on the column and a quadrant typical of 60´s cars, this one being about an 85. I didn’t even know you could get an automatic that wasn’t a top of the line.
Not a lot a small “USA rides” had “p/s”, in the late “70’s” that I recall.
A lady i dated a bit in college had an “83 Chevette” with “p/b, auto, am-fm”, No “p/s” though.
It ran/rode, rather more stable then I expected.
That’s quite a “tome”! Thanks.
I’m quite sure that the first picture is in Buenos Aires due to the advertising at top left: the frame has the coat of arms of Buenos Aires on top. I think it’s a 64 MY based on the trim.
The Ghia trim was the most luxurious, replacing the Futura nameplate in ’82.
And the Falcon pictured in the ad above is the ’78 line. A Futura SP most certainly. If you read the last lines, it says “Suggested public price valid for April 1st, 1980, of a totally equipped vehicle including taxes (not including delivery) for a Falcon De Luxe (the medium trim between Std and Futura) $45 million pesos, or US$25.580, of course 1980s dollars.
Behind there’s a 73 line Std Falcon and behind it a blue 70 one. Also appears a cameo of a Fairlane, of which I proudly own one.
The 1982 restyling is identifiable by the black grille with horizontal bars and Taunus taillights. The state pictured bears that design, being probably a 88 or later model judging by colour and thin black trim.
Thanks for highlighting this model that means so much for Argentina.
You sure are right….the ad is for http://www.delvalle.com.ar, and it’s a typical Buenos Aires fixture. We have those ad supports here in Montevideo, but ours are rounded. Around 120 years old….
For me the strangest ‘alternative reality’ Falcons are the US ones!
Australia also had the 188 and 221 engines, briefly (1969-71 I think), sold here as the 3.1 and 3.6 litre. I learnt to drive in a 221 manual ’69 sedan, and I remember the shift knob coming off the lever while I was doing my test!
That wagon is really interesting. It has the short tail like the Australian body, but is completely different otherwise.
(Had to resize pic) This is the Aussie body; short sedan-length tail, wraparound side glass, wind-down window.
Venetian blinds are kind a cool..
Neat and different .
Yes, no question that Falcons are ‘classic cars’ , just because they were cheaply made and sold doesn’t change that .
When new I turned up my nose at them but time has proven them to be very good if basic cars .
-Nate
I really liked the “67” ones. Could still get a “s/w” I believe. Think “65” was the last “convertible”.
One of the teachers at grade school had a “63-4” convertible one in /around “1973”.
Yellow/white ((but more dingy gray)) top.
Can picture her //can’t remember a name to go with the face at all..lol
Once they got a big upgrade in body integrity and suspension components the old Falcon wasnt a bad car, the original just didnt last well, Ford AU kept upsizing suspension components right up till 71, then they stuck their own body design on top Some of those upgrades must have made it to south America,the posted Wagon has the Aussie body style.