Wouldn’t you have been tempted by a new Falcon with a hot 166hp 3.6 L (221 cubic inch) six, a four speed on the floor and some nice wheels instead of a dull Taurus or such in the mid-late 1980s? Well, in Argentina, the choices were much more limited, which explains why the 1962 Falcon was kept in production until 1991, although with a number of changes to make it more appealing as the upper class car that it was there at the time.
Rivera Notario found two of them on the streets in Mendoza, Argentina; this ’80s version as well as one from the mid ’60s.
Here’s its back end, which shows how it got new taillights and such. I might be wrong; it might be from the late ’70s; I’ve never found a definitive guide, although I did make an effort to note the major restyles in my Argentine Falcon history. The last major restyle came in 1982, when the rear end got wide horizontal taillights. This is obviously from before that.
I can’t pin down the year of the older one either, as their grilles changed in minor detail several times. But I’m pretty confident it’s from the m-d-late ’60s. What’s fascinating is that already in 1963 the Argentine Falcon got a 187 cubic inch version of the six, with the larger bore from the 200 CID six. And some five years later, the Australian 188 and 221 cubic inch versions were essentially adopted in Argentina.
And that included a cylinder head that had a proper intake manifold instead of the integrally cast log manifold on all US-market Falcon sixes. This is the high-output SP version with 166hp.
It’s not likely that this grizzled old veteran is sporting one of those mills backed by a four-speed, but they’re out there. Not surprisingly, the near-immortal Falcon became an icon in Argentina, and has an enthusiastic following.
My more detailed article on the Argentine Falcon:
A dark green Falcon pulling up in front of your house in Argentina meant somebody was going bye bye.
Their President recruited the washed up “Zorro” from Hollywood and gave him a bayfront apartment to hold rallys where he stirred up the crowd with patriotic hoopla in support for the President’s policies.
These things actually work better than the way the US has managed its cities.
Maybe we need Falcons and Zorro
Seems like you’re already half way there, just need more Falcons.
I spent a couple of months in Argentina in the mid 90’s. There were a lot of problems at that time, just 10 years from the Falkland war and junta rule with the economy in decline. The nervousness was palpable, but the Falcons and Torinos just kept on going.
😂😂😂😂 It is very strange here
The first generation of the Falcon in Argentina, especially from 1960 to 1963, was exactly the same as the american and australian version.
Then it was modified over the years, but basically it was the same chassis from ’60 to ’91. It is true that Argentina came from several decades of stagnation but it was not a Soviet or communist economy. There was a variety of cars in that country, so if the Falcon was the best seller for years it is because it was a very good car.
Australian early Falcons were a dog of a car they fell apart, Ford Australia spent a fortune re-engineering them from the drawing board mess they got from the US.
A true compliment in Argentina is ” Like a Falcon”. I’ve heard it a few times.
I saw a lot of these in Argentina & Brazil in 1981. I chuckled at how the manufacturer (Ford? a subsidiary?) tacked modern details onto an old body, pretending to be updating.
But I did see a new individualizing trend among them — loud coffee-can, attention-drawing tailpipes. A premonition of the “ricers” that showed up later on.
The first one is a ‘72-‘74 in DeLuxe trim which dos not incluye the special wheels. If I’m wrong about the year, would be because in 75 the trunk changed a very little bit. In that case could be a 75-77. As there are no callouts on the engine it’s probably a 188/3.0 liter, with a theee on the tree. Of course, given the condition, any of those clues could have fallen off.
Shopping with my Dad we looked into a brand new 81 Futura 221, fully loaded for the time. Dad decided against the old guzzler.
Wow, ill take that 166hp six in my anemic 101hp 63 comet convertble…!!! Bring it..
A very informative story about the Ford Falcon ! I was really surprised , that Argentina still produced the Falcon until 1991. The last ones were made in the U.S. in 1969 . I believe the new Ford Maverick , introduced for 1970 , was the replacement for the old Ford Falcon ..Even so , the Falcon proved very popular with strong sales as it was economical and affordable to many buyers .