Skyliner “retracs” grew to become prime collectibles, and the retractable-hardtop concept made a comeback in the new millennium. In idea it was much like Virgil Exner’s downsized ’62 Plymouths and Dodges. Ford scored much higher 1970 gross sales with its new compact Maverick, a semifastback two-door on a 103-inch wheelbase. Haulers comprised plain and fancier Del Rio two-door Ranch Wagons, a pair of 4-door Country Sedans, and the wood-look four-door Squire — Ford’s priciest ’57 wagon at $2684. Topping the vary was the V-8 Crestline group of Victoria hardtop, newly named Sunliner convertible, and posh Country Squire four-door wagon. A new bodyshell arrived for ’69 with a two-inch longer wheelbase, a “tunneled backlight” for newly named “SportsRoof” fastbacks, and ventless door glass on hardtops and convertibles. The 289 was detuned to 195 horsepower for ’68, when the aforementioned 302 arrived as a brand new choice. It was a effective engine, which helps explain why its 302 evolution continued all the way in which into the nineteen nineties. It completely transformed Falcon efficiency with out tremendously affecting mileage. By 1985, only the four, V-6, and an optionally available 165-bhp 302 V-8 were fielded, the last reserved for a semi-sporting LX sedan that sold just 3260 copies. Also new for ‘fifty one was Ford’s first hardtop coupe, the Custom V-eight Victoria.
These wagons, by the way, had been Ford’s first all-steel models (the Squire switching from actual wood to wood-look decals). The last, but most-substantial, restyle on the large 1960 physique occurred for ’64, bringing heavily sculptured decrease-body sheet-metallic, a complex grille, and slantback rooflines for all closed models. At decade’s end, it was additionally promoting solely about 400,000 more automobiles per year than in 1960 — regardless of growth into vital new markets: economic system compacts, intermediates, and sportier customary-measurement models. Doing extra with much less, Ford introduced a new 215.3-cid overhead-valve six with 101 horsepower as customary for Mainline/Customline. All were available with six or V-8 energy. The 1957 Fords had been all-new, offering an unlimited array of V-8s from a 190-bhp 272 as much as a 245-bhp 312. The 223-cid six was customary for all however one mannequin. Performance was just what the big Fords had, with out there small-block and big-block V-8s offering from 195 up to a rousing 425 horsepower. Standard XLs got here with a 120-bhp 200-cid six, but most had been ordered with optional 289 V-8s.
Engines have been the identical as Fairmont’s: normal 2.3-liter four, elective 200-cid six, and “fuel disaster” 255 V-eight (the final eradicated after ’81). The flathead V-8 was tweaked to 110 horsepower. The venerable flathead V-eight was honorably retired for 1954 in favor of a new overhead-valve “Y-block” V-8 (so-called due to its frontal appearance in cross-section). Powerful and clean yet surprisingly economical, it was the definitive small V-8. The Grabber seemed snazzy however was pretty tame even with V-8. The architect is reselling the design, and even if modifications are needed, those prices are normally small. The architect obliged with a soaking tub joined to the shower in interlocking models to save lots of space. In consequence, Ford greeted 1980 a essential two to three years behind GM in the gasoline effectivity and “space” races — and at a crucial sales drawback next to its domestic foes and a horde of fast-rising Japanese makes.
The “500” stood for the 500-mile NASCAR races the division was winning (Ford won every 500 in ’63). At the identical time, the Sunliner convertible and Skyliner retractable gained Galaxie rear-fender script (but retained Fairlane 500 ID on the rear). Mid-1970 brought the ultimate Falcons: a stark wagon and two sedans derived from the intermediate Torino (which had evolved from the Fairlane). That style is amply evidenced in these two baths. Only element adjustments would occur to this basic design via 1954. Wheelbase crept up to 115 inches for a revised model slate that began with a cheap Mainline Tudor/Fordor, business coupe, and two-door Ranch Wagon, adopted by Customline sedans, membership coupe, and four-door Country Sedan wagon. The Custom wagon now bore Country Squire script, but would be the last true Ford woody. Four-door Ranch and Squire wagons and a brace of two-door hardtops were added for ’63. His church organist, Lewis Redner, added the music in order that the kids’s choir could sing the song. Later, honey, spices, and candied fruits have been added.
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