1969 Ford Falcon Futura

302 V8. Looks nice but way overpriced.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1969...4835328?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2a30a65c00

 

The price may be a bit on the high side, but if it has the awards he mentions, it may not be that far out of line. One thing is that it would cost a LOT to take a mediocre car and make it this nice. Not many of the Falcon Futura wagons survive. Most people who wanted to go up market from base went to the Fairlane, as the cars are identical from the A pillar back. The only difference is the front clip, the brake lamp cluster (although they fit the same openings) and the interior. There was not much difference in price between the Futura and the base Fairlane, either. This is a very nice wagon for someone who wants something a little bit different.

 

My recently aquired 69 Falcon Futura Wagon

I have long wanted a vintage wagon and now have my first one. I purchased this one from a very nice gentleman from MO. After driving 12 hours to see the wagon I was pleasantly suprised as to what I found waiting for me. I am used to buying solid old tired vehicles and restoring them but this is my first mid to low mileage 'survivor'.
Well we cut the deal and proceeded to drive her home to MI - a 700+ mile trip. Everything went very well until we hit Battlecreek (80 miles from home) and blew a timing gear on the cam. The last 80 miles were on a flatbed truck - these things happen. The next 2 days were spent repairing the wagon and the family is excited to cruse and plan road trips this fall and the comng years. What a nice example of a Future wagon. I look forward to being part of this group of equally minded folks. . .
Rick

 

Fastford. Looks like you have a very clean looking wagon. Even new cars break down. Hope your next ride is troublefree.

 

Very clean Falcon wagon! Looks great. Welcome!!

 

Welcome to the Nuthouse. Don't forget to do an introductory thread in the right section. Be sure to put up lots of pictures of that beautiful wagon. Personally, I think you got a great deal on a very rarely seen wagon. The one important thing to remember when you work on her: She is the same, from the A pillar back, as the Fairlane wagon. Only the front clip is different along with the actual brake lamps, even though the cutouts are identical. That makes mechanical and body parts easy to come by when she does need work. If you are going to cruise regularly, there are things to be done for really good fuel economy, too. A solid 30 mpg is achievable with that old girl if you want, and there is no cutting to be done, either, so bringing her back to stock is always possible should you decide to do that in the future.

 

Hey speak for yourself! Just kidding, nice wagon btw. If that was an Aussie Falcon then it would be an XT model like this.

 

just so you know

According to something I read, a while back, the 302 was an option on the 69 Falcons. Five Falcon Rancheros came with a 302 and a four speed manual. Not sure how many of the wagons came with 302's, but the implication is, they could be got with one new. That it's got the 302 could quite possibly make it worth the asking price, if the rest of the car is in good condition.

 

Good point, Tarranau. The problem is that a lot of very good, solid V-8 Falcons were sacrificed to do a V-8 conversion on run of the mill 6 cylinder Mustangs, since the sub frames are the same. That leaves this very nice wagon as an unusual survivor and well worth owning and preserving.

 

REar spring rates for my 69 futura

Looking to rebuild/ replace the rear springs in my 69 Futura. Called Detroit Eaton Spring and they will build me what I want - looking for suggestions. Stock spring is 108#/in. I don't know what the stock ride height should be. Does anyone know???

 

just so you know

Have heard from people who only buy GM or VW products, that Ford suspension is there to keep the drivetrain from dragging on the ground. So, as long as your drivetrain is safe from roadburn, you should be good... It's a wagon, when the back-back is empty, it should sit a little higher than the front end. Not much higher, an inch or so. Have never replaced rear suspension, so I can't tell you how to do that. Not sure if it's a line of sight thing or a machine you need to get it done. But there you go.

 

Rear Falcon wagon ride height

Did some research and contacted Detroit Eaton spring who has spring prints and data on everything and discovered the rear height measured thru the wheel centerline from ground to wheel lip is 21 7/8" to 23 5/8" with no side to side variation. The stock rate is 108#/inch. I did the hand calcs and meadured the vehicle and wil have them build a new set with the same unloaded arch at 140#/inch rate. Should put the rear 1 1/4 to 1 1/2" over stock ride height and firm up the rear ride and reduce some body roll. Looking forward to it. Will take some b4 and after shots.

 

69 Falcon Futura Rear spring Update

OK, the 108#/in was a sedan rating - they goofed up. Turns out the std rate for this car is 128#/in and the HD units are 162#/in. I opted for the HD units!! If you opt for the same ones you will need to add a 3/8" spacer on either side of the spring clamp at the axle attachment point as the HD units are thicker than the 128#/in units (5 plate design as opposed to a std 4 plate design). This spacer add on is a more likely avenue, since finding s deeper set of upper clamps would be very difficult. Fortunately the U-bolts were long enough to accomidate this set-up.