Ford Falcon

Ford Falcon: which version to buy and why

If you are choosing a Ford Falcon from this catalogue, the useful split is body and power, not a vague “later is better.” The data cover four listed generations from 1 January 1960 to 31 December 1970, but they are three generations plus one restyling of the third: 1 generation (1960–1966, Cabrio, two versions), 2 generation (1964–1965, Cabrio, one version), 3 generation (1966–1970, Coupe, four ve…

If you are choosing a Ford Falcon from this catalogue, the useful split is body and power, not a vague “later is better.” The data cover four listed generations from 1 January 1960 to 31 December 1970, but they are three generations plus one restyling of the third: 1 generation (1960–1966, Cabrio, two versions), 2 generation (1964–1965, Cabrio, one version), 3 generation (1966–1970, Coupe, four versions), and 3 generation, restyling (1 July 1970–31 December 1970, Sedan, four versions). Every version is Gasoline, Carburetor, Front, longitudinal, boost No, Manual, RWD, Independent, spring at the front, Dependent, leaf spring at the rear, Drum/Drum brakes. Peak output in the set is 5.8 MT at 253 hp (186 kW) in 3 generation, restyling; the smallest is 2.4 MT at 91 hp (67 kW) in 1 generation. That is +162 hp from the bottom of the range to the top (253 − 91), or about 2.8 times the power. 0–100, top speed, city/highway/combined mpg, CO2, eco class, wheel size and gross weight are not measured on every version here, so a buying choice cannot rest on those figures.

Generations: what actually changes if you pick another one

Treat restyling as the last chapter of 3 generation, not a fourth family. Body type is the first filter, because it is not optional in this dataset.

1 generation (1960-01-01 to 1966-12-31) is Cabrio only: 2.4 MT (91 hp) and 2.8 MT (102 hp). Kerb weights are measured: 1119 kg and 1213 kg. Tank is 50 L on both. Ground clearance is not measured. If you want the lightest Falcon in these numbers, this generation is the only place it is recorded.

2 generation (1964-01-01 to 1965-12-31) is still Cabrio, with a single 2.8 MT at 106 hp (78 kW), 2782 cm³. Versus 1 generation 2.8 MT (102 hp, 2785 cm³, 75 kW) that is +4 hp and −3 cm³. Tank rises from 50 L to 56 L (+6 L). Kerb weight, torque, power rpm and clearance are not measured. Calendar overlap with 1 generation is real in the dates: 1964–1965 sit inside 1960–1966.

3 generation (1966-01-01 to 1970-12-31) switches body to Coupe and adds the first 8-cylinder versions. Four names: 2.8 MT (106 hp), 3.3 MT (120 hp), 4.7 MT (195 hp), 4.9 MT (223 hp). Ground clearance is 156 mm on all four. Tank, kerb weight and (on 2.8 MT and 4.7 MT) torque are not measured. Fuel label splits: 2.8 MT is 76; 3.3 MT, 4.7 MT and 4.9 MT are 80.

3 generation, restyling (1970-07-01 to 1970-12-31) is Sedan, six months, four versions: 3.3 MT (132 hp), 4.1 MT (157 hp), 4.9 MT (223 hp), 5.8 MT (253 hp). Tank is 62 L on all four (+12 L versus 1 generation, +6 L versus 2 generation). Clearance stays 156 mm. Kerb 1370 kg is measured only on 3.3 MT and 4.1 MT; not measured on 4.9 MT and 5.8 MT. Fuel is 76 on all four restyle versions.

So the generation choice is: Cabrio (1 / 2), Coupe (3), or Sedan (restyling). Engine span grows with that sequence: two Inline 6 units in 1 generation, one Inline 6 in 2 generation, two Inline 6 plus two 8-cylinder V low angle units in 3 generation, then two Inline 6 plus two 8-cylinder V-shaped units in the restyling — including the only 4-speed Manual in the whole set, 5.8 MT.

Engines and specs: every version, named as in the data

Use this table to match a page name to numbers. Same name in two generations is distinguished by power (and where needed by kW or displacement).

Valves per cylinder are 2 on every row. Compression: 2.4 MT 8.7; most 6-cylinder rows 9.1; restyle 4.1 MT 9.3; restyle 4.9 MT 9.5; restyle 5.8 MT 9.7; Coupe 4.9 MT 9.1 (not 9.5). Bore × stroke as listed: 2.4 MT 88.9 × 63.5; 1 generation 2.8 MT 88.9 × 74.6; 2 generation and 3 generation 2.8 MT 88.9 × 74.7; both 3.3 MT 93.5 × 79.5; restyle 4.1 MT 93.5 × 99.3; Coupe 4.7 MT 101.6 × 72.9; both 4.9 MT 101.6 × 76.2; 5.8 MT 101.6 × 88.9.

Performance and economy (mpg): what is not measured

0–100 km/h is not measured for all eleven versions. Top speed is not measured for all eleven. City, highway and combined fuel consumption are not measured for all eleven — including searches that look for 1960 / 1962 mpg. CO2 and eco class are not measured. You cannot rank Falcons here by litres/100 km or by a sprint time. The ranking that the numbers do support is power, torque where present, specific output, and (where kerb exists) kilograms per horsepower.

Specific output (hp per litre, displacement in litres = cm³ / 1000):

• 1 generation 2.4 MT: 91 / 2.365 ≈ 38.5 hp/L
• 1 generation 2.8 MT: 102 / 2.785 ≈ 36.6 hp/L
• 2 generation 2.8 MT: 106 / 2.782 ≈ 38.1 hp/L
• 3 generation 2.8 MT: 106 / 2.782 ≈ 38.1 hp/L
• 3 generation 3.3 MT: 120 / 3.277 ≈ 36.6 hp/L
• 3 generation 4.7 MT: 195 / 4.736 ≈ 41.2 hp/L
• 3 generation 4.9 MT: 223 / 4.942 ≈ 45.1 hp/L
• restyling 3.3 MT: 132 / 3.277 ≈ 40.3 hp/L
• restyling 4.1 MT: 157 / 4.097 ≈ 38.3 hp/L
• restyling 4.9 MT: 223 / 4.942 ≈ 45.1 hp/L
• restyling 5.8 MT: 253 / 5.766 ≈ 43.9 hp/L

The densest engines in this set are the two 4.9 MT rows at about 45.1 hp/L. 5.8 MT is stronger in absolute hp (+30 versus 223) but slightly less dense (43.9 hp/L). The weakest density is the pair at ≈36.6 hp/L: 1 generation 2.8 MT and Coupe 3.3 MT. Restyling 3.3 MT at 40.3 hp/L is the same 3277 cm³ as Coupe 3.3 MT with +12 hp, so the restyle buys density, not capacity.

Torque where measured: 2.4 MT and 1 generation 2.8 MT share 187 Nm (same peak, different power). Coupe and restyle 3.3 MT share 258 Nm @ 2000 (+71 Nm versus 187). Restyle 4.1 MT is 325 Nm @ 1600 — the lowest torque rpm in the file, +67 Nm versus 258. Both 4.9 MT are 407 Nm @ 2600. 5.8 MT is 481 Nm @ 2600 (+74 Nm versus 407). 2 generation 2.8 MT, Coupe 2.8 MT and Coupe 4.7 MT torque: not measured.

Dimensions and weight: kg, tank, clearance

Measured kerb weights are only four values:

• 1 generation 2.4 MT: 1119 kg → 1119 / 91 ≈ 12.3 kg/hp
• 1 generation 2.8 MT: 1213 kg → 1213 / 102 ≈ 11.9 kg/hp (the extra 94 kg buys 11 hp)
• restyling 3.3 MT: 1370 kg → 1370 / 132 ≈ 10.4 kg/hp
• restyling 4.1 MT: 1370 kg → 1370 / 157 ≈ 8.7 kg/hp

4.1 MT is the best measured power-to-weight in the catalogue: same 1370 kg as restyle 3.3 MT, +25 hp. You cannot compute kg/hp for 2 generation, any Coupe, restyle 4.9 MT or 5.8 MT — kerb is not measured. Gross weight is not measured on every version. Wheel size is not measured on every version.

Tank: 50 L (1 generation both), 56 L (2 generation 2.8 MT), not measured (all four Coupe versions), 62 L (all four restyle versions). Ground clearance: not measured on 1 generation and 2 generation; 156 mm on every 3 generation Coupe and every restyle Sedan. Length, width and wheelbase are not measured in this dataset.

Which version to choose

If the body must be Cabrio: only 1 generation and 2 generation. Inside 1 generation, 2.4 MT versus 2.8 MT is +420 cm³, +11 hp, +8 kW, 0 Nm difference (both 187), +94 kg. The smaller engine is more hp-dense (38.5 vs 36.6 hp/L) and is the lightest car (1119 kg). 2.8 MT is the better kg/hp of the two Cabrio cars with a scale figure (11.9 vs 12.3). 2 generation 2.8 MT adds 4 hp over 1 generation 2.8 MT and 6 L of tank; you pay with a torque and kerb column that is not measured. Coupe 2.8 MT is the same 106 hp and 2782 cm³ as 2 generation, but 77 kW not 78 kW, tank not measured, and the body is Coupe not Cabrio — do not treat those two 2.8 MT lines as the same car.

If the body must be Coupe: only 3 generation. The Internal 6-cylinder step is 2.8 MT 106 hp → 3.3 MT 120 hp (+14 hp, +495 cm³, torque becomes 258 Nm). The 8-cylinder step is 4.7 MT 195 hp then 4.9 MT 223 hp. 4.7 MT to 4.9 MT is +28 hp, +206 cm³, and 4.9 MT is the only Coupe with a torque number (407 Nm). 4.9 MT also has the highest hp/L in the Coupe group (45.1). 4.7 MT sits between the 6-cylinder and 4.9 MT in power but torque and rpm are not measured, so it is the 8-cylinder you pick only if you want 195 hp without the 4942 cm³ name. Fuel on Coupe 3.3 MT / 4.7 MT / 4.9 MT is 80; Coupe 2.8 MT is 76.

If the body must be Sedan: only 3 generation, restyling. Ladder inside the restyle:

• 3.3 MT 132 hp / 258 Nm / 3277 cm³ / 1370 kg / 3 gears
• 4.1 MT 157 hp / 325 Nm / 4097 cm³ / 1370 kg / 3 gears — same kerb, +25 hp, +67 Nm, torque peak 400 rpm earlier (1600 vs 2000)
• 4.9 MT 223 hp / 407 Nm / 4942 cm³ / kerb not measured / 3 gears — +66 hp and +82 Nm versus 4.1 MT, first restyle 8-cylinder
• 5.8 MT 253 hp / 481 Nm / 5766 cm³ / kerb not measured / 4 gears — +30 hp and +74 Nm versus 4.9 MT, only 4-speed Manual in the entire Falcon list here

Restyle 3.3 MT versus Coupe 3.3 MT is the cleanest same-name comparison: same 3277 cm³, same 258 Nm @ 2000, same 93.5 × 79.5, +12 hp (120 → 132), +9 kW (88 → 97), fuel 80 → 76, body Coupe → Sedan, tank not measured → 62 L, kerb not measured → 1370 kg. Restyle 4.9 MT versus Coupe 4.9 MT: same 223 hp, 164 kW, 407 Nm, 4942 cm³, 101.6 × 76.2; layout label changes from V low angle to V-shaped; compression 9.1 → 9.5; fuel 80 → 76; tank not measured → 62 L. Peak power does not rise; what the restyle 4.9 MT adds in these fields is tank, fuel label, compression and body, not horsepower.

If you want the smallest engine / lightest measured car: 1 generation 2.4 MT (2365 cm³, 91 hp, 1119 kg, 50 L). If you want the strongest 6-cylinder: restyle 4.1 MT (157 hp, 325 Nm) — 25 hp above restyle 3.3 MT at identical 1370 kg, and 37 hp above Coupe 3.3 MT. There is no 6-cylinder above 157 hp in this file. If you want the strongest car and the only 4-speed: restyle 5.8 MT (253 hp, 481 Nm, 5766 cm³). Versus restyle 3.3 MT that is +121 hp; versus 2.4 MT +162 hp. Kerb for 5.8 MT is not measured, so you cannot claim it is lighter or heavier than 1370 kg. If you want the highest hp per litre: either 4.9 MT (both generations, ≈45.1 hp/L), then 5.8 MT (≈43.9). If you want the best measured kg/hp: restyle 4.1 MT at ≈8.7 kg/hp. If you want more tank: restyle 62 L beats 2 generation 56 L beats 1 generation 50 L; Coupe tanks are not measured. If you care about clearance: only the Coupe and Sedan rows give 156 mm; Cabrio clearance is not measured.

Problems and reliability are not in this dataset; do not infer them from hp or from a generation date. What the extra displacement buys, in arithmetic only: 2.4 MT → 2.8 MT (1 generation) buys 11 hp and 94 kg for 420 cm³; 3.3 MT restyle → 4.1 MT buys 25 hp and 67 Nm at zero extra measured kerb for 820 cm³; 4.9 MT → 5.8 MT buys 30 hp, 74 Nm and a fourth Manual ratio for 824 cm³. That last step is the only place in the catalogue where gearbox count changes.