Brambles 1963 Falcon Convertible

[Brambles]

Back in the early 1990's my Dad found a 1963 Falcon Convertible project, after making an offer he lost out to another buyer.

For the next decade he kinda kicked himself,

One day in 2003 I was driving a back road, there was an old out of business autowrecker owned by some crazy guy. It was pitched on a hillside and was overgrown in grass and brush. You could never help but to look through the grass, as you drive by, hoping not to get shot at and dream of what treasures lay hidden in the mess.

It was that day and that moment that in the gusting wind I seen the grass part to reveal a quick glimpse of a round body front fender and a weatherd tarp over a convertible top. I quickly drove to my dads house and told him what I "think" I had just seen.

We drove to the property to take our chances...as luck would have it, the crazy guy and his wife had divorced and in true divorcee fashion, she got the property...and was willing to let us go look at the car...

[Brambles]

As we chopped our way through the 3 ft high dry grass we arrived at what was indeed a 1963 Falcon Convertible, and that puppy had been there a loooooong time...

Top had rotted off probably a decade or two ago, bows partially collapsed. Interior completely destroyed. It was sunk into the ground a fair bit on the drivers side....good news is the body panels were in decent shape...

We came to an agreement with the owner and we bought the car, we figure it had been there for 20-30 years, 40 something thousand original miles..

A tow truck was called and the car was removed to my house...

Now we took ol 35mm pictures of the car when we first got it....but they have been lost....so these are the earliest ones I have....stay tuned...

[Brambles]

The car was certainly rough but we were up to the challenge, and because a lot of the trim and mouldings were beat, floors gone, torque boxes on drivers side gone, rear right frame rail bent from a rear hit, it wasn't hard to decide to go custom with the car and avoid an original restoration.

First we built the rotisserie and dismantled the car..

We rebuilt the drivers side torque boxes and To deal with the rear frame rail and fit a decent tire we had Art Morrison put together a parallel 4 Bar rear suspension. It was all tied together with 2x3 x .125 wall tube subframe connectors relieved into the torque boxes and welded in.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/12/IMG_1058-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Brambles77/media/IMG_1058.jpg.html)

[Brambles]

Narrowed 9"

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/12/IMG_1065-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Brambles77/media/IMG_1065.jpg.html)

[Brambles]

The torque box work, SFC, and saving the funds for the back half took a few years working slowly, we had originally decided on using factory V8 suspension so we gathered all that stuff up....then changed our minds and saved up to buy a Rod and Custom mii suspension.

[Brambles]

Then on June 27th 2008.... Dad passed away.....

To say my head wasn't into working on OUR car alone was an understatement, not yet at least..


Rest peacefully Dad..


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/12/IMG035-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Brambles77/media/IMG035.jpg.html)

[Brambles]

In the spring of 2009 my wife and I decided our house was too small for our growing family so we had to renovate and add on to the house......problem is the car was in the tiny attached garage...

So the decision was made.....a negotiation with the wife...and I built a garage in the backyard before the house....a man garage....when the garage was complete the Falcon moved into its new nest and I destroyed the house...

I started building the garage June 2009 and we moved into the mostly complete house, unfinished daylight basement, in September 2011..still gotta pour the rear parking slab and rear deck..

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/12/image_zps8kbymhld-1.jpeg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Brambles77/media/image_zps8kbymhld.jpeg.html)

[Brambles]

I worked in the garage and build an off-road jeep XJ, and a bunch of other projects...but the car just sat in its nest...

Then in the Fall of 2014, after our local Car show, the Queen City Cruise I seen an ad for a guy selling 1962 fenders..and other panels..hey those fit...so I drove the 6 hour round trip to pick Em up. Though not perfect they were better than the others I have scavenged.

[Brambles]

Summer of 2015 had me itching to work on the car, although with 2 kids and a big mortgage there's never much money left at the end of the month but I had the Rod & Custom front suspension on the shelf since dad passed.....so I cut out the shock towers and installed the crossmember

[dangina]

looks like you have a great start already! sorry to hear about your dad...

[Brambles]

Thank you for the kind words


Plasma cutter, thanks Dad, made quick work of the towers


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/12/image_zpswe4nbsgc-1.jpeg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Brambles77/media/image_zpswe4nbsgc.jpeg.html)

[Brambles]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/12/image_zpsaexi9qk5-1.jpeg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Brambles77/media/image_zpsaexi9qk5.jpeg.html)

[Brambles]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/12/image_zps0nd48der-1.jpeg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Brambles77/media/image_zps0nd48der.jpeg.html)

[Brambles]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/12/image_zpsoyfil5i2-1.jpeg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Brambles77/media/image_zpsoyfil5i2.jpeg.html)

[Brambles]

My oldest son helping mock up the front suspension...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/12/image_zpszflqippc-1.jpeg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Brambles77/media/image_zpszflqippc.jpeg.html)

[Brambles]

A rare photo of the falcon sitting flat


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/12/image_zpspfnmdxiw-1.jpeg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Brambles77/media/image_zpspfnmdxiw.jpeg.html)

[Brambles]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/12/image_zpsue4rvdl6-1.jpeg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Brambles77/media/image_zpsue4rvdl6.jpeg.html)

[Brambles]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/12/image_zps3xy0txjd-1.jpeg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Brambles77/media/image_zps3xy0txjd.jpeg.html)

[Brambles]

When we ordered the Art Morrison frame we spec'd out 15x10 w/4" backspace...to fit a 295/50-15 tire.

I still have 2-2.5" between the tire and the frame so I was thinking of running a 17" wheel and a 315 or wider tire but I am unable to find any off the shelf 17" wheels that will fit with proper backspace.....and the pricing on custom offset wheels was $1000 each.....ummmmm.....ouch

[Brambles]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/12/image_zpsxjh2bcit-1.jpeg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Brambles77/media/image_zpsxjh2bcit.jpeg.html)

[Brambles]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/12/image_zpsbhddjmtm-1.jpeg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Brambles77/media/image_zpsbhddjmtm.jpeg.html)

[Brambles]

Im currently in the process of strengthening the unibody, being that it's both a uni, and a convertible, I'm a little concerned about twisting it into a pretzel and poor handling.

So along with the weld in SFC, I also welded in Jack Rails to tie the SFC to the outer rocker torque box

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/12/image_zpsitxbelws-1.jpeg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Brambles77/media/image_zpsitxbelws.jpeg.html)

[Godbolt]

Very nice work. What driveline is planned?

Looks like a nice part of the world you live in.

[Brambles]

Engine will be a 351w or stroker variant based on it...likely a 408w
I have a 4r70w automatic here but part of me still wants a stick..TKO600...I still have a bit of time to decide but not much...I'm in the process of raising funds by selling off some other projects and parts.

The biggest hurdle right now is finding a long tube 351w 1 3/4 header that will fit an overdrive automatic.
Might have to go shorty headers..

[Godbolt]

Go the stick. Can't help with header suggestions for the auto I'm afraid. Looks like some mountain roads in your area so a manual would be fun.

[rustomatic]

It's always good to see another Falcon on here! Before I got mine five years ago, it had spent the entire previous decade sitting in somebody's driveway, collecting pine needles and dust. Oddly, the 260/Fordomatic still ran pretty good . . . keep at it!

[Brambles]

Well lets try an update....

Got the 351w block in place with the 4r70w and welded in the motor mounts

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/03/image_zpsv6oucuca-1.jpeg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Brambles77/media/image_zpsv6oucuca.jpeg.html)

[Brambles]

I after all the rest of the frame strengthening upgrades, the only weak link was the front frame rails..so I build inserts to reinforce the front frame rails from the inside.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/03/image_zpsccqz9uyb-1.jpeg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Brambles77/media/image_zpsccqz9uyb.jpeg.html)

[Brambles]

Factory trans crossmember removed, new one build and moved rearward for the 4r70w. Front frame inserts installed minus plug welding .

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/03/image_zpssatt9had-1.jpeg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Brambles77/media/image_zpssatt9had.jpeg.html)

[Brambles]

Front floors started

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/03/image_zpsnyzxcqcx-1.jpeg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Brambles77/media/image_zpsnyzxcqcx.jpeg.html)

[Brambles]

Rear frame has to be sectioned 1/4 " to allow clearance for the fuel tank

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/03/image_zps2dqm62pn-1.jpeg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Brambles77/media/image_zps2dqm62pn.jpeg.html)

[Brambles]

Rear backrest removed and ready for building more floor pans

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/03/image_zpsvhsznk7n-1.jpeg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Brambles77/media/image_zpsvhsznk7n.jpeg.html)

[Brambles]

My little buddy giving me a hand...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/03/image_zpsxvm5hrap-1.jpeg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Brambles77/media/image_zpsxvm5hrap.jpeg.html)

[Brambles]

Where I finished off last night, the raised rear foot wells are to allow the mufflers to tuck up under the floor and utilize the exhaust cutouts in the rear frame.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/03/image_zpsdlsmesq1-1.jpeg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Brambles77/media/image_zpsdlsmesq1.jpeg.html)

[Brambles]

Thought fabbing the trans tunnel was gonna be a bugger with only a 36" cheap Chinese brake..but it went smooth

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2017/03/image_zpsre5pmkbw-1.jpeg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Brambles77/media/image_zpsre5pmkbw.jpeg.html)

[windows]

Very nice fabrication work. Definitely a good project to follow.

[BADA22D]

Your project looks great! You might want to try Crites Restorations in Ohio regarding big tube headers for the Falcon. They do all sorts of Maverick, Falcon, and Fairlane headers. I have a set on my 66 Mustang with a Windsor stroker and they fit and work really well.

[Brambles]

Your project looks great! You might want to try Crites Restorations in Ohio regarding big tube headers for the Falcon. They do all sorts of Maverick, Falcon, and Fairlane headers. I have a set on my 66 Mustang with a Windsor stroker and they fit and work really well.

Thanks for the reference. As well Doug's also makes a longtube header now for this mii front suspension and a 351w in a round body.