152 replies to this topic

[cjpani]

lots of Falcons at this years' La Carrera Panamericana.
some pictures here

http://www.sportscar...lery/?nggpage=3

do cheer for the Quaker State green 911, for that is myself at the wheel!

regards,
cj

[Lee Nicolle]

When did they stop making those early shape Falcons in South America? I believe they went on well past the American and Australian ones.

[adalessa]

[Lee Nicolle]

adalessa, on Nov 4 2010, 00:01, said:

That looks like a 78 Cortina front on an XM Falcon.
What engines were they using by then? Early style, crossflow or OHC and did they use V8s?

[adalessa]

Lee Nicolle, on Nov 3 2010, 23:30, said:

That looks like a 78 Cortina front on an XM Falcon.
What engines were they using by then? Early style, crossflow or OHC and did they use V8s?

Hi Lee...

Motor: Ford 221, 6 en línea

Cilindrada (cm3): 3.620
Número de Cilindros: 6
Diámetro x Carrera (mm): 93,5 x 87,9
Relación de Compresión: 8,2:1
Potencia (CV): 132
Régimen (r.p.m): 4.000
Par Motor (mKg): 28
Régimen (r.p.m): 1.800

Here, an interesting page about Argentinian Falcon:

http://www.cochearge...ford_falcon.htm

[Lee Nicolle]

adalessa, on Nov 9 2010, 14:39, said:

Hi Lee...

Motor: Ford 221, 6 en línea

Cilindrada (cm3): 3.620
Número de Cilindros: 6
Diámetro x Carrera (mm): 93,5 x 87,9
Relación de Compresión: 8,2:1
Potencia (CV): 132
Régimen (r.p.m): 4.000
Par Motor (mKg): 28
Régimen (r.p.m): 1.800

Here, an interesting page about Argentinian Falcon:

http://www.cochearge...ford_falcon.htm

Thanks. It seems that some markets stand still for automotive technology.
The Aussie Falcons stopped using the 221ci engine in 1970 and ofcourse that basic body shape has not been made since 65.
Some Soth Americamn markets were still making VW beetles until recently [stopped here in 75]and in South Africa Datsun 1200 utes were made until very recently[stopped here 1984 and even then the ute was very old fashioned]
When I ever work out how I will put up some current Falcons pics.

[smeetsie]

RE 1964 Falcon Sprints in Group N

When Group N started I ran a genuine 1963 1071cc Morris Cooper S - one tank, sliding windows, no heater, grey and pale blue trim, pale yellow with white roof originally. I believe it was one of 10 imported to Australia in 1963. Had always been a road car.

When I started to get knocked off, I read about the Falcon Sprints at the Monte Carlo rally - beating the Minis etc. So I wrote to the RAC and got some homologation papers. Then did some research and discovered that Ford USA also made the same body shape as a six cylinder version....BUT WITH LIGHTER GAUGE FLOORPAN/CHASSIS. So I ordered a six coupe from a USA importer. They were a lot cheaper than a Sprint V8.

Meanwhile CAMS showed my papers to all and sundry, and by the time my car arrived, the lightweight Falcons were in big demand. Bill Weekes, Ray Lintott, John Bassett, and others all wanted one.

I sold mine to Bob Tweedie. It had a lot of fellow competitors mystified as it was all steel....but lighter than most of the "fibreglass" cars. Mind you, most didn't realise that 10mm glass panels defeat the purpose!! I believe that car is now in the UK.

They were just a homologation special. There were only ever a very small quantity of "lightweights" built. To offer fibreglass rear mudguards in fibreglass on a car manufactured as a steel monocoque proves that.

But then I was also looking at a Oldsmobile Starfire F85 or something like that, which had the Rover style 3500cc V* and a Turbo in 1963 !!!

Pete S

[Lee Nicolle]

smeetsie, on Nov 10 2010, 02:33, said:

RE 1964 Falcon Sprints in Group N

When Group N started I ran a genuine 1963 1071cc Morris Cooper S - one tank, sliding windows, no heater, grey and pale blue trim, pale yellow with white roof originally. I believe it was one of 10 imported to Australia in 1963. Had always been a road car.

When I started to get knocked off, I read about the Falcon Sprints at the Monte Carlo rally - beating the Minis etc. So I wrote to the RAC and got some homologation papers. Then did some research and discovered that Ford USA also made the same body shape as a six cylinder version....BUT WITH LIGHTER GAUGE FLOORPAN/CHASSIS. So I ordered a six coupe from a USA importer. They were a lot cheaper than a Sprint V8.

Meanwhile CAMS showed my papers to all and sundry, and by the time my car arrived, the lightweight Falcons were in big demand. Bill Weekes, Ray Lintott, John Bassett, and others all wanted one.

I sold mine to Bob Tweedie. It had a lot of fellow competitors mystified as it was all steel....but lighter than most of the "fibreglass" cars. Mind you, most didn't realise that 10mm glass panels defeat the purpose!! I believe that car is now in the UK.

They were just a homologation special. There were only ever a very small quantity of "lightweights" built. To offer fibreglass rear mudguards in fibreglass on a car manufactured as a steel monocoque proves that.

But then I was also looking at a Oldsmobile Starfire F85 or something like that, which had the Rover style 3500cc V* and a Turbo in 1963 !!!

Pete S

Peter, they may have been supposed to have been 10mm thick but all the ones around these days seem to be about 1 layer of glass! That does get the weight down. Though what you say about the 6 cylinder body also holds true. As I believe the genuine lightweight shells used convertible heavier guage sills etc like they also did for the racing Mustangs later.It is easy for the factory to cheat in stuff like that as they do it when they build the shell. And the homolgation shells they sell to the public or non factory teams were never quite the car the factory racers were. It is not nice to be beaten by your own privateers!
As a matter of interest what did yours weigh? Did you ever finish it?

[smeetsie]

Hi Lee

As I said, it was sold to Bob Tweedie.

It was finished, it won lotsa races, had lap records all over the place from our GP track to Bathurst.

John Bassett built it up for Tweedie here in Adelaide, and John and I track tested it at Mallala before handing it over to Tweedie at a GP meeting.

Can't remember the weight, but I was the Group N Eligibility Scrutineer at the GP meets, and the cars were all weighed. Tweedies was the lightest....and all metal in those days.

Pete S

[MarkMisegadis]

Hi Peter,
Thank you for all this information. This is a very interesting thread. I have some questions for you based on what you have provided.

1) You mention that you imported a 6 Cylinder Coupe. Did you mean “Hardtop” rather than Coupe? The Falcon Coupes had a “B” pillar and were not the car that was homologated.
It was only the Hardtop. Also I think if you really got specific it was the Sprint Model and nothing else that was mentioned in the homologation papers. The reason I bring this up is
that I would like to see how things were interpreted and what was raced elsewhere. I see many 4 door coupes in the photos here on this site and I know that wouldn’t have been
allowed with the SCCA.

2) Fiberglass items that were homologated from what I have read on the Homologation papers are the: Hood, Fenders, Trunk Lid and Doors. When you mention “fiberglass mud
guards” I think this refers to what I would call the Rear Quarter Panel or…Fender. If so are you saying the Homologation specials had fiberglass rear fenders?

3) Thickness of the fiberglass parts. It sounds as if they were very thick and heavy. I am assuming if that is the case they were made from Matt rather than Cloth. Multiple layers of cloth would still yield a very lightweight part and be much thinner.

4) Your car when completed I am assuming raced with the 6 Cylinder engine? Is this true and was it the 200 CI version?

5) The difference in the weight on a 6 Cylinder Falcon in stock form vs. a Sprint comes from many places. The majority of the suspension is different. Spindles are lighter. The drums are 4 lug vs. 5. The rear-end is a completely different unit and much lighter. Even the steering linkage is different. As far as the chassis goes there should be no difference in the floor pans. Where there is a difference is in the Torque Boxes that are “Added” to a V8 car that tie the inner frame rails for the nose of the car the outer Rockers. They do this in the Toe Pan area where the pedals are but right on the outside and can be seen behind the tire in the wheel house area. A flat 12 Gauge sheet and another that is bent to triangulate this area. 4 heavy pieces of sheet metal or 2 per side. The Rockers may be heavier as stated earlier and I think I came across this in some Ford literature this week. However this may have been on all hardtops due to the lack of the B pillar.

I own a 1965 Falcon Ranchero that is powered by a 170 CI 6 and am converting it to a 289 V8. I will have a pile of parts that I will need to get to a good home when it’s completed. I just finished cutting up a 4 dr Sedan that was a parts donor for my Hardtop so I have recent experience with the similarities and differences. There is always more to learn however and I am ready to soak up any information that you or anyone else has!!!!

BTW: Do you have any photos of this car that you can post? (Crossing my fingers here!)

Mark

PS: I am glad that you mentioned that the Falcon beat the Minis!

[Phil Rainford]

Seen at a test day at Mallory Park in September


PAR

[MarkMisegadis]

From this link: http://www.ibcholdin...u/cars/bio.html

Rob had lap records everywhere but was getting tired of Mini's by 1987 and met up with old Adelaide mates John Bassett and Pete Smeets in Adelaide and all three contrived to build an Appendix J lightweight Ford Falcon Rallye Sprint from a bare left hand drive USA bodyshell that had found it's way to Adelaide some time beforehand.

Now this interesting and different car was approved to run combination of aluminium or fibreglass panels in conjunction with the steel panels and also had the luxury of a Super T10 close ratio gearbox as opposed to the Top Loader the Mustangs were obliged to use otherwise it used entirely Mustang V8 running gear ...



Amaroo Park - 1985 - Rob in the blue car

1988 - THE FALCON RALLYE SPRINT DAYS. Now armed with this 450 horsepower, 1200 kg "homologation special", Rob's successes continued after a year of settling in to rear wheel drive and sorting the car out. Rob won at Bathurst 6 times in support races, won the 1993 Australian Grand Prix support race at Adelaide against no less than 13 other V8's plus a field of Lotus Cortina's, Mini's and so on ... the best in Australia and continued to win and set lap records also at Lakeside, Phillip Island, Amaroo Park, Oran Park, Eastern Creek .... a few of which still stand to this day.

At the same time in the mid 1990's Rob also raced a red 1964 Appendix J Ford Mustang built out of spares left over from the Sprint ... this car generally was raced at "lesser" meetings and also recorded quite a few wins for Rob and was often in the midst of heavy battles with Bob Pearson's Lotus Cortina, Phil Ward in another Mustang and Bruce Stewart in another of Pearsons Lotus Cortina's ... sadly the panel beaters were often kept busy. The car was eventually sold minus engine and finally after a couple of owners ended up with Chris (Feech) Ralph in Melbourne ... an old Adelaide school time chum and still great mate.

[smeetsie]

That's the car. As you can see it looked like a genuine Sprint when it was finished. Visually everything was the same (shape wise)...but the floors were much thinner/lighter gauge.

In the RAC homologation documents, it said something like, "the doors, bonnet, bootlid, front and rear mudguards, bumpers front and rear may be made of steel, aluminium or fibreglass". It was very open ended.

I found pictures in an old Car & Driver or Sports Car graphic of a factory Falcon Sprint being rallied in Canada and driven by Graham Hill. It had hit something with a front corner, and you could see that the panel was fibreglass.

I also had some film footage (which came from a Lotus Cortina film) of a FORD USA factory team of a Lotus Cortina, a Falcon Sprint and a Galaxie running in a 6 Hour Sports car race at Sebring.

As I was the first to ask CAMS for permission to run a Sprint, they wanted proof they had been circuit raced...not just rallied.

I also had the Homologation papers on the 1963 Sprint. That did not have the lightweight body parts, and only the 260 V8.

Pete S

[MarkMisegadis]

Hello to everyone who is contributing!

I pulled some documentation out of the things that I have been collecting on Falcons and came across a brochure for the 1965 Models. (Same generation in America, Canada and Mexico) Here is what it says on the differences for V8 cars.

On “289” V-8 equipped passenger cars and on all Convertibles, the body side rails, front rail extensions, and supporting structure for the front suspension are made of a heavier gage material to withstand the extra stresses delivered by the engine. In addition , torque boxes are used to join the body front and side rails, adding extra strength while permitting limited flexibility in the forward area to minimize transmittal of noise and vibration to the passenger compartment.

I do have the Homologation papers for the 64 model in soft copy and will have to set up a link to place them up here and make available for everyone.

Thanks to everyone who has been posting photos of the cars.

Phil, Great looking ride! Looks like a blast!

Mark

[bradbury west]

FWIW ISTR that Paddy McNally tested one in period for Autosport, and there was a similar test of a Monte car in Motor Sport, both of which may throw some light on things.
Roger Lund

[DanTra2858]

In the late 1980 I was asked by Marc Ducquet to make moulds & 3 sets of panels for the Falcon Sprints that he was involved with building & maintaining at this time.

Moulds were made from original steel panels, not only the outer panels but also the inner panels of the Doors, Bonnet, Boot Lid, Front & Rear Guards, Gearbox Floor removal panel & not forgetting both Front & Rear Bumpers, in all 15 main moulds with some of these moulds consisting of 4 sections plus Lotus Cortina Competation Seats.


First 3 cars have my panels fitted the red Sprint of Jack Lacey did not.

Tweety’s car had Guards, bonnet, boot lid, doors, gear box floor plate & bumpers but no rear glass guards.

The black car of Alan Heath had all Glass panels, while Bill Meeke’s car was originally built by Jack Lacey using his panels that were heaver than the original steel panels, these three cars were at times prepared or built by Marc Ducquet


To show size of panels, I am 5’ 3” tall & these are the rear guards.


Finished front guard & Mould (red)


Inner & outer Door Panels


Front Guard is made up of 3 sections, nose return, main panel & rear return


Laying up Inner Door Panel


While the rear guard is one piece but uses a split mould, the split is down the centre of the panel length.

[Ray Bell]

Quote

Originally posted by MarkMisegadis
.....


Amaroo Park - 1985 - Rob in the blue car.....

I'm afraid that corner isn't at Amaroo Park.

[antonvrs]

If I remember correctly, the fiberglass body parts were supplied by a company in Chicago, Illinois called Gratiot Auto Parts and, from the ads I remember reading, consisted of front fenders, hood(engine lid), doors and rear luggage lid. The rear fenders(mudguards) remained steel. Front and rear bumpers were aluminum.
Anton

[Tony Matthews]

DanTra2858, on Nov 23 2010, 05:22, said:

In the late 1980 I was asked by Marc Ducquet to make moulds & 3 sets of panels for the Falcon Sprints that he was involved with building & maintaining at this time.



Laying up Inner Door Panel

So nice to see that you have photographs showing the process, and results. I used to photograph everything I did in stages, but got out of the habit about seven years ago - I'm now trying to get back into the routine!

[smeetsie]

As I have previously stated, the Bob Tweedie car was built in Adelaide by John Bassett and myself as project co-ordinator. For anyone who is interested I have the photos of how the car looked when I picked it up from Nifty Fifty Autos in Melbourne.....and then in Southern Fuel Injection's workshop as John was building it. Then also of the two of us track testing the beast at Mallala....and ofcourse lotsa shots at the Grand Prix track where we were Tweedies' pit crew.

I can see why Tweedles would have gone for glass panels in the end......they were easier to replace....and he had a habit of re-arranging them. But with the steel panels it was the lightest Sprint at the GP meet. By the way the first Adelaide GP was in 1985, and there were no Group N races until a few years later.....so the Tweedie photo may not be Amaroo and is probably 1988 or later.

Jack Lacey's first car was a genuine Sprint V8 that John Bassett brought into the country. I also had enquiries from several interested parties, including Bill Meeke and Ray Lintott. I supplied them both with copies of my homologation papers and we arranged a car for Ray - a black one....I can't remember what we did for Bill, or where he got his from.

Phil Hart (then Special Interest Autos) organised bits and pieces for Bob Tweedies' car. I got mine via Nifty Fifty Autos in Melbourne, out near the Ford factory. The guy was into 55 T'Birds.

If anyone is interested I have the original photos of my car and the John Bassett one. Mine was desrcribed as having a new old stock interior.......except they forgot to say, that the guard dog had eaten half of it. It was also lacking a few panels.......like front RHS guard, door, grille.....the 6 cylinder block was still sitting in it. I felt really shafted when I first saw it.........a sad lesson in life. I had payed for it before I saw photos.

The black car in the 4 shown was built by Mark Ducquet for Bob Pearson to go with his Lotus Cortinas, Mustang and RS Escort. For memory, Mark was also running around in a Toyota Corolla in Group A Touring cars around this time. It still resides in Adelaide after several owners.

By the way, I have a thick hard covered Ford book at home which had a photo of the "works" lightweight Rallye Pack Falcons being built in the UK. There are only 5 cars visible in the shot.......one has the bonnet layed back against the front windscreen....and it is obviously fibreglass.

Regards
Pete S

Edited by smeetsie, 24 November 2010 - 05:40.

[Lee Nicolle]

DanTra2858, on Nov 23 2010, 05:22, said:

In the late 1980 I was asked by Marc Ducquet to make moulds & 3 sets of panels for the Falcon Sprints that he was involved with building & maintaining at this time.

Moulds were made from original steel panels, not only the outer panels but also the inner panels of the Doors, Bonnet, Boot Lid, Front & Rear Guards, Gearbox Floor removal panel & not forgetting both Front & Rear Bumpers, in all 15 main moulds with some of these moulds consisting of 4 sections plus Lotus Cortina Competation Seats.


First 3 cars have my panels fitted the red Sprint of Jack Lacey did not.

Tweety’s car had Guards, bonnet, boot lid, doors, gear box floor plate & bumpers but no rear glass guards.

The black car of Alan Heath had all Glass panels, while Bill Meeke’s car was originally built by Jack Lacey using his panels that were heaver than the original steel panels, these three cars were at times prepared or built by Marc Ducquet


To show size of panels, I am 5’ 3” tall & these are the rear guards.


Finished front guard & Mould (red)


Inner & outer Door Panels


Front Guard is made up of 3 sections, nose return, main panel & rear return


Laying up Inner Door Panel


While the rear guard is one piece but uses a split mould, the split is down the centre of the panel length.

I presme the red one is the one that went from John Bryant to Serge Deluca, if so it has fibreglass quarters now. The black one I believe is now in John Bryants ownership from Roger Oliver

[arttidesco]

adalessa, on Nov 4 2010, 00:01, said:

A bit of non racing Argentinian Ford Falcon history here from the BBC. Apologies if you live outside the UK and you are unable to view this clip :-

http://www.bbc.co.uk...erica-11968544

[Graham Gauld]

Immediately after the 1965 Monte Carlo Rally Henry Manney III and I were loaned one of the Ford Falcon Futura Sprints that Ford USA brought for the Monte. "Our" car was one of the recce cars and had been used by the Ford Film team but it was up to full rally spec. It was one of the most impressive cars I have ever driven. It had glass fibre bodywork from the door pillars forward, a Borg Warner manual transmission and went like mad. In the first phto Henry is sitting at the wheel on some Col. On the second you can see the different colour of the front glassfibre part of the body and the steel rear





Uploaded with ImageShack.us



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[Bloggsworth]

The BBC has a piece on the Argentinians love for the Ford Falcon here

[Lee Nicolle]

The South American countrys had a knack for keeping some old models alive for a long time. VW Beetle, Falcon and in some countrys the Datsun 1200 ute. Though that was made at least into this decade still in South Africa.

[Repco von Brabham]

The Argentinians Falcons V8, 289 cune inch engines, (untill 1970 only):


1968: Carmelo Galbato, team Ford works






Carlos Reutemann, in 1968 drove this Falcon V8 works in 6 races,

[Ray Bell]

Quote

Originally posted by Lee Nicolle
The South American countrys had a knack for keeping some old models alive for a long time. VW Beetle, Falcon and in some countrys the Datsun 1200 ute. Though that was made at least into this decade still in South Africa.

The Peugeot 504 as well...

But none was as spectacularly updated and run on as the Simca Vedette in its final guise. A South America only model by then.

[Lee Nicolle]

Ray Bell, on Dec 13 2010, 10:44, said:

The Peugeot 504 as well...

But none was as spectacularly updated and run on as the Simca Vedette in its final guise. A South America only model by then.

When did they stop making them? And did they still use the ;french; v8 60? Those cars while attractive in a 50s way were really a dinosaur in 62 still with the sidevalve.

[David Shaw]

The Simca Vedette's successor in Argentina, the Simca Esplanada still with the flathead V8, was built from 66-69 so I assume the Vedette itself finished around 1966.

[antonvrs]

Didn't the Simcas use an overhead valve conversion built in South America? I seem to remember photos on one of the hotrod sites.
Anton

[David Shaw]

Yes, you are right. The Vedettes at some stage ended up being OHV.

[Ray Bell]

Quote

Originally posted by antonvrs
Didn't the Simcas use an overhead valve conversion built in South America? I seem to remember photos on one of the hotrod sites.

Yes, they bought the rights to the Ardun conversion for the V8-60...

But by then the Simca version of the engine was already larger than the V8-60. Chrysler's South American plant redid the block to get rid of the ports and they took it out to 2500cc.

It's a lovely looking little engine, though still no doubt hampered by a long stroke. All the same, it would raise some eyebrows if put into a hotrod.

[Marc Ducquet]

MarkMisegadis, on Oct 16 2010, 05:40, said:

1964 65 Ford Falcons in Racing or any other 60’s Falcons

I am looking for information and photos on 1960’s Ford Falcons that were raced in any form with the exception of Drag Racing.
(Circle Track Falcons would be of interest also)

Of particular interest are photos and perhaps detail photos of the 1964 and 1965 American Ford Falcons. This could be at the track during competition or in the garage during fabrication and anything in-between.
(Also sold in Mexico and Canada)

I recently found a photo posted here of a 1964 Falcon Sprint that was road raced at Continental Divide Raceways (Colorado) in 1968 posted by Ron Shaw.
Sadly there is no additional information on the driver/owner of this car.

I am currently building a 1964 Falcon Sprint as a Vintage Road Racing car and anything would be of interest.

I am aware of the Monte Carlo Falcons and the continuation of their racing careers in the UK following that event. Many folks that I have met from the UK seem to have a very strong lasting impression of these cars from the events that they attended and these Falcons continue to be exported to the UK as well as our Falcon enthusiasts in Australia.

Pete Cordt raced a 1964 Falcon in Trans Am in 1966 and it had some back door support from the Shelby folks.
Ray Heppenstall raced a 1964 Falcon built to the FIA Homologation to Fords dismay as they were no longer promoting Falcons. “Can you say Mustang?”

Any information would be helpful on any and all 60’s Falcons that were raced anywhere and at any time.

Thank you and I look forward to the replies and this conversation!
Mark Misegadis

[Marc Ducquet]

Ray Bell, on Oct 19 2010, 10:28, said:

"Ducet?"...

That would be Marc Ducquet, I think. Or maybe Mark Duquet? Anyway, it has a 'q' in it. He's the guy who went down the straight at Warwick Farm once wondering why the car was surging. Then he realised his accelerator foot was trembling.

Actually Ray it was your mate Max Stahl, his foot was moving up and down because of the rust in the floor of his FJ allowing a degree of vertical movement.
Marc Ducquet

[Ray Bell]

Do I have it wrong, Marc?

Maybe it was somebody else, but I was told of this experience, and the driver was explaining it to his audience.

[Marc Ducquet]

MarkMisegadis, on Oct 16 2010, 05:40, said:

1964 65 Ford Falcons in Racing or any other 60’s Falcons

I am looking for information and photos on 1960’s Ford Falcons that were raced in any form with the exception of Drag Racing.
(Circle Track Falcons would be of interest also)

Of particular interest are photos and perhaps detail photos of the 1964 and 1965 American Ford Falcons. This could be at the track during competition or in the garage during fabrication and anything in-between.
(Also sold in Mexico and Canada)

I recently found a photo posted here of a 1964 Falcon Sprint that was road raced at Continental Divide Raceways (Colorado) in 1968 posted by Ron Shaw.
Sadly there is no additional information on the driver/owner of this car.

I am currently building a 1964 Falcon Sprint as a Vintage Road Racing car and anything would be of interest.

I am aware of the Monte Carlo Falcons and the continuation of their racing careers in the UK following that event. Many folks that I have met from the UK seem to have a very strong lasting impression of these cars from the events that they attended and these Falcons continue to be exported to the UK as well as our Falcon enthusiasts in Australia.

Pete Cordt raced a 1964 Falcon in Trans Am in 1966 and it had some back door support from the Shelby folks.
Ray Heppenstall raced a 1964 Falcon built to the FIA Homologation to Fords dismay as they were no longer promoting Falcons. “Can you say Mustang?”

Hi, Although it is a rather late reply, hopefully I can clear up some of the "myth" surrounding the Australian raced Falcon Sprints.

Rob Tweedie debuted his 1964 Sprint as an Nb car at the Adelaide support race approx 1991. The car was built in Adelaide and after a dismal showing was sent to Trax Competition Services ( Marc Ducquet) in Sydney for sorting.
The car was successful and was maintained after that by Les Laidlaw, ex Stone Bros and Trax. Rob sold the car on to Tasmania.The second Sprint was Jack Lacey's from Qld.This debuted at Oran Park, went to Trax, was rehashed and then to Adelaide for a third row qualify. Following Jack's passing the car remained with his family and was purchased by John Bryant, onsold and recently purchased again by John. The Bill Meeke (WA) Sprint was built from scratch at Trax by Marc Ducquet, the late Rob Woodside and Les Laidlaw. The car is still in Bills hands and is extremely succesful in group Nb. The fourth Sprint was built by Ducquet and Rob Woodside for Ducquet. Alan Heath purchased the car and debuted at Bathurst in 1992. This was originally navy Blue/White stripes. This car was the lightest at 1245kg. Following a lot of crap regarding the origin of the Heath and Meeke cars( Some idiots in NSW stated they were in fact 1964 Australian XM model) both these cars were inspected on hoists by Graham Hoinville CAMS Technical Comissioner at Adelaide and Perth. They were measured, photographed and scaled. Never before and never since has any Na Nb NC car been subjected to such stringent scrutiny. The only issue Graham Hoinville found was that both cars were fitted with hydraulic handbrakes, as were the original Rally Sprints. Only 4 Sprints were built and the CAMS then ruled a moratorium on the construction of any further vehicles. I am proud to have built or worked on all 4 vehicles and they are all a tribute to their past and current owners. Marc Ducquet.

Any information would be helpful on any and all 60’s Falcons that were raced anywhere and at any time.

Thank you and I look forward to the replies and this conversation!
Mark Misegadis

[arttidesco]

arttidesco, on Dec 12 2010, 17:04, said:

A bit of non racing Argentinian Ford Falcon history here from the BBC. Apologies if you live outside the UK and you are unable to view this clip :-

http://www.bbc.co.uk...erica-11968544

Continuing in a similar vain I found these Falcons on a fascinating blog called California Streets by JAY WOLLENWEBER :-

62 Falcon

63 Falcon Wagon ( Never knew until today that a Falcon was sold in cab over van format).

Edited by arttidesco, 04 February 2011 - 00:21.

[Ray Bell]

Quote

Originally posted by arttidesco
Continuing in a similar vain I found these Falcons on a fascinating blog called California Streets by JAY WOLLENWEBER :-

62 Falcon

63 Falcon Wagon ( Never new until today that a Falcon was sold in cab over van format).

In a similar vein, eh?

I've never seen one before either. I'm actually wondering if it's someone's idea of customising...

Hopefully, someone will tell us.

[gtsmunro]

Looks like the wheel arches (rear in particular) have been modified for drag racing. The name of the class escapes me at the moment. Dodge did a similar thing with the Dart (or for the aussies, Valiant 2 door).

[arttidesco]

Ray Bell, on Jan 21 2011, 23:06, said:

In a similar vein, eh?

[gtsmunro]

The 62 Falcon looks like the early drag racing 'Gassers' in the 60's. Gassers had the rear wheel arches modded like then one in the link for fitting the huge tyres underneath. Judging by the lack of lightweight panels, the chrome trim still in place and tags on the bar, it's probably a late 70's or early 80's custom.

[Catalina Park]

arttidesco, on Jan 22 2011, 09:24, said:

Continuing in a similar vain I found these Falcons on a fascinating blog called California Streets by JAY WOLLENWEBER :-

62 Falcon

63 Falcon Wagon ( Never new until today that a Falcon was sold in cab over van format).

Ray Bell, on Jan 22 2011, 10:06, said:

In a similar vein, eh?

I've never seen one before either. I'm actually wondering if it's someone's idea of customising...

Hopefully, someone will tell us.

Customising by sticking Falcon badges onto an early Ford Econoline.

[Everlieb10]

"Following Jack's passing the car remained with his family and was purchased by John Bryant, onsold and recently purchased again by John."

Actually John recently purchased the ex Alan Health , Roger Oliver Rallye Sprint . The Jack Lacy Car was purchase from John by Serge De Luca in 06ish and has been owned by him since and is raced in S.A at most meetings

[lyntonh]

Found one!!

KLG300 Rally South Coast New South Wales 24th July 1971.



Crew unknown.....looks like some sort of snow-plough!!

[arttidesco]

Couple of Galaxies on the mean streets of Minneapolis :-

http://auggiejournal...hting-ford.html

http://auggiejournal...ng-ford_08.html

[Lee Nicolle]

arttidesco, on Jan 21 2011, 23:24, said:

Continuing in a similar vain I found these Falcons on a fascinating blog called California Streets by JAY WOLLENWEBER :-

62 Falcon

63 Falcon Wagon ( Never new until today that a Falcon was sold in cab over van format).

I have seen the Econoline vans with Falcon badges etc. Weird marketing from Ford by ptting a passenger car branding on a commercial. The fact they built a passenger van from a commercial is not unusal ofcourse.

The Coupe looks like a 70s custom and was probably a lo buck one to start with. The radiused wheel arches are very common on them as they were far to restrictive originally. I actually had a call from a mate last night who has one. A 215x65x14 tyre on a 6" rim only just fits under the standard wheel arches. In this age ofcourse he does not wish to modify the wheel arches so he is stuck with them.

[GeoffR]

lyntonh, on Feb 3 2011, 15:09, said:

Crew unknown.....looks like some sort of snow-plough!!

My guess would be some form of mud flap, to stop mud from covering the lights, it is a bit extreme though! Lots of rally cars used 'eye brow' type mud flaps hanging off the front bumper for this purpose back in the '70s.

[arttidesco]

lyntonh, on Feb 3 2011, 04:09, said:

Found one!!

KLG300 Rally South Coast New South Wales 24th July 1971.



Crew unknown.....looks like some sort of snow-plough!!

Maybe they were working on some early form of ground effect reducing the air pressure under the car by blocking the passage of air at he front, either way i'd say some one at NASCAR was paying attention when they drew up the COT spec :-)

[lyntonh]

GeoffR, on Feb 4 2011, 00:03, said:

My guess would be some form of mud flap, to stop mud from covering the lights, it is a bit extreme though! Lots of rally cars used 'eye brow' type mud flaps hanging off the front bumper for this purpose back in the '70s.

Funny you should say that....

Brian Lidbury/Bob Lumby Mitsubishi Colt ... same rally ... with Eyebrows!!

Edited by lyntonh, 20 February 2012 - 11:54.

[seldo]

arttidesco, on Feb 4 2011, 10:21, said:

Maybe they were working on some early form of ground effect reducing the air pressure under the car by blocking the passage of air at he front, either way i'd say some one at NASCAR was paying attention when they drew up the COT spec :-)

Might have been too quick - needed some extra wind-resistance to slow it down and keep it on the road....