1970 Ford Falcon

When Ford introduced its new all-purpose compact model dubbed the Maverick, the venerated Falcon name was re-appointed to the Torino line as its base model during the second half of the 1970 model year. Although it was the 'bare-bones' version of the Torino, it could be ordered with the 429 Super Cobra Jet engine paired with either an automatic or four-speed manual transmission. Just 90 examples of the Super Cobra Jet Falcons with the Drag Pack option were built in 1970, and of those, thirty-eight were fitted with an automatic transmission. The potent engine meant several necessary upgrades including staggered rear shocks, a heavy-duty cooling system, a 9-inch rear, and a Detroit Locker unit.

During the first half of 1970, the Falcon was apart of the Fairlane series and rested on a 111-inch wheelbase platform for the two- and four-door sedan, and 113 inches for the wagon. The Torino-based Falcon had a 117-inch wheelbase for its sedan and a 114-inch platform for the wagons.

Near the close of 1965, Ford introduced all-new styling for the Falcon, its third major update since its introduction in 1959 for the 1960 model year. It rested on a shortened Fairlane platform with unibody construction and was powered by a standard Thriftpower inline-6 cylinder engine (with a displacement size of 144, 170, and 200 cubic inches). 9-inch brakes were fitted to cars with six-cylinder power and 10 inches for those receiving the V8s. Body styles included a two- and four-door sedan, and a station wagon. Styling elements included a chrome windshield and rear window and rain gutter moldings.

The styling introduced in 1965 would continue through the first part of 1970 when declining sales and the inability to comply with forthcoming safety standards prompted management to bring about its demise as a Fairlane-based model. The short-run of 1970 models was identical to the previous year's version, with the Falcon name, in script, on the rear fender sides and on the vertical section of the trunk lid. They had the redesigned side marker lamps introduced in 1969 along with the full-width anodized aluminum grille.

The 1970½ Falcon
The Fairlane-based Falco was discontinued in December of 1969, followed by the final iteration of the Falcon - known as the 1970½ Falcon and produced only in 1970. It served as the lowest-priced Ford intermediate car, positioned below the Ford Fairlane and the Torino. Body styles included a two-door pillared sedan which was unique to the Falcon, a four-door sedan with styling shared with the Torino and Fairlane, and a five-door station wagon (again, with styling shared with the Torino and Fairlane). Standard equipment included manual windows, a heater, and a 250 cubic-inch inline-6 cylinder engine offering 155 horsepower. Among the list of optional equipment included all radios, power steering, power disc brakes, tinted windshield, vinyl roof, four-speed manual transmission, Cruise-O-Mati automatic transmission, and air conditioning. Engine options included a 302 CID, 351 CID, and 429 CID V8.

The 302 cubic-inch V8 had a cast-iron block, overhead valves, five main bearings, a Motorcraft two-barrel carburetor, 9.5:1 compression, and produced 220 horsepower at 4,600 RPM. The 302 CID V8 with a Holley four-barrel carburetor produced 290 horsepower at 5,800 RPM. The 351 CID V8 with a two-barrel carburetor produced 250 horsepower while the four-barrel version had 300 horsepower. The 429 CID V8 produced between 320 to 370 horsepower depending on the configuration.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2022