Breakdown of the 25 Best Muscle Cars to Own (Part 3 – Ford)

 

Ford Motor Company

Model “A”

Do you have a creative streak? Do you want a muscle car that you will see nowhere else? Ford’s Model A could be a perfect car to fill your needs. Fiber glass is not a difficult medium to work with and is a great way to customize your own unique ride. Hot Rods or Rat rods have been a passion for a dedicated group of MCF enthusiasts since the 1930’s and the Model A is the car many have chosen in the past, partly because of the availability. This car is simply made and can be modified to accept a wide variety of engines and drive chain combinations from most current manufacturers. The suspension can be upgraded as can the brakes to disc’s all around, giving you a smooth ride, good handling, and power to spare with the ability to stop 21st century style. The interior could be as plush or plain as you like and all the modern electronics including touch screen can be added.

© Paul65516 | Dreamstime.com – Hot Rod Photo

The Model “A” Ford was produced from 1929 till March 1932 and is the first car to use safety glass as basic equipment. During its production run more than 4.8 million were produced in 9 body styles. The coupe is a basic model and could be bought as; a roadster, the business coupe, or sport coupe in standard or deluxe versions. The Cabriolet and sedan models could be purchased with convertible tops. A Town Car, The Phaeton, a Tudor sedan, The Victoria, a station wagon and a pick-up truck were all manufactured in the three year production period.

© Raytags | Dreamstime.com – Hot Rod Photo

There are so many of these cars still around. Some have been restored multiple times over the 8 or 9 previous decades – many frames can still be found in original, but restorable condition. Every single piece to fit this automobile is now in production, including body panels, by a number of aftermarket manufacturers and widely available through retailers coast to coast. If this is the way you want to go with a restoration, make certain the parts you chose are the highest quality, poorly made knock off panels are there. These cars can occasionally be found at a very pleasing price.The support network is in place to bring your project to completion with hundreds of clubs throughout the USA.

Ford Mustang

John Najjar is credited with naming the Mustang after the F-51 Mustang a WW II fighter plane, he and Phillip Clark, are jointly responsible for designing the Mustang I concept car. This prototype was seen by the public at the United States Grand Prix in Watkins Glen, New York on October 07, 1962. The car was driven by Formula 1 race driver, Dan Gurney. The Mustang I turned in lap times not far short of the F1 racers. Ford Co. unveiled the Mustang II prototype in the beginning of 1963, testing the markets for the new sports car. This first Mustang has room for two. The car that is in the showrooms by April 17, 1964, but reverts to the Mustang I and will seat four, but its cabin is 2 ½ inches shorter than the concept car displayed the previous year. This new car’s undercarriage is similar to the compact Falcon’s frame and they also share many components.

 

1965 Mustang

The Mustang is the most successful automobile that Ford has built, since the model “A” and like that early success, every piece you could possibly need is available from a broad range of suppliers. The Mustang is an easy car to restore. Also it’s not difficult to find the one you like best, from the millions produced during the last 51 years. Some years are better than others and there is a large number of stock variations, both mechanical and cosmetic, that can be integrated into your restoration to make it more desirable. The 289 V8 is the most sought after engine and it could have either be the high performance “K” code or the “C” code with a four barrel carburetor, but the Rally Pac is also a choice performance accessory. The Mustang has always been available with a long list of optional accessories. Items such as AC or a console are perfect additions to enhance comfort, convenience and appeal. There is a highly desirable interior trim option featuring “pony car” upholstery-horses embossed into the fabric, plus rear seat armrest, uptown dashboard and added trim complete this package. The Mustang kept getting larger and heavier until the ’74 model year, when downsizing the Mustang to its roots. This is how Ford manages to save the model from suffering the same fate as most other high powered muscle cars.

 

1984 Mustang

The earlier Mustang is prone to rust quickly, but with proper care there’s no need to worry about that, but proper care could include heated storage in some areas of this country. Should you be looking for an older Mustang, of any year or a specific model, you will want to be certain you are able to separate the Stallions from a bunch of old nags.

Related see Pontiac Firebird:

Shelby Mustang Cobra Jet powered GT 350-GT 500-GT 500 KR

Ford Mustang Boss 302

Shelby Mustang GT350 – The best years – 1965-66

Happy Birthday Mustang 1964½ to 2014

 

Ford Falcon

The compact Ford Falcon was produced from 1960 until 1970 in three generations and from the start outsold all the competition in its class, offering an almost full roster of models, including the Falcon Ranchero. There would be no convertible until ’63. The Falcon is functional but plain and a perfect car to fill the needs of a multitude of budget minded consumers.

© Raytags | Dreamstime.com – Falcon Photo

The Falcon has a unitized body and dominates the domestic compact market for the first half of the 60’s, making it fairly easy and moderately inexpensive to find a suitable project car. Midway through 1963 a V8 engine could be under the hood of a Falcon and ’63 is finally the year when a convertible could be optioned. The G2 Falcons are still compacts, but much more stylish than the G1 and power options are widely expanded in 1964, with three six cylinder engines and three V8 power plants on the table. The engine could be bolted to a choice from two automatic or two standard transmissions. The light weight Falcon will move out very well driven by either the 302 cu in (4.9 L) or the 289 cu in (4.7 L) V8’s when coupled to the four speed. The sales of the practical Falcon began to drop towards the mid 1960’s, partly due to the Mustang’s strong appeal. The majority of consumers at the time are opting for elegance over economy.

The decline in sales plus the car’s inability to meet the increasingly strict safety regulations meant the writing is on the wall for the Falcon. A 1966 Falcon was used in the Trans-Am series that year and sports the newly revised square taillights. All Ford products are equipped with a locking steering column in 1967, except the Falcon, but it does get a dash mounted seat belt warning light. The Ranchero and wagon are moved to the Fairlane platform in 1967. The end of the G3 is 1969, although the 1970 models were in showrooms, they are identical to the ’69 versions.

The Falcon was replaced by the Maverick for 1970, although the Falcon name plate lived on for a short time in 1970 as a Fairlane based mid-size model. This Falcon version is not luxurious and offered a limited number of convenience options, but any power train for the Fairlane or Torino could be chosen for this seldom seen 1970 ½ variation – including the 429 Cobra Jet engine.

Related – Mustang:

Ford Ranchero Falcon 1960 – ’65 to Ranchero Fairlane 1966 – 1967

 

Mercury Cougar

The Mercury Cougar was introduced to the public in 1967 and acknowledged by Motor Trend Magazine as the car of the year. The uptown muscle car has power to spare with head turning style. Approaching you, it looks exotic and tough, displaying a distinctive front grill with vertical bars, the headlights hidden from view, or stare at the full width sequential rear turn signals as the new Cougar slips out of sight, exhaust rumbling. The first three years, the luxurious Cougar is offered as a two door coupe or as a two door convertible, but only the first generation has hidden headlights.

A number of V8 engines are offered in ‘67, but even the entry level 289 (4.7 L) Windsor V8 can have the GT performance package. The XR-7 is top of the line with leather seats, competition instruments set in the wood grain dash, toggle switches and an overhead console with a 390 under the hood. If the Merc-O-Matic transmission is optioned, it is mounted on the floor with the sporty ”T” shift grip. The 427 cu in (7.0 L) is available in 1968. By 1970 model year, five smaller V8 engines are on the table, beside the 428 or a 427 (both 7.0 Liter) power options. There are a large number of normal comfort options such as power seats, but the two unusual items are: a tilt steering wheel that will swing up, to one side, out of the way when the ignition is turned off, and the rarely ordered factory installed electric sun roof. The Cougar is a pony car that has muscle for the first seven years, but as early as 1970, the car begins to drift towards becoming a personal luxury car. The G2 Cougar for ‘71 is one inch longer and now on an intermediate platform. The two hidden headlights have disappeared entirely, replaced by a four light configuration. The 1974 Cougar is revamped model is now a personal luxury car and on the same platform as the Mercury Montego or Ford’s Torino. This is one of the few cars to upsize when most models are going the other way. The Cougar is now on a 114 inch wheel base, completing the transition from pony car to a junior Thunderbird according to some.

The Cougar for 1977 and the fourth generation, has few power changes, but is now the only car on the intermediate platform. The Montego was cut from the roster and any other intermediate sized cars are rebadged as Cougar. There is a full range of Cougar body styles now, and only for this year, a Cougar woody wagon is offered. All the parts you need are moderately easy to acquire including chrome trim strips and complete interior, factory correct, delivered to your door. Many parts, including engines and other power accessories are interchangeable with the Mustang and Falcon. The earlier 1967 or 68 models are held in the highest esteem, but later models, particularly convertibles, up to 1973 are moderately easy to come by with a large support network in place, are also likely prospects for restoration. Take good care to find a unit with a straight/solid frame, one that has not been driven as commuter vehicle through multiple northeastern winters, which would be a bad choice, but otherwise, any G1 to G3 Cougar is a keeper if the price is right. The EPA increases the strangle hold on high powered vehicles and high insurance rates on muscle cars, forcing the big three US manufacturers to put them on the back burner for a few years. Dearborn, Michigan initially assembled the all Cougar muscle cars in 1967 and did so continuously until ’73, but the San Jose Assembly plant in Milpitas, California, helped to step up production, from ’68 until early ’69. The Personal Luxury Cars, from ’74 are assembled in Lorain Idaho covers the generations we have highlighted up till now.

Related – see Mustang:

Mercury Cougar – First Generation 1967 to 1970

 

Ford Thunderbird

The Ford Thunderbird has been produced in eleven generations spanning 50 years, from 1955 until 2005, and all are dependable, desirable and collectable. The first five generations are the biggest interest to classic MCF for now. The first generation, from 1955 through ’57, is a two seated sports car. If you can afford one of the first generations, the port hole rear side windows are coveted as is a continental kit sitting on the rear bumper to hold the spare tire. There is also a removable hard top version if you can find one and like a convertible without a canvas roof. I am not certain how many survived, but 21,380 units were sold of the 1957 “T” bird. For a MCF that wants a high performance, but on a factory correct car, the 312 cu in (5.1 L) V8 mounted with either the two, four barrel Holly carburetors or the Paxton supercharger would be a dream come true. These are most desired and the price demanded confirms that fact. However, there are many places in the USA to pick up a G1 Thunderbird, this week, for under $10,000.00, but they will range up to the high five digits range or beyond for the rarest units at today’s prices. There are possibly some real bargains around as well if you want to take time to search.

 

First generation Thunderbird

The Thunderbird has a back seat in the G2, for 1958 and is now on a longer, 113 inch or 2,870 mm wheel base, adding almost two feet total length, but also puts on almost 1,000 lbs. (454 kg). The sales are going up progressively higher, each year for the next three years to a total of well over 210,000 units produced in G2. Motor Trend chose the Thunderbird as car of the year in 1958. The power option for ’58 is the new 352 cu in (5.0.L) FE V8 developing 300 hp (260 kW) and could be bolted to either the automatic or a three speed standard transmission. Power gets kicked up by 50 horses (37.9 kW) with the new 430 cu in (7.0 L) MEL V8 engine in 1959. The mechanical changes are small for the 1960 model, but an unusual option is the hand operated sun roof.

The 1961 Thunderbird has a complete face lift and is looking smooth and sleek in the parade and is the Indianapolis 500 pace car that year. Under the hood is the new 390 cu in (6.4 L) FE V8 putting out 300 hp (220 kW) to a three speed automatic transmission, initially the only offer in G3. The ’61 “T” bird will never go out of style. It is a very classy looking ride and there were 73,051 citizens which drove out of dealerships with a “T” bird that year. A very rare but nice, Sports Roadster Thunderbird option was available for the convertible in 1962, a paint matching fiberglass tonneau cover could be fitted over the rear seats, making it look like a revival of the first generation two-seater. The roadster package also includes 48 spoke wire wheels designed by Kelsey-Hayes; Elvis Presley drove one of these. The same 390 as last year is basic, but if the M-code engine box was checked on the order sheet, the engine would have tri-power-three, two barrel carburetors bolted to the intake manifold allowing the engine to give out 340 hp (250 kW). Cosmetic changes and the charging is done by an alternator rather than a less efficient generator, are the only differences for 1963 models, as Ford prepares to introduce generation four in ’64.

Generation four has a complete makeover, the same 390 engine this year, will develop 300 hp ((220 kW) and is bolted to a three speed automatic transmission. Disc breaks in front, sequential turn signals and Ford’s double sided key are all new for the 1965 model year. For 1966, in the final year of G4, the “T” bird is given a major cosmetic revision. The 390 is now putting out 315 hp (235 kW), but a real bargain for performance is to pay $86.00 more and upgrade to the new 428 cu in (7.0 L) V8 engine, offering 345 hp (257 kW), as many consumers of that time did.

The new 1967 and G5 Thunderbird model changes direction, Ford wants the “T” bird to be more of a luxury car, to distance it from the very popular and lower priced unibody Mustang. A major, but less visible change is: the unibody design is abandoned in favor of body-on-frame construction. The sporty look is still there, but the models now a personal luxury car, in closer alignment with the Lincoln, increasingly evident in 1968. More big changes are: no convertible on the roster, a four door with rear suicide doors is offered (through ’71 only), and hidden headlights are in the grill. For the years 1970 and ’71 a fast back and coupe are the only choices. A marketing ploy in 1971 offers two “T” birds, a “his and hers”,@ 25,000.00 “per pair only”. The G6 in 1972 is bigger and heavier but still could be an option for a MCF, but the Thunderbird remains a luxurious, reliable ride until the end in 2002..

Related see Mustang:

Ford Thunderbird 1957-1958

Thunderbird 1959 – 1961

Thunderbird 1962-1963

Ford Thunderbird 1964-1966

Ford Thunderbird generations 1955 and 1956

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