| Ford Division
Ford Motor Company Dearborn, Michigan |
| Engine |
175-hp, 289
cu. in. V-8 |
| Transmission |
3-speed automatic |
| Steering |
Power-assisted |
| Suspension |
Standard |
| Brakes |
Disc F, Drum R |
Check
list |
| Engine |
| Throttle Response |
Good |
| Noise Insulation |
Very
Good |
| Drive
train |
| Shift Linkage |
Very
Good |
| Shift Smoothness |
Very
Good |
| Steering |
| Effort |
Very
Good |
| Response |
Good |
| Handling |
| Predictability |
Good |
| Evasive Maneuverability |
Good |
| Brakes |
| Directional Stability |
Good |
| Fade Resistance |
Very
Good |
| Interior |
| Ease of Entry/Exit |
Good |
| Driving Position |
Fair |
| Front Seating Comfort |
Good |
| Rear Seating Comfort |
Fair |
| General |
| Vision |
Good |
| Heater/ Defroster |
Very
Good |
| Weather Sealing |
Good |
| Trunk Space |
Fair |
|
Before the Mustang
arrived, you could order a very potent Falcon. Since 1964, the
Falcon's performance image has been considerably toned down,
and the car's economy, durability, and ease-of-maintenance re-emphasized.
Our test car, with a 175-hp, 289 cu. in. V-8, is not the most
powerful Falcon you can buy (there's a 230-hp, 302 cu. in. V-8),
but it's probably representative of the kind of Falcons a lot
of people buy. It's not very energetic by current standards,
but it will keep up with the pack. The 289 has been developed
to the point where it's super reliable, and gas mileage with
the 2-barrel carburetor is good. The
Falcon seems under-appointed simple, rugged hardware and upholstery,
without flair or class. Apparently compact car buyers aren't
interested in much more.
In the absence of any handling
packages, the Falcon's road behavior is indifferent, discouraging
any attempt at heroic driving tactics. The ride is reasonably
good, a bit mushy, but not entirely out of keeping with the
rest of the car. The brakes (powerassisted front discs, rear
drums) are several cuts above what Detroit was doing only
a few years ago, but-about average compared to its peers in
'68.
On the whole, the Falcon is just
thataverage-and while we can't criticize the car for it, we
can't love it either. |
