1963 1/2 Ford Falcon aka Martha

[nlped]

Got the carpet fitted (what a PITA) and got the seats in. Still need to do a little bit here & there, but I drove it further today than all the previous times combined.

[mongocanfly]

Congrats..!!

[nlped]

Drove it some more today. Drove it to my wife’s school to work on her classroom; she’s a middle school teacher, and the kids really dug the car. I have now doubled the total mileage to 36 . It did great.

[nlped]

Several more miles added, I’m now over 100 total miles

I did finally give it a wash and quick detail. And, some pictures to prove it.

[nlped]

Drove it some more today. Lots of thumbs up and folks coming up and asking about it. Even took it to the grocery store, so it really is a grocery getter

Also stopped at a roadside vegetable stand to buy some home grown sweet potatoes...

[Ol Blue K20]

Great!!! I'm glad you're having fun with it. ...

[nlped]

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

Great!!! I'm glad you're having fun with it. ...

Thanks Dale! Yes, it’s mighty fun to drive!

But...I have figured out that I don’t like how the rearend moves laterally. With the design of the rear fender openings, much movement causes the outer tire sidewall to get into the fender opening “lip”. So, I bought a MikeMaierInc panhard bar setup, new bilstein shocks & 1” billet lowering blocks. Hopefully that’ll remedy the rubbing and improve the handling...OH, and improve the appearance.

I also got a new set of door panels. I’ll get those installed and post up pictures in the next few days.

[nlped]

Already got the new rear suspension parts from Mike. One hiccup, but he’s going to remedy it. It won’t prevent me from getting the majority of it all installed

[nlped]

I started the install of the Maier Panhard bar setup today. I got all the stuff that was under there out and did a test fit of the mount. Looks like it’s actually going to clear my current tail pipe layout which is awesome. I’m installing a girdle style differential cover that I’ve had for quite some time then I can be sure the bar is going to clear the cover too.

Remember, nothing is tight or adjusted. Just getting it centered fore & aft as well as side to side.

[nlped]

I continue to move forward on the Falcoon. I swapped out the differential cover and got some more measurements. The panhard bar turned out to be the wrong one too. So the builder is sending the correct length bar and the appropriate spring hanger.

I also ordered some more interior parts...package tray, window cranks etc. I also ordered Precision gaskets for the windshield and back glass because the ones in the car are hammered.

Updated pic.

[mongocanfly]

That things gonna be more better than new when you get done ...!

[Ol Blue K20]

It's getting nicer all the time

[nlped]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

That things gonna be more better than new when you get done ...!

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

It's getting nicer all the time

Thanks guys. I’m tryin’!

[nlped]

I’m stuck waiting on parts for the rear suspension, so I’m back tinkering on the interior. I put new knobs on the stock window roll-up handles and started on the install of the new door panels. I need new seat belts for the rear and I’m still waiting on the new rear package tray.

[nlped]

I went ahead and ordered new black seatbelts and an 1-1/8” front swaybar. I’m all over the place with this car, but I have a plan.

[nlped]

Just to prove that I’m still trying to move forward... I did retrofit my previous rear swaybar to fit with the Mike Maier panhard bar mount. It actually works really well and cost me $14 in new grade 8 fine thread hardware.

I also ordered an 1-1/8” front swaybar for it, but it won’t be here until mid-January.

[nlped]

I had a little shop time this afternoon, so I decided since I didn’t have the rest of the rear suspension pieces I’d work on the interior some. I got the new black door panels, rear panels, kick panels and the parcel shelf in. I like the extra bit of black as it really helps break up all the red.

[nlped]

And, since it’s sitting on the floor, I snapped a couple of pictures to show how it’ll sit with the rear dropped.

[mongocanfly]

That black looks good against the red

[big_dan]

I love the stance. Tucking that rear wheel makes all the difference in my opinion. Looks great! (I'm kind of partial though LOL) -

Dan

[nlped]

Originally Posted by big_dan

I love the stance. Tucking that rear wheel makes all the difference in my opinion. Looks great! (I'm kind of partial though LOL) -

Dan

I love your Falcon too! It’s bad ass. I so badly wish I was good at metal work. I’d minitub her. It needs a much bigger rear tire.

[nlped]

Well, I finally got a chance to take a look at clearances for the driveshaft and it looks like I still have about 2-1/2” of clearance at the closest spot, so hopefully I’ll be good!!! Shwew!!!

I’m still waiting on the panhard bar and correct spring perch . But, I just checked the tracking numbers and it looks like they are going to be here tomorrow

[nlped]

Just because I dig the way all the new parts look.

[nlped]

I also just spoke with Brant from Fiske wheels and I’m contemplating moving from the 17x7” VN527’s to a set of 18x8” fm-10’s that I already have. They are a set of the Ford Motorsport 18x10 race wheels that I’ve had for some time. He’s going to get me a price on a set of inner barrels and shipping.

[Ol Blue K20]

It's looking great! I really like the door panels.