Performance Review: Ford Falcon 1st Gen Sports Hardtop 260 V8 4-Speed - [1963]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Falcon Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Falcon 1st Gen Sports Hardtop 260 V8 4-Speed is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1963. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1964 Jaguar XJ 13 5.0 V12 and the 1963 Ferrari 275 GTB 3.3 V12.This particular Ford Falcon has a 4267cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Falcon shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Falcon's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1368 kgs (3015 lbs) this makes the Ford Falcon 1st Gen Sports Hardtop 260 V8 4-Speed in the same weight category as the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica 5.2 V10 or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Falcon shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp)

In terms of power the 4267cc 16V V8 engine produces 164 bhp (122 kW) @ 4400 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 258 lb-ft (349.8 Nm) @ 2200 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ford Falcon you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1989 Mercedes 190 Series E 2.5 16 (144.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Falcon.

The Ford Falcon has a Power to weight ratio of 119.8 bhp per ton and 188.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1963 Falcon competing with the 1989 Mercedes 190 Series E 2.5 16 (144.8 bhp per ton) or the 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais HO Quad 4 (144.8 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ford Falcon generating around 188.5 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2013 Mercedes A Class 45 AMG 2.0 Turbo (213.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2015 Lotus Evora 400 3.5 V6 Supercharged (213.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 10.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 11.2 secs, this made the Ford Falcon 1st Gen Sports Hardtop 260 V8 4-Speed as fast as the 2002 Ford KA Street KA (10.80 secs) the 1984 Talbot Samba Rallye 1.2 (10.80 secs) the 1947 Ferrari 125 S 1.5L V12 (10.80 secs) the or the 1975 Rolls-Royce Camargue 6.8 V8 (10.90 secs). This Ford Falcon 1st Gen Sports Hardtop 260 V8 4-Speed is also faster than the 1975 Rolls-Royce Camargue 6.8 V8 (10.90 secs) the 1961 Triumph TR4 2.1L (10.90 secs) the 2019 Ford Ranger Double Cab High Rider 3.2 TDCI (11.00 secs) the and the 2011 Dacia Sandero 1.6 16v (11.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Falcon and the 1969 Maserati Indy Tipo 116 4.1 V8

When talking about the performance of the Ford Falcon on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.6 secs @ 82.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1969 Maserati Indy Tipo 116 4.1 V8 (16.53 secs), the 1954 Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing Coupe (16.54 secs), and the 1985 Alpine GTA V6 Turbo (16.54 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1963 version of the Ford Falcon 1st Gen Sports Hardtop 260 V8 4-Speed has a maximum speed of 100mph.

Top Speed of the 1963 Falcon equals the 1979 Dodge Magnum GT 5.9L V8 (111 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1963 Ford Falcon 1st Gen Sports Hardtop 260 V8 4-Speed then how about the 1979 Dodge Magnum GT 5.9L V8 (111 mph), the 1976 Ford Granada 3.0 V6 (111 mph), or the 1975 Ford Escort Mk2 RS1800 (111 mph).

Related Links:

1963 Falcon Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison