Trumpeter 1/25 1964 Ford Falcon Spring Hardtop Stock Plus Kit First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

The Ford Falcon started off in 1960 as a compact sedan and the design was successful in sales. Improvements were made to the design including more trim options and different engines, but Ford decided to launch a new generation of the Falcon to draw upon a younger demographic.

In 1964, the new Ford Falcon was launched that featured a more squared off body style and a modern look. One option added to the Falcon that year was the Sprint package that offered the Ford 289 V8 engine, stiffer suspension, and other details. While the concept was good, Ford's timing wasn't - in mid-1964 Ford used the Falcon chassis and 289 engine to launch a new car - the now-legendary Mustang. With the Mustang on the streets, Falcon sales fell and the Sprint option was discontinued after 1965.

Ford tried to revive the Falcon in 1966 with another redesign using a new body style and proportions more in line with the Mustang. In a last-ditch effort to save the brand, Ford transfered the Falcon name to the lower-cost Fairlane design, but this new approach wound up competing unsuccessfully with another Ford low-end car - the Maverick. Despite their best efforts, the Falcon production line would cease after 1970 while the Mustang would become Ford's iconic car.

Trumpeter has released the first installment in their 2nd generation Ford Falcon series with this 1964 hardtop. The kit is the first (to my knowledge) in plastic of the second generation Falcon and out of the box, this kit looks quite nice. Molded in white styrene, the kit is presented on 14 parts trees plus three trees of chromed parts, one tree of clear parts, one tree of clear red parts, and one set of rubber tires.

Construction starts with the engine and this kit provides the V8 engine block that offers options for the stock set-up with a single four-barrel carburetor, plain valve covers and air cleaner, or you can opt for the Sprint engine with dual four-barrel carbs, finned valve covers, and a special air cleaner. Also provided under the hood are a battery, radiator hoses, all of the other essential details like oil filter, starter motor, generator, etc. The kit also provides the corresponding 2-into-1 exhaust pipe or dual exhausts depending on your engine package.

The interior detail is nicely done with dual bucket seats, rear bench seat, center console, floor stick shift, individual pedals, instrument panel/dash board, and a complete steering column and steering wheel.

Under the chassis is nice suspension and drive train. Add the interior and overlay the upper structural arms over the engine compartment and you're just about ready for the body.

The kit provides rubber tires and your choice of stock or Sprint wheel covers.

The body has the usual one-piece clear for the windshield and rear window, but Trumpeter has even molded a dome light into this part so you can paint the headliner and all will look right. Exterior details include radio antenna, windshield wipers, rear view mirrors (including the interior mirror), chrome bumpers and front grille, and posable hood.

The kit includes a small decal sheet that has all of the requisite badges and shields for the body and the instrument faces for the dashboard.

Painting instructions are generic - colors are called out but not specific paint numbers from any given paint brand. Interior and exterior colors are not called out so you'll have to go online (or around the parking lot) and look for the color combination of interior/exterior that you'd like to finish your project. You can do it as it came from the showroom floor or as a restored or custom car with your own flourishes. This is where you can listen to 'Gasoline' on the stereo and imagine Courtney Hansen talking about your new ride...

This is a nice looking kit and should fill in a gap in the scale car collection. There don't appear to be any surprises in this project and like many car projects, you can easily do your own thing to make this car your own.

My sincere thanks to Stevens International for this review sample!