Hot Rods 1961 Falcon Fun Factory

Any recommendations on cool steering wheels? Thinking a wood wheel from a Mustang maybe?

 

Also, probably a stupid question. When you install an export brace, do you cut out the 2 factory cowl to shock tower braces? Or do you just put the new brace over them? I've seen it done both ways. Definitely don't like the look of having both in place, but is there any benefit to leaving the old braces there?

 

I think you need is a Monte Carlo bar if I remember correctly . It goes from side to side at the shock towers . The braces you are speaking of bolt into the Mustang Chassis , the are welded into the Falcon and Comets . I would not remove the welded in parts and replace with bolted in parts . The Mustang is a tad bit wider that the Falcon , be sure you are getting Falcon parts also .

 

To tell the truth, with the Monte Carlo bar I wouldn't worry about the export brace.

As to the steering wheel, when Ford made the change from generators to alternators in '65 they changed the steering column also, so a '65-up wheel won't work. You need a '60-64 wheel. A 64 1/2 Mustang wheel will work, but not a '65 one.

 

Thanks dudes! I appreciate all the help. Ordered just the Monte Carlo bar for now. I'll look for a new wheel and find something cool soon.

Got my Procar seat rails put on the seats, and started mounting the bases.




Also got my new headliner in. These are crappy pictures using the flash on the camera, it's not wrinkled as bad as it looks here. I'm going to hit it with a steam iron and maybe heat gun tomorrow to shrink it a bit, should pull in a bit tighter.

I put the headliner in without removing the front/rear glass. It's definitely possible and works OK, but not as good as removing the glass. May redo it in the future, but good enough for now, considering the new headliner was free. I used alot of DAP Weldwood contact cement, that stuff works great. I don't think I'll have any problems with it coming loose.













Now gonna finish up my seats, and onto the next projects. More updates later.

Accidentally picked up this killer 1971 Moto Guzzi Ambassador with a Velorex sidecar yesterday, so that might take some time! haha

 

You don't need to install an export brace. Your car has one built in, from the factory.

 

It doesn't have a fancy name, just a shock tower brace I made for my Nova.

 

Not going to do that. Just going with the Monte Carlo bar.

 

Nice looks killer!

 

Haven't updated in a bit. Got my seats installed. They look great and are super comfortable, really happy with the Procars.





Decided to put a stereo in the car as it will see a lot of daily driver service. Mounted a couple 6x9's in the package tray that fit well.



Waiting on some new kick panels with speaker mounts should be here soon. Using a small amplifier mounted in the trunk to power them. I'm building a transmission hump mounted mini console that will mount in front of the shifter, under the dash. It will hold the head unit, my GPS speedo drive box, and the display for my EFI system screen.

My Monte Carlo bar should be here later this week as well.

I'm going to go with this steering wheel. I don't like the large 17" diameter stock wheel, it's just too large with the new seats.

Going with a Grant 966. 15" wheel with walnut rim, 3 spokes in brushed stainless. I think it'll do the job.
https://www.jegs.com/i/Grant/470/966-0/10002/-1

More later this week after I get the console finished up.

 

Here was the pic of the Grant 966 wheel, meant to add that instead of the Jegs link.

 

I'll be checking in here from time to time. Just bought a '61 myself and have similar ideas. Gonna be a fun car.

 

Nice! I've been posting my adventures with this car at GRM. You can see all my info there:
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/f...rs/1961-ford-falcon-fun-factory/179396/page1/

My plan for the car seemed more inline with that forum than a traditional hot rod build so I wasn't really going to update often here anymore.