1965 Falcon Shells Mk2 Competition

• Ford E93A under-pinnings with 1172cc side-valve motivation
• Period ‘Aquaplane’ head, water pump, valve covers and oil cooler
• Just two recorded owners until 2020
• Fresh 10-year FIVA Identity Card
• Is correctly UK registered with current V5
• Accompanied by spare gearbox and a small amount of spares.

With the arrival of the "10-year Test" (the original MOT) legions of side-valve Ford saloons (10hp 103E Popular, E93A Prefect, or earlier 8hp Anglia) that had just about survived the austerity and fuel-rationing of the late 1940s and early 50s, looked destined for the scrapheap. Mechanically, they were very simple to repair but the complex post-war bodywork was another story. Rock and Roll had just arrived, and major manufacturers were proudly displaying their new TR3s, MGAs and big Healeys fuelling demand for exciting open-top cars amongst the impecunious youth of the day.

The solution was simple, take a dog-eared but mechanically sound Ford Pop, chuck away the remains of its bodywork, and fit instead one of a large number of fibreglass bodies that would drop onto the Pop chassis. Instant credibility was there for the asking and once the body was on the chassis, a number of ways to get some breath into your asthmatic 10hp Ford side-valve became available. Companies such as Buckler, Aquaplane, Bellamy, EB and others, offered twin SU carbs, sexy inlet & exhaust manifolds, lightweight flywheels, independent suspension, racy bucket seats, remote gearchanges, groovy drilled steel wheels, sports exhausts, extra gauges and, for the well-heeled enthusiast, exciting options such as a supercharger or a Willment OHV conversion. Most of these bodyshell companies didn't survive for long but one that did, building a reputation that survives to this day, was Falcon Shells of Waltham Abbey.

Falcon Shells was founded in 1956 by Peter Pellandine after his amicable split from Keith Waddington of Ashley Laminates, with the intention, as the name suggests, to provide a bodyshell for fitment onto the chassis of your choice. The shell was fibreglass with the choice of two gel coat finishes, either Falcon Red or Leaf Green with the shape being heavily influenced by the D-Type, featuring the iconic shape that defined the legendary Jaguar racer.

1960 saw the name of the Falcon Mark II change to the Falcon Competition and the introduction of a ladder chassis for Ford powered specials, other power plants that were utilised were Morris, MGA and Coventry-Climax, with some examples seeing action at Le Mans, Daytona and Silverstone.

With Ford E93A under-pinnings, this particular 1172cc Falcon is extremely pleasing on the eye. A ‘period’ Aquaplane head was sourced and fitted alongside an Aquaplane water pump, oil cooler and valve cover. To assist with breathing, a bespoke tuned 4 branch stainless manifold has been manufactured and supplied alongside a full stainless side-exit exhaust running along the nearside sill line to improve and enhance the aesthetic appeal. Internally, a pair of period-style, hip-hugging bespoke seats have also been manufactured and trimmed in hide to complement the rest of the interior alongside the period-correct Les Leston 'style' steering wheel, vastly improving the look and style of the 1960s ‘special’.

Still sitting on its correct Rubery Owen wheels and now retarded by hydraulic bakes, this three-owner Falcon II Competition sports racer has just been awarded a new 10-year FIVA Identity Card (issued by the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs) confirming its place in the world of post-war classics/ motorsport history. It has impressive eye appeal and merits closer inspection to fully understand its potential, either as potentially an historic competition car or simply as one of the few surviving examples of an era when Fifties Ford Specials offered sporty open-top motoring for all. Viewings are welcomed and encouraged, strictly by appointment and subject to current restrictions at the time.