Back in 1963 Ford US decided it wanted to get involved in international rallying. I guess the reason for this was the old “win on Sunday, sell on Monday” theory that claims motorsport victories translate into sales. But it’s odd that Ford didn’t leave European rallies up to the Europeans, I mean a Cortina is surely more of a potential rally weapon than Detroit iron, albeit a compact like the Falcon.

1963 Ford Falcon Sprint

1963 was the test run and Ford were sufficiently encouraged to up the ante in 1964, sending a bunch of Falcon Sprint V8s across the pond. By all accounts the Falcons proved very capable on the tight stages of the Monte, and it was only sneaky rules changes that favoured the tiddlers that kept them off the podium.

Check out these great photos taken from the same spot on the final stage.

1964 Ford Falcon Sprint