A few of the local peeps know about this car and how I came into owning it, but I would like to share my story with you all.
This all started out around this time last year when I was heading home from work. I happened to go a different route because I needed to head over to Lordco (local auto parts chain) when something caught my eye. As I got closer, I could not believe what I was seeing. At first I thought it was a Mustang 2 all painted up like one of the Mad Max police cars, but no! The car was parked just off the road, next to the sidewalk, facing the opposite direction. Lo and behold the steering wheel was on the right side! Australian Falcon! WOW! I've only seen one once at the Langley Car Show some years ago (more on this later). I was familiar of where the car was parked as it's a small towing yard with a couple of flat decks and a hook truck. I pulled off on a side street to check it out and take a few pictures.
Being a huge fan of the Mad Max series since I was a little kid AND to present day, I HAD to find out what was going on with this car. I tried calling the number on the side of the tow truck but no answer. Something just wasn't right, front spoiler all busted up on the passenger seat, window down with the keys in the ignition - right beside the sidewalk. Weird.
I tried the number the next day at coffee break and someone answered. The guy informed me the car was going to the scrapper as soon as his truck was back from the shop. He gave me the run-down of how he got ahold it. This dude at works in the movie industry called him up for a scrap car pick up. He shows up, collects the car and ALL the customs paperwork and signed a transfer form as well. The car then sits out in front of his house/tow yard for a couple of days while his truck is getting fixed. The tow dude tells me his truck comes back in an hour and a half and the car would be gone then.
"Would you sell it?" was my next question.
"Sure, I'll sell it for my scrap price - $350 bucks". he says.
A million things go though my head: where would I put it, what about all the other freakin' projects on the go, sketchy paperwork, my wife ...
Suddenly the voice of the Toecutter is in my head ....... "This is a threshold moment Johnny - step though!"
"I'll take it!" I told him.
I headed over to their place after work to exchange money and check out the paperwork. It all looked good, last owners signature matched on all the documents. I called Jason ahead of time to store the car at his storage yard and these guys towed it over for me. Great to have friends to help you out in times of need!
Next up was getting it running. The gas tank was bone dry and the battery was toast. Fresh gas and a new battery - VAROOM! Although the rad was shot, I did take it around the storage yard a bit before it started steaming. Robyn who works at the yard told me about a Craigslist ad selling this exact call for $7000!
At this rate I have no idea if the car is stolen or what so I get ahold of the previous owner both though the Craiglist ad and an old number on one of the customs documents.
"I take it you must have my car" he says
Turns out scrapping the car was he intention because he was pressed for time by his apartment manger - either the car goes or you go. He had the car since 2006 then a shop really took him for a ride and never got it though inspection. It bounced around a few places but then ended up at his downtown apartment in the underground parking for years. I explained to him that I am a big fan of the movie and couldn't let the car get crushed. Luckily for me he was very pleased the Falcon was going to a car guy and a Mad Max fan that would try and get it on the road. Whew! That was a relief! We met up a few weeks later at a pub downtown so he could sign over a bill of sale to me. Turns out he has worked with my wife before on a film shoot. Ha Ha.
After searching on Craigslist, I found another cheap garage to rent out that is the perfect size for the Big Bopper. The resto commences!
Scored a few items from the 'List - Torino air cleaner and rad with shroud. Turns out the rad needed work but the rad shop had one brand new in the box for pretty much the same price as the repair. Byron sandblasted the air cleaner for me and I sprayed-bombed it Ford blue. The decal is off Ebay. The Torino engine compartment is bigger so the snorkel is a lot longer. I decided to shorten it up by removing a section. I drilled out the spot welds, rewelded it and then painted it. Good to go.
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