1963 Ford Falcon Coyote

The Vincent E. Gardner designed Ford Falcon Coyote was featured on the cover of Custom Rodder July 1963. The car was one of the cars showcased by Ford Motor Company in the Ford Custom Car Caravan. In an attempt to get into the youth market, Ford Motor Company teamed up with AMT to launch the "Custom Car Caravan" in 1962. Together they wanted to create and campaign customized and performance-themed Fords. Or, as Ed Roth described it in his book, "making sure all of Ford's stuff was in the car shows around the country." The first cars were built in-house, but it didn't take long before Ford started to commission famous customizers such as George Barris, the Alexander Brothers, Bill Cushenbery, and Gene Winfield to dream up and execute life-size Ford customs.

A photo of Ron Hitter in the Coyote taken circa 1963-64. His father was a friend of the shop foreman at the Dearborn Steel Tubing, and the Coyote was on loan to Ron to drive in his high school's homecoming parade. Photo courtesy of Charlie Henry.

Photo courtesy of Charlie Henry.

Photo courtesy of Charlie Henry.

A photo of the Coyote as it appeared in 1974, when Bruce Remer bought it. Bruce didn't know exactly what he had bought at the time, so he wasn't smart enough to obtain all the info on it. Photo courtesy of Bruce Remer.

The Coyote as it sat early in 2021. Still owned by Bruce Remer, he was in the progress of bringing it back to life when the photo was taken. Photo courtesy of Bruce Remer.

The 1963 Ford Falcon Coyote was one of the cars showcased by Ford Motor Company in the Ford Custom Car Caravan. In an attempt to get into the youth market, Ford Motor Company teamed up with AMT to launch the "Custom Car Caravan" in 1962. Together they wanted to create and campaign customized and performance-themed Fords. Or, as Ed Roth described it in his book, "making sure all of Ford's stuff was in the car shows around the country." The first cars were built in-house, but it didn't take long before Ford started to commission famous customizers such as George Barris, the Alexander Brothers, Bill Cushenbery, and Gene Winfield to dream up and execute life-size Ford customs.

Designed by Vincent E. Gardner

The Coyote was designed by Vincent E. Gardner, a recognized automobile designed from South Bend, Indiana. Vince worked for Dearborn Steel Tubing when he designed the car. The Coyote was a two-seater roadster 1963 Ford Falcon that had been shortened 18 inches. Incorporating an asymmetrical theme, the car featured shaved trim, custom wheels, and radiused wheel wells. Before it was sent on tour, it received a candy lime lacquer by the Alexander Brothers.

Sold to Bruce Remer

Bruce Remer bought the old show car in 1974. He still owned it in 2021. At the time he was in the progress of bringing it back to life. "When I purchased the car I was not smart enough to obtain all the info," Bruce told Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama in March of 2021, admitting that he really didn't know what he had picked up back then. Bruce is currently researching the history of the car. Please get in touch with Kustomrama at mail@kustomrama.com if you have any information to share about Bruce's rare concept car.

Magazine Features and Appearances

Custom Rodder July 1963