1962 Ford Galaxie 500 XL

Description

Cars like this 1962 Ford Galaxie 500XL are why Ford was dominating on the NASCAR circuits. It still wears its formal hardtop roofline, packs a potent 406 under the hood, and a 4-speed between the seats, making it a serious full-sized factory muscle car from before there were muscle cars. Nicely finished in black paint with a gorgeous red interior, it's an upscale cruiser that can still hand out beatings on the street.

Repainted several years ago and still looking great, there's no way to make a Galaxie look bad. Ford hit the styling out of the ballpark, with crisp lines and those big, round taillights that reflected the '60s enthusiasm for the jet age. The paint went down over well-prepped sheetmetal, and even on those massive quarter panels. The finish is expertly done and shows no major flaws and has a shine that seems perfectly appropriate on these cars. Professional workmanship makes it stand out and the other guys at the show will always be frustrated when this car shows up because it'll attract all the attention. All the trim (and there is a lot of it) is in excellent condition. Both bumpers appear to have been re-chromed, and the long stainless strips that frame the sides of the car are straight and bright. This one also proudly wears a 406 badge, which reflects the engine living under the hood, but let's not get ahead of ourselves just yet.

A 4-speed with bucket seats and a console is a cool industrial-strength early muscle car look, and it works well in the Galaxie. Since the original interior was code 88 Light Gold, everything in the car was replaced when the rest of the car was refinished, so it remains in outstanding condition with no damage or overt signs of aging. The deeply pleated seats show exceptional detailing, which is often lacking in aftermarket seat covers, and even the metal buttons in the seatbacks have been retained. This one remains almost entirely stock aside from an AM/FM/cassette radio in the dash, although the gauges under the dash are probably mandatory on a horsepower factory like this. The 3-spoke wheel fits the Galaxie's personality perfectly, and that 4-speed Hurst cue ball shifter on the console makes a bold statement in a full-sized luxury car. Gentleman's hot rod indeed! The trunk is highly authentic, with a reproduction mat, full-sized spare, and a correct jack assembly.

As I mentioned, there are 406 badges on the side and that's the size of the engine, even though it stated out as a Z-code 390. Rebuilt and topped by a factory-style tri-power setup, it's dressed to look like 1962 and runs like a freight train. Dressed in black with gold Thunderbird valve covers, it's the ultimate early '60s powerplant if you're a Ford fan, both muscular and refined, making the performance seem almost effortless. There's an oval air cleaner for the carbs and the sound when you crack open all six barrels has to be experienced. Beautifully tuned, settles into an even 750 RPM idle with only a hint of the cam inside burbling through the dual exhaust system. The 4-speed snaps through the gears, and the entire car feels robust and sturdy, as if it could take the abuse all day. With 3.50 gears in the 9-inch rear end, it's an easy highway cruiser, too. The chassis is clean and shows no signs of distress, and it wears 15-inch steelies with 235/70/15 blackwall radials that look butch and stuff the wheel wells properly.

Fast with class, that's the Galaxie's motto, and this one shows you why. If you're a Ford fan, few cars can match the 406 Galaxie's reputation. Call today!