1964 Ford Galaxie 500

Description

Ford's big Galaxie was luxury muscle before such a term even existed. This pretty 1964 Galaxie 500 hardtop proves the point with a big 390 cubic inch V8, an awesome color combination, and a spacious interior that's about the coolest place you'll ever sit. Sleek and smooth, it's easy to love this big Ford coupe.

Code T Navaho Beige (yes, that's how Ford [mis]spelled it) is this car's original color, so it's easy to understand why they went with basic black when the time came for a repaint a few years ago. It's a great look on something like the big Galaxie, making it look deadly serious and very much like the piece of luxury/muscle that it is. It's got a great shine that's holding up well even though the paint job is older and the overall look is that of a car that's been loved its whole life, including being driven when conditions were right. There are a few touch-ups here and there, but those super straight panels reflect well and there's no place for shoddy workmanship to hide. The quarters in particular are about a city block long, but you can see the crisp, clear body lines and arrow-straight trim that all lines up just right, indicative of a car that has never needed major surgery and since fins had totally disappeared by '64 it has a very clean, sleek profile. Details like the neatly folded grille and fender ornaments make the Galaxie 500 special and all the brightwork is in good condition and shines up well.

The code 74 Beige interior was also given a full makeover and now looks like it was born with code 16 black threads instead. What that means is that everything that isn't beige is newer, including the seat covers, door panels, carpets, and other detail parts. There are modest signs of use throughout, but everything has a consistent look, although the headliner is probably original and showing some age. With a wide bench in back, there's room for the whole family and the wonderfully ornate door panels remind everyone on board that this was Ford's top-of-the-line model. The steering wheel has a simple 2/3 horn ring that recalls the past and the silver-faced gauges are not only attractive, but suddenly very much back in fashion. For entertainment, you now have an AM/FM/CD stereo head unit and most of the bright trim has been re-chromed. It also offers a massive trunk with both a correct plaid mat and a matching spare tire assembly that's never been used.

Ford's Z-code 390 cubic inch V8 was a favorite performance choice. Effortlessly smooth and torquey, not to mention durable, it moves the Galaxie without working very hard and has a nice V8 burble from the twin tailpipes out back. Wearing chrome valve covers and an open-element air cleaner, plus a lot of other bright parts, it has a flashy look that's dominated by the big expansion tank up top. There's an Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor under that air cleaner, so it starts easily and runs smoothly under any circumstances. Backed by a 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission and a 9-inch rear end with 3.00 gears inside, it's really at home on the highway where it can stretch its legs a bit. Power steering is probably mandatory on a car this size, and the recent dual exhaust with glasspack-style mufflers is a great choice. Cool Magnum 500 wheels are wrapped by a set of sporty BFG white-letter radials that still have a lot of life left in them.

Handsome, fast, and fun to drive, this Galaxie is the kind of car that attracts big attention everywhere it goes. Call today!