Vehicle 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!
