Vehicle Description
This Z-code 1964 Ford Galaxie 500XL hardtop is a grownup's muscle
car. It's big, it's black, and it's got enough room for the whole
family. Add in a big block 390 and a whole bunch of originality,
you have a very desirable piece of early Ford muscle that gets
everything right.
That code A Raven Black paint has all the signs of being applied in
1964. It's got an awesome shine that certainly looks appropriate,
and there's very little evidence that it has ever been repainted.
The great thing about original paint is that you know there's
original sheetmetal underneath, which means no botched bodywork, no
hidden headaches, and no questions about rust. There are a few
minor touch-ups here and there, as you'd expect from a 50-year-old
car, but none of them detract from the impressive overall
presentation. Gaps are excellent all around and the doors open and
close with the kind of precision that it's often difficult to
restore back into a car; you'll be amazed by how well they were
built back then. In the same way, all the stainless trim is in
great shape and it's still hanging where Ford workers installed it.
The bumpers are shockingly good and the entire car shows a lifetime
in a friendly climate.
The interior, however, is where this car really proves that it's a
low-mileage piece. Check out the original code 80 White Crush Vinyl
upholstery, which remains in good condition. No aftermarket repro
kit could ever look that good and the light colored upholstery and
black carpets make the car look as upscale as its image would
suggest. It's always cool to see buckets and a console in a
full-sized cruiser, suggesting that the original owner was all
about going fast, and this one is especially interesting with the
column-mounted shifter for the 3-speed automatic transmission. The
instruments with their soft white faces are in good order and it's
equipped with a rather rare swing-away steering column. The
original AM radio is still working, the dash pad hasn't been cooked
by the sun, the door panels aren't discolored, and, well, are you
getting the idea that this car is legit? The trunk carries its
original mats and what might be the original full-sized spare up
front where it has been for decades.
The Z-code 390 cubic inch V8 under the hood appears to be original
and while it's a little scruffy, it runs quite well. A modern
Edelbrock carburetor and Pertronix electronic ignition system mean
that it springs to life easily and the idle is deceptively smooth,
so you won't expect the big hit of torque you get as you run it
through the gears. Despite its built-for-combat specs, it remains
very drivable and looks stock from the heavy-duty air cleaner to
the expansion tan on the cooling system. Yes, there are signs of
use, but it has obviously been properly maintained to keep it in
top condition. Just keep it clean, but please don't restore it! The
transmission snaps through the gears with precision that only comes
from something that hasn't been abused and used up, and there are
3.00 gears out back so this is an easy cruiser. It burbles through
a proper dual exhaust system and the front suspension, brakes, and
power steering system have all been recently rebuilt. Recent
whitewall radials on the original steel wheels with full wheel
covers keep the look pretty stock.
All the signs are there, there's little doubt this is an original
car. It has just two owners, including the original owner who kept
it for decades. If you like originality, this is the Galaxie for
you. Call now!
