Vehicle Description
1961 Ford Galaxie
For those of you who used their formative years to educate and
mostly entertain themselves with the boob tube, you were probably
catching an episode or two of Andy of Mayberry. A number of awesome
cars were featured in the Andy Griffith Show over its nine year
run, but Griffith's squad cars were always Ford Galaxie 500 sedans.
Fords were increasingly featured as the show reached its later
years, undoubtedly because of a sponsorship from the Ford Motor
Company.
For consignment, a 1961 Galaxie that has some extra power with now
a 390ci V8, Holley carb and a fiberglass teardrop hood. Sporting a
very nice clean interior and engine bay, we can now usher in the
jet age design era, and usher out the fin era, although it still
has small fins.
Exterior
White covers straight steel panels, the fiberglass teardrop hood
and good gaps. Dual front headlights reside within a well-preserved
egg crate grille that is classy and Caddy-esque with round discs at
each intersection of the vertical and horizontal ribs. The front
bumper is very nice. Paint is shiny and deep and is highlighted by
an upper trim spear that works its way from the front quarter just
aft of the wheel well ending on the rear quarter rear where it
meets up with a stainless steel shiny horizontal ribbed panel
covering the entire lower part of the rear quarter. As we move to
the rear, round jet engine style taillights have beautiful bezels
and the center and form a circle around a backup light. More
polished stainless steel on the rear below the trunk, using the
disc motif, and just below is a nicely preserved rear bumper. Not
to be forgotten is a metal hardtop in white and with windows in the
down position, it appears that the roofline goes on forever!
15-inch chrome Cragar SS wheels are on all 4 corners.
Interior
A swing of the doors reveals several black vinyl covered surfaces,
all original and all in very good condition. Door panels use tuck
and roll vertical panels surrounded by smooth black, where shiny
cranks and the door actuator along with an armrest reside. Low back
curved bomber styled buckets are up front and use tuck and roll for
the inserts and smooth bolsters, all in black vinyl. These buckets
sit within chromed tubs which are well preserved. The rear bench
copies this style. The original dash is noted and utilizes a dual
spear design for the instruments and clock. This instrument cluster
has a spaceship styling to it, and we see an original radio in the
center. Below is a band of wood applique to add some highlight to
the black metal dash front, and just below is a trio of aftermarket
gauges hanging and showing vitals. Black carpet floods the floors
and sitting proudly on the hump within reach of the driver is a
B&M floor shifter which was totally unexpected. A nice tight
headliner, looking mostly original, is above all the passenger
compartment. Bringing out attention briefly to the trunk it has a
checked vinyl liner and a spare and jack neatly tucked away in the
front of the trunk.
Drivetrain
All aboard for the under the hood presentation which now features a
390ci V8 topped by a Holley 4-barrel carburetor and going through
an aluminum intake. Our consignor states that this engine has a
sporty cam installed. On back is a newer C6 3-speed automatic
transmission with a Ford 9-inch posi rear. A nicer presentation
with its blue block and ribbed Cobra valve coverings along with the
pristine headers.
Undercarriage
Not even a spot of surface rust for the usual suspects or for that
matter anything else. The car maintains structural integrity with
rust free frame, rockers and floor pans. Independent coil springs
for the front, and leaf springs and traction bars for the rear
suspension, as well as drum brakes are all around. The headers come
downward from the engine and turn into a Flowmaster dual 3-inch
exhaust which works its way to exit just behind the rear
wheels.
Drive-Ability
As expected from a car in this condition, she fired right up, and
with a lifting of my foot off the brake and the shifter to D it
took off smoothly. This car is a great large cruiser, smooth ride,
and no creaking or squeaking when turning the corners. Plenty of
power and also interior room abounds under that long luxurious
roof.
All buttoned up and ready to turn the key and have some excitement
come your way and down the highway. A fully restored nice example
the was obtained in a trade for this consignor, and who has not
driven it too much, but each ride was very enjoyable as was my test
ride.
VIN DECODE
1G57X135792
1-1961
G-Chicago, IL Assy Plant
57-2 Door Club Victoria
X-352ci V8
135792-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY TAG
BODY 65A-2 Door Club Victoria
COLOR C-Medium Aquamarine
TRIM 37-Turquoise Shimmer Fabric & Vinyl
DATE 22M-December 22nd
TRANS 4-Cruise O Matic
AXLE 6-Ford 9" 3.00 Conventional
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
