Vehicle Description
1964 Ford Custom
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 Custom 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 1964 Ford Custom born and raised in sunny and
dry California. Not near as fancy as the Galaxie but retaining all
the same lines and in this writer's opinion, less is more and
always looks better. It now presents in above average condition
with few faults, modern fuel injection, and no rust ever.
Exterior
Phonecian Yellow in a respray, covers straight steel panels, and
good gaps. The metal is near perfect with no signs of heavy
applications of body filler or panel replacement. The paint is
shiny and deep and is highlighted by a trio of chrome escutcheons
that lead on the front quarter panel and add some jet age mystique.
The large slab steel sides are sans and brightwork or trim but
still show nicely with all of the intricate bodylines impressed
into the miles of sheet metal. In front of the downward turn on the
rear quarter, is a simple Custom badge in your grandmother's
script. Dual front headlights within a well preserved egg crate and
triple beaked grille sits just above the front bumper which is very
nice. As we move to the rear, round jet engine style taillights
have beautiful bezels and a simple ribbed center mimicking the tail
cone of a rocket. Simple FORD block letters are on the rear below
the trunk, and below is a nicely preserved rear bumper. Not to be
forgotten are the utilitarian black steel wheels with dog dish caps
and blackwall radial rubber.
Interior
With a swing of the door we greet a simple beige textured vinyl
door panel which provides the backdrop for the highly polished
window cranks and door actuator. A torn black armrest is also noted
on the driver's side. The front split bench is a mix of tweed cloth
inserts and smooth beige bolsters and we see very clean lap belts
installed. The rear bench copies this style. A very clean and shiny
original dash and steering wheel are noted as well an aftermarket
tachometer below the dash. The instrument cluster has a beautiful
white face, black lettering styling to it, and we see an
aftermarket AM/FM/CD player in the center. Black carpet floods the
floors and a nice tight headliner, appearing original, is above all
the passenger compartment. Bringing our attention briefly to the
trunk it has its checkered vinyl liner and a spare and jack neatly
tucked away in the front of the trunk.
Drivetrain
Clean and well restored surfaces are seen under the hood, including
the 302ci V8 crate engine which is dressed to the nines with
wrinkle finish valve covers and a Ford Racing air cleaner assembly.
This crate mill is fed by FiTech electronic fuel injection and has
all its supporting parts within the bay. A C4 3-speed automatic is
bolted to the back to shift the gears and way back is a 9-inch 3.00
TracLoc rear axle. A shout out to the aluminum radiator and
electric cooling fan for keeping temperatures in check and also to
the added vacuum pump to assist with the power brakes.
Undercarriage
Some surface rust for the usual suspects, but the car maintains
structural integrity with a rust-free frame, rockers and floor
pans. Lowered independent coil springs for the front, and leaf
springs with lowering blocks for the rear suspensions, as well as
power disc brakes are all around. Headers feed into Flowmaster
mufflers to create a melodious exhaust note.
Drive-Ability
As expected from a car in this condition, she fired right up, and
after slipping the selector into drive took off smoothly. This car
is a great large cruiser, smooth ride, and no creaking or squeaking
when turning the corners. A pleasure to drive, especially with the
added horsepower of the injected V8 and the stop on a dime disc
brakes. Barney Fife eat your heart out!
Reminiscent of the space race and inspired by the jet age that was
coming like a jailhouse on wheels. This futuristic styled large and
in charge car, now a bit racy with fuel injection and a hopped up
crate motor is here for the taking. If Barney Fife had this as his
patrol cruiser, he'd be nipping all the Mayberry speeders in the
bud...
VIN DECODE
4J53C149471
4-1964
J-Los Angeles, CA Assy Plant
53-Ford Custom 2 Door Sedan
C-289ci V8 2bbl
149471-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY TAG
BODY 62E-Ford Custom 2 Door Sedan
COLOR R-Phoenician Yellow
TRIM 34-Beige & Pale Beige Bar Dot Fabric & Crush Vinyl
DATE 28B-February 28th Build
DSO 71-Los Angeles
AXLE 1-Ford 9" 3.00 Conventional
TRANS 4-Cruise-O-Matic
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 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.
