Vehicle Description
SUMMARY
The beneficiary of a $120K restoration that was completed in
2014
427 cubic inch FE V8 / Dual-quad carburetion / Many performance
upgrades
Galaxie-spec Toploader 4-speed manual transmission
Ford 9-inch axle / Traction-Lok differential
Mostly-original sheetmetal / Wimbledon White paint / Original and
NOS stainless trim
Sale includes: Restoration photos / Restoration receipts /
Component literature
15-inch wheels / Hoosier cheater slicks
Super Stock drum brakes
Red crushed vinyl interior
Upgraded suspension
Sleek, exacting and convincingly authentic, this ominous Ford sedan
is the kind of ride you always wished your dad would pick up to
replace the family's stodgy land yacht. Instead of an economical
6-cylinder, it has a top option, 427 cubic inch FE V8. Instead of a
boring automatic slush box, it has a buff Toploader 4-speed. And
today, thanks to a six-figure restoration that was completed
roughly two years ago, it's fully sorted and ready to prowl the
pavement! After years of being almost completely overlooked, brutal
Ford full-sizers have developed a strong following of diehard
collectors who share a deep appreciation for performance and
innovation. And if you're the kind of classic car enthusiast who
enjoys an acute mix of serious muscle, comfy cruising and plenty of
elbow room, it's time to join the crowd!
BODYWORK/TRIM
The beneficiary of a documented, $120K restoration that wrapped in
late 2014, this sublime sedan is an intentionally low-key take on
the fundamentals of every hard-edged muscle car: tough looks,
sturdy components, reduced weight and tons of power! The car's
ground-up rebuild began with complete disassembly and a full media
blast. Once that profile was clean and ready to work, a patched
trunk floor complemented a repaired left fender, a repaired right
rocker and an NOS left rocker. With that mostly-original metal
solid and smooth, quality etching primer was layered under tough
epoxy and thoroughly block-sanded. Eventually, that massaged
surfacing was wrapped in traditional Wimbledon White 2-stage that
literally defined the car's 'body-in-white' intent. And today, this
Ford rolls as one top-notch tribute that's clean, reliable and
extremely focused.
An innately attractive classic that's been converted into a bona
fide stoplight slayer via choice componentry, this impressive 500
is a picturesque monster that's sure to be the center of great
memories. At the front of the car, lightened brackets hang small
parking lamps and a lightweight fiberglass bumper beneath a 'sabre
tooth' grille and bright halogen headlights. Behind that grille, a
lightweight fiberglass hood centers a big teardrop scoop behind
polished stainless pins. At the sides of that hood, steel doors
float factory handles and a correct driver's mirror amid NOS
emblems and NOS fender spears. Above that badging, correctly
polished stainless frames one polished wiper and correct flat
glass. And at the back of the car, a stainless-trimmed valance
centers traditional 'pie plate' tail lights and a wide-set "F O R
D" script above a broad chrome bumper.
ENGINE
Built to replicate an authentic R-code full-size down to the
letter, this Ford draws motivation from a 427 cubic inch top-oiler
V8 that was professionally massaged by Costa Mesa R&D
Automotive Machine of Costa Mesa, California. Decked, line-bored,
cylinder-bored, balanced and blue printed, the .018-over mill is
dominated by a finned Thunderbird air cleaner and 600cfm Holleys
that go by the codes "BK" and "BJ". Beneath those carbs, an
aluminum, medium riser intake anchors factory fuel lines behind a
traditional dual-point distributor that utilizes upfitted
electronic ignition to sequence spark through fresh Radio
Resistance plug wires. At the sides of that distributor, polished
valve covers cap ported Edelbrock heads, which mix a 3-angle valve
job with larger valves, solid lifters, custom Trend pushrods,
cam-matched springs and hardened rocker shafts that are wed to
custom stainless stands. Speaking of cams, that distributor gets
spun by a Lunati Street/Strip profile, which twists between fly-cut
Keith Black pistons, forged H-beam rods and a balanced and
chamfered 428 crank. Exhaust exits through massive long-tube
headers. Cooling is provided by a factory radiator, which fronts an
aluminum water pump, a factory expansion tank and a correct,
6-blade pulley fan. Ancillaries are top notch, with items like
Fel-Pro gaskets, a blueprinted Melling oil pump, Cloyes double
timing components, an SFI harmonic balancer and an upgraded 1965
Ford alternator ensuring the buff beast doesn't trip over itself.
And, aesthetically, the car's fully detailed engine bay looks good
enough to show off to anyone, with the big block reflecting 70%
Gloss Black fenders and an 80% Gloss Black firewall.
DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION
Bottom-side, solid, Satin Black floors, fitted with a smoothed
transmission tunnel during the car's detailed restoration, back a
powder-coated frame that's been media-blasted, realigned and welded
at all its stress points. The 427 sends torque to a Galaxie "HEH"
Toploader, which mixes an SMI flywheel and 11-inch Centerforce
clutch with a new yoke and old school Lakewood scattershield.
Behind that gearbox, a correctly marked driveshaft spins a
powder-coated third member, which wraps a nodular center-section
around a Traction-Lok differential, Dutchman 31-spline axles and
NHRA-legal lug bolts. That industrial strength driveline rolls on a
fully rebuilt suspension that, after being media-blasted,
powder-coated and correctly marked, was upgraded with sturdy
CalTracs traction bars. At the center of the car, a free-flowing,
true-dual exhaust system hangs an H-shaped crossover in front of
throaty Flowmaster mufflers. At the corners of the car, Super Stock
drums bring everything to a hurried halt. All that hardware rolls
on two Torq Thrust Ds and two glossy steelies, which spin 6.70-15
Goodyear Custom Super Cushions in front of 275/60D15 Hoosier
cheater slicks. And everything, from this 500's Holley fuel pump
and deep-sump oil pan to its restored gas tank and Schultz-coated
wheel wells, is ruthless, right and ready to roll!
INTERIOR
One of the best virtues of this Ford is its purpose-built interior.
It's a pretty basic set-up that was designed to swiftly shuttle
occupants from point A to point B - major emphasis on the
"swiftly". At the center of the car, custom-mount Bostrom buckets,
correctly stitched in crushed vinyl, feature thick, 2-point safety
harnesses. In front of those seats, a freshly finished dash hangs
restored telemetry between a polished Rotunda tachometer, polished
Stewart Warner accessory gauges, and retrofitted radio and heater
deletes. Below that dash, correct insulation backs correct
loop-pile carpet, which frames a curved Hurst shifter. Opposite
that shifter, a tight moonscape headliner backs matching moonscape
visors. At the edges of that liner, SMS side panels hang bright
chrome handles above sculpted armrests. The driver navigates the
strip through a chrome-trimmed steering wheel. And behind the
cockpit, a color-keyed trunk hides a tagged Autolite battery.
OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION AND ACCESSORIES
A reproduction High Performance Equipment Owner's Manual
A reproduction Registered Owner's Manual
A reproduction 1964 Ford Facts and Features Manual
A reproduction 1963-64 Ford High Performance Parts and Accessories
pamphlet
A book of summarized restoration photos