Vehicle Description
This kind of car only happens when dad gets to walk into the
dealership alone. Because while this 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 XL
hardtop sedan might look classy, it's really a beast in disguise.
With its original 390 big block under the hood and a four-speed
stick, this was the neighborhood sleeper that's matured into one of
the coolest affordable classics around.
The 500 XL is rarefied air in the Ford world. It's the top trim for
the full-size, so there is some nice prestige and rarity to go
along with this. In fact, the hardtop sedan was the rarest of the
500 XL series of this year - a sign that most other sedans were
lower-grade family haulers and salesman callers. But, this one has
been allowed to remain quite original because a premium car usually
goes to premium customers who know how to appreciate the finer
things. That's also why this one looks so great today, and that's
no small feat. After all, 1964 was the intersection of the chrome
era and jet age. So this one has a ton of great details, like the
rocket-inspired full-length side trim, gunsight fender ornaments,
and afterburner-style taillights. It's complete and original right
down to the Thunderbird 390 logos on the fenders. In fact, the only
piece that doesn't seem factory-direct is that we know the blue was
upgraded at one time, and that's just to make sure the paint has
enough luster to keep up with all the rest of the brightwork.
Also, a secret to the deeper blue exterior is that it coordinates
so nicely with the two-tone blue interior. Let's face it, people
are always sticking their head into hard tops, and so you want a
car that's a full uniform package like this. But more than just
great colors, this level of care is fantastic to see in the
top-of-the-line, full-sized Ford. There's plenty of great bright
trim incorporated into the weave of the door panels and seats to
makes this a very cool place to send some time. Bucket seats are
rarity in these family-style Galaxies, and so you'll really enjoy
the individual comfort that even comes with a stylized center
console. The three-spoke steering wheel with bright inner trim is a
vintage Ford favorite, and so is the long horizontal speedometer
flanked by the round gauge pods. As you gaze across the dash, you
realize everything is in remarkably well preserved condition, and
best of all, the air conditioning is still pumping out cold air, so
you can stay cool while showing off your cool pillarless hardtop
sedan.
Pop the hood and you'll see that callouts on the fenders were not
lying. This is the car has its original Z-code 390 cubic-inch
"Thunderbird" V8. Dressed with stunning gold Thunderbird valve
covers and a matching air cleaner, it's ready to be shown off
today. This big block is the ideal early '60s powerplant, both
brawny and refined, making the performance seem almost effortless.
It fires up easily thanks to a rebuild of the original Autolite
four-barrel carburetor, and the newer dual exhaust really hints at
the muscle car era that was just around the corner. In fact,
speaking of muscle machines, the original four-speed manual means
you are in complete control of this big V8. It turns this car show
stunner into a true Saturday night sleeper. And even when just
cruising, the power steering and power brakes make this a fine
choice.
Complete with owner's manual, this is a premium affordable classic
with all the right moves... and that's why we know it will be
moving out of our showroom soon, too. Call now!!