1964 ford galaxie 500

Ward “Pally” Austin         (the collection)

“CAR TO THE STARS” 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 Convertible

Classic cars are desirable and collectable for many reasons, it can be for age, and rarity, and beauty, perhaps a famous or infamous owner, maybe the car carried VIPs on a regular basis.

The white 1964 Ford Galaxie convertible ticks all the boxes.

The swinging sixties was when Ward “Pally” Austin ruled the airwaves. In his day he dominated radio ratings for more than a decade, from the moment his radio show started with his catchcry  “any time you’re ready Pally” and Ward would open with his famous intro  “A Rickapoodie and a Fandooglie”.

Ward was a flamboyant, verging on outrageous character.  Universally known as “Pally” he did have several other alias’s “The White Knight” for his passion in dressing in white and driving his huge white convertible. You could never miss a Ward Austin entrance. Also dubbed the “Confederate Cowboy” as he often dressed in full Confederate Colonels uniform, the American fetish began when as an impressionable teenager he returned to Sydney from a 2 year USA holiday with a rebel army soldiers hat proudly cocked on his head. He was totally enamoured of all things American and fell in love with the South of America in particular.

He would eventually build a “Georgian" style mansion in St. Ives and proudly fly the Rebel flag outdoors with a full size USA flag at the top of the stairs inside the mansion. This USA flag and pole remain part of this unique collection, along with Ward’s Rebel caps and jacket, 20 scrap books of his full history, photos, video and much more.

As well as being enthusiastic, outgoing, full of fun and lovable, he could also be difficult, wayward, unpredictable and on occasions out of control. But above all he was a natural as a broadcaster, a dedicated lover of life, music and cars.

Up until my ownership, the car had not been seen for around 12 years, when I took the car for first outing, it was a huge hit at the Elvis Festival in Parkes, NSW.

For a car 45 years old, I am surprised at the level of power items. You have power hood, power windows, steering and even the front seat adjustment is electric. I grew up listening to Pally. By coincidence I was at the Chequers Night club watching the Sammy Davis Jnr. Show on the night Ward had the altercation with obnoxious Dita Cobb, an incident that saw Ward consequently suspended from his radio job. The car has such a rich showbiz history and the items that came with it really put it in museum collection status. This unique car is artwork.

It has been in many papers and magazines. One old magazine article under the banner headline of “Very Famous Ford” it told the story told of the famous Ford proclaiming it was the car to the stars, stating that it carried everyone from Bassey and Sinatra to the Beatles. I don’t know if any of this is true, but it is for certain that the car was Ward’s pride and joy. He really loved the big Ford, so much so, there is also a copy of a great story and picture in the 1984 People Magazine telling how Ward threw a 20^th birthday party for the car! The Aussie Rock and Rollers of the day, Digger Revell, Dinah Lee, Johnny Devlin etc, attended the party.

I had seen Ward driving the car many times over the years. You just could not miss Ward and the giant car on the road! Pally always drove it with the top down - he was no wallflower! The car has the word “Pally” on the boot above the right taillight.

The car was used in the movie “Shout”, the story of Johny O’Keefe. It also featured in several T.V commercials and press advertisements.  (West Coast Cooler and Mac Tonight).

Although Ward owned the car for more than 20 years it was previously owned by Sammy Lee - a colourful Sydney identity that owned a string of nightclubs including The Latin Quarter and Le Girls. I remember Ward making reference to him often on radio. It is claimed that the car carried the stars for Sammy. I have been told of the existence of a photo with Sinatra in the car and I have heard this several times.  I have a picture of Sammy Lee with Manfred Mann.

The provenance with the car is mind boggling. Included is a stack of personal photo’s including Ward with many great rock stars … Ward with Kylie, Rod Stewart, Donny Osmond, even with Elvis Presley on the set of “Girl Trouble!" THE COLLECTION OF MEMORABILIA IS NEGOTIATED SEPERATE OF THE CAR.

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