FEATURE - 1964 Ford Galaxie 500
Words: Mike Ryan
Photos: Road Rage Industries
With almost 600,000 units built in 1964 and a dominant force in NASCAR competition in the same year, Ford’s Galaxie should be a household name. And perhaps it would have been, but for another Ford that debuted that year and put every other car in the shade – the Mustang.
While it (and every other Ford in 1964) was overshadowed by the Mustang, the Galaxie was far from a failure during its time in Ford’s lineup. In fact, it was Ford’s top-selling model line in 1964, and the only Ford to see individual model variants sell in excess of 100,000 units. That honour went to the 2-door Galaxie 500 Club Victoria, like the car featured, with 206,998 sales, and the Galaxie 500 sedan, with 198,805 sales for the year.
While Chevrolet’s Impala outsold the Galaxie for most of the 1960s, America’s love affair with the big Ford was arguably at its peak during this period. It would remain in the lineup until 1974, after which time it was replaced by the LTD, which was first offered for 1965, and ironically, was based on the Galaxie.
From Showcar to Showroom
The Galaxie was born from a show car, named ‘La Galaxie’, that Ford introduced in 1958. Purely a styling study, the La Galaxie followed the wacky ‘Nucleon’ and ‘Volante’ concepts, which envisaged nuclear power (!) and flight (!!), respectively. Part of a series of concepts, all built to 3/8 scale, the La Galaxie and these other small-scale concepts were less about previewing future styling or engineering developments and more about demonstrating how Ford was conducting research into the future at all levels.
Where the La Galaxie did accurately predict the future was in its description of radar-based navigation and a proximity warning system for when vehicles and other objects came close to the car.
The production Galaxie gained nothing from the concept except its name and arrived partway through the 1959 model year, as a premium extension of the Fairlane 500, to combat similar upmarket offerings from Chevrolet and Plymouth.
Top of the Range
Launched in February, 1959, the Galaxie was available as a pillared two-door and four-door sedan, ‘Victoria’ hardtop sedan and coupe, ‘Sunliner’ convertible and ‘Skyliner’ retractable hardtop convertible.
Compared to the Fairlane 500, the Galaxie’s differences included a Thunderbird-style roof with broad C-pillar, modified front bumper and tri-tone interior trim in a mix of cloth and vinyl. More brightwork was added inside the cabin, too, but these elements aside, the Galaxie was virtually identical to a Fairlane 500.
This included the frame, which was wider and stronger than in 1958 and pushed the wheelbase from 116 to 118 inches. Suspension was adjusted to deliver the softer ride befitting such a premium car, while the engines were detuned to improve fuel economy in what was a very heavy car, too.
Those engines started with a 223ci six, above which V8s in 292ci, 332ci and 352ci were optional, although the Skyliner hardtop convertible came with the 292 as standard. A three-speed manual was the standard Galaxie transmission, with the two-speed Fordomatic and recently-introduced three-speed Cruise-O-Matic autos optional.
Despite coming to market almost six months after the other full-size Fords, the Galaxie was a hit, with debut year sales in excess of 460,000, far exceeding that of the Fairlane 500 for 1959.
As with the other full-sized Fords, the Galaxie gained a new-look body for 1960 and it was arguably less attractive, but maybe that's because us Aussies are used to the look of the 1959 ‘Tank Fairlanes’ that stayed in the local market until 1962.
Perhaps the American market felt the same way, as Galaxie sales fell by 38 per cent in 1960, although other factors were at play, including the arrival of the Falcon and other American “compacts”.
A Reboot for ‘61
Galaxie styling changed again for 1961, with the look much more conservative and very reminiscent of Cadillac. Reflecting industry-wide styling trends, the tailfans were pared back, with side trim simplified and headlights incorporated into the grille. A Thunderbird-style roofline continued to set the Galaxie apart from the Fairlane, and while the existing engine offerings were detuned again, a new 390ci V8 was introduced, available with as much as 401hp (299kW). Late in 1961, a four-speed manual was available to make the most of this engine.
When Ford reimagined the Fairlane on a smaller platform for 1962, some of the existing body styles and trim variants transferred across to the Galaxie (now Ford’s only full-sized model), expanding the range from six to nine and leading to a ‘100’ designation for the entry-level variants and ‘500’ for those above.
Styling changed a little for ‘62, with a different treatment for the back end and some tweaks to the trim and badging. There was more going on under the bonnet, with the higher output versions of the 390 replaced with a 406ci V8 that was available in 385hp (287kW) and 405hp (302kW) form, and could only be paired with the tough Borg Warner four-speed manual that had been introduced the year before.
No Replacement for Displacement
More power and ever-increasing engine displacement was the product of Lee Iacocca’s influence at Ford. After ascending to the role of General Manager in 1960, Iacocca was now starting to implement his vision for Ford that included embracing the youth market, releasing sporty cars and promoting performance, even in full-sized models like the Galaxie.
While not a performance model, the Galaxie 500/XL showed the direction Iacocca was going. Arriving midway through the 1962 model year, the ‘XL’ was defined by front bucket seats, a centre console with floor shifter and special trim. Fitted with the 292 V8 and three-speed auto as standard, all the other V8s and the four-speed manual were optional on the Galaxie 500/XL.
New styling arrived for the 1963 model year Galaxie, with a boxier look and new treatments for the head and tail lights, while side garnish actually increased compared the previous two years. Of more interest was the introduction of a ‘slantback’ roof for the hardtop two-door sedan. Released in January, 1963 and catalogued separately to the existing two-door hardtop, public response to this was immediate. Against 79,446 two-door hardtops across the 500 and 500/XL, Ford sold 134,370 Galaxies with the sporty new roofline, leading to it (or variations of it) being adopted range-wide for 1964.
Engine options for 1963 included 260ci and 289ci V8s that would become more familiar in the Mustang, as well as a mighty 427ci V8, rated at up to 425hp (317kW) and the basis for Ford entries in NASCAR and NHRA drag racing. Ford teams had been running the Galaxie in NASCAR since 1958, but became more successful after introducing the 427 and the slantback roof, as it was more aerodynamically efficient. Of 55 events that year, Fords won 23, including the prestigious Daytona 500.
Further body changes came for 1964 with the aim of keeping the Galaxie at the front of the pack on NASCAR’s big ovals.
High Style for ‘64
The Galaxie featured is from the 1964 model year, which was the fourth and last variation of styling that had been introduced for 1961. Compared to the 1963 Galaxie, the ’64 featured a more complex grille treatment, with headlights pushed to the outer edge and forming anchors for the stainless steel side trim that ran almost the entire body length.
After sitting above the bumper in ’63, tail lights were lowered again, with an accommodating scallop in the bumper that was almost a carbon copy of the 1962 styling.
As already mentioned, all “upright” rooflines were dropped, which along with renaming the entry-level Galaxies as ‘Custom 500’ saw the range trimmed from twelve options to eight, which explains why sales slipped from 648,010 in 1963 to 593,533, of which 505,397 were Galaxie 500 models; a figure that would not be bettered for the remainder of production. Of that number, the Galaxie 500 hardtop coupe, like the feature car, remained a favourite, with 206,998 built, but the four-door sedan wasn’t far behind it, with 198,803 units sold for 1964.
In terms of engine and trans options, virtually everything carried over from 1963; a 352 V8 returned, but the old two-speed Fordomatic was dropped.
The body tweaks made to continue NASCAR success worked, leading to 30 wins for Galaxie drivers in the 1964 season, while in NHRA drag racing, a lightweight Galaxie was offered as an option to a similarly-equipped Fairlane. Both were powered by the 427 V8 and incorporated numerous lightweighting measures from the factory, including fibreglass bonnets and body panels, deleted sound deadening and bare bones interiors.
On these cars, the use of a ‘hi-rise’ intake manifold meant the 427’s carbs and air cleaner sat proud of the bonnet line, so the fibreglass bonnet incorporated a distinctive bulge, known as the ‘teardrop’, with venting to draw more air in and extract heat.
Red Star
The feature car has a replica teardrop bonnet, made from fiberglass, but incorporating a steel frame for strength. It’s purely cosmetic in this case, as the 460 V8 fitted doesn’t require the additional clearance. It looks good nonetheless and will certainly appeal to those that know of the Galaxie’s drag racing history.
Ford fans will know that a 460 Big Block wasn’t available until the mid-1970s, so its application to this mild custom Galaxie 500 is more about offering more power and improved reliability compared to the engine it originally came with.
Rebuilt, with less than 500km covered since, the 460 is matched to a three-speed Cruise-O-Matic and nine-inch diff. Output hasn’t been measured, but with the motorsport heads, roller rockers, electronic ignition and other modern features, it’d be comfortably in excess of 350hp (260kW).
To rein in that extra grunt, braking has been upgraded to four-wheel discs all round, but in most other respects, the car is stock mechanically, with standard coil spring front and leaf spring rear suspension.
Inside, the front and rear bench seats have been retrimmed in the factory style, but upgraded to leather and with a two-tone black and red finish that complements the exterior. Most of the rest of the interior is factory spec, and while some elements are showing their age, everything’s there and it all works. An electric bonnet release button has been incorporated into the glovebox, with an upgraded sound system added, too, while some neat pinstriping on the dash adds to this car’s cool factor.
Other highlights include a retrimmed boot, power steering, an upgraded radiator and extremely good chrome and glass.
Imported from California approximately three years ago, the car is largely as purchased, except for the rebuilt engine, and has proven to be a reliable cruiser in the hands of its Aussie owner.
Currently available through Road Rage Industries in Clontarf, Queensland, this Galaxie is ready to cruise and would be a trophy contender at car shows, too. As the Galaxie has some racetrack history in Australia, primarily in Appendix J/Group N with Denis O’Brien, the next owner could also convert it into a track car if they were really keen.
As mentioned at the top of this article, the styling and achievements of the ’64 Galaxie got lost in the Mustang tsunami, so it’s good to bring some attention to the model again.
Add this one to your garage and it’ll bring some attention to you, too!
FOR SALE
Currently available through Road Rage Industries in Queensland, this 1964 Galaxie 500 has had a mild customisation as part of its refurbishment in the US. While not a comprehensive, bare-metal rebuild, the work done means this car presents well, especially the exterior, with its sparkling red paint, aftermarket wheels and that sporty slantback roof.
The upgraded – and recently rebuilt - engine is said to be reliable, while the auto trans makes for cruising comfort.
Inside, leather seat trim adds a luxury touch, while the sound system has been upgraded to circa early 2000s spec.
As listed with Road Rage Industries, this Galaxie needs nothing and is ready for the next owner to enjoy.
Asking price is $58,500.
For more details, contact Road Rage Industries on (07) 3283 4666, or go to: justcars.com.au and find this ad with the code JCMD5256114.
