Need Some help/advise

I am in the process of restoring/retromoding a 1699 Galaxie 500 XL Fastback that has some special meaning to my family. It was the first new car my father ever purchased and has remained in the family since that day. It sat outside for a long time and has the wear to show for it, but it has "good bones". I am a car guy but this is first attempt at resore/retromoding a vehicle. At this point I have a local mechanic who specializes in Fords and an old school body guy who is fantastic. So far I have purchased a stroker engine from CME, I'm having the C6 tranny rebuilt and torque converter made to handle the new power. I have installed 4 wheel disc brakes, Hotchkis full front and back suspension. My body guy is doing an off the frame restoration and this is where I need your help. I need a Right (Passenger's) Fender. Any and all input would be appreciated. THx

Hello 2thmax,

First, hello, now to try to answer your question. Since no one reproduces really any body panels worth a darn for the 1966 galaxie 500, your best bet will be trying places like CTC Auto Ranch in Texas (used them in the past) and Desert Valley Auto Parts in Arizona. These are common places people usually turn to. However being common places and with a now uncommon car (most of them crushed) if they don't have a decent wing/fender, then your next best recourse is Fleece-Bay, err E-Bay and Craigslist.

Sometimes you are relegated to buying an entire parts car for even just a few parts. My suggestion is try to inspect the wing/fender first if feasible, since chances are they will be quite pricey, shipping aside, chances of finding an unmolested 50+ year old body part for a 3rd generation galaxie will be quite slim.

I'm not trying to discourage you, but ironically I'm working on the same wing/fender you are looking for on our 1966 LTD. I have one from a parts car and it looked really good, but remove the paint and there's loads of filler plastered on it. I even bought a used pair from E-Bay a while back and whilst rust free they are not dent free. As you can see there's a high probability that even a used one will require copious amounts of work. Just be ready for that.

Good luck,

p.s. Do you have any pictures of it you would like to share?

DesertXL,
Thanks for the reply. Yes, parts for this old girl have been hard to come by. I have many pics but will start with some before pics.

Here is one with my father standing by the car...

I'm actually laughing at myself. My brain self corrected the 1699 to 1966 automatically. Yuppers it could have well meant to be a 1969.

But yes it looks to be, from the pictures, in relatively good shape. As Action posted, what is wrong with the passenger side front wing that it needs replacing?

That fender does not look bad in the pictures. If it has rust in some areas, then fabbing patches yourself are probably going to be the best bet if you can't find a good donor car. I think the fenders may be common across all body styles, but I cannot confirm that, which may permit you to more easily find a donor. Finding a whole car may be less costly than buying a fender from a big wrecking yard / recycler.

Yes, the car (a 1966) is in Shelbyville, TN.
see prior pics.

MM

Well, about 2 inches of filler and a patched piece of sheet metal. Once he got into it, my body guy says its beyond repair.
I will post some pics taken so far during the body restoration.

Hello 2thmax,

Thank you for sharing the pictures. Do you have pictures of the damaged area of the wing/fender?

Looking good.Cant wait to see the finished product.

No, but I have seen it. Its pretty bad. The funny thing is the car has never left the family, but on one will claim the damage. I will try and remember to get a pic the next time I'm there.