[MBDiagMan]

Hello Folks! Just to try to prime the pump, I'll tell you about my Galaxie history.

When I graduated from high school in 1967 I bought a 1964 Galaxie 500XL, 390 P Code, 4 speed car. I had it when I went in the Army in 1968 and sold it when I went overseas in 1969. I've always missed that car, maybe because thoughts of it were pleasant thoughts of home.

I had another 64 Fastback for awhile in 1986 and 87, then I bought a ragged one a couple of years ago.

The one I have now came to me with an old enamel paint job, decent interior albeit an unrestored dash. I got it on the cheap with a 289, C4 and power steering.

The power steering was a serious problem and the engine wasn't much. The C4 worked but I'm a manual transmission guy. I found a parts car with a 289, manual steering and three on the tree. I changed my car over to the three speed, the manual steering and got a somewhat fresh 289 out of the parts car in the bargain along with many parts of various description. I did a poor boy overhaul on the 289 and it came out really nice.

I now have the car in really top mechanical condition. It drives down the road REALLY nice and I've been on several relatively long trips with no trouble. I now have almost everything I need to finish up the air conditioning so that my wife will be more easily persuaded to go along this summer.

After I get the a/c in and going, I will restore the dash and then take on the body restoration. Except for the left rear quarter, the car is very straight and rust free. I can fix the quarter and the other very minor flaws in the sheet metal, but the part that I dread is removing all the windshield trim, drip molding and such without damaging it.

What Galaxie are you smitten with and what are you doing to it?

 

[JimmyLee]

I purchased my first vintage car last October: a 1963 Galaxie 500 convertible with a 390 FE. It is white with a red interior.

At time of purchase, it was obvious that the prior owner had focused on the exterior. Paint was only three years old and all the brightwork (trim and bumpers) had been redone.

I had thought that the interior was original, but it turned out to be a 20 year old reupholstery job, which was looking tired. I set about restoring the interior, ordering all new original-style seat covers and door panels from D.C. I recently restored the instrument bezel, with new paint and the chromed plastic pieces. A restored steering wheel is on order. One of the last things to do is install a new dash pad, but it's backordered until Fall due to manufacturing problems.

Mechanically, I'm trying to get the carb working correctly. The leaky and problematic Holley is going to be swapped out with an Autolite 4100. Next year, I want to have the engine and bay professionally repainted.

Lastly, I've been having lot's of fun with the restoration, i.e., treasure hunting rare parts on Ebay and stretching the limits of myself, given my limited mechanical background. Regarding the latter, those of you answering my questions on this board have proved invaluable.

 

[kiwi64]

Hey MB,my 64 is getting a full resto job.It had no front screen so I had to remove all the stainless from around it before the new one goes in.It all comes off easily with no force required.
As for the driprail moulding however,I decided to leave mine on and work around it.Just cover it with tape to prevent any scratches.

 

[MBDiagMan]

Jimmy,

I'd love to have a convertible, but my poor boy budget just prevents that from happening. Getting a car with nice paint and trim really gives a great starting point. The old Ford carburtors were pretty top quality, but Holleys rebuild very well. For a stock engine, if you can find the right Ford carburetor, you will be better off.

Kiwi, thanks for the encouragement on the trim. I have some pretty serious work to do down in the drip rail on the front right. I hate to think of trying to do it with the molding in place, but after what you said, I will reexamine that area.

 

[bertha66]

Nice to see you over here Doc,
I started on my 64 Galaxie in 1973, bought off a lot in Tacoma Wa. for $275. My Girl friend, now wife of 36 years named her Bertha, after a song from teh 70's about Bertha Butt, one of the Butt sisters.
In 73, the engine smoked, the trans sliped, the rear end howled, and the interior was shot. O ya, the exhaust fell off on the way by to base.
First came the 428 engine, later rebuit 3 times, then after burning up about all the c-o-matic transmissions in Central Oregon, I put in a C6. Rear end was also rebuilt.
I trade a 67 Fairlane conv. for body and blue paint. Seats were done at the same time as the paint, that was in 1988. Wife add the Keystone wheels at that time also, they are still on her.

 

[MBDiagMan]

Funny that you said you've been married 36 years. Monday was our 36th. wedding anniversary. I had a 65 Galaxie 2 door hardtop, and she had a 59 Galaxie four door when we met.

 

[bertha66]

Congrads on being married for 36 years also, I got Bertha almost a year before I married my wife, very glad that I still have both.

 

[64PRO4DOOR]

The 64 Galaxie is my car of choice also. Aside from me being born in 64, my mother had a red/black 390 convertable until I was about 8 or 9. I remember many trips to the A&W drive inn with the top down. My Dad incidentally had a 64 Galaxie Station wagon. I wish I had both of them now.
Two years ago I purchased a 64 4 door for a pro street project. It was a florida car in really solid shape. For $500.00 I drove it back to Pa. I had oportunities for 2 door cars, but they were in restorable condition and I couldn't bring myself to cut one up.
We drove the 4 door for the first year enjoying many trips to the ice cream store with my own family. Now its time to cut and, at my son's insistance, get onto the information highway.

 

[80 maytag]

My all time favorite Gal is the '62. I have a '69 in the back yard. It was my little bro's car and now his brother has it. After Muff died, my bro was driving it home and a connecting rod let loose, we pulled the pan and found a cap hanging on by 2-3 threads. We think the po's old man(he was a Vette guy) did a lil maintenance to get rid of the car as it only has about 60,000 and no rust. Anyway, the '92 351 we put in there 10 years ago is tired and wheezing. Time for a 393, this baby needs some torque, and she's gonna get it, he's buying parts as we speak and we'll try to take pics. We'll see what happens. Rich

 

[MBDiagMan]

Yes, I liked the 62, it is probably my third favorite as far as looks goes. In 2 door hardtops, for looks, my favorite is the 65. I think the 65 is a better built car than the early ones as well. My next favorite is the 64, but only since that's what I had when I went in the Army in 68. My third favorite is the 62. A 62 500XL is a real gem IMHO.

 

[Mike390]

Hey guys. Thought I'd share the story behind our old Gal... In November 1965 my grandfather traded in his '63 Galaxie (black 2-door hardtop) for a brand new 1966 Galaxie 500 XL convertible. The car had a 390 2-barrel with a Cruise-O-Matic trans. He actually bought it for my grandmother because she likes the colour (Sahara Beige). It was her daily driver for 2 years and starting in 1968 it became a summer only car. They put 15 000 miles on it in 3 years and it now only has 38 900. The car was only driven on occasion over the next few decades. My parents got married in 1983 and this was their getaway car. The car was stored (kinda) in 2003 when my grandparents moved to a home. Then, sadly, grandma passed away in 2007. Grandpa followed in April 2009. As a result, the old Gal is now in what we call shared-custody between my dad and me. The paint got a redo last year in the original colour. The car is in stock condition with original parts except for regular maintenance stuff. The top is original and in excellent condition. Some of the original parts that were taken off the car have been kept over the years, even though they no longer work. Overall, she is a beauty. The car is great on its own, but with this history in the family she's awesome. We aren't planning any real mods on the car, safe for maybe a nicer exhaust, but we will be driving it like it should be driven: often and with the throttle open.

I figure she's about 2 weeks away from perfect running condition...still some minor stuff to work out (as long as you consider stalling and quitting minor).

Anyways, hope you guys enjoy the story! I'll be putting pics up soon.

Mike

 

[bertha66]

Welcome, what a great car with a great history.

 

[MBDiagMan]

Hey guys. Thought I'd share the story behind our old Gal... In November 1965 my grandfather traded in his '63 Galaxie (black 2-door hardtop) for a brand new 1966 Galaxie 500 XL convertible. The car had a 390 2-barrel with a Cruise-O-Matic trans. He actually bought it for my grandmother because she likes the colour (Sahara Beige). It was her daily driver for 2 years and starting in 1968 it became a summer only car. They put 15 000 miles on it in 3 years and it now only has 38 900. The car was only driven on occasion over the next few decades. My parents got married in 1983 and this was their getaway car. The car was stored (kinda) in 2003 when my grandparents moved to a home. Then, sadly, grandma passed away in 2007. Grandpa followed in April 2009. As a result, the old Gal is now in what we call shared-custody between my dad and me. The paint got a redo last year in the original colour. The car is in stock condition with original parts except for regular maintenance stuff. The top is original and in excellent condition. Some of the original parts that were taken off the car have been kept over the years, even though they no longer work. Overall, she is a beauty. The car is great on its own, but with this history in the family she's awesome. We aren't planning any real mods on the car, safe for maybe a nicer exhaust, but we will be driving it like it should be driven: often and with the throttle open.

I figure she's about 2 weeks away from perfect running condition...still some minor stuff to work out (as long as you consider stalling and quitting minor).

Anyways, hope you guys enjoy the story! I'll be putting pics up soon.

Mike

Thanks VERY much for this post! Don't EVER let it out of your family!

 

[Zephyrman]

My very first Galaxie experience was in the third Grade, when I found out my teacher and her husband had, get this, MATCHING 64 convertables! They were Dark blue with black power tops and interiors,and I thought they were the coolest cars ever. I've been looking for a decent restorable one for awhile, and it would complement my Zephyr after it was done, as I'd paint them to match. Loving these stories by the way, good stuff

 

[MBDiagMan]

Zephyrman,

I was at the driveshaft shop a few months ago and there was a guy in there who after asking me what the driveshaft was for and finding out it was a 64 Ford told me that he had inherited a 64 convertible. He said it was in a garage covered with junk and since it's a Ford he wasn't going to restore it.

This is in NE Texas. If you are interested in learning more I can try to contact him.

 

[adrpierce]

My father just gave me my first galaxie, also happens to be my first V8. I am only 19. Its a four door and needs alot of work, but i absolutely love it. I parked my truck and have been driving it to work.

 

[bertha66]

My father just gave me my first galaxie, also happens to be my first V8. I am only 19. Its a four door and needs alot of work, but i absolutely love it. I parked my truck and have been driving it to work.

Welcome, to the Galaxie forum, they are great cars and there is notting wrong with a 4dr, what year and engine do you have in it?

 

[adrpierce]

its a 65 with a 289, ford green, with green interior

 

[bertha66]

Cool, have alot of fun with, I was 18 years old when I got my 64 Galaxie, it's been a great amount of fun sense. That was in 1973 and I still drive her now.

 

[6Dsick]

My father just gave me my first galaxie, also happens to be my first V8. I am only 19. Its a four door and needs alot of work, but i absolutely love it. I parked my truck and have been driving it to work.

Similar story.... I was 14 when my dad bought my 66 at the gas pump in Tazewell GA. You know; "Nice car" - "Thanks, it's for sale" - "Really? How much?"....... And then he had a Galaxie, or what was left of one. Poor car was all kinds of Jimmy rigged, garden hose for PCV, milk jug radiator overflow and just other random crap. He drove it for a while and then it got pushed to the back burner (parked in the woods). I always told him to fix it up so I could drive it one day, no go. Instead he just gave it to me when I graduated HS in 05.

The Galaxie has been my excuse to buy tools ever since then. I have a lot of tools!:ihih: I'm constantly repairing and moding. I don't think I'll ever be happy.

Good luck. Don't worry about the two extra doors, you can't really tell from the front! JK. 2 or 4 door it's still a Galaxie. Get some pics up.