Bill's 1964 Galaxie 500
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Bill's 1964 Galaxie 500
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I have always been a fan of the 1964 Ford Galaxie since I was a kid growing up in the 60’s (I was 10 years old when the 64 was new). My favorite NASCAR driver, Fred Lorenzen, drove a Galaxie and his 64 was the one I remember the most. I also grew up on a steady diet of Hot Rod magazines and can remember reading about the Lightweight Galaxies of 63/64 with their dual 4-bbl, 425 HP, 427 CI FE engines. They were tops in my book! As I grew up, went to college, got married, and went to work, I often thought about building a car, but never had the time or money. My older brother, Raymond, was a hot rodder and drag racer back in the late 50’s/early 60’s and I guess some of his love for cars rubbed off on me. My dad wasn’t into high performance, but he was definitely a Ford (or at least a Mercury) man, having owned a string of Comets, Pintos, and Fairmonts. Like I said, he wasn’t into performance. Finally, as I approached my 50’s, I decided it was time to build a car. But what kind of car? I should note that my wife, Deb, was less than thrilled with my taking up yet another expensive hobby. Finally it struck me. I would build a 1964 Ford Galaxie 500. But not just any Galaxie 500. It had to be a convertible and it had to have a 390 FE (289s were too small to move the massive body and 427s were too rare and becoming very expensive). So I started looking and finally found my car at a small used car dealer in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It was in decent shape. Some rust, but nothing that couldn’t be fixed. All the parts were there. But most important, it was a 390 convertible! I was hooked. So in February of 2002, after putting some new tires on her (the old ones were dry rotted), I began the long, slow trip home from Fredericksburg to Centreville, Virginia. I was surprised I made it home as the next day I discovered a major leak in the radiator! Oh, Boy. My first repair. In the time that I have owned her (she doesn’t really have a name, though I usually just call her “The Gal”) I have had the braking system completely rebuilt with new hard and soft lines; front and rear suspensions rebuilt; radiator recored; floor pan repaired; new seat upholstery, door panels, carpets and insulation; trunk pan replaced; power steering system replaced; installed a remanufactured 390 FE long block; replaced the convertible top; and had her repainted 2005 Ford Vermilion Red. I did much of the mechanical and restoration work myself, and farmed out the major repairs to a local mechanic who loves old cars as much as I do. As with any old car, they are never done. I am sure I will find things to keep me busy working on her for many more years to come.
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