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26k Original Miles: 1966 Ford Galaxie 500 Hardtop

This 1966 Ford Galaxie 500 is a fantastic survivor. The owner found it hiding in a Canadian barn and has returned it to a roadworthy state. They have also performed a couple of mechanical upgrades that should make it a more enjoyable and relaxing vehicle when it comes to hitting the road for a spot of classic motoring. Located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, you will find the Galaxie listed for sale here at Hemmings. The owner has set a sale price of $17,995 for this mighty Ford, and it appears that he is firm on that figure. Barn Finder Boot seems to have an excellent radar, and I have to say thank you so much for spotting this beauty for us.

The owner found the Galaxie in a barn in Schomburg, a mere hop, skip, and jump up the road from his home in Toronto. It isn’t clear how long it had been in hiding, but the owner has done his best to return it to something like its former self. He has avoided performing any significant cosmetic work, so the vehicle still wears its original Forest Green paint. This now carries its share of minor nicks and marks, but it still holds a resectable shine for a car of this age. There are a couple of small rust spots appearing around the rear wheel opening and possibly, in the lower front fender, but these are the type that could easily be addressed with patches. The chrome trim around the rear wheel opening is damaged, and this might need to be replaced. The rest of the exterior trim looks fine for a survivor, while there are no visible issues with the glass. The owner has attempted to keep the exterior looking as original as possible, so he has resisted the temptation of fitting aftermarket wheels. The Galaxie retains its stock steelies and hubcaps, although the whitewall tires do add a classy finishing touch.

Powering the Galaxie is a C-Code 289ci V8. This motor should be producing 200hp, which would find its way to the rear wheels via a 3-speed automatic transmission. This combination should be enough to launch the 3,637lb Ford through the ¼ mile in a neat 18 seconds. The owner undertook all of the tasks required to return the car to a roadworthy state, plus he made two sensible mechanical updates. The first of these was to fit a dual master cylinder and booster to the braking system. These additions are a smart move on safety grounds and should provide a more reassuring feel underfoot. The second update that he performed was to fit a power steering setup to the Galaxie. The steering on these cars is not inherently heavy, but this would be a welcome addition when maneuvering the Galaxie in tighter spaces. This Ford is claimed to have a genuine 26,000 miles showing on the clock, but the owner doesn’t indicate whether he holds evidence to verify this. He says that the little V8 starts easily, even when it has been left to sit for extended periods. The car is said to run and drive perfectly, and the owner also indicates that he has it regularly and properly serviced.

If potential buyers are looking for an interior loaded with optional equipment, they have come to the wrong place with this Galaxie. There are no power functions for the window, seat, or locks, no air conditioning, and no factory radio. However, the owner has mounted an aftermarket CD player under the dash, and that should break the monotony on longer journeys. Most of the interior trim is in good condition for its age, although the owner admits that the front seat wears some rips under the blanket that covers it at present. He has done some investigating, and he says that he has located a company in California with the correct fabric to restore the seat to its original appearance. The pad over the top of the instrument panel looks really strange, and I’m not sure whether this will merely need some adjustment. The buyer will have their fingers crossed that this is the case because a replacement will sting their wallet to the tune of $370. The rest of the trim and upholstery is in good order, and I can’t see why the buyer couldn’t continue to use and enjoy the car in the same vein as the owner has.

This 1966 Galaxie 500 is not perfect, but the owner isn’t claiming that it is. He has listed the car as an original survivor, and that appears to be a fair description. Taken on face value, it offers the promise of being a straightforward restoration project. The buyer might also choose to leave it untouched because it has no immediate needs. Some people will be tempted to perform some significant upgrades to the drivetrain, bringing more power, upgraded brakes, and bigger wheels and tires to the party. I can understand where they are coming from, and I will be interested to hear what our readers would do? So, over to you.

Comments

  1. Avatar photo Bluetec320 Member

    Book ’em Danno

    Like 10
  2. Avatar photo Moncton(was Winnipeg)carnut Member

    Looks identical to the car my primary school principal in Toronto drove when I was about 8 years old in 1974.

    Like 1
  3. Avatar photo Boatman Member

    A GM power steering pump? Wonder what he used for brackets!

    Like 4
    • Avatar photo Todd Zuercher

      Excellent upgrade – I noticed that too! There are a number of options out there since the Saginaw pump upgrade is so popular. Nearly all the early Bronco suppliers sell Saginaw pump brackets for the small block Fords.

      Like 3
    • Avatar photo Todd Zuercher

      The Saginaw pump brackets for a small block Ford are pretty common. Since it’s such a common (and smart) upgrade, most of the early Bronco suppliers, for example, sell kits that include the bracketry and pump to bolt to the 289, 302, and 351 engines.

      Like 3
  4. Avatar photo doone

    Imho USD11k, nice but nothing special about it

    Like 4
  5. Avatar photo greg

    Parents had one when growing up. 352ci engine with auto. You could fill the trunk with water and go swimming in it.

    Like 3
  6. Avatar photo TPK

    This beauty would look great with full wheel covers. I happen to have four from a 1967 the buyer can have.

    Like 2
    • Avatar photo Fred W

      As I recall, only a Custom would have had dog dishes. A Galaxie normally came with full wheel covers.

      Like 3
  7. Avatar photo Vance

    I think this guy just got back from The Beer Store and is aboot half way through his 24 of Labatt’s. I would tend to believe that it’s got 126000 klicks on it eh? Too baad that its got a 289 in it, need at least a 390 to move a 4000 pound car. I think this person’s toque is too tight because 18k is a bit much eh? Take off hoser, its a beauty way to go.

    Like 4
    • Avatar photo Eric B

      What, no jokes about maple syrup and hockey? Eh?

      Like 0
  8. Avatar photo PaulMacd

    Our family had a 66 Galaxie 500 with the 289. I thought it moved the car quite nicely. We had graduated from a 64 Galaxie 500 with a 223 six, so it seemed like a rocket at first. I personally hated Any car that had the 352. I found it a dog except when talking gas mileage, then the 352 was a pig. They were smart to drop it. The 390 was a great motor and choice for these cars, with the 7 litre being a bucket list dream, although our neighbour had one.

    Like 0
  9. Avatar photo piper62j

    I’m surprised there are rusted areas on this vehicle. I grew up with them and became a front line mechanic for ford during that time.. The rust would begin showing its’ ugly head up in New England around the 50k to 60k mileage when driven.. Our body shop could testify to that.. This car looks good and the odometer does not appear to have been tinkered with..Why it needs dash or interior work with such low mileage is questionable.. The asking price is all in what the market will bear…

    Like 1
  10. Avatar photo chrlsful

    like ’em altho reachin a lill long in WB. Some had the FE (bigger block) no?
    Nice straight square lines, love all models w/stacked hdlghts (Caliente` 1st in ’62?). The ‘muscle’n ‘poney’ got wave lines, wheel humps B4 they came back to straight lines in the ’80s.

    Like 0
    • Avatar photo DBarnes

      Every time I see one of these Square Light (my term!) Galaxies it brings back the memory of my next door neighbors ‘66 4 door 390. My family always had 6 cyl cars and I got my first dose of an 8 cyl with a ride in that car. Of course I was just a kid but wow! My neighbor Bill floored that car and what power! I felt like I was taking off in a rocket ship. It pressed me back in the seat hard. I was hooked from that point on!

      Like 0
  11. Avatar photo C5 Corvette

    My 2nd day back from Viet Nam I bought a 66 Galaxie Convertible, 390 cu in AT. It was red with a white top. I replaced the stock wheels with chrome reverse wheels and baby moons which really made a difference in the stance of the car. A year later my Honey and I toured Ontario, Canada on our Honeymoon with it. Wish I could find it or one like it again. Oh yes, I still have my Honey!

    Like 5
    • Avatar photo piper62j

      The first week I got home from Nam, I bought a 63 Galaxie convertible.. Took my honey out for a Valentines date and wrecked it on the way home after dropping her off. Wish I had that car now.. Recently bought a 68 Torino GT from original owner and it’s all original.. It sat in a barn for 12 yrs.. Love it and still love my honey after 52 yrs…

      Like 2
  12. Avatar photo Steve Douglas

    Did they make the modified bracket for the GM power steering unit for a 390 block? Anyone know?

    Like 1
  13. Avatar photo Vince

    Hi . This gentleman his name is Harry,had this car for sale twice in on a common marketplace platform called kijiji here in Canada. Same as Craigslist for you guys in the states. I contacted him on both occasions. When I asked about more details and pictures about the car, he said to ask his mechanic. The guy knew nothing about the car. He never got back to me. He’s currently selling a Jaguar. He’s just a car flipper. If you know anything about these cars they are prone to frame , wheel well and trunk rust. I don’t care what the car is if you know nothing about it or short term ownership it’s a hard pass for me

    Like 0
    • Avatar photo Vince

      This car is for sale again. It didn’t sell, and it’s still over priced. I went to look at another one with a 390 auto last summer for 25 k owner said he would not budge it now 18 k. The market here in Canada doesn’t dictate the same price. This green Galaxie is in fair condition $10 to 12k as per Hagerty . It’s not a 4 speed, nor a 390 , XL or 7 litre.

      Like 0

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