Many times you see a performance-oriented mid 60’s large American coupe for sale, but for me it’s spoiled when I find an automatic. I realize that’s a horses for courses thing and I’m absolutely not denigrating automatics, I just prefer to row my own. This great looking, largely original 1964 Galaxie 500 XL with a factory big block V8 is the exception, and I think it’s well worth pursuing. You can find the ad here on craigslist, where the asking price is only $5,500! It’s located in Gooding, Idaho. A big thanks to reader Pat L. for sending in this cool find!
I really like the rear end on these cars, and the bumpers at both ends actually look pretty good for a driver. Sure, this one in the rear has a few more arcs in it than I’d like, but I could live with that for a good long time. The 500 XL was the top of the Galaxie line for 1964, and this coupe would have had a base price of $3,268 before options. By the way, as far as I can tell those spinner hubcaps are original for the 500 XL; I’m amazed they are still with the car.
You knew there had to be some bad news, otherwise this would be a “I bought it” story and I’d be trying to tow it back from Idaho. Yes, there’s some rust in what is claimed to be original paint (I have my suspicions about the hood, but in general I think they are correct). These three areas are the most visible ones, but you can bet there are a few more.
Many of the special features of the XL version were in the interior, with a center console and bucket seats among them. Apart from what appears to be a new or refurbished center console cover, a lot of this interior will need to be replaced eventually, with the headliner being in particularly bad shape.
The 390 cubic inch V8 in this car when new delivered 300 hp at 4,600 rpm and 427-lbs.ft. of torque at 2,800 rpm. There were two engines positioned above that, both 427’s, but this 390 would deliver the goods for me as far as I’m concerned. This engine has been “re-sealed” and detailed, and it shows. The four barrel carburetor is an aftermarket one, as is the aluminum radiator, but frankly, I’m fine with both. The brakes have also been recently rebuilt, and of course, we are told it runs and drives great. I’d like to be the one behind the wheel! What about you?
Shouldn’t that mill be a much darker blue? The Mickey Mouse chrome cleaner would have to go, but all in all, it looks pretty good under there. Odd that it has power steering & manual brakes, thing’s gotta be a real bear to stop. If I were a Ford guy, I might think about it.
From the factory the 390 was gold. The 352 was blue and the 289 was red.
Don’t you mean gold valve covers on a black engine?
You are correct Rocco.
Yeah, 4 state of the art drum brakes might not cut it for me. You could add power brake booster easy enough though.
If I wasn’t so far away I’d take a good look. My very first car was a ’63 two door / 352 and I loved that thing.
My first was a 63 1/2 R code convertible.Heritage Burgundy,black top,black interior. $3249.00.Borge Warner T 10 ,411 rear. No posi .I had the car for a year and a half,and some SOB stole it on Thanksgiving eve.God I still miss that car.I still remember the sound of that 427 when all 8 barrels were opened.
Something about these Fords that it seems almost every one of them has a jacked up back bumper. Their little sibling Fairlane, too. It’s like the people driving them were all somehow thrown off in their ability to judge distance, and we’re constantly backing into things.
It has the Eaton Power Steering Pump, but not belted in. Still has the reverb unit in the trunk! A ton of possibilities and a good buy depending on the frame condition.
I’ll pass on this one – my 58,000mi, ’64 Merc Marauder 2dr HT, Calif car needing paint, carpet and back seat upholstery with P/S P/B A/C and C6 auto, is a better driver and, if my wife get’s her way, a better buy. Although I like the 4 sp and buckets for this Ford
Next best thing to a 4 speed, dual quad, positraction, 409.
You mean 406 or 427 Ford. LOL
Drove the same color exterior and interior ’64 Galaxie XL as a garage gopher as a kid. The owner also had a Sunbeam Tiger as I think I’ve mentioned. Theres a lot to like here I wonder why it has’nt sold? Wish it were on the Left cCast Id go look at it!
Drove the same color exterior and interior ’64 Galaxie XL as a garage gopher as a kid. The owner also had a Sunbeam Tiger as I think I’ve mentioned. Theres a lot to like here I wonder why it hasn’t sold? Wish it were on the Left Coast I’d go look at it for sure.
Great color/interior combination, price seems fair.
Here in Argentina are very hard to find; I had a 4 door 390 and 4 speed, console and buckets (The Galaxie Club of America told me that was veeeeery rare) with power brake and air conditioning blue inside and out, the sons of the first owner bought it back from me and restore it to showrrom condition, unfortunatley I don´t have any pictures.
My high school car in the early ’70s was a ’64 Galaxie 500 XL 390 4-speed P-Code, came with factory short headers, the engine was blue with chrome Thunderbird valve covers, console, buckets, red exterior / red interior, wish I had it back