If you walked into a Ford dealership in 1962 and ordered a Galaxie 500, it came with a 6-cylinder engine that provided adequate performance. If “adequate” didn’t cut the mustard, you could choose to hand over the cash to slot something far more potent under the hood. That is what the original owner did with this Galaxie, and after years of faithful service and a recent mechanical restoration, it is set to head to a new home. The Galaxie is located in Flagler Beach, Florida, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding currently sits at $10,600, although the reserve hasn’t been met. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Larry D for spotting the Galaxie for us.
Sandshell Beige is a slightly unusual color, and it is the shade that graces this Ford’s panels. The owner admits that this is an older repaint in the car’s original color, and it has survived pretty well. There are no significant flaws or defects, and the owner could hold their head high wherever they took the Galaxie. The panels show no dings or dents, and all of the chrome shines nicely. The Ford is a rust-free survivor, and the impression that the owner gives is that all of the vehicle’s steel is original and untouched. The tinted windshield is new, the remaining glass is excellent, and the distinctive Galaxie hubcaps are blemish-free. One cool touch is the remote spotlight and side-view mirror. It is a quirky touch that you don’t see that often. This is a genuine Ford product that was dealer-installed. The same is true of the front and rear bumperettes.
The original owner might not have gone completely berserk when they ordered this Galaxie, but they sure made it clear that a six-cylinder engine was not their powerplant of choice. Instead, they ticked the boxes beside the Z-Code 390ci V8, the 3-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. With 300hp available under the right foot, sprightly would be an excellent word to describe this Galaxie. Point it at the ¼ mile, and the journey would be a memory in 15.9 seconds. Keep the foot buried, and it could eventually find its way to 122mph. Those numbers were nothing to be ashamed of in a 6-seat family sedan in 1962. The buyer won’t need to spend a cent on this drivetrain because it received a complete mechanical restoration in 2017. That 390 was rebuilt, with the heads, valve guides, and valves modified to cope with unleaded fuel. The transmission was rebuilt, as was the front end and the entire braking system from end to end. The list is comprehensive, and no stone was left unturned in the quest for mechanical perfection. The fruit of this labor, and a considerable cash outlay, is a classic car that runs and drives perfectly. It appears to have no mechanical vices and is ready to be driven and enjoyed by its new owner.
The good news just keeps coming when we open the doors and slip inside this Ford. The interior remains unmolested, and it presents beautifully. The only deviation from when the car rolled off the production line is the handle for the spotlight that you can see in this shot. The dash looks superb, with no significant flaws. There is no wear on the wheel, and the original dash pad is free from cracks. The car isn’t loaded with comfort features, but the original AM radio should relieve boredom on longer journeys.
Looking beyond the dash to the rest of the interior, things look just as positive. The vinyl on the seats and door trims is in excellent order, with no rips, splits, or noticeable wear. The carpet is immaculate, while the headliner appears to be in the same state. All of the smaller trim items and handles shine nicely, which means that this is an interior that would seem to need nothing.
This 1962 Galaxie 500 is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. It is a clean and unassuming looking car, and the “390” badges are the only indication that this is a car with some good performance credentials. We have many readers who are looking for project cars on which to weave their magic, but we have equally as many who are looking for a turn-key classic. That is what this Galaxie would seem to represent, and with the scope of the mechanical work that has recently been performed, the buyer should not need to spend a penny for many years to come. It hasn’t reached its reserve yet, but something tells me that it is only a matter of time before that situation changes. Will you be the person who pushes it beyond that point?
Should bring a pretty penny for such a NICE old Ford. Love the spotlight/outside mirror combo.Thunderbird valve covers! Rebuilding this to handle the current fuel gives the new owner a great opportunity to drive it more regularly than most cars we see of this era. The chrome behind the rear wheels even looks good.
Taking care of this classic would be easy while being fun to cruise on down the road (Route 66 this summer, anyone?).
Another plus-when you show up in this you can proudly declare you are the guardian of the Galaxie…😉
390 was silver that year and said T-Bird across the Ford line. The 406 was gold and said T-Bird also.
352 was blue and 292 was red. Both had Ford on valve covers. 232 Six was red and had no lettering on valve cover.
Never cared for the styling of the ’62, but that shouldn’t detract what a great find this is. If you’re an old fart like me, this could very well be the last car you’d have to buy. 390, Cruise-o-matic, none better, rebuilt to unleaded specs sweetens the deal. If you’re going to drive a classic car today, if you dare ( that Chevelle keeps coming to mind) This the way to go. Even room for granny grams, who takes up 2 seats by herself, just like in ’62.
Believe this car came from Utah
Is that discoloration on the driver’s side door?
No, that’s a super imposed ‘red flag’ for sharpe eyed guys like you! I saw it first thing as well, the T bird V-Covers. Who knows what else is off??? Best to check this “Betsy” out in the flesh.
Can’t say I’ve seen a `62 this clean and original in quite some time. Alot of Ford fans don’t like this color, or the “rose beige” used in `63 but I do. Neutral without being a boring tan. And this car is ready to enjoy–all the expensive work has been done! Well equipped with a 390 that I’m sure cruises nicely. It shouldn’t last long with the right buyer. Very original and correct; the way I like them.
Oh yeah, this is the real deal. I love the 62s and always have. Nothing against the 292 or the 352, but the 390 is a huge selling point IMO.
The 390 was the overall best of the FE motors. Decent fuel mileage for their size yet they made good power. The 352 was a slug, the 427 was miserable for anything except the race track, and the 428 was a real gas hog.
What about the 406 Terry?
Hi Donnie, now that’s a forgotten engine. I believe the 427 begat from the 406.
Sweet old Ford, and in great condition. Glad it hasn’t been butchered. My Granddad had a ’62 Galaxy 500 like this in the 4-door version, and he only added one thing- used to call it a “neckin’ knob” that had a picture of a girl in a bikini in the center of it. Fond memories of that car!
Love the stories. Gramps had his own name for the “steering wheel spinner”. It went by many names, but I think Gramps meant the “Necker Knob”,( which happened to be great for neckin’) also called, “suicide, brodie, granny, and knuckle buster” knob. I read, illegal in some states today.
I remember when ‘necker knobs’ were banned by the state of California as being ‘unsafe’.
Tidy, turn-key beauty is the word for this 62 Galaxie. An updated 390 and trans is a big bonus. These 390s are alot of fun to drive.
A built in factory spotlight? A big 390 engine? Repainted ? Limited other options so just maybe it was a police cruiser in its earlier life?
That might have been a possibility if the Ford had four doors.
There were many 2 door police cras. Look at Highway PAtrol and their Buick’s New York used some 2 door 65 Chevy’s with 396 3 speed mannual.
I was referring to city police cars driven by city police, where they have to transport arrestees, and prisoners. I wasn’t referring to highway patrol vehicles. Our state has used many two door cars, as highway patrol vehicles. Mustang’s, Dodge Charger’s, etc.
It’s too bad they didn’t add AC to the Galaxie in 2017, when they did the mechanical restoration. If it stays in Florida, AC is essential.
“6-cylinder engine that provided adequate performance”…. no. I had a 1961 with a 3 speed manual. What a dog. Slowest car I’d ever bought. Had to push that little engine to move that car it sucked gas as well. Marketing only to call that a “Mileage Maker Six”.
Nice car. And, it’s “cut the muster”. No condiments need be harmed.
My first car was a 62 Ford Galaxy 390 4speed red paint, red white and black interior! These big cars have a place in my heart! Bench seat ! Mine would pass anything but a gas station! My lead foot got almost 5 mph of course gas was 23.9 cents per gallon.
Some not knowledgeable about Fords said Thunderbird valve covers were a red flag. Wrong Because the 390 was introduced in 1961 for the Thunderbird as
standard and optional on all full size Fords, All the 390s had Thunderbird on
the covers. 61 and 62 were silver covers All other 8s were different color. Blue
for 352 and red for 292. Not sure about color of new small block 221 that came
out in 62 available only on the downsized Fairlane and similar Mercury Meteor.
This engine became the 260 then 289 and then 302.
Love this car – glad it still has the original am radio – don’t care for ‘modern audio’ in any car of this generation. Many people laugh when I ask: ‘Does the clock work?’ If so, I’m guessing someone really paid attention to detail.