It would appear that this 1966 Ford Galaxie 500 Hardtop was parked in 1978, and while it is now in need of a full restoration, it does seem to be a solid and complete vehicle that is 100% original and unmolested. Buyers in 1966 were faced with plenty of choices when it came to what engine to slot under the hood of these classics, so let’s take a look and see if you would leave it as-is, or whether something more potent might be in order. The Galaxie is located in Mesa, Arizona, and has been listed for sale here on Craigslist. The asking price has been set at $3,900.

The Wimbledon White Ford has apparently spent a large percentage of its life in the drier climes of Arizona, which would explain why the exterior is now looking so baked. There are a few dings and dents that will need to be attended to, but these are generally relatively minor. Those harsh UV rays may have taken a toll on the paint, but as most of you know, it can pay dividends elsewhere. Examining the supplied photos closely, it would appear that the only rust of note is a few small spots in the lower rear quarter panel on the driver’s side. These spots should be able to be addressed with a patch, so complete panel replacement should not be required. There is surface corrosion visible in several places around the vehicle, but this is of the dry variety that should be easy to fix. All of the tinted glass is present, although the windshield does sport a large crack, and will need to be replaced. A few trim pieces and badges are missing, while some of the remaining items will require restoration or replacement.

Lifting the hood reveals where things become interesting with this Ford because what we find is the 352ci “FE” V8, which would originally have produced 250hp. The Galaxie also comes equipped with a 3-speed automatic transmission and power steering. The Galaxie’s engine doesn’t currently run, and it isn’t clear when it last did. The good news is that it does at least turn freely, so coaxing it back to life might not be a complicated process. At 3,873lbs, the Galaxie is a relatively heavy car. In its current guise, it would have been capable of covering the ¼ mile in 16.9 seconds. That figure is quite respectable but is by no means startling. A bit of extra power wouldn’t go astray, but if this is part of the project goal, it comes down to a choice as to whether to tweak the original engine or to substitute something more potent. It will be interesting to see what our readers think.

There is little in life that is free, and those same UV rays and dry climate that has effectively preserved the Galaxie’s sheet-metal have exacted a high toll inside the vehicle. It all looks pretty cooked and crisp, and a full retrim is going to be on the agenda. I must say that I am quite taken by the fluffy dash cover. That’s very, er…tasteful! The interior does appear to be complete, so at least the next owner will have a solid base from which to work. Interior trim kits are readily available, and those priced around the $2,000 mark should have almost everything that would be required to whip things into shape.

This 1966 Galaxie 500 has all the makings of a great project car. The big question, in this case, would be whether to attempt a faithful restoration, or whether a few upgrades could potentially be on the agenda. Regardless of which way the next owner chooses to proceed, they have the potential to own an eye-catching and distinctive classic eventually. I’m not sure which path I would follow on this one. I’ll be interested to hear what you think.