In the 1960s, the Galaxie 500 was to Ford as the Impala was to Chevrolet. The Galaxie was Ford’s biggest-selling full-size car throughout the decade and competed head-to-head with the Impala every day. The cars were redesigned in 1965 and gained stacked headlights in the process. Changes were minimal in 1966 which is when the seller’s “fastback sedan” (aka 4-door hardtop) was built. The seller bought it from the original owner as a project but is not going to get around to fixing it up, so now it’s your turn!
Ford had a good year in 1966, building more than 2.2 million automobiles. But 600,000 of them were the hot new Mustang, followed up by 597,000 Galaxie 500. Family cars were a big part of that business and nearly 55,000 buyers scooped up pillarless sedans like the seller’s car. As best we can tell, it’s been sitting for 15 years (the last time it started) and Mother Nature has had her way with it, especially with the interior (perhaps a window was left partially down).
We don’t see mountains of rust on this car, which is a positive sign. We’re told a 352 cubic inch V8 resides under the hood, but the one photo doesn’t help much. So, the condition of the engine and automatic transmission would be the first things to question after years of neglect. We’re told the car has never been in an accident, so the sheet metal could be solid.
The seller seems to have several projects awaiting his or her attention, so it’s time for this Ford to move on. And it’s one of the cheaper vintage cars we’ve seen lately, priced at $1,150 here on craigslist. It’s in a wooded area in Redwood City, California, and looks like it could be loaded onto your trailer without too much hassle.
My uncle had a new1966 Galaxie 500 as did my childhood friend’s dad. Very substantial cars. Bought were silver blue. My father had a 1965 Galaxie 500 too many years later.
Close but I’m holding out for a two-door.
Having grown up with a father that bought only Fords for the first twenty years of my life and being born in the fifties, then purchasing a Ford (57 Fairlane) as my first car with money from my paper route at the age of twelve to cut my teeth on for what has been a lifetime of wrenching on autos for fun and profit, and having a younger brother who’s first car was a1966 2 dr Galaxie 500 fastback, I can say, that the car in these photos, is a coup not a fastback, I pretty sure there were no 4 dr fastbacks ever produced. For what it’s what it’s worth. Also, I’m not sure even at $1,150. price tag it would be worth the investment of funds and time, unless it was to rekindle former memories of good times spent in a car of this kind, otherwise it maybe a break-even investment at best.
My first car I ever bought was a 1967 Galaxie 500 2 door with a 289cu. It was in 1973 , I was 17 with $500.00 and bought it from a fellow classmate (beat to crap). My buddies and I pushed that car many a block in gaslines down in York, Pa. to get my 5 gallons if the station didn’t run out of gas before we got serviced. That car I have so many memories from crusin with my buds or watching a drivein movie with girl I hope to get lucky with.It’s so hard to believe that was a half of a century ago.
Even tough it’s not highly sought after it’s complete, cheap and within a 90 minute drive of 6 million people. It’s surprising someone hasn’t bought it, even if it’s for a parts car for another project.
Steve R
Nice opportunity for an old car. Too bad it will never be worth putting money into.
$500 driver project.
Great starter car for a budding enthusiast. Readily available parts, and nearly bulletproof running gear. Cheap!
Clean it, get it running, and cruise!
I think a 4-door hardtop can make for an affordable and yet surprisingly stylish entre into the classic car hobby, though clearly some work better than others.
I’m especially fond of the Pontiac 4-door “Vista” hardtop of 1959-60, and their cousins from the other GM divisions. Those flat roofs and wraparound glass look great, and was exclusive to the 4-door hardtop body style.
I think they DID have an actual “fast back” (not torino) model.no?
Remember how the era had So Many offerings w/in 1 model (when wage matched product cost)? Sedan, vert, coupe, FB, notch, wagon, el cam or Ranch? 5 motors, 3 transmis?
There’s sompin I like lots w/a stacked hdlght model (calente, galexy, chero esp). Not the lill square ones that came later (altho I DO like on the 80s cheb p/u).
chrisful, if I deciphered the post, yes, the ’66 Galaxie could be had with a fastback. While this is a nice car,,for 30 years ago, it’s junk now.( not to me) Oh sure, just about everyone has a memory of someone that had a car like this, but I think this has zero appeal today and reminds many of something their old man picked up for $50, and they had to be seen in it. All these plebian workhorses from our time have no appeal like this. Again, if it had the plastic on the seats, a much more valuable item that people might want. Sadly, I just don’t see a future for any of this type of vehicle.
never been in an accident but the right rear corner is wrinkled under the lower corner of the taillight….hmmm…
I just bought a “real” barn fine a couple of months ago. Been sitting in the barn for 32 years. Took me about a week of piston soaking then carb cleaning and new plugs/points/condenser and wires. Fired right up! Its a 65 two door 500 and bought for $1,450. It was parked because it had “thumped” something and it messed up the hood hinges such that the hood would not close. With the car on a rural farm in eastern Colorado, parts weren’t readily available so they parked it.
I bought a 1965 LTD when I was in service in the 70s. One of the worst cars ever owned. Long after the movie Christine came out I could call her Curticine. Never got any 2nd dates in that car and rarely any 1st ones. Ran perfectly fine with just me or my buddies in it but would act up or not start with any girls in it. True story. Same applied when I tried to sell it. True story.
My parents bought a 1966 silver blue painted Ford Galaxie. It was a beautiful car! After a few years, the surface paint eroded to a terrible rusty patina! Afterwards, when shifting it into Reverse, it would lurch forward into Drive! One of the worst cars there ever bought. My dad bought a Ford Maverick Grabber, and it did the same thing! They always bought a Ford, due to the factory in town. I finally convinced them to buy a new Volkswagen Golf in 1985; which they truly loved.
Ted that was a very common problem with many 50-60s Fords with the Cruise o matic transmissions. Especially jumping into reverse from park with any torque applied on the motor.