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DIY Special: 1966 Ford Galaxie Sedan

The previous owner of this 1966 Ford Galaxie started restoring the vehicle, but the process stalled. The car sat in a selection of sheds and barns for 19-years, but it has recently been removed from its hiding place. It now runs and drives but needs someone to finish returning it to a roadworthy state. If you are the sort of person who enjoys getting out in their workshop and tackling a spot of tinkering, then this could be a great winter project. Located in Sicklerville, New Jersey, you will find the Galaxie listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set a BIN of $6,900, but the option is available to make an offer.

Once it found its way out of the barn and was treated to a wash, the Galaxie looks decidedly better. The owner is quite candid about the fact that the vehicle has received an amateur repaint, but he describes the finish as being a good 10-footer. This raises one interesting point with this car because it does seem that it has received a color change at some point. The tag indicates a Color Code of 4, which means that it would originally have been finished in Silver Frost. I don’t mind the new color, and it works well with the replacement White vinyl top. This was fitted around 20-years-ago, and it remains in excellent condition. There is no evidence of rust in the panels, which are also straight and free from apparent dings and dents. The glass appears to be in good condition, as is most of the chrome. There are a couple of missing badges, and I’m not convinced that the bumpers will respond well to polish. These might need a trip to the platers, but that isn’t an expensive process.

The owner describes the underside of the Galaxie as being 90% rust-free, and it does generally look quite good. This photo shows one of the worst of the rust spots, and as you can see, it isn’t that big. Any rust that is present could be addressed with patches. I don’t believe that the buyer would need to go to the expense of replacing the floor or trunk pans. The frame looks to be sound, meaning that this is looking like a straightforward project.

Powering the Galaxie is a 289ci V8, while the vehicle also features a 3-speed automatic transmission and power steering. After sitting for a couple of decades, the Ford needed a bit of work to revive it. The fuel tank has been cleaned, a new sender unit has been installed, and some new lines have been fitted. The 289 now starts and runs well, but it needs a carburetor rebuild and a full tune-up to be at its best. The owner has painted and detailed the engine, and it now presents extremely well. The brakes function, but only as a yard driver. These will need a thorough check before the car could be considered to be roadworthy. Similarly, there is a leak from the power steering, which will need to be addressed sooner rather than later. To me, that sounds like the perfect job to tackle during the upcoming colder months.

The previous owner managed to get a lot of work done restoring the interior, but there are a few outstanding jobs for the buyer to tackle. The carpets, headliner, and seat covers are new. There is a new dash pad just waiting to be installed. The door trims look like they need a clean, and some of their chrome highlights look a bit tired. The buyer will also have to consider replacing the armrests and the pedal pads, and the seller does recommend replacing the weather strips. There aren’t many luxury appointments, but there is an AM radio fitted to the dash.

I look at this 1966 Ford Galaxie and what I see is a vehicle that would be perfect for an enthusiast who is looking at dipping their toe into the water of classic car ownership for the first time. It would also be an affordable alternative for someone who wants to place their mark on a car but is unable or unwilling to commit themselves to a full-blown restoration. There is no doubt that it could be returned to a pristine state. However, for someone who wants to enjoy the ownership experience without the stress of worrying about every chip and mark, this would seem to be a viable option that is well worth considering.

Comments

  1. Avatar angliagt Member

    Something about this car just doesn’t look right.I don’t know if
    it’s the color (never seen that color on a ’66 before),the red wheels,
    or the wheel covers.
    Other than all that,it seems like it’d make a decent driver.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Racingpro56

      Mu first thought..Its the side chrome trim that goes from front to back….but stops at back door leaving rear quarter looking empty.

      Like 0
      • Avatar Bob C.

        Yeah, that does look pretty odd.

        Like 0
      • Avatar Ted-M

        The wheels would look better black, that is the correct hubcaps!

        Like 0
    • Avatar JagManBill

      red wheels?…EVERYBODY knows you put red wheels on a hot rod…right…289…kinda hot rod?….maybe?….

      I had a 66 Galaxie 4 door from 75 to 82. That side chrome is correct. Had the same setup on mine. Galaxie had a little bit different chrome on the trunk lid. Interior is a bit more basic than the Galaxie but overall similar. Mine too had the 289 / auto combo and it did just fine up here in the mountains of Colorado. Glad its not in my back yard or it would be in my back yard…

      Like 2
  2. Avatar Maestro1

    Ford price leader car in its time. Yes, there’s something wrong with the chrome
    strip on the side and I don’t remember any Galaxie, Silver or otherwise, with red wheels. Absolutely entry level and if the drive train is solid a nice driver.

    Like 0
  3. Avatar Car Nut Tacoma

    Sweet looking car. I’ve always loved the 1965 and 66 Ford Galaxie. My favourites have always been 4 door sedans and wagons.

    Like 2
  4. Avatar Major Thom

    Rattle-can restoration, including the undercoating sprayed all over the underside (that was supposedly “90% rust-free”). Guess we’ll have to take his word on that one. At least the differential is “OK” though.

    Like 1
  5. Avatar Bob_in_TN Member

    I think Adam’s final paragraph sums up this car’s place very well. Good for a first-timer, not very expensive, appropriate for cruising (room for your friends or family), basic and uncomplicated, general good shape, no concern if it gets a rock chip. The hobby needs cars like this.

    Like 3
  6. Avatar SubGothius

    Looks almost exactly like the one my Grandpa had, except for the red wheels and vinyl top here. His was metallic medium-blue, so that was indeed a stock paint color, tho’ I can’t vouch for sure whether or not this exact shade matches his. Thanks for the ride down memory lane…

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Mike Pixley

    The red wheels are ford high performance.

    Like 1
  8. Avatar Phlathead Phil

    Not a bad car. Four doors make it “Blah.”

    Spice up the night with some new Cragers or Enkei’s.

    Everyone knows a different set of wheels is a game changer.

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Car Nut Tacoma

    My favourite years for the Ford Galaxie are the 1964-66.

    Like 0

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