Even though most of my formative years were in the 80s and 90s, The Andy Griffith Show was a big part of my household growing up. And being a car fanatic from a young age, the various automobiles featured on the show (predominantly from FoMoCo) were always interesting to see. The subject of today’s post is a 1962 Ford Galaxie 500, draped in Mayberry police livery no less, and looks to be right out of an episode, specifically Season 3, as the seller states. This 1962 Ford Galaxie 500 Mayberry tribute is currently listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace in Hodgenville, Kentucky, for an asking price of $13,500. A big 10-4 and thanks to Zappenduster for the tip!
Ford introduced the Galaxie as a trim level for the Fairlane in 1959, then made it a standalone model the following year. Back then, manufacturers seemed keen on restyling or revamping a model’s design nearly every year (which would be shocking today, when a cycle redesign can push 7 years). In 1962, the Galaxie was offered with either an inline six-cylinder or several different V8 options. The seller states that their car has a “390 V8 (from a Thunderbird)”. This 390 was an original engine option, but I cannot be sure whether the seller’s phrasing implies a non-original motor was swapped in at some point.
Appearing as it just drove off the set, this Mayberry tribute car comes complete with all the fixings to present as a period-correct patrol car. It has the roof light/beacon, sirens, spotlight near the A-pillar, some sort of radio unit, and other accouterments inside. It also has the extra-long antenna folded forward that confused the heck out of me as a kid. Now maybe this is a personality flaw (of which I have many), but it does puzzle me when people post listing photos but fail to take the time to vacuum the carpets or square up the floor mats.
Overall though, it appears as a decent survivor, with a claimed 62,000 miles. The seller states that it “runs, drives, stops well,” with a previous owner even making a road trip to California and back on Route 66. Now, depending on the state in which you live, the rules could be more lenient or stringent with regard to driving a lookalike cop car, but surely someone wouldn’t consider it real due to the age. Still, I would advise checking your local ordinances before driving this down the road. If you do get pulled over, maybe you could convince the officer that you and your lone bullet in your front pocket were out looking for would-be bad guys before they could cause any problems. After all, with that kind of behavior on the loose, “you got to nip it, nip it in the bud!”
We’ve had a lot of new writers, not sure I covered them all, but a hearty welcome to Michael, in case I missed ya’. It’s powerful refreshing to hear a younger person speak of Andy Griffith. Not unlike hearing a young person singing a Beatle tune. AG , the “sheriff that didn’t carry a gun”, was probably the most popular series, lived on through the years, and still played today. It was the likeable characters, I wish I lived in Mayberry,,,My town USED to be a Mayberry, but the internet killed that.
Fun stuff here, and not sure about any legal issues, it’s pretty obvious what it is, despite several glaring differences from the actual AG car. I read, seasons 3 & 4 ( ’62 & ’63 Fords) were the most popular. Mayberrys car was a Town Sedan, probably a 292 V8( no call outs) and small hub caps, certainly no A/C, and a Motorola 2 way is what Andy had. The antenna is a 108″ whip, and should be on the drivers side. Reason there is, radio reception was still poor, and a 108″ whip was needed. There was a clip by the drivers window, and when not in use, one could bend the antenna forward, and if needed, release the clip. As an avid CB user, with all the antennas that came out, the 108″ whip is still considered the best, by golly. They just didn’t fit a semi very well. That fake(?) radar unit on the dash may raise some eyebrows, that was years away, something Andy and Barney knew nothing about. Unlike say a Crown Vic, this is instantly recognized as something from one of the most popular TV shows ever. I’d have to think most LEOs would let this slide. Great find.
Always watched (still do) The Andy Griffith Show, really nothing worth watching on TV these days. I was just in Mt. Airy N.C during “Mayberry Days”. The atmosphere is still very early 60’s. People smile and say hello when you pass on the street, open doors and say thank you.Got my hair cut in Floyd’s Barber shop, had my picture taken with Ernest T Bass, loved every minute of the experience. Seen 3 or 4 Sheriff’s squad cars, no 2 just a like. Beautiful mountain town. If you long for the “good old days”, you will be happy you experienced Mt. Airy.