Normally, a dusty 1961 Ford Galaxie wouldn’t be much cause for excitement, even if it looked like the perfect barn find. But seeing one that still wears its in-service livery as a taxi cab that looks like it was transported directly to the modern day from 1960s Manhattan is a treat and a half. This Galaxie was supposedly kept in storage for the last 50 years, and while I doubt the individual that socked it away had any hopes of a big pay day, there must have been some inclination to leave all the taxi cab decor intact, knowing that a later generation would love to own a period-correct precursor to Uber. Find the Galaxie here on eBay where it’s listed with no reserve and bidding is just over $1,600.
Some of my favorite trips down memory lane involve local Fourth of July parades where a guy with the authentic fire or police chief’s car would roll down the main thoroughfare at five miles per hour, or some other “official” vehicle with its period livery intact. The style at the time was so distinct – even a taxi cab practically looked like it had an artist’s touch when it came to the details that signified it as a livery vehicle. The script, the colors, the symbols for the railroad crossing – it’s a language and style that doesn’t exist any more, at least not on vehicles like this. It appears the seller has cleaned off some of the paint in this photo, and boy, does it look nice underneath.
Mileage is indicated as being 64,000, but who knows if that’s close to being accurate. The interior certainly looks decent enough that the mileage could be believed. The bench seat does show some wear and tear, and it’s generally dirty throughout – a good detailing would do wonders – but it’s still better than I may have expected for a city cab. The seller notes the door panels have a plastic covering on them, which begs the question as to whether the manufacturer did that for vehicles used for mass transit, or if the cab company did it at a later date to protect what was left of the door panels and keep it looking respectable inside. The inside of the door jambs appear solid.
No attempt has been made to start the engine or change the fluids in preparation for a start. The motor is free, however, and the title is clear. The engine bay shows a healthy coating of dust and likely some neglect, though cab companies were usually fairly committed to keeping their cars running at all costs. This may mean you’ll find some questionable repairs, but most mechanics with large fleets to maintain didn’t want to see vehicles coming back for repeat visits. Though the seller postulates a variety of scenarios for how to use this Galaxie, I would simply tidy it up and likely have one of the more authentic taxi can survivors on the planet. What about you?
Most taxis of that era were Customs,not Galaxies.
I wonder if this was one of those advertised in Popular Science
for $495?
Clean it up, get it mechanically sorted, and take it to a Cars and Coffee event
i was expecting to see a 312, not an FE
1957 was the last year a Ford got a 312, this would have been a 292. The FE in this car is probably a 352.
I say 352, I doubt a 390 in a taxi. I too, was expecting a six or a 292.
It is a 352 2bl.
Why do I like this so much? An old taxi? Am I losing it?
My guess is it didn’t start life as taxi, but was a used car that was put into service.If it spent 9 years in the taxi business it would be in way worse shape especially being a Pa. car. The accident must have sidelined it. Still a neat car. Anybody know what city this was used in?
Back when the 724 area code didn’t exist the 463 prefix in the 412 area code belonged to the Indiana, PA area. 461, 462, and 464 belonged to the Homestead area. Don’t know about the other PA area codes. Odd that there is no two way radio or antenna. Most city cabs used 6 cylinder engines but in Pittsburgh Yellow Cab used Checkers powered by 283 Chevy motors. Too many steep hills.
Googled Red & White taxi and there is a company with that name in Indiana, PA and the phone number is very close to the one on the car. The location in Google street view shows a 1940’s building in 2014, but satellite pics from 2020 show it is now a parking lot. I take it that they went out of business recently.
Also, I don’t see a meter. I guess it could be out of sight, or removed.
It wasn’t originally a taxi he bought it used in 67’ according to the title it only had 59k miles or that ball park on it
Likely used in a small town area, hence no Taximeter. No signs displaying a mileage charge, so the price would have been negotiated in advance. Probably had a 2-way radio with a “trunk lid opening crack” bracket [the antenna bracket was fastened to the fender, and went up thru the gap between the fender and trunk lid].
If it could talk I would love to know its true history. Now it would make a great museum or tv or movie era car.
not much rust for a PA car…..
Back then they used more cinders than salt and this looks like it spent its time in southern PA, so less snow and ice.
If it did come from the Indiana area, the nearby Homer City power plant would have been a source of cinders to spread on the roads. They did that in Allegheny County until the late 1960s
Looking at this car makes me think, “ oh the stories it could tell!”. The car comes with enough clues from the past it would be fun to try and discover the story. Even the somewhat unusual damage to the front makes me wonder what happened. Not even a broken headlight or scratch in the hood but the whole width pushed in? This is one of the reasons I enjoy BarnFinds!
meter was running when parked
Where is my hose…………..
My dad and I dug it out and bought it. Sold it to this guy that’s selling it on eBay . The car is in awesome shape I have more pictures
Loved all the knobs on the instrument cluster! Almost like an airplane.
Me and my dad bought and pulled this car out. It’s super solid. It wasn’t bought new as a taxi. The guy purchased it in 67 according to the title. The taxi service had a bunch of Mavericks too. It was a 352 2bbl
It is odd to see taxi and original mileage in the same description.
I love taxis, but only if they were factory Taxi package cars. So rare, though their desirability may be limited by my desire as I’ve never met another enthusiast.