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Parked In 1975: 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 Convertible

Some classic cars are released from their hiding places, and you really have to wonder just what the story is behind them. That is the case with this 1964 Galaxie 500 Convertible, which was found lurking in a giant building in the Port of Oaklands, California. That it has remained hidden away since 1975 is intriguing enough. The fact that it was only one of several hundred vehicles in that building ramps things up enormously. Barn Finder Ikey H spotted this one for us, so thank you so much for that Ikey. The Galaxie is now in search of a new home and has been listed for sale here on Craigslist. The owner actually hasn’t set a sale price in the listing, so it would seem that this is a classic with a mystery or two yet to be revealed.

The Guardsman Blue Galaxie is essentially a very straight car. The body wears a few minor dings and dents, but all of these appear to be repairable. Rust is always a major consideration with these Galaxies, but this one has a number of factors working in its favor. The first of these is that it would seem that it has spent its entire life in or around its current Californian location. It also appears that the building in which it was stored had a fairly stable sort of an environment, because not only do the panels all appear to be solid, but the floors and frame wear little more than the occasional light dusting of surface corrosion. It isn’t clear what state the top is in, but apart from the tired paint, the next owner will have one or two other issues to attend to. The tinted windshield is badly cracked, and it will require replacement. All of the external trim and chrome is present, but there are a few pieces that have been damaged over the years. Some of these will be able to be restored, but there are some items, including one of the headlamp surrounds, that will require replacement. However, if the next owner simply wants to return the Convertible to a roadworthy state, the only matter that would require immediate attention would be replacing the windshield. The rest could easily wait until time and circumstances allowed.

The upholstery inside the Galaxie is finished in a combination of Medium Blue and Light Blue Diamond Lustre vinyl. It is a shame that there are some seam separations and a tear in the front seat because the upholstery generally seems to be in good condition. I would be very inclined to consult a good upholsterer on those issues because it might be possible to repair the cover, rather than replace it. If replacement covers are on the next owner’s radar, then a full set in the correct material and color can be sourced for around $610. The dash pad is badly cracked, and while there are companies who specialize in repairing such damage, reproduction pads can be found for around the $350 mark. We can’t see the state of the carpet, but beyond those couple of identified issues, it would seem that all that would be required would be to give everything a good clean and to locate a knob to replace the one that is missing from the radio.

Now we get to the part of proceedings that I find really frustrating. The owner supplies no engine photos, but the VIN confirms that the Galaxie rolled off the Los Angeles production line with a Z-Code 390ci V8 under the hood. This is backed by a 3-speed automatic transmission, but it isn’t clear whether the car features power assistance for either the steering or brakes. At 4,167lbs, the Galaxie 500 Convertible could never be mistaken for a light car. However, with that 390 pumping out 300hp, performance figures were surprisingly respectable. A ¼ mile ET of 16.2 seconds and a top speed of 122mph was not to be sneezed at, especially 56-years-ago. The owner provides no information on whether the Galaxie runs or drives, or what state the drivetrain is in. All that I can say for sure is that it does appear that it is rolling on new tires. It looks like any potential buyers will need to ask the owner a few questions, but you start to get the feeling that this old classic isn’t willing to give up its secrets easily.

This 1964 Galaxie 500 Convertible shows a lot of promise as a project car, and the fact that it appears to be largely complete and rust-free is a huge bonus. If it can be returned to a roadworthy state, it will also provide impressive levels of performance for a vehicle of this size and weight. Would you be interested in pursuing the whole idea of a project car with a mysterious past? It sounds quite intriguing.

Comments

  1. Avatar jimjim

    With the quarantine in full effect, I’ve lately been binge watching Roadkill. My six year old son has joined me and was even trying to get his six year old friend into it. This would make a good show. I’ll buy the car. Dave and Mike fly out to California, get it running and drive it back to Georgia where I live (and Mike lives). I’ll even buy the car if they are up for it and the price is reasonable. I don’t know alot about Fords, but I’ve always liked the design of their fullsize body styles of this era. Also, I wonder what else this guy has.

    Like 6
  2. Avatar dave Member

    Finding a ‘64 with the rear bumper not rotted through is a feat in itself.

    Like 10
  3. Avatar Tempo Matador Ray

    Hey Adam,
    To answer your price mystery, the seller has a $ sign followed by a number 11 on the Craigslist ad. Perhaps this represents 11 thousand. Anyhow, a very cool and solid mid century cruiser, that’s sure to reward the new owner with years of driving enjoyment…

    Like 3
  4. Avatar Paolo

    I live in the Bay Area and am curious to hear more about this “Oakland warehouse full of old cars”. Nothing in the local news as far as I know.

    Like 4
    • Avatar Steve R

      Why would the local news cover it? Substantial “collections” aren’t all that unusual. Often it’s just cars parked in some sort of building or outside with no preparation or upkeep. A true collection is maintained, like Jay Leno’s cars are. Most aren’t open to the public and for good reason since people who do nothing more than sit on the sidelines will be more than happy to tell the owner how they should manage their cars.

      I have a friend in the South Bay that maintains a high end muscle car collection, the owner likes unrestored low mileage cars, generally with the highest horsepower drivetrain available. My friend has never met the owner, he deals with the owner via email, when a car needs work he picks up the car on a flatbed brings it to his shop, does whatever work is necessary and returns it via flatbed. The owner drives them, but doesn’t go to shows because he doesn’t like them. He just enjoys them on his terms.

      Steve R

      Like 7
      • Avatar Paolo

        Why wouldn’t it be? Real estate is a fetish and an obsession around here. The comings and goings, ups and downs all inject life into the churn and manipulation to keep real estate prices high. Good back stories help.
        It’s nice that you have friends. I have friends too. They might even be me of the same people. According to this story there are several hundred old vehicles in this building. That is newsworthy particularly to car people and despite what you may think it isn’t easy to “hide” that many cars in a building especially in the Port of Oakland where much development is occurring now. There is lots of interest in port real estate. Dead storage of old cars isn’t necessarily the best use for it.
        Car people will talk and I have never heard of a building with hundreds of old cars stashed in Oakland. I have lived here 50 years and have always been looking for old cars in all kinds of places I know of some 10 and 20 car stashes but not some motherload of hundreds. There is a guy around here who has 40-50 1960 Buicks but not in Oakland. I know of and did some business with a guy who specializes in big Fords like this one 1961-1964. He had 40-50 of them but he was up in the Port of Richmond CA. Maybe it’s the same guy but the location is wrong.
        So yeah, I would like to know more about this “hundreds of cars” stash just because I’m nosy.

        Like 3
      • Avatar Steve R

        That still doesn’t mean any news organization cares enough to cover it, nor is there a suggestion the owner has any interest in publicizing their stash.

        Even many really good private collections aren’t well know outside a handful of close acquaintances.

        Steve R

        Like 3
  5. Avatar george

    i dont call on cars with no price. when i do ,its usually about 25 percent over high retail for the condition. just a waster of time and brain power. pass

    Like 7
  6. Avatar Johnmloghry

    These Galaxies are my favorite convertibles that Ford produced in the 60’s. I would love to park this car in my garage, but that won’t happen as I’m far to busy taking care of my invalid wife these days.
    These are very nice cars. I owned several back in the late 60’s early 70’s. Most were either 289 or 352 , but A 406 did find its way to my house at one time. The only 390 I had was in a truck. One XL model had a 352 with 4 speed transmission.
    Now those days are long gone and I only have reminisces and my 64 Buick Riviera to hang onto for what ever days are left of my life.
    My life has been good and full of adventures. Successes and failures a plenty. In the end I only wish to smile and think of the good times.
    God bless America

    Like 14
    • Avatar John Oliveri

      God bless you for taking care of your wife, there’s always something that we have to do, and you sound like you had a full life, let’s hope things change for the better, and maybe you’ll get a few more cars in, the Riviera sounds nice, but we always have another one on the list, we are car guys

      Like 2
  7. Avatar C5 Corvette

    Our Honeymoon car was a 66 Galaxie convertible. Red with a white top. 352 cu in. I bought it the day I returned home from Viet Nam. I sure would Love to find another one in very good condition to surprise my wife!

    Like 8
  8. Avatar Paolo

    Hey Steve,

    I don’t necessarily mean a “traditional” news organization although that could happen. There are many ways to disseminate news and information. Car folks like to talk and gossip. They do. Rich or poor and there is nothing like a storyor the rumor of some vast unknown, untouched Pharaoh’s tomb to get them excited. Even non-car people like these kind of stories.
    So far I have heard nothing whatsoever. If it’s a real thing I want to know about it because. Rumor, innuendo, suggestion, whopping lie, wildly inaccurate distortion, half-baked premise, ill-advised grumbling or what-have-you, let’s hear it. But not from Tom what’s-his-name who drives around in that old Woody poking his nose in everywhere and annoying people with his good-natured, respectful approach. That guy really grates my cheese.

    Like 2
  9. Avatar norm bissonnette

    That guy on that show needs a shredded rocker-panel flake pie with a stale motor oil glaze hurled at him…

    Like 2
  10. Avatar Bob Mck

    This will be one beautiful car when restored.

    Like 2
  11. Avatar TimM

    I have the 4 door version of this car!! Of coarse it’s a hard top but same color combination and my bumper does have rust!!!

    Like 3
  12. Avatar Ken

    Jeez, would it kill the guy to provide at least one engine photo and confirm whether it even runs? Sometimes I think these sellers don’t want to sell their cars.

    Like 1
  13. Avatar LARRY HARP

    Looks as if it may have hit a pedestrian, looking at the slight front damage on hood, headlight, antenna missing… Would be interesting to find out why it was put away.

    Like 0

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