When one thinks of a Ford Galaxie, the ever-present two-door hardtop model comes to mind. The two-door hardtop was a go-to body style in the ’60s, not only for Ford but for Chevrolet’s Impala and Plymouth’s Fury as well. Spotting a Galaxie two-door sedan, or what Ford referred to as a “Club Sedan”, is hardly an everyday event anymore so when this 1960 example surfaced, a closer look was deemed. Located in Seneca Falls, New York, this Club Sedan is available, here on craigslist for $7,000.
Domestic auto styling somewhat ran amuck in the late ’50s, probably most notable with Ford’s crosstown nemesis, Chevrolet. The ’59 Impala is not a design one easily forgets, it seems infinitely memorable. The ’60 Impala softened the worst impulses of the ’59 somewhat, in an attempt at moderation. Ford played a more restrained game during this era but still managed to produce modern, timely designs that would probably be considered more middle of the road. Case in point is this ’60 Galaxie, boxy it is, but flamboyant it’s not. Even the ’60 “Starliner”, Ford’s top-level, two-door hardtop, had an airy and nicely balanced look about it.
This 85K mile example, with its white over baby-blue finish and adorned with chrome-reverse wheels and wide whitewall tires just screams 1960. And it’s really only the wheels that deviate from the original stock form. The seller states that the finish is from the ’70s and is not without its nicks and knocks but it still shows well. The extensive stainless trim looks to be all accounted for too. And those are the damaged or missing parts that can be such a challenge to replace. Regarding overall integrity, the seller adds, “Car has great bones, nice frame, rockers, floors and trunk, all original, no patches. Car is complete !” The numerous exterior images don’t indicate obvious rust/rot or damaged body panels.
The interior is a twin-tone matching vinyl affair and it has managed the test of time well. No noted rips or tears or sagging door cards. There are a lot of, typical for the early ’60s, exposed steel surfaces but they appear to be rust and scratch-free. It’s difficult to get a real good look at the carpet but what shows, looks fine. The interior does not present as new but it hardly looks like 60 years of age and wear either. The seller does recommend considering a new headliner, however. Of note, big Fords from these years positioned the ignition switch to the left of the steering column, a bit different from the more customarily found, right side location. The seller references this Ford as a rare A/C car but it is an under-dash unit that would seem to have been added later. Ford did offer “Selectaire” in 1960 full-size models, and as an under dash unit too, but it appeared different than what is seen here.
Heading under the hood, what do we find but a 185 gross HP, 292 CI “Y” block, V8 engine, that was referenced as a “Thunderbird” engine in the 1960 Ford sales brochure. Regarding this Galaxie’s operations, the seller claims, “Runs & Drives Great! New battery, brakes, rebuilt carb, tank flush…” Absent the radiator cap, there looks to be a lot of originality in place. The transmission employed is a two-speed automatic unit.
This Galaxie is a great example of early ’60s domestic motoring, it possesses an unpretentious bearing that was designed to go about everyday driving chores with as little drama as possible. It wasn’t that many years ago when a two-door sedan like this Galaxie would go unnoticed or just referenced as, “Yeah, another old Ford”. Well, another old Ford is rapidly becoming another seldomly seen Ford so this is a nice, mostly original survivor. Buyers tend to migrate to XLs and SSs and Sport Furys but it’s always a treat to find a plainer, simpler example of those most coveted models, don’t you think?
Jim, are you suggesting that the 1959 Impala is not the absolute most awesome automobile design ever conceived? If that be the case, I would have to agree, and tell you that it’s the ’59 El Camino that holds that title.
I agree with you about the ’59 El Camino Rex, but the most awesome automobile ever conceived? Well that will take some time to work out!
Price seems VERY reasonable! :-)
A wheel/tire swap (to something sporty, but period-correct) would be advisable!
(The right set of wheels/tires could really make this car look SO MUCH BETTER!)
1960 was a down year in sales for Ford. This was a last minute design change reaction to the 1959 Chevrolets that broke with the 59 Fords and was not carried over for the more Ford-like 61s. The crash redesign used a Ford styling concept called the “Quick Silver” and adapted it to the existing 1959 framework and produced a new and very wide car. At 181.5 inches it was wider that the 180 inch limit allowed for passenger vehicles in many states. Wider than 180 inches meant that it would be considered a commercial vehicle and would require appropriate side marker and running lights and perhaps other things to legally use the roads. I don’t know how Ford did it but they were able to get those states to go along with it for a year.
I hope this isn’t out of line for me to post this link to an article that Curbside Classics about 1960 Fords several years ago. If I am I apologize but it is a good article.
D’oh! Here’s the link:
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-american/curbside-classic-1960-ford-starliner-haste-makes-waste/
Paolo, I think you meant 81.5 inches. Nice article on the 1960 Fords. Always enjoy your comments.
Crikey! I did indeed. Thanks.
I never really looked at this as being boxy. The 59s? THEY were boxy. The 292 may not be super quick, but there is so much you can do to upgrade it, and get that nice lull at idle.
The `60 Galaxie club coupe is probably the least-seen bodystyle these days. Starliners & cvts. seem to be everywhere if you look. But the box-top looks good on this, and has just the right amount of trim. Nice car; I wonder if he has the factory wheelcovers?
I’ve been keeping an eye on this car for some time now and it’s very close to me, I just cant pull the trigger to grab it yet. I thought it would be sold by now super car for somebody.
Very nice! But here in Florida, 2-door cars
can cost up to 3 times what it costs to
insure a 4-door model. Got triple whammied in ’87 when I bought a 2-door
coupe from a guy in Elouise. 1. It was a
Mustang II. 2. It was red. 3. It was a 2-door. The monthly bill was $350-$500 a
month for PIP coverage. That was the
last coupe I ever bought. From then on,
it was 4-doors all the way! The state
defined a sports car as anything with
2 doors so no matter what the car is, if
it’s a 2-door, you’re gonna pay triple for
your coverage. Gorgeous car. Too bad
it costs so much to keep it.
Kenneth, Hagerty insurance is cheap in Florida as long as it is a collector car and not used for daily driving.
My childhood included our neighbor buying a 1960 Ford…at the time I was not impressed by the look but 60 years on I think the styling has held up quite well and actually impresses me finally…I’m not necessarily a Ford guy but this year has become one of my favorites.
I prefer the Canadian Meteor Montcalm version of this car.
My Great Uncle and his wife Jessie bought a 1960 Ford Ranch wagon ,white / blue interior , dont know the drive train. Jessie complained that that big windshield caused reflections in her glasses , she put a piece of black material on the dash , held on with scotch tape , claimed it was the only way she could stand to ride in that Ford . They had kept their old car 1949/50 Plymouth Cranbrook which they used more than the new 1960 Ford .The 1960 Ford was traded in 1965 for a Mercury 4 door with the vent rear window , Aunt Jessie loved that car ! Sadly that was their last car .
@Guggie 13. I have been putting a piece of black cloth, held in place with Blu-Tack, on the top of my dashboard for many years in order to stop the reflection of the dash in my windscreen. I once had a Lotus Esprit Turbo that had a black dash with a WHITE insert right above the instrument cluster, on a sunny day I couldn’t see a thing unless I put my hand on the white surface that made things a little better. Whoever designed the interior should have been shot with a ball of his own you know what.
Kenneth, Hagerty insurance is cheap in Florida as long as it is a collector car and not used for daily driving.
Car has had a repaint so it’s not a survivor. Props to the seller for not calling it one in the ad.
Dusty:
I agree that it’s not original but don’t confuse original with a survivor. The fact that this is a less than top dog model like a Starliner or a Sunliner has survived 60 years without being beat upon, neglected, and then junked makes it a survivor. And the survivorship is further enhanced by the fact that the wheels are the only thing that has been changed from stock form.
JO
Nice classic ride at a good price!!!!
Thanks Bob, I stand corrected. But it was
Victory Insurance that nailed my butt to the wall over that Mustang. Bought nothin’ but 4-doors after that. I could
insure one for $100 a month for basic
coverage back then. I do all right with full
coverage on two cars today, but boy, did they sock it to you in the ’80s!
Yes Ken, Hagerty insures both my 63 Riviera and 67 Newport for less that $400 per year. That’s for BOTH cars, and I live in Tampa.
I used Grundy for over 40 years. Insured 20 cars and they didn’t even ask why i was leaving when I went to Hagerty. Hagerty’s rates are about the same. But if it were not for collector car insurance I could never own so many. Thank you Hagerty! Maybe they should pay me… LOL