About two weeks ago, I penned this piece on a 1963 Galaxie 500 XL and mentioned that both the ’63 and ’66 were my favorite Dearborn full-sizers. Well, today I have a 1966 Galaxie 500 convertible for your review and this Massapequa, New York resident has a bit of a sinister bad-boy vibe about itself. The sharp, crisp lines of this big convertible will inconspicuously cut quite a swath and you’ll find it here on eBay where it’s available for a current bid of $5,100 with the reserve not yet met.
The lines of this Galaxie 500 were keeping with the times owing to its boxy, straight, creased dimensions. It’s a look that I’ve always admired and the black respray accentuates this Ford’s 210″ length. Lots of others liked it too as Ford produced just shy of 600K Galaxies in ’66 with about 36K comprising the 500/XL/7-Liter trio of convertibles. Besides the stand-out bodywork, this Galaxie is topped off with a new black fabric folding top. Adding to the noir presentation are the black-painted steelies topped off with doggie bowl hubcaps.
The black vinyl bench seat upholstery is in fine shape though I doubt it’s original owing to the addition of the red piping highlights. Beyond that, it looks to be stock with no alterations or additions – even the original Philco radio is still in place. It may be the lighting but the dash and the steering column look as if they are finished in blue which seems odd.
Decoding the VIN tells us that this Galaxie 500 left Ford’s Los Angeles assembly plant with a 275 gross HP, 390 CI V8 engine. The underhood images reveal an Edelbrock aluminum intake manifold topped by a Holley Carburetor which is wearing an open-element air cleaner. Chrome valve covers finish off the visual. The engine is claimed to have been rebuilt but there’s no description of running and driving manners. A three-speed automatic transmission completes the powertrain arrangement.
Well, looks can be deceiving. While this big Ford appears like it’s ready to rumble, its performance is likely pretty fair, thanks to the FE engine, but it’s probably not a standout performer – after all, this is a big heavy car at 4,100 lbs. Still, looks matter and this Galaxie 500 has it going on – and, maybe best of all, the top goes up and down. I like this Ford, how about you?
Nice car but too much black. Needs some polished aluminum wheels. Got a friend with a ’64 convertible, white with blue interior, and it’s a real looker. Ford really had their car designs going in those days.
I was thinking the same thing bobhess. This is a really sharp car that, to me, loses some of its appeal with the black wheel/ dog dish presentation. Maybe even a red pinstripe to complement the upholstery.
Chalk me up as another admirer of the 1966 Ford. I bought a new ’66 Galaxie 500XL two-door hardtop in dark green with a tan bucket seat interior. With that concave rear window, yeah, she was a real looker. And a real mover, too, with a 390 and a four speed! Ah, yes…
Once owned 72 LTD convert in yellow with black top and interior. Windsor engine! Could tear up the asphalt in style and comfort. Stored in winter. Only car I have ever owned that with drivers seat back as far as possible, could not reach the pedals and still leg room in back. Circumstances caused me to sell 😒. Friends said LTD stood for LA Ti Da! 😃
I’m thinking the same thing about the chrome wheels and maybe red line tires to compliment the seat! Definitely too much black the way it sits!
I agree with the “too much black”, but I think some whitewalls, full OEM wheel covers, and and maybe a white top would do the trick.
Of all the full size Fords, I think this year was my favorite… some beautiful simple lines.
Redlines with red striping.
Love black luxury cars, but converts are best in bright colors. Plus keeping a black car clean is a real pain.
Gold anodised wheels, and gold pin stripping.
That’s what she needs.
In 66 my dad ordered a Galaxy and was given a 66 two door with a 390 to drive u til his came in, it was triple black, it was the most beautiful car if even seen, I caught the reflection in the store windows down town and saw myself in that beautiful car.
I asked my Dad why we couldn’t just keep that car, he told me about Black cars in Florida being worth considerably less on the used market and he didn’t want to lose that much money but I still have that memory and fondly remember that moment to this day some 57 years ago.
3 coats of black is a lot. does need chrome full wheel covers.
This is a badass car, id leave it as is
Though it’s a nice enough car, though I’m a little disappointed in the black spray-can appearance, and the lack of the REAL big block for ’66, the 428 (or 7-liter if you prefer). I had a white ’66 back in the day, a 4-door with a 390 and two-barrel. One of the many cars I wish I had now.
After high school I inherited my grandmothers 1970 500, 4 door with 351W. Gas hog and in 1977 gas was 35% of one’s weekly paycheck. Wish I still had it. Everyone wishes they could go back to 1977 and clean out the junkyards
John, my guess is that Terry was referring to the “7 Litre” badge that was just aft of the front wheel openings on ’65 and ’66 Galaxies so equipped.
No badge was 240, 289, blue badge was a 352 red badge was 390 and the 428 had the 7 litre badge.
When I was 16 back in 1986 I bought the identical triple black car from the local junkyard as a project. The forklift picked it up to load it on the flatbed and it snapped in half. He immediately lowered it back to the ground and gave me my $200 back. I ended up buying the Porsche 914 that was sitting next to it for the same price.
New York…..old Ford……WHERE’S THE FRAME!!!!. I think an in-person inspection would be wise on this unit. Lots of black here but just not the cool sinister lots of black.
I had a 65 w/289, my brother a 66 w/390. Frames both broke in Michigan. As 4 this one, I’d dress like WWE’s Undertaker & get behind the wheel. Sinister. I love it! As 4 you guys named Bob: u r Banned Off Barnfinds. 😂 😂 😂. Enjoyed the write up Jim!
I have to disagree with the Bobs also. I rarely (if ever) give any black car a second glance, especially one that’s nothing but black, but this one manages to pull it off.
You sort of mentioned it. I dislike reading about the cars we grew up with referring to the engine in liters. Nothing relates and gets the blood going as seeing big block ci numbers how it always was before getting away from the classic muscle cars and starting those liters references.
Just recently had a 66 500 XL. All red. Buckets and a center console with a floor shift automatic. 390 4 barrel. Sadly I missed the hole in the frame right above the right rear tire. Looked out one day and thought someone had hit it in the right rear quarter but instead the frame had given way and the rear bumper dropped and caused a kink in the quarter. Couldn’t afford the fix and lost half of my investment in the sale. Sure learned a hard lesson with that one. Can’t trust everyone.
Description mentioned that it was a California car. I agree tho, check it first, people often lie.
IMHO Ford Black was their best color in the 60s. Every black Ford I owned back then looked great,63 Falcon, 65 Galaxie, 68 Mustang, all sharp looking rides. Definitely check the frame!
did any of the black cars come with blue interior as this car originally did? I don’t remember seeing any..they usually had black, white or red interiors.
Terry, even though the 1966 Ford Illustrated Facts and Features Manual shows the blue interior was available with the black exterior color, it was not a recommended combination.
And for the record, this car was originally painted Arcadian Blue (code F) from the factory.
I wholeheartedly agree. That’s why you.don’t see many of these at your
local car show. And if you do, it’s a
rare sight indeed. As you all have said, it’s a nice car, but it needs some
brightening up. Aussie Dave is on the
right track with the gold rims and pinstriping. But I think wire rims wrapped in Vogue tires would be a much better choice for this old bruiser. The 390 V-8 is right for the car, but with a mild cam and headers
it should give this car a bit of a rumble when you romp on the go pedal. Other than that, this car suits
me just fine.
Ty Kenneth, I meant to say gold mags, but gold wire wheels?
He’ll yes!!!!
BTW, I own a black on black Fairlane, she one of one, the only NU V8 black on black Fairlane ever made. Hence why she remains as the factory made her.
Flashy gold wheels? To each his own, but if it were mine I’d leave those dog dish hubcaps and steelies alone. My dad still has the original dog dishes and steelies on his Camaro—just like the day he took delivery of it in 1967.
The dog dishes are great, then you add trim rings like I have on a few of mine and it really makes them come to life.
Love the black on black theme…
My personal preference on these is bright red – I started with an all black car. And I hate black wheels of any kind, but I’m a dinosaur!
This car has a definite MIB feel to it! The only things that I would change are raised white letter tires (BFG TA’s) and by god, clean up the engine bay presentation. Detail the engine compartment, tidy up the myriad of wires and hoses, it all looks hastily done.
Respectfully disagree about the white letter tires. As a Galaxie, white stripe tires and OEM-style wheel covers will do it for me. And I’ll add a 4-barrel to that 390 after I make sure the frame is kosher.
There doesn’t appear to be a working PCV system. Could be a real problem.
I’m surprised no one mentioned the obvious and said to paint the doors white and get a red white and blue light bar to mount in the windshield
Put a spotlight on it and wham, convertible cop car.
I agree: too much black, especially the wheels.
In 1966 my father-in-law bought a new Galaxie 500 convertible from Jack White Ford in Milwaukee WI. ($3560).I doubt if any other one was ever equipped like this: 352 4 bbl Thunderbird V8 (250 hp) with dual exhaust, 3 on the tree w/OD. It was Nightmist blue with a powder blue top and had dual antennas on the rear quarters and chrome fenderskirts. The interior had two tone blue vinyl bench seat.
When he replaced it with a ’72 LTD convertible, my wife got the Galaxie. We replaced the OEM wheel covers with mag style covers and ditched the skirts. Even w/o AC, power brakes or steering, it was great fun to drive. It had more guts and better MPG than the ’72 LTD with the 2bbl 400 (?) . With a growing family we bought an ’87 Taurus wagon and sold the Galaxie (over 170k miles) for $1500. The last few years it had a quarter sized hole in the frame ahead of the lr wheel. I had no idea this model was known for frame problems!
In the early 70’s bought a 66 Ford Galaxy XL with the 7 Litre engine. Dark burgundy with black convertible top. Got it from local car dealer in MD. He said can’t sell it,nobody wants it. Got the car for 1000 dollars. What great memories. A real sleeper hot rod.
See my post re my former 72 LTD convert.
Had a blue 66 convert. Nice car, can’t recall what replaced it. I DO RECALL a local garage cut away part of the inner fender on the driver’s side to repair a loose header bolt !!!! I was infuriated. Messed my happiness with the car which is why it went. Not crazy about the Mafia Staff Car look of this one.
Triple black with a black gut and no air conditioning , I bet it’s an oven on wheels on a hot day.
I like this car. Then again I always liked this style of Galaxy and I am a fan of convertibles. I knew a lady who had one of these with an inline 6. Can you imagine that. The triple black doesn’t bother me, neither does the black steel wheels and dog dish caps. I’m sure someone is going to up the bid on this one. Most certainly it is worth way more than $5,100.00 USD.
I also agree with the comment on not using Liter Equivalents for engine sizes. Back then only the foreign manufacturers and to some extent Pontiac was using Liter badges with the exception of the 7 Liter Galaxy 500 XL. Far to often the authors don’t get it right anyway, and Pontiac misidentified the 389 as a 6.5 Liter on the 389 powered GTO for a number of years. Detroit for the most part used cubic inches on their cars back then and even on those that had some European badges they still listed cubic inches.
It needs some Torq-Thrust rims. A classic look on a classic car.