Car of the Week. Part two: 1964 Ford Galaxie 500XL

[dodgechargerfan]

Bob Lalk knows the comment is coming — over and over again. It can be either in the form of a question, or just a puzzled observation.

“Ford made one of those?” He’s certainly heard the query more times than he can count. It’s quite often accompanied by some head scratching and the admission, “I’ve never seen one of those. I didn’t know they made them like that.”

Indeed, most car folks, even Ford fans, seem to have forgotten that Ford did indeed make full-size hardtops with four doors in the early 1960s. Such post-less cars are scarce on their own, but when you throw in a few other goodies like the XL package, big-block 390-cid V-8 and a four-speed with a console, well, you’ve got yourself a pretty rare bird.

Read more.

 

[Dr.Jass]

Well, the 4-speed and 390 were its saving grace... but it's still a green Ford four-door.

 

[restoman]

The full size '64 Fords are one of the few full size Blue Ovals that I like, the others being '66s and '68s.

This one is odd enough that I'd enjoy the Hell out of it. A little funny looking, the way the rear door sweeps up into the roof at the rear pillars, but I like it. Beautiful interior...

The '64 Two door Galaxie 500s are frigging awesome looking cars, in my opinion. Too bad they're powered by Ford engines.

 

[68R/T]

I was somewhat waiting to read about some family man that needed a car to tow his boat. Back when most people ordered their new cars, many odd combinations came from detroit. We've all heard the stories of big-block 4-speed wagons, etc.

This being a 4-door hardtop isn't by far it's rarest attribute, even a 4-door with a large engine isn't rare, but having a 4-speed and air conditioning. :hmmm: That's akin to having a 4-speed in a caddy, lincoln, imperial or a buford electra. This is definitely one of those times that you wonder about the original owner's story. :huh:

 

[69.5CUDA]

i imagine shifting into that AC is painfull.....

its a stunning survivor..with a crazy option list.....id almost bet money on it being a dealers car..even if it was for his wife

 

[Fishy]

i imagine shifting into that AC is painfull.....

C'mon man, we've put our knuckles through a LOT worse than that!

 

[J.C. Corbett]

They might want to fix that right rear tail light. I missed this one the first time around. I've owned 5 64 Galaxies, and they're really nice cars for taller guys, but have only seen one 4 door XL. This thing is uber cool with the 4 speed. I sold a very similarly optioned, though not as nice 2 door in 03 so I could get married.:doh:

 

[Dr.Jass]

They might want to fix that right rear tail light.

:huh: :hmmm:

 

[68R/T]

:huh: :hmmm:

Brake light no workie.

 

[Dr.Jass]

That's a reflection of the camera flash, evidenced by the fact that the outer reflector ring is a lot brighter than the actual area of the bulb and its internal reflector. If you look closely at the RH lamp, you can see a little reflection from the flash in the same area. It's obviously a flash photo--the shadow isn't near dark enough under the back end of the car, the plate has almost no shadow at all, lots of detail visible in the tail panel which should be in shadow, etc.