Ready To Rumble? 1966 Ford Galaxie 500
I’ve been on a full-size Ford kick of late and the posts, such as this ’68 and this ’70 have generated some reader attention, so let’s keep it up. This time I’m offering up a ’66 Ford Galaxie 500 two-door hardtop that’s wearing a pretty aggressive, if subdued look – I like its vibe. It’s located in Azusa, California and is available here on craigslist for $19,500.
I could just throw out a statement and claim that everyone got their styling right in ’66 – it was a halcyon year for the designer’s studio. Ford’s ’66 models weren’t that much changed from the big ’65 metamorphosis but they did have a cleaned-up look with a fabulously revised fastback roofline for two-door hardtops. The lineup continued with the top rung LTD, the Galaxie 500 following suit in standard, 7-liter and XL trim levels (though the XL used just the “XL” moniker), a Custom 500, and finally the lowly Custom bringing up the rear. A big year indeed as Ford won the production sweepstakes with 2.2 M copies rolling off of various assembly lines and besting number two Chevrolet by less than 6K units.
This Galaxie 500 is sporting a 300-gross HP, 390 CI FE V8 engine that’s wearing a new Edlebrock carburetor. Said to be “ready for the road” a C-6 automatic transmission gets the grunt to the ground. Nothing else is mentioned regarding operating prowess but it’s likely that this Galaxie moves out in style without being a quarter-mile killer.
The dechromed exterior, recently refinished in Wimbledon White, harkens back to those days of factory-built hotrods – the blackwall tires and lack of wheel covers/hubcaps only reinforces the image. The body is straight and spotless, it looks great! It’s referred to as a “clean California car” – I would agree with that sentiment.
Inside is a newly reupholstered bench seat environment enhanced by a custom steering wheel and auxiliary engine gauges. Tying it all together is a new carpet. This Galaxie is fairly devoid of options, power steering is mentioned and I spy a power brake booster so there are two, but that’s about it. There’s a dash cover on top of the pad so that may be indicative of a split pad, or maybe just an attempt to keep it from splitting.
So, a bark worse than its bite? Probably, this car has a real street race attitude but its performance, while likely stout, may be less than outward appearances would telegraph (barring unknown mods of course). Regardless, this big Ford has killer looks and is as clean as they come – certainly a fine example from what is possibly Detroit’s best days, wouldn’t you agree?
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Comments
…as you open the door and get in, the power seat helps you find the most comfortable position. You then turn the key to run, and lower all four power windows. Press on the accelerator just once. Then twist to start…the 390 comes to life with a roar from the duals. Select drive, and go pretend your Ned Jarrett!
I had the LTD 66 with the 390. The big coil springs made it feel like you were floating on air. As we said back then as 18 year olds “that thing ‘ll fly!” It was a navy blue with enough insulation under the dash to keep it quite as a library. Thank goodness gas was only 40 to 50 cents a gallon!
My 66 LTD had the 390. But I swear it had a Holley carb on it. It was green with a black vinyl roof. And as you said, “it would fly”!!!
I had a ’65 big blk that drank gas like it was free.
You are or you’re Ned Jarrett
I would place the XL, as the top rung model. This Galaxie appears to have an XL/LTD grille. Love the swoopy C-pillar on the 66’s. First time I’ve seen an armrest in the rear seat in a Galaxie.
Id put a center caps on the steel wheels and cruise it.
I was thinking Cragars and about about inch Rake.
I noticed the faux wood trim on the dash, the a/c vents and the power windows and power seat. This was either an LTD or an XL, with the bench set LTD is most likely. I have always been a fan of 66 Full size Fords. This one gives you a blank slate to install chrome items to your liking and nice wheels too.
Very nice but I prefer the 1964 model year.
Very nice but I prefer the 1964 model year.With a 427
I wonder if the police would pull you over if you ran yellow high beams – back in the day. These days, anything goes.
I like cars with multiple redundant tailites & 2 bulbs for the license plate. If a bulb burnt out, you should still have been ok & not have been pulled over.
These days it seems there are multiple colors of different lights in the front end of cars . So who knows what is legal or not . Back in my day it was only factory lights in the front end unless fog lights. Red & Blue were not happening
Ah bro where’s your sense of adventure?
never wanted to own these behemoths (the 390/C6 seemed like truck set-up, wrked on too many of them I guess) but sure do like the lines (make a great vert too). Love the straight lines after the ’50s bulge-mobiles & B4 the ‘humps over the tires’ came w/the muscle.
Love the grill, the stacked headlights go it a lill better in my mind (the small merc copin the comet was 1st?). See the fairlane based on 3rd gen ‘chero used as lead in pic @ head & to the right (turquoise): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Ranchero
Torino’s the same – huge to me. Give me ‘Ponys’: AMX (90 inch WB), stang, cheb II (nova SS), dart 440 etc…
Just need a set of poverty caps..
A set of dog dishes for going to church on Sunday, plain steelies the rest of the week.
Just LOVE it!!
Mine was a 7 Litre, with a 428 and a 4 speed. Bucket seat interior, and it was in great shape. I had no idea how rare it was until years later, and then, of course, it was gone.
For 66 this was fairly loaded with options, P/W, P/S, P/B power seat, had factory A/C, not to many options left in 66!