390 V8/3-Speed: 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 XL
The Ford Galaxie 500 was born in 1959, an upgrade to the Fairlane series and likely in response to the Chevrolet Impala. Until 1965 when the LTD debuted, it was Ford’s nicest senior car, and the nameplate would survive until 1974. This ’64 Galaxie 500 XL looks like it may have been restored since the mileage hovers at 90,000, though it could be a genuinely nice original. Located in Morgantown, West Virginia, Gunter Kramer brings this cool tip to us where the car is available here on craigslist for $18,500.
Second-generation Galaxies were produced between 1960 and 1964. The body panels took on a more sculptured look in ’64 than the 1962-63 models, which was intended to improve the car’s aerodynamics in NASCAR. The formal-roof hardtop was no longer available, with fastback styling taking precedence. The sporty XL versions (akin to Chevy’s Super Sport) had thin-shell bucket seats with chrome trim, and the badging below the deck lid signifies this Ford as being one. Ford sold 207,000 copies of the regular 500 coupe plus an additional 58,000 XLs like this machine.
The seller’s ’64 Galaxie is quite tidy, but we’re not given any information about its history or how it has come to look so sharp after 58 years. The body and yellow paint present extremely well and the Ford here wears a vinyl top, not a common option in 1964. Upon closer inspection, there may be some rust bubbles beginning to show underneath the vinyl. The interior looks spotless, and everything may be intact except the under-dash air conditioner doesn’t work. In those days, that’s how factory A/C was installed in these cars.
Under the hood resides Ford’s 390 cubic-inch V8 inch, paired with a 3-speed manual transmission with a floor shifter. We’re told the car drives “nice,” and no mention is made of any work that is needed, so other than the vinyl top this could be a turn-key automobile for your Cars & Coffee entertainment. This automobile has a simple level of charm about it, highlighted by the use of “poverty” hub caps over full-wheel covers.
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Comments
Very nice driver…just needs some love.The 1964 body style is one of Fords best.
I like Galaxies of most any year model but the 64 will always be my favorite
Very nice vehicle and I am quite the biased individual since I owned one of these many years ago. I might add that the 64 Ford was Motor Trends car of the year. I will add that mine was a 289 that got quite the power boost since it was in need of attention with 90,000 plus miles. It dynoded out at that time after mods at 320 HP. Passed most everything except a Gas Station. Built as a sleeper. Being a young gear head it was fun to build and when finished to raise the hood to find what appeared to be a mere 289 just with a 850 double pumped Holley Fenderwell headers with a 4 Speed were the tells. just not the insides nor the receipts.
I remember back in 1970-71 the local Ford dealership closed in our little town. Back in 64 the owner had ordered a Galaxie 500 XL 4 door HT with the 427 with 2 four barrel carbs and 4speed. It was for his teenage son who had a minor accident but of course was driving that car hard so Dad took it and put it in the corner of the shop. When he closed the doors 6 years later he sold it to another teenager and his father. They repaired the damage, replaced carbs with Holley’s replaced the gear shift with a Hurst and replaced the 427 emblems with 289 emblems.
I think this car has a ton of possibilities to be a super driver and a car that would get a lot of attention with just some TLC just because of the body style and its great curb appeal.
Displays nicely, but the vinyl roof scares me, specially since there’s already visible bubbling. I could even live with the 3 speed until a toploader 4 speed came along. Good luck and happy motoring!
Cheers
GPC
This would be a fun car to enjoy while sorting out a few details. Are prices on cars like this falling (fuel economy aside)? I can’t afford to loose more in a hobby than my 401k but my savings can’t do over 100mph either.
A 4 speed and a drop top are the only two things that could make this more desirable. I owned several of these Fords back in the 70’s. Some were 289, 352,390 and one 406 but never got a 427. Most were automatic, but a few were 3 or 4 speeds. I had years from 63-65 mostly Galaxie 500 XL, but one 64 that was a non XL and One 64 & a 65 were custom 500. The 65 Custom was a 289 three on the tree with overdrive and A/C that my dad bought for me when I got married to my first wife in June 1967. I loved all those cars but my favorite is the 64 for cosmetic design. I wish I could buy this car but I have no place to keep it.
God Bless America
It was 1967. My first car at 16 was a 2 door 64 Ford Galaxie 500 with a 390 and a 3 speed on the column. Also had the very rare option of an electric OD. When I first got it, Pop overhauled the engine and added a 4-barrel carb and duals. Pretty fast car but it’s best attribute was the OD, allowing the speedo to sink well past the 120 mark. On well worn bias ply tires, scary to think it about it now. But at 16, those thoughts never entered our minds, we were invincible then. Or at least I thought so until a couple of years later when I was T-boned in my new 1969 mustang. OUCH!
Memories…..Back in the day, I bought a ’68 Mustang FB (white w/red interior – paid like $400) and I converted the interior to black – used bucket seats out of a wrecked ’64 Galaxie just like this one – ended up looking great :)
1st car was a ’65 mustang notchback with hi perf 289 w/ factory 4 bbl, factory mags, bench buckets, and wood steering wheel…paid $375 in 1974
Love the 390 Galaxies. Three by the knee, would be just fine to hustle this big Ford around town. 😎
My Dad bought a 64 new. My sister and husband were the next owners. When he went off to Vietnam they gave the car to me. One night a drunk driver drove across our yard, smashed into the 64 and wrapped it around a tree. Needless to say, that was the end of that car.
I own a red 64 galaxie 500 convertible with a 390 4 barrel and a 4 speed on the floor. It has the a black interior and looks pretty much like this one. the 4 speed is a borg warner tranny; ford switched to the toploader on these midway thru the 64 model year. Mine was built in October. The engine has been rebuilt but its stock. I had it dyno’d just to see what it makes – it made 187 hp. Ford rated it as 250 as I recall. Had to add an electric fuel pump here in Colorado because I kept getting vapor lock due to the alcohol in today’s gas. When i was in college in NY in the 70’s I drove a 62 four door with 3 on the tree and a 292 under the hood. The 292 was a decent engine. The car literally fell apart from rust.