Hello All. Would like any comments/advice for my 65 Galaxie, especially from any who 'were there' way back when. Car is a 65 Galaxie 500 2dr hardtop. 352, Cruise-O, 9", 4 wheel power drum brake. P/O add ons are Pertronix, Hooker Super Comps, Flowmasters, and Cragar S/S's. Looking at this rig as what some guys call their 'bucket list' car. I would like to build it, as if I were around to have built it back then. The influences I like are the old A/FX, S/FX, and gas-class cars- I like straight axles and blowers and old speed equipment. However, I don't want to build what I've read on here as 'cartoon cars' or 'faux gassers'. Used to have tons of old period magazines, so I know what stuff I like. The basic idea for this build is like a big brother to those nasty, fast little supercharged Comets...say an A/FX S/FX'er detuned a bit for the street. I remember seeing blown, straight axle cars in those old 60's magazines. 'Time frame' for this car is 65, no later than early 67. On the outside- the teardrop hood, shave the trim, up several inches in front, either level or just a slight rake, radiused rear openings, those 'drop down' headers, steel fabbed deep oil pan. Old style fabbed traction arms in the rear, like on the early steel bodied doorslammers. That being said- any Washington state area HAMB'ers, who either perform, or can recommend, a safe, competent welder to do such a front end swap- someone you'd honestly trust your wife, kids, gf's life with, if not your own? For the life of me I cannot find anyone with a, ahem, 'shop'...who will even listen to this concern. I either get laughed at or blown off. Also, in regards to this idea, any experienced "axle-ers" to comment on the choice of parallel leaf, transverse, or coil sprung straight axle? I realize this isn't some 2100 pound Willys or Anglia. Read on HAMB about using Econoline HD brakes for drum setup. I know in 65 Ford offered discs, would anyone back then have used them on a straight axle? Will update single pot master cylinder to period 2 pot unit, regardless. As for the rest of the car- Blown FE. Old Hampton 9 rib case or GM 'V' type blower. Repop of old FE blower intake. Narrow belt drive. Timing cover drive or 90 degree FE distributor. Period AFB carbs. Trying to follow old drag engine pics for detailing. Trans- 'one year' leap to C6 over Cruise-O-Matic. I've read in old mags that Ford used C6 in early doorslammer/funny cars. Anyone have any pics, of period 66-67 automatic racing shifter? I can't seem to find anything at all online. Was also researching Clutch Turbo/Clutch Flight for this project. However, all I hear is 'unstreetable'. Truth, or bunk? Anyone on here used one on the street, successfully? Detroit locker in existing 9". Rear of car came with coil/3 link....any thoughts on properly raising it up, and maybe some clear period pics of old 'traction arms' used? Did ladder bars even exist in 65? Rims and tires, was thinking of maybe that old mixed look- skinny Radirs in front, maybe chrome reverse out back. I'd love a set of those old 4 slots in back, but they seem to be a rare and expensive magnesium wheel. Blackwalls, redlines....what would be a 'tough' combo back then? Interior- period buckets, belts, roll bar, gauges, steering wheel. Any comments or thoughts on these, as to who was making what? I know SW brought back 'Green Line' gauges. Old Smiths from a Cobra look pretty cool too. Mechanical tach back then? Upholstery...kind of like that old style, small diamond pattern, or that square pattern you see in old FED's. Alright, figure it's a novel by now, sorry about that. Just wanted to see what might be said about this idea. I wasn't driving age back then, but I love what the old magazines showed, and would like to experience it before it's too late. Thanks everyone for listening, best of luck with all your stuff too.
Think hard before you do that to a nice old Galaxie. Those cars back then weren't known for racking up a lot of road/street miles, and there's a reason for that. Is your enjoyment going to be derived from driving it, or looking at it?
Theres a reason you don't see many 65 Galaxies "gassered" up. They were too big and heavy. Back then if you wanted to go fast you searched for the lightest body you could find, then slapped the biggest motor in it. Your Galaxie would be better off as a tow rig. Mags, interior, headers, gauges, steering wheel would be the norm.
Most of what I saw back then was the lighter cars,the Fairlanes,Comets,etc.Galaxies are too heavy to be a good race car.Sure,there were a few people who did race them on the strip and still do today,but they kind of look out of place built like that.Sorry, I got to chime in with the other guys here.Maybe trade it for a 63-67 Fairlane or Comet if I were you.But, good luck.
Your best bet would be to ask this question on the FEForum (332-428 Ford FE Forum) I'm into FE's but a pure novice on that site They will provide the best path. Other than that site look how 63-64 Lite weight galaxies were built and use them as a factory designed blueprint, FORD knew what ther were doing in the full sized car for the strip in those years. Go to the FEForum & contact Rod C who owns the Mickey Thompson 63 LW galaxie he raced. Nice guy & helpefull. Movin/on
I have nearly the identical specs but mine is a 66. Not a big market for the 65-and up Galaxies unless they are 7 liter cars. Not like its ultra rare or valuable. There is at least one I have seen on this site set up gasser style, but not sure if I have a pic of it but it looks killer. Like its been said, they are heavy cars. If the shops are laughing at you its either because you are young with pie-in-the-sky dreams for this and they find it hard to take seriously, or they aren't places you want to do business with anyway.
Sounds like you want to be like myself and Cale Yarborogh. I wrapped mine around a light pole New Years Eve about 1973, Cale put his over the wall about 1965, you want to wipe yours out in 2010.LOL Go ahead.
My first car was a '66...Got it with 168,000 miles on it in 1975...Rebuilt the engine/trans and got another 150,000 out of it before I sold it... I had mine in a few configurations, ass up (was the style in the mid 70's), ass stock with Over sized springs in the front which gave it a bit of a "Gasser" look, and ass stock with the front lowered 3"...Great, comfortable road car... As for the rear suspension..Go look at it. It already has "traction bars"...Remember, in those days stock car racing was just that...I have seen pictures of "Fireball" Roberts on the highbanks at Daytona in a '65 and you can see the stock interior door panels still on the car...The suspension was used in Nascar for years.... Make it a street cruiser. You can Stuff some pretty big tires in the back pretty easily....Or you can give the car to me...I'd like to have another one!
Exactly, keep it simple like this one. I'm still kicking myself for not buying it when I had the chance.
As others have said "everybody to their own" but I think you will find more leaning to: ( I know a I'm throwing a '66 or two in but they are close to the same.) This: Not this:
I really like the burgandy 65 R-code. Nothing wrong with a 1965 Galaxie, and those old drag cars are nice to see VS the more common 62/64's IMO. Build what you like...BKH
If you put a straight axle under your car, you will be doing a service to every other owner that has one that isn't screwed up. There are exactly zero of these that have an axle under the front end and aren't ruined. These cars need strong engines, transmissions, and brakes, some tuning on the suspension, good-looking traditionally styled wheels. I'd go with mostly stock interior, and maybe a few creature comforts. I prefer a flat hood. Then wear it out. Of course the above paragraphs are opinions, and it's your car. But if you decide to screw it up, please don't post it here and expect everyone to tell you how wonderful it is.
I agree! It would not work with the "gasser" look. Make it into a 60's style mild custom instead. If you really want a "gasser", sell the Galaxy and start with a rough shape early Falcon or similar car...
They're great cars, prone to frame rail rot though. I like the traditional look myself, it would make for a marginal gasser conversion IMHO. Bob
Thank You. Thats my car at the Galaxie Nationals back around 2006. 466/535 HP C6, 4:11 gears. I drive it everywhere. Drive it every year from Milwaukee, WI to Detroit, MI for the Woodward Dream Cruise. Oh, and for the guys that think a big car cant move, the car will do 12.6 in the 1/4 mile though its slowed to 12.9 when I tried to make it go faster! For a everyday driver I think thats a respectible time
61 Fairlane, congrats on a awesome car! That pic is very inspiring! I have always like the '65 as my father had a '65 Galaxie as a commuter car when they were new, spent a lot of time in it and I always wonderd what a Hot Rod version could look like, wonder no more! Excellent! And on the topic of a staight axle '65 Galaxie? Man it's your car, if it feels right, do it! I get so fed up with all the cookie cutter cars, step out of the box, breathe deeply of the fresh clean air away from the stench! I mean even I feel sometimes different is not good but your vision?, Go for IT!
I was going to mention the Bob Ford ( Jerry Harvey driver ) car. Thats what you should shoot for. Covers all the bases. Also it was a B/FX car not a A/FX car with a 427. Pics have already been posted.
Mr Hamb Police Officer. As I read it, the Classifieds are pre 64 Unless the car shares the same body such as 63-65 Riviera's 62-65 Fairlane etc. Most cars here are well before that but lets face it a lot was going on in 64/65. One look at that Bob Ford B/FX car and I think it belongs here for sure. If not let the Moderators remove same. That is all........
Thanks for posting this pic, now I know how mine will look with white walls and I now have another color to look at as well.
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