1959 Ford Galaxie 500, came out of Kansas and was shipped to UK for me, and I collected her today. Sorry for the poor pics, they came off my phone. Huge thanks to Model T Haven and Neil Tuckett at Tuckett Brothers for arrangeing the shipping on my behalf. So far I have identified 3 flat tyres, a stuck Y-block and both rockers are rusted right out (all of which I knew about when buying it). got to love those tail lights quick questions, it is bone stock, I wasn't aware the wheels would be 14". Are there any easy to scourse 15" steel wheels with the same PCD?
Nice score! Those '59s are looking better every year. We had a four-door '59 as our family car as a kid (also in Kansas). Always liked that style - dig the front-hinged hood and that broad air cleaner. Keep us posted on your buildup.
I dig '59s! I had a friend call me one day about twenty years or so and say "Chip! How ya doin'?... Your buying a car today!" "Really?!" Said I. "Yes, it's already on the trailer coming down to your house right now!" Said he. "You mind if I ask what car I'm Buying"? "That '59 two door post that I have, or had I guess, 'cause like I said, It's on it's way to your house!" "Mind telling me how much I'm paying?" "200.00." "Done!" replied me. Easiest car deal I have made in my life! Never been ambushed to buy a car like that before or since... Damn nice car, too. Most of the coral and cream paint was still on it, and with a bit of lowering and a set of Halibrands plus a 390 it was a really cool car! Nice score!
I have a 59 h.t stuck back on the project list, my wife's Grandpa's car. I switched from 14" to 15" steel rims. They were fairly easy to come by. I think 2 came from a T-bird (no bumps for small hubcaps). I have a 390 and c6 for it if I ever get to it. I think they make great mild customs. Not as many repo parts as other Fords though. Good Luck
Try a set of late80s-early 90s Ford Crown Vic Police/taxi wheels and hubcaps. The wheels and caps are unique to Police/Taxi with a larger dogdish cap than any other which covers about 1/2 the wheel and has Ford script oval in the center.
'56 was the last year Ford used 15" wheels on the full size cars, wouldn't swap back until the late 70's I believe. I'm not a fan of the later 70's and 80's Ford rims, too wide for a 50's car, consider tracking down a set of the 56 style wheels for it. Is it a post car? I didn't even realize you could order a '59 Galaxie 2 door post. Neat.
Thanks all, it is a big-***ed car and will certainly have a presence over here when she's roadworthy. I was pleased to find a 2 door, i'm happy with her being a post, too. Thanks for th lead on the wheels, someone else has mentioned t-bird rims. Seems odd that Ford switched to 14" wheels as the car is so big, but what do I know, eh?! Plan is to get her roadworthy first, then maybe a minor shave. Most of the trim will stay, she kind-of looks like a factory custom to me. Though I will lower her maybe and inch or two.... I also quite like the mono-tone white, for an era when cars came out of the factory in lairy three colour schemes it makes her look differant. Did I mention she is 'kin huge?!
she looks great! you will know how huge she is when you start jacking her up and down to work on her.heavy metal! lowering her is a breeze. we did mine in an afternoon.
I know I am a little far away from you (Toronto) but I have a set of '65 Thunderbird wheels in great condition not sure if they would work though. Came from a low millage California car. P.M. me for more details.
So how much in American dollars does it cost to ship a car to UK? Just curious. One of the places I have to get back to in the spring, has a 59 2 drr hardtop cut up in pieces. I hope to salvage it for parts. It's all good rust free Montana tin.
Ford switched back to 15" wheels as standard equipment in 1965. They were also standard on the Hipo cars (390-375, 406, 427) from 1961-64. I think the 1960 352-360 hp cars had 15s and they were available as an option all through the early 60s on any standard sized Ford, so you shouldn't have any problem finding something that fits.
The background in the first head-on shot is soft and almost surreal, like it was an oil painting. http://www.book530.com/oilpaintingpic/Landscape/pic2/b/Landscape-0266.jpg Is that where you and the Ford live ?
http://modelthaven.com/ bought it from this guy, very friendly and easy to deal with. I had previously bought some model T stuff from him so it wasn't a complete leap of faith @ Dan, no, thats not my place sadly, that was taken in the yard of the importer, first view I had of her!!
Looks good but please tell me you arent the one who bent that trim on the fins with that strap........sorry
Man, you don't see many of those anymore. My father bought a station wagon new back in '60 & it was the same color as yours. I took my driver's test in it in '62 & kissed the guard rail doing my turn around & flunked my test. Well, the damn thing was longer than a football field!