1966 Ford Galaxie 500 Fastback  

For those of you who used their formative years to educate and mostly entertain themselves with the boob tube, you were probably catching an episode or two of Andy of Mayberry.  A number of awesome cars were featured in the Andy Griffith Show over its nine year run, but Griffith's squad cars were always Ford Galaxie 500 sedans.  Fords were increasingly featured as the show reached its later years, undoubtedly because of a sponsorship from the Ford Motor Company.

For consignment a 1966 Galaxie 500 Fastback that I would classify as a survivor.  Bought new by the original owner in November 1965 and then passed onto our consignor in March of 1966 with 2,000 miles on the odometer this car is truly a piece of Blue Oval history.  This Nightmist Blue over 2 tone blue Galaxie was garage kept from new, having not seen the light of day for many many years.  Our consignor, the 2nd owner, then pulled the car from storage and it was treated to a vast array of mechanical work performed between February to March 2023.  All performed by a professional mechanic, this skate is now gracing our Hallowed Halls and is one of our survivor highlights.  The top end of the engine was rebuilt, the brakes rebuilt, the AC converted to R134A, a new fuel pump, lines and tank were installed.  The original window sticker, copy of the original title, and the original owners manual are included.  Oh and did I mention, this survivor is displaying an astounding 27,818 title verified actual miles.  Are you ready to pull the trigger and be the 3rd to own this piece of Ford history?

Exterior
Nightmist Blue Poly, which our consignor states is the original paint, covers straight steel panels and 2 doors with well minded gaps.  The paint has remained in the deep end of the pool with just a few minor hazy spots and touch ups but no rust is to be seen for miles.  The side panels are highlighted by a mid car body bump out that begins at the headlights and runs straight rearward as it thins to an arrow point at the rear quarter with Galaxie 500 badging embellishments.  390 and red flags are badged just behind the front wheels and leading the way are dual front stacked headlights within a well preserved chrome grille and has a nice FORD badging across the hood.  The front bumper is very nice and shiny and as we move to the rear, we find squared off tail lights with a center round backup light and some starburst trimmings reaching out to each side in shiny chromed points.  More shiny trimmings for the rear on the trunk, and just below is a nicely preserved rear bumper.  Not to be forgotten is the roof in body matching Nightmist Blue that takes on a semi-fastback line as it melts into the trunk lid.  Deeply treaded but rather old 8.15-15 bias ply tires wrap 15-inch chrome slotted wheels for the perfect period look. 

Interior
With a swing of either of the 2 doors and we greet several yards of blue vinyl covered seats and door panels.  All original and well preserved, but not without a few faults and flaws that come with age and use.  Within the two tone blue door panels, which are all vinyl, reside the door actuator, armrest/pulls, and window cranks which are nearly pristine.  The front split bench is made up of blue Olympia striped inserts and smooth light blue vinyl bolsters and some light blue piping racing around the border of the two.  We note dark blue and medium blue horizontal and vertical striping throughout the seats which all appear as nearly new.  The rear bench copies this style and a very clean and shiny original dash looking like it was pulled from the Millennium Falcon with its central white numbers on black horizontal shaped background.  This is flanked by the factory AM radio to the right and the arrow turn signal indicators on either side.  Dash central holds the heater slides with some wood applique and down low is a factory 8-track player.  The original steering wheel is noted and the original blue carpet floods the floors and is covered by brown rubber mats.  A nice light blue headliner is good and tight floating above the stunning multi-blue interior!  Bringing our attention briefly to the trunk, it sports the original speckled liner, the spare, and jack neatly tucked away in the right of the trunk.

Drivetrain
Clean original with some nice patina seen on the surfaces under the hood, including the born with 390ci V8 which pumps out a respectable 275 horses.  Our consignor notes that the top end of the engine was gone through with a valve job, new lifters, and pushrods installed.  This is complete with blue painted valve covers and a replacement 2-barrel Holley carburetor with a blue painted single snout air cleaner cover atop.  Bolted to the back is a 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic which is shifted from the column.  Way back is a 9-inch 3.00 conventional axle.  Our consignor notes that the water pump and hoses have been replaced to ensure this cooling system is fully up to snuff and the AC compressor was rebuilt and R134A converted.

Undercarriage
Some surface rust for the usual suspects, but the car maintains structural integrity with black paint covering the frame and floor pans.  Independent coil springs for the front, and a 4-link system with coil springs for the rear suspension, and 4 wheel drum brakes with a new master cylinder, wheel cylinders, front hoses and new shoes have been installed.   A  dual exhaust system is noted with like new glasspack mufflers and shows with a light coating of surface rust.

Drive-Ability
As expected from a car in this condition, she fired right up, and with a slip of the shifter to D, it took off smoothly.  This car is a great large cruiser, smooth ride, and no creaking or squeaking when turning the corners.  It drives like a mechanically well-maintained survivor and the only notable flaws were the AC blowing cold but not quite icy cold and occasionally the throttle would stick a bit.  While I did forget to bring along my The Capitols Cool Jerk 8 track, the AM radio was able to broadcast some of KYW-1060's news crystal clear.

With a great documented and fully known history its hard to find any real reason not to want this carl.  The chrome is all good, and nearly all of the maintenance has been performed.  Not the most powerful or unusual optioned car, but very respectable in overall presentation with a snappy interior and a wonderful papertrail of history. Meet George Jetson….Jane his wife… daughter Judy…well you get it!  Now cue the whistling and grab your fishing pole! (Gosh wasn't TV great back then?!)  Just like this consignment and a great story to boot!

6E66Y123512

6-1966
E-Mahwah, NJ Assy Plant
66-Galaxie 500 2 Door Fastback
Y-390ci V8 2bbl
123512-Sequential Unit Number

WARRANTY TAG

BODY 63B-Galaxie 500 2 Door Fastback
COLOR K-Nightmist Blue Poly
TRIM 52-Light Blue Olympia Cloth, Blue Crinkle Vinyl
DATE 04K-October 4th
DSO 23-Philadelphia
AXLE 1-Ford 9" 3.00 Conventional
TRANS 8-Cruise O Matic

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.