Featured is a 1964 Ford Galaxie 500. The Galaxie was Ford’s answer to the highly popular Chevrolet Impala. Chevy sold over one million Impala’s in 1965 which set a record for a single model during a single year.
This was just a part in the decades long competition between Ford and Chevrolet. The competition between these two brands was quite intense. Back in the 1960’s brand loyalty was strong.
Regarding America’s largest automakers during the mid 1960’s, many people were either Ford loyal or Chevy loyal along with many Mopar enthusiasts who cheered those stock car racing wins. Many would say that during the 1960’s if the car won at the track on Sunday it would sell on Monday.
Ford’s Top Trim Level
When the Ford Galaxie debuted in 1959 it edged out the Fairlane model as Ford’s top trim level. The Ford Galaxie Skyliner, a unique model, with it’s retractable hardtop was high tech for American automobiles at the time and quite pricey as well.
By the 1962 model year, the Ford Galaxie became the Ford Galaxie 500. The 500 addition to the model reportedly was to more closely identify the automobile with NASCAR’s 500 mile races which the company had invested big money to compete.
The Galaxie was a big profit booster for the Ford Motor Company and it also earned the company several victories on the race circuit.
The 1962-64 models remained almost the same, with a few engine options like the 3.7-liter six-cylinder Mileage Maker also made available. The Galaxie debuted its third generation in 1965, with the cars getting bigger and taller than the previous years.
The 1964 Galaxie 500 represented the fourth and final year of that design. The 1965 Galaxie’s new design, among other things, featured vertically stacked dual headlights.
The Galaxie 500 /XL
The 500 and 500 XL were Ford’s top models.
For 1964, the top Galaxie model and with the most performance, was the 500/XL. This upscale model included all trim found on lesser Galaxie models, plus bucket seats with chrome trim, a console, and a floor shifter.
When the Ford Galaxie was discontinued in 1974 the full size LTD took it’s place as Ford’s highest trim level.
1964 Ford Galaxie 500 Specifications
The 1964 Galaxie 500 was built with a 289 cubic inch V-8 with 270 HP and a 389 cubic inch V-8 delivering 300 HP. The Galaxie 500/XL started with the Challenger 289 V-8 as well as with 352 and 390 cubic inch big block V-8’s. Ford’s racing 500/XL’s carried a 427 big block.
Transmissions were a choice of a two speed and three speed automatic.
Brakes were four wheel hydraulic drums.
Dimensions include a 119.0 inch wheelbase, 209.9 inch overall length, 79.9 inch width and 56.5 inch height.
1964 Ford Galaxie 500 production was 520,250 vehicles. Out of that number the highest produced model was the hardtop coupe at 207,000 vehicles. The Galaxie 500/XL production totaled 79,900 vehicles.
Related Auto Museum Online articles are found on the links below…
1964 Chevrolet Impala SS Convertible
Reference material for this article includes…Full Size Fords 1955-1970 by David W. Temple…The Complete Book of Collectible Cars by the Editors of Consumer Guide...Ford Galaxie and LTD Gold Portfolio 1960-1976.
1964 Ford Galaxie 500 Collector Car
The Ford Galaxie whose name was derived to capitalize from the space race era of the late 1950’s and 1960’s, had a very long production run lasting from 1959 to 1974.
As a collector car, the Ford Galaxie 500 is at this time reasonably priced for a popular classic car.
Depending on the exact model and engine you will most likely see asking prices for excellent examples in the $30,000 to $50,000 range. Restoration age and degree, originality, mileage and mechanical condition are all price factors. Non restored models can be found significantly lower.
(Article and photos copyright Auto Museum Online)