Our featured automobile is the very popular 1959 Ford Fairlane 500 Galaxie. Ford chose the Galaxie name because of the large public interest in the space race that was in full gear during the late 1950’s and into the 1960’s.
The 1959 Ford Fairlane 500 Galaxie is a great looking car with solid performance and engineering. The Galaxie trim was Ford’s most expensive offering in 1959.
The Ford Galaxie was a full size automobile produced from 1958 through 1974 and was Ford’s response to the highly popular Chevrolet Impala. In regards to the Ford Fairlane, it became a mid size model beginning in the 1962 model year.
In 1959 the top trim level for Ford was the Fairlane 500. The Fairlane was given the name of Henry Ford’s Dearvorn, Michigan estate. The Galaxie trim was introduced during that model year, about mid year, and assumed the top full size Fairlane trim level. At that time the Galaxie and Fairlane badges were seen together on the same automobile.
This was the start of a model that would become it’s own top nameplate in the Ford stable. In 1960 the Galaxie did became it’s own nameplate and replaced the Fairlane as the top Ford offering. Those Galaxie models from 1960 to 1964 were known to have classy styling, a large choice of engines as well as excellent interior space. The Ford Galaxie 500 first appeared in the 1963 model year. The Galaxie brought in big profits for the Ford Motor Company and it also achieved several victories on the race circuit.
As mentioned above, the Chevy Impala was the Ford Galaxie’s main rival. The Galaxie at first was a heavy looking full size automobile. Ford engineers made some progress in lightening the full size Galaxie since the Impala was a lighter and sleeker appearing automobile.
The 1959 Ford Fairlane 500 Galaxie Models and Styling
There were many body styles offered with the 1959 Fairlane 500. These include a two and four door sedan, a two and four door hardtop, two door convertible and a two door retractable hardtop. The Galaxie models were designed with a Thunderbird inspired roof line and C-pillar design with a chrome-framed rear window.
The Galaxie was adorned with the right amount of chrome and stainless steel along with a stronger frame and wider side rails offering extra room. To help make the Galaxie a bit lighter, Ford engineers found a way to reduce the weight of the Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission.
In exterior appearance, the 1959 Ford 500 Galaxie had a boxy look but fender design along with the quad headlights gave the automobile a conservative good look. Much more conservative than the popular Chevy Impala which unveiled a totally new design with bat like rear fins for the 1959 model year along with tail lights resembling jet plane afterburner exhaust.
The Galaxie came with top trim features like full carpeting, a lighted glove box, cigar lighter and the option of a two tone paint scheme.
1959 Ford Galaxie 500 Specifications
Engines for the 1959 Galaxie 500 included a 223 cubic inch inline six with 145 HP and also a 292 cubic inch V-8 with 200 HP, a 332 cubic inch V-8 with 225 HP and a 352 cubic inch V-8 with 300 HP.
The 332 and 352 V-8’s on the Ford Galaxie were Ford FE engines. These were engines built from 1958 to 1976. The FE stood for Ford/Edsel. The FE’s replaced the Ford Y- Block engines. Ford used these new FE’s in full size and muscle cars.
Transmissions available included a three speed and a four speed manual along with a two speed Ford-O-Maric and three speed Cruise-O-Matic.
Dimensions include a 118.0 inch wheelbase, 208.0 inch overall outside length, 76.6 inch width, 56.0 inch height, and curb weight of 3,725 lbs with and automatic transmission.
Related Auto Museum Online articles are below….
1958 Ford Fairlane Retractable Hardtop
Reference material used includes…Ford Galaxie & LTD 1960-1976 by Brooklands Books…Full-Size Fords by David K. Temple….FORD GALAXIE March 2020 HEMMINGS CLASSIC CAR Magazine.
The 1959 Ford Fairlane 500 Galaxie Collector Car
The 1959 Ford Fairlane 500 Galaxie is a very popular collector automobile for several reasons. The car is rare today and in addition to that represented the first year for the Galaxie top trim offering on the full size Ford Fairlane lineup. This Galaxie model also showcases the two tone paint scheme offered as an option with the Galaxie.
Currently, 1959 Ford Fairlane Galaxie examples in excellent condition are found in a range of about $45,000-$75,000. We see 1959 Ford Galaxie Retractable Hardtops in excellent condition in the $50,000 to $65,000 range. Many examples not in excellent but fair condition should be found in the $20,000 to $30,000 range.
(Article and photos copyright Auto Museum Online)