jerrym3
Well-Known LVC Member
(If you don't particularly care for old Fords, don't bother reading this.)
In 1969, I needed a car for my wife to drive to work. Her VERY PEPPY 1958 Pontiac Chieftain, 2 dr hardtop, pink/white, gave up.
So, I found a used 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 convert, Pagoda Green (turquoise) with two tone turq bench seat interior, 352/250 hp 4V automatic, 46,000 miles. Paid $750, including a new valve job.
That car became our daily driver, no garage, here in sometimes snowy/icey/salty north Jersey. Car started to go downhill by the late 70's (rust issues).
I decided that, after considering selling her and buying a 57 DeSoto 2 dr, I'd keep her and fix her up. Convertibles were the dying breed at that time.
To make a VERY long story short (44 years long), here's what I've done to her over the decades.
Installed a used 352/250 engine back in the 80's. Replaced/repaired the rusty areas (fenders, bumper, quarter panel sections, etc). Also had the car repainted original color.
Found a "dead" 64 Galaxie 500XL 2 dr hardtop (black buckets/console/upgraded door panels and exterior trim).
Installed all the front interior pieces (buckets/console/door panels) in the convert. Took the back seatcover off, but couldn't use it (yet). 500XL model has a large chrome secton above the back seat, and the hardtop seat differs from the convert.
Found an XL convert in a NJ junkyard. Took the rear pieces I needed. Had the hardtop's rear seatcover trimmed and installed on the junkyard car's rear seat. Used vinyl spray to paint the side panels black to match the new front color.
In 2011, installed a new rebuilt 390/300. In 2012, had new interior seatcovers installed.
Car now has 216,000 miles on the body. Looks exactly like a factory 64 500XL. Not a big showcar winner, but gets a ton of attention and waves on the road and in carshows and a few trophy wins every now and then.
My other cars, beside the LS and Galaxie, are a 2003 TBird (purchased new, 21,000 miles), and a 2010 Ford Explorer.
So, long post, sorry, but that's about it.
In 1969, I needed a car for my wife to drive to work. Her VERY PEPPY 1958 Pontiac Chieftain, 2 dr hardtop, pink/white, gave up.
So, I found a used 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 convert, Pagoda Green (turquoise) with two tone turq bench seat interior, 352/250 hp 4V automatic, 46,000 miles. Paid $750, including a new valve job.
That car became our daily driver, no garage, here in sometimes snowy/icey/salty north Jersey. Car started to go downhill by the late 70's (rust issues).
I decided that, after considering selling her and buying a 57 DeSoto 2 dr, I'd keep her and fix her up. Convertibles were the dying breed at that time.
To make a VERY long story short (44 years long), here's what I've done to her over the decades.
Installed a used 352/250 engine back in the 80's. Replaced/repaired the rusty areas (fenders, bumper, quarter panel sections, etc). Also had the car repainted original color.
Found a "dead" 64 Galaxie 500XL 2 dr hardtop (black buckets/console/upgraded door panels and exterior trim).
Installed all the front interior pieces (buckets/console/door panels) in the convert. Took the back seatcover off, but couldn't use it (yet). 500XL model has a large chrome secton above the back seat, and the hardtop seat differs from the convert.
Found an XL convert in a NJ junkyard. Took the rear pieces I needed. Had the hardtop's rear seatcover trimmed and installed on the junkyard car's rear seat. Used vinyl spray to paint the side panels black to match the new front color.
In 2011, installed a new rebuilt 390/300. In 2012, had new interior seatcovers installed.
Car now has 216,000 miles on the body. Looks exactly like a factory 64 500XL. Not a big showcar winner, but gets a ton of attention and waves on the road and in carshows and a few trophy wins every now and then.
My other cars, beside the LS and Galaxie, are a 2003 TBird (purchased new, 21,000 miles), and a 2010 Ford Explorer.
So, long post, sorry, but that's about it.
