Ford Galaxie 500

Ford Galaxie
1963 Ford Galaxie 500 4-Door Sedan
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford
Production	1958–1974 (United States) 1959–1961 (Australia) 1967–1983 (Brazil)
Assembly	Louisville, KY, United States Atlanta, GA, United States St. Louis, MO, United States Norfolk, VA, United States Chicago, IL, United States Mahwah, NJ, United States Pico Rivera, CA United States Wayne, MI, United States Homebush, Sydney, Australia São Paulo, Brazil
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size
Layout	FR layout
Chronology
Predecessor	Ford Fairlane
Successor	Ford LTD

First generation
1959 Ford Galaxie Club Victoria
Overview
Production	1958-1959
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door sedan 4-door sedan 2-door hardtop 4-door hardtop 2-door convertible 2-door retractable hardtop
Powertrain
Engine	223 cu. inch (3.7 L) OHV I6 272 cu. inch (4.5 L) Y-block V8 292 cu. inch (4.8 L) Y-block V8 312 cu. inch (5.1 L) Y-block V8 332 cu. inch (5.4 L) FE series V8 352 cu. inch (5.8 L) FE series V8
Transmission	2-speed automatic 3-speed automatic 3-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,997 mm (118.0 in)
Length	208 in (5,283 mm)
Width	76.8 in (1,951 mm)

Second generation
1960 Starliner
Overview
Production	1959–1964
Body and chassis
Body style	2/4-door sedan 2/4-door hardtop 2-door convertible
Related	Ford 300 (1963) Mercury Meteor (1961) Mercury Monterey Lincoln Continental
Powertrain
Engine	223 cu. inch (3.7 L) OHV I6 289 cu. inch (4.7 L) Windsor V8 292 cu. inch (4.8 L) Y-block V8 352 cu. inch (5.8 L) FE series V8 390 cu. inch (6.4 L) FE series V8 406 cu. inch (6.6 L) FE series V8 427 cu. inch (7.0 L) FE series V8
Transmission	3-speed manual Cruise-O-matic automatic (3-speed)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	3,023 mm (119.0 in)
Length	213.7 in (1960) 209.9"(1961–1964)
Width	81.5 in (2,070 mm)

Third generation
1965 Galaxie 500 XL (convertible)
Overview
Production	1964–1968 (North America) 1967–1983 (Brazil) 1965–1968 (Australia)
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door hardtop 4-door sedan 4-door hardtop 2-door convertible
Related	Mercury S-55
Powertrain
Engine	240 cu in (3.9 L) Thriftpower I6 272 cu in (4.5 L) Y-Block V8 (Brazil) 289 cu in (4.7 L) Windsor V8 292 cu in (4.8 L) Y-Block V8 (Brazil) 302 cu in (4.9 L) Windsor V8 352 cu in (5.8 L) FE V8 390 cu in (6.4 L) FE V8 428 cu. inch (7.0 L) FE V8
Dimensions
Length	213 in (5,410 mm)

Fourth generation
1974 Ford Galaxie 500 2-Door Hardtop
Overview
Production	1968–1974
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door hardtop 4-door sedan 4-door hardtop 4-door station wagon 2-door convertible
Powertrain
Engine	240 cu in (3.9 L) I6 302 cu in (4.9 L) Windsor V8 351 cu in (5.8 L) Windsor V8 390 cu in (6.4 L) FE V8 400 cu in (6.6 L) 335 V8 429 cu in (7.0 L) 385 V8
Dimensions
Length	213.9 in (5,433 mm)

The Ford Galaxie was a full-sized car that was built in the United States of America by Ford for model years 1959 through to 1974. The name was used for the top models in Ford's full-size range from 1958 until 1961, in a marketing attempt to appeal to the excitement surrounding the Space Race. For 1962, all full-size Fords wore the Galaxie badge, with "500" and "500/XL" denoting the higher series. The Galaxie 500/LTD was introduced for 1965 followed by the Galaxie 500 7-Litre for 1966. The Galaxie 500 part was dropped from the LTD in 1966, and from the XL in 1967; however the basic series structuring levels were maintained. The "regular" Galaxie 500 continued below the LTD as Ford's mid-level full-size model from 1965 until its demise at the end of the 1974 model year.

The Galaxie was the high volume counterpart to the Chevrolet Impala.

The similarly named Ford Galaxy is a large car/minivan available in the European market. The vehicle's name is derived from the original Ford Galaxie.

The 1959 Ford range was introduced in late 1958 with the Fairlane 500 as the top trim level. During the 1959 model year the Galaxie was added to the range as an additional trim level, assuming the top position from the Fairlane 500. The Galaxie was offered with the same sedan and hardtop body styles as the Fairlane 500 whilst the Sunliner and Skyliner convertibles were moved across from the Fairlane 500 range. Styling varied from the Fairlane 500 with the addition of a Ford Thunderbird-style C pillar on all but the Sunliner. Although a separate series from the Fairlane 500, 1959 Galaxie models carried both Fairlane 500 and Galaxie badging.

In keeping with the era, the 1959 Galaxie was a chrome and stainless steel-bedecked vehicle with optional two-tone paint. It was the very image of the ostentatious late-1950s American automobiles, though somewhat tamer than its Chevrolet and Plymouth competitors. Ford advertised "safety anchorage" for the front seats. The parking brake was now a pedal. Seat belts, a padded dashboard, and child-proof rear door locks were optional, while a deep-dished steering wheel and double-door locks were standard.