A long time ago in a Galaxie far, far away (and other shit)

[sdkrc]

Low effort thread warning:

I bought this Galaxie after seeing it on the bay with ~10mins left to run. Coolest thing I've ever seen in my life but my goal for 2019 was to not buy any cars. One high adrenaline, guilty bid later and I've completely ruined my life.

Called the guy up and asked could I drive it home. He said "not a hope in hell"

It was in a barn in the US for 25yrs sitting and rotting. Imported to the UK in May 2019.

Old mate was a classic rally man back in his day and had one exactly like this back in the 70s. He planned on restoring it but had a f*cking awful run of luck (ill health, son chopped his fingers off, garage burnt down with the seats in it). 

39k miles. 390 cubic inches. Pillarless. 1966.

It's had a new fuel tank, new wheels and tyres, new battery, new pipes, new brake cables and the drums rebuilt all around. I've found a lot of crazy stuff since buying it though - ran it for 100miles until I noticed no air filter. Found out the fuel tank wasn't sealed whilst I was on the motorway. The lights also intermittently turn off completely every so often which I found out at night. 1 hub cap fell off and nearly hit a man walking.

Good: Chassis is solid. Interior is bone-dry. Drives straight and I think the engine runs well. No fluid leaks.

Bad: Gear changes are insanely clunky. Dash is warped. Boot taking on water. Interior looks like it's had several generations of mice + a fire.

[fatharris]

That's cool as shit

What are the plans for it?

Sent from my VOG-L09 using Tapatalk

[sdkrc]

I had a failed business, a baby, a promotion and bought my first flat in the last 15 months so I have limited time to combine with limited funds and limited practical skills. Awesome car to learn with though. Everything is insanely simple and there is enough room for even the fattest hands.

Getting parts has been a problem. I've got 3 air filters, none of which fit. New windscreens don't seem to exist and kits for disc brakes are massively out of my budget.

Below is the current list of things that need done. I have negative money so will hopefully be doing some work in January 

✓ Fuel tank seal
Air filter
Hub cap
Idling carburettor
Windscreen
Rear footwell welding
Upholster rear bench
Roof lining
Paint (do not paint!!)

All rubber seals

Rustproofing/waxoyl

I love the colour and I like it looking beat up and shitty. I fully intend to use this as a daily.

[sdkrc]

[sdkrc]

9 minutes ago, fatharris said:

That's cool as shit

What are the plans for it?

Sent from my VOG-L09 using Tapatalk
 

Haha. That's word for word what I said when I saw it first.

I'm completely obsessed with the Ford Galaxie from the Timelord thread so will get it looking that level of 'used'. 

There are about 10 immediate problems which need sorting. The less I think about those, the better.

[eddyramrod]

Huggy has been out-cooled!  I love this.  Well found, and please, please, please do use it daily, it can only benefit from such treatment!

[Cavcraft]

Just wow.

[HMC]

Lovely! Totally with you on the aesthetics- perfect and do usable just as is. Create your own American road movie wherever you go....

[sdkrc]

To drive: around town the steering is about as vague as you'd expect. You have to plan your braking maybe 2 or 3 times earlier than a modern car. Body roll is insane especially when combined with lap belts and bench seats.

On the motorway cruising at 60 is where it is supposed to be. It just feels right.

The first 2 hours I spent driving gave me the sweats I was so nervous. Insane adrenaline rush because you imagine the brakes failing at every corner.

It's not fast but it sounds meaty and powerful when revved. 

[junkyarddog]

What a BEAST!!!!

I love it,I was expecting to see another boring people carrier

[Amishtat]

I was hopeful when I saw you'd spelled it Galaxie and I'm not disappointed.. That looks completely irresistible, are the brakes as bad as I'd heard? 

[FakeConcern]

That rear overhang tho...

[sdkrc]

7 minutes ago, Amishtat said:

I was hopeful when I saw you'd spelled it Galaxie and I'm not disappointed.. That looks completely irresistible, are the brakes as bad as I'd heard? 

I guess stopping just wasn't important back in the 60s. It's like trying to stop the wheels with your hands. 

The overhang is for that insane boot. When I got it to Glasgow I thought I'd left the rear bench seats back at the seller's house. Turns out they were in the boot but I couldn't see them, despite opening and rummaging around. 

[motorpunk]

I fucking love this.

When you’re bored/broke - sell it to me.

 

[eddyramrod]

Forgot to add before.... I absolutely love this shape of Galaxie.

[cobblers]

This absolutely kicks my 6 months driving a talbot express motorhome with mud tyres as a daily into the shrubbery. As my favourite comedian says "It's only funny if you actually do it", this is way cooler being driven to morrisons for some antacids than parked up or paraded round. 

[Steve79]

2 hours ago, sdkrc said:

New windscreens don't seem to exist.

https://www.americanglass.co.uk/news/

Ahem......May want to try these guys

Scroll across to the third picture as its a '66 Galaxie which they have done a screen on. ?

Could also try https://www.dbmotors.net/index.php/10

 

[SiC]

This looks to be a fantastic thread! Absolute crazy old shed you are running there 

[RobT]

DNP!  It looks fine as is.

Windscreen washer colostomy bag FTW too.

[sdkrc]

I'll hold fire on the paint then.

I could use some community wisdom. There's a mysterious rod in the engine bay which I can't figure out it's purpose. I'll post a photo next time I get a chance. It's sort of attached to the carb/throttle body and connects to the gearbox. It's loose and makes ZERO sense to me.

Also, someone ask me about what happens when you seal fuel tanks using flashing...

[Steve79]

Assuming its the 3-speed C6 cruise-o-matic box that you have fitted which it should be, then what you are describing sounds like the trans kickdown rod.

https://www.fordmuscleforums.com/threads/kickdown-dont-works.505623/

Also have a look at this article (posts 3 and 4)

https://forums.aaca.org/topic/139193-1966-ford-fairlane-transmission/

https://www.diyford.com/ford-c4-c6-transmission-trouble-shooting-guide/

Is your transmission kicking down when you floor it?

Lokar do a replacement kit

 

 

INS0007-FordC4C6-KickdownKit.pdf

[LightBulbFun]

amazing! when I clicked on this thread I was expecting a people carrier!, I love big ol american barges like these  

2 hours ago, sdkrc said:

The overhang is for that insane boot. When I got it to Glasgow I thought I'd left the rear bench seats back at the seller's house. Turns out they were in the boot but I couldn't see them, despite opening and rummaging around. 

sounds like its bigger on the inside *cough*

(if only it was a 1968 one  )

[Datsuncog]

Crikey Moses, this is insanely epic... what a car.

Just as folk on the Timelord thread were going all dewy-eyed about the good ol' days, when you could smoke about in some crusty Yank - you demonstrate those days are still with us.

Much kudos!

The closest I may ever come is my Dinky version, but I'll be following this one with great interest...

[Magnificent Rustbucket]

FANTASTIC  car. Wow.

[sutty2006]

Give Oldcott Motors a bell and speak to Steve. He’s usually got some oldies in the bone yard. He might be able to help find hard to get parts. 

[Rod/b]

Re the lights switching off randomly watch the White Room movie, specifically the bits they used in the 3AM Eternal video, Ford Timelord used to do the same thing. 

[Split_Pin]

As a big fan of the KLF and the Ford Timelord, I think this car is absolutely tremendous. I tip my hat to you.

Please, please come to our monthly Scotoshite meet on the last Wednesday of every month, next one is January!

[Asimo]

Stacked headlights.   Swoon!

Off to work in a good mood now.

[Skut]

Wasn't Sealtainn going to bring his Park Avenue to Scotshite in January. That be quite a combination. 

[egg]

Wow. And as it should be...