Ford Galaxie

ENGINE 6391cc/V8/OHV POWER 300bhp@4600rpm TORQUE 427lb ft@2600rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 118mph 0-60MPH 8.3sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 13-17mpg TRANSMISSION RWD, three-speed automatic MoT Exempt ODOMETER 37,146 miles

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?

The big V8 idles easily with a deep rumble and delivers effortless, creamy-smooth power. It doesn’t rev very high or quickly but pulls easily with no unevenness. Gear selection on the column-shift is easy and it changes ratios cleanly. The power steering is super-light with many turns lock to lock, but there is no play. The rebuilt brakes are almost too sharp, grabbing with just a brush of the pedal, and it floats over bumps and wallows around corners… but that’s just how they are. There are no clonks or rattles.

BODYWORK CHECK

The paint is, if nothing else, original, having been achieved through the weathering of many Alabama seasons. It was Heritage Burgundy when new, but the sunburned and wind-blown paint has now been sealed to protect it. The metal is mostly solid apart from a small hole in the bottom of the nearside rear door and adjacent wheel arch. The bumpers match the paint with a mixture of good chrome and patches of surface rust, and other trim – on the grille, wing tops, side strips and tailgate – is presentable, though the tailgate badge is missing. The steel wheels have recently been enamelled in black and wear new 215/75 R14 tyres. The tailgate glass can still be lowered from outside when the car is unlocked and the rear lights are fitted with LED bulbs.

HOW’S THE INTERIOR?

The beautiful dashboard has a period radio and excellent dashtop and the windows – including the winders for the quarter lights – work as they should. However, the rest is in a similar state to the exterior. The door cards are shot and there is no roof headlining. There’s no carpet, either, but this does at least show the new gloss black paint on the sound metal floorboards following some welding. The seats are covered with Mexican blankets because the original fabric is all but gone and there are no seat belts. Boot space is vast, however, with large stowage areas under lift-up panels in the floor.

UNDER THE BONNET

This car stood for several years in the US, but has had extensive recommissioning – including new main and big end bearings, a new camshaft, bearings and followers, front and rear oil seals and oil pump – after coming to the UK. The fuel hoses are new and the tank has been stripped and cleaned. The brakes and four barrel carburettor have been rebuilt and the exhaust is new. All perishable rubbers have been renewed and there is a new Yuasa battery.

THE CCW VIEW

This would be perfect for anyone who likes their big Yanks to have original patina. The look is authentic, but receipts for £15k of work show that this is a car that’s ready to be used. In fact, the owner has just completed a 350-mile event in it.

Matt Richardson