Answering the phone, a familiar voice greeted me. “Jason, this is Bill; I’m so sorry. We are nearly ready to go, but the shaft on the new water pump is too short. With your Galaxie having a generator, it requires a longer shaft. It’s going to be a while longer, but I will find one.”
Then, a few days later: “Jason, it’s Bill. That guy lied to me. He swears he measured the shaft before he sent it, but it’s too short on this one too. I chewed on him good, but I need to try this again. Please know I’m trying.”
And: “Jason, Bill. This is making me mad, but I will get a water pump. I’ve been doing this for forty-one years and never had such a time finding a water pump.”
Such has been the story on resurrecting my ’63 Galaxie. I wrote the first part of this story (here) in May 2012. It doesn’t seem like such a long time ago, but in many ways it was. Plans for the Galaxie at that time hinged upon selling my house, a situation prompted by a downsizing at my employer and my talents being needed in a larger branch office. On the day that piece was first shown, my house had already been for sale for seven months; it would ultimately be another twelve months plus twenty-one days before my house finally sold on May 31 of this year.
The Galaxie sat in my garage languishing throughout that seemingly never-ending ordeal. I sincerely hope nobody reading this has ever endured a similar real estate transaction. During that era, the Galaxie was often a focal point for my real estate agents (yes, that is plural; I fired the first two) as they viewed it as repellant to prospective buyers – despite nobody viewing the house ever having issue with it. The third agent did not see the Galaxie as a liability; her belief was it reflected a knack for maintenance and refurbishment that she translated to the house itself. She also shared my philosophy that it was my garage and the Galaxie did not come with the house (incidentally, I have viewed a number of houses around here and have found three original condition Mustangs and one VW convertible).
With over 19 months to plan, my wife and I discussed what we should do with the Galaxie. Selling it was never an option. The final outcome was actually her wonderful and brilliant idea.
Two weeks before the sale was finalized, a co-worker and I hauled the Galaxie to a repair shop seventy miles south of my house and about two miles from my in-laws house. It was a great combination of known skill with the repair shop and proximity for my retired father-in-law to keep tabs on it.
The plan was now in action. The 5.8 liter (352 cid) engine would be removed and sent to Indiana for remanufacturing. The price was reasonable, I would get the same engine block and heads back, and it had a nice warranty on the work. Doing this would ensure I knew the overall condition of the engine. Also on tap would be tires, shocks, boiling the radiator, double checking my work from rebuilding the brake system, and replacing the exhaust.
Of course there were a few wrinkles along the way. The radiator disintegrated while being boiled out; the flywheel needed to be planed; the clutch and throw-out bearing needed to be replaced. Oh, and there was that persnickety water pump issue.
During periodic trips to my in-laws house over this past summer, I would swing by to check on the progress of the car. Further waiting was tough, but progress was truly being made. Raising the hood to be greeted with an empty engine bay was the hardest to see but was the biggest indication of moving forward.
The gas tank I had purchased almost four years ago was installed, plus new tires (its first set of radials!) and a dual exhaust system.
New shocks were installed; the old ones were the originals. For whatever reason, I left the tags on the pre-bent brake lines after installing them; I think they can stay put.
The Galaxie was ready to go – except for the water pump. Then one day the phone rang. Bill informed me a correct water pump had finally arrived. Somebody fat-fingering a credit card number had greatly delayed shipment. Thankfully, this fifth and final water pump was the right one.
On September 26, the old Galaxie was started for the first time since May 1997; it had last moved under its own power in January 1995. Was it really that long ago? Apparently so.
On September 27, I headed to my in-laws house to fetch my Ford and to drive it the 110 miles back to Jefferson City.
So what’s it like to drive a fifty year old car that has been sitting for the last 40% of its life, then fire it up for a two-hour drive? A car that is in some of your earliest childhood memories, has been in your life since 1986, and you had last driven with regularity in 1992? A car that you’ve been slowly working on intermittently the past five years?
Surreal. An erasure of time. Nerve-wracking. At 41, I’m a bit more concerned about things breaking than I was at twenty.
My first concern was fuel. It was five miles to the nearest gas station and the shop hadn’t put very much fuel in it. For the first hour of the drive back, the needle never left the full mark; it wasn’t until I started running at 70 to 75 mph on I-70 and then US 54 that the gauge started to drop.
Another concern was arriving back after dark. Not dawdling with my departure from the in-laws house got me back just before dusk.
So how did it ride and drive?
First, let’s set the stage. The Galaxie is almost completely stock, with the exceptions of dual exhaust, stainless steel brake lines, and somewhat wider P215/70R14 tires. It still has four-wheel drum brakes and a single reservoir master cylinder. The car does not have power steering, power brakes, or air conditioning. It has a three-speed column shifted manual transmission with overdrive and it still has points in the distributor. It is equipped with the optional seat belts from 1963, which are lap belts for the front seat only, constructed similarly to those seen on roller coasters at amusement parks.
Its ride is floaty but still connected to the road; it is not the 1970’s Ford Floatmobile type of ride. Irregularities in the pavement surface really are noticeable yet subtle. A rough set of railroad tracks on my route that have jarred my teeth in newer vehicles were a only supple ripple that could be felt in the seat.
Wind noise is negligible at speed, even with the windows down. The lack of power steering was not obvious, although I did very little in-town driving with the route I took. The brakes aren’t terrific by current standards, but they do adequately stop the car.
Curves were best taken at no more than 10 miles per hour above the posted advisory speed. One overzealous entrance into a curve prompted the Galaxie to tell me to wise up by giving me some body roll and tire squall.
Acceleration is quite nice and V8 confident, although I wasn’t about to start hooning a fresh engine. What was most obvious was the low end torque of the 352. It’s been a decade since driving a manual transmission with any frequency, so a few starts raised the front end. Going around a few curves required my slowing to about 30 mph, yet I never had to downshift into second to regain momentum. A bump on the throttle prompted a kick-down to third direct and I was back up to speed quite rapidly.
About eight miles into my trip, I crossed the second largest town on my route. Somewhere on the west end of town, I began to smell a lot of burning oil. My being tense amplified the moment; thankfully, a few seconds later I saw the mosquito killing Saturn two cars ahead of me.
Having chosen low volume back roads for the first half of my trip was wise. It gave me a good feel for the Ford’s driving dynamics without being crowded on the interstate. On the backroads, I had several waves from people as well as some looks of disbelief. It was somewhere on this part of the trip the song Ventura Highway by America popped into my head and remained there for the duration of the trip.
My route minimized my time on I-70 to about thirty-five miles. That was fortuitous as it was the typical 5:30 pm Friday glob of erratic drivers amplified by those heading to the University of Missouri – Columbia football game or the Lake of the Ozarks. Many people would hit the passing lane as soon as they saw the rear of the Ford although some did wave and smile at me. Some young guy in a Kia Rio was shocked when he saw what was passing him; a truck driver gave me a thumbs up as I went around him.
The Galaxie ran flawlessly. On the first tank of fuel that had this trip along with driving around town for some of these pictures, the Galaxie has returned 13.98 mpg – not too bad for a new engine, having a dribble into the fuel pump, and a driver trying to relearn its clutch!
Showing and telling Mrs. Jason and Spawn of Jason about the Galaxie helped adjust our perspectives of time and the durability of this Ford. Spawn is only a few years younger than I was when my father purchased the Galaxie from my great-uncle Donald’s widow; I am only two years younger than my father was at the time. I am six years younger than my grandfather was when he died on October 30, 1966, the night his brother Donald and the Galaxie barnstormed the countryside trying to find my father. I am about the same age now that Donald was on that fateful night.
There is still more to do. The headliner is sagging, the carpeting is worn to threads in the back seat, and the seat upholstery is torn yet supple up front
and brittle in the back seat.
I have emptied the ashtrays and found this treasure trove under the back seat – mice are mighty destructive creatures. Shampooing the carpet resulted in fifty years of dirt, grime, and mouse crap being pulled to the service. It was a mess – and I keep questioning myself why I didn’t do this five years ago. Yet the hardest and most important part has been addressed as everything else is manageable.
After an excruciating and tumultuous five year wait, my ’63 Ford Galaxie is once again ready for action. I don’t anticipate her needing anything major for another fifty years.
Awesome story Jason, well done!
I hope you continue to enjoy your Galaxie for many years while gradually improving the remaining issues. I always get suckered into taking the whole car apart so you are an inspiration that it can be done.
I agree. These cars are great. They do not make them this good anymore. These can last more than a lifetime. American!
Fabulous story and a great car. When I was a safety patrol in the 6th grade, a friend’s mom drove a turquoise 63 Galaxie 500 sedan. It spent a little time as my favorite car. I always found the 63 Ford very attractive. My Uncle Bob had a maroon 64 with the very same interior color that you have.
Another thing, it seems that Ford always sold a higher percentage of 3 speed column shift cars than Chevy or Plymouth did, especially on V8 cars. In a perfect world, I would take a 390 in front of the 3 speed overdrive, but this one ought to be pretty pleasant as is.
Finally, Jason, Jason, Jason. Do I see that the new radials are blackwalls? Probably a necessary concession to reality, as I have read here about how hard it is to find 14 inch whitewalls at anything approaching a reasonable price. Did you notice a big difference it ride or handling with the radials? I would imagine that it smooths this car out quite a bit.
Great story, and I look forward to the next installment.
That’s just a shadow blocking the white walls!
Really, though, there are about two tires of known brand that come in this size; both are Cooper. There are likely others, but my choice was a performance tire or a regular passenger car tire that had whites in some sizes (if memory serves). Let’s just say I opted to not have raised white letters on her.
The steering is much easier than I remember with the bias-plies and it feels better planted to the road. There isn’t the god-awful body lean that is so stereotypical of this vintage car.
My next installment may be pretty quick. The dribble in the fuel line has had a side effect (affect?).
Very neat. I would imagine the feeling is about as close as one can get to taking a ride in a time machine, so to speak. With that said, I think I’d be an awfully nervous passenger in any car from the era. As someone who always buckles up, I think I’d constantly be starring at the steel dashboard while envisioning someone texting their car right into us!
The first time I ever used the seatbelt in this car is the day I drove it back (last picture and the one with me).
It is a time machine in more ways than one.
Thank you Jason,a great car and a great read
Great write-up, and congratulations on getting behind the wheel of your baby again. I bet that was fun first drive.
Since my ’66 F100 has been in regular use since I got it in 1987, I’ve never had that time-warp experience of suddenly driving off in an old car. But there are times when I’m driving along and say to myself “what an old but fun heap this is”. I’d have no compunctions about driving it anywhere, except for the noise, which is has gotten worse, along with my ears.
So we share the same transmission/OD, I see. I have to assume your Galaxie feels pretty responsive with the 352 and the stick.
It is responsive. My biggest quandary was after having driven umpteen hundred vehicles since driving this if my scale of judgement would differ. Nope. It’s just as I remember.
The best measure I can use is hill climbing. The town I grew up in had a 1/4 mile long hill with about a 7% to 7 1/2% grade. The Galaxie would pull it in third at 30 mph and was as happy as a doodle bug in a sugar bowl. No griping, it would actually accelerate quite well from that starting point.
As luck would have it, right after I took the picture at the gas pump, there was a hill, starting from a standing stop, of about the same length and grade. About a third of the way up, at 30 mph, I put her in third. She was doing 45 at the top of the hill. I’ve goosed the throttle a few other times and it will shoot around folks quite nicely.
All of its little quirks came right back to me within two miles. My hope right now is to drive it to Branson (about 3 hours or so) in two weeks for the Ford Galaxie convention.
A fine car! My father had a ’63 Galaxie, white with black cloth upholstery, that I liked very much.
Who-hoo!!! I loved reading this! How awesome that must have felt to ease out on the clutch for the first time 🙂 It’s so nice to see a car like this get the correct attention..no stupid boom-boom, chromed-out engine, tasteless paint, bucket seats or rimz.
The oldest vehicle I’ve driven is a 1967 Oldsmobile so this old Ford has got to be a real honey with the FE V8, 3-speed, overdrive, and lack of power accessories. Did you put quiet mufflers on it?
Fix the clock! Quartz movements not allowed.
Quiet mufflers? Well, since you mention it….it’s got dual MagnaFlows on it. I wanted something that would talk to me without making my eardrums bleed. It’s just loud enough now to overcome my tinnitus.
The clock is on the radar; its stuck at 2:57.
1963 was the first use, domestically, of the term “liter” in the 7.0 Galaxie, yes? I hope to submit an article of this sort about my ’67 Ambassador soon. It has been in our family since new, and I haven’t driven it since 1970. The death of our dear Father has affected us each in different ways, ergo the delay in putting his fleet back on the road. I can imagine the combination of emotion and sensory input when driving a car that is as involving as a column mount shifter in combination with the overdrive and manual steering. With the “free-wheeling” allowing no clutch shifts, right? It is always reassuring to see others who are able to re-live a segment of their lives through an older automobile. Even the ones who claim to not “get it” have a smile on their faces when the old friends pull up into their driveway, at the wheel of a car from their own childhood. Thank you for the write up of your adventure. This site always puts a smile on my face.
1966 was the first year Ford used 7-Litre to denote the optional 428 cu in engine. In fact, it was a new series that Ford called the Galaxie 500 7-Litre. The 7-Litre was available as a convertible or 2 dr hardtop.
Ahhh I’m so very jealous – not only of the car, which I love, but also of what it must feel like to climb behind the wheel of something you’ve got so much history with and have worked so hard to bring back to life.
So congrats, enjoy it, I think it’s damn near-perfect just the way it is (this has become my favorite generation of Fords). I hope you get to pass it on to the spawn of Jason one day too.
I enjoyed the story very much. I think the 1963 models were the best-looking of the 1960’s Fords, and came close to buying a 63 1/2 red on red 2-door hardtop with a 390 and 4-speed. The guy wanted $150, which will give you all an idea of not only how long ago this was, but also what the car needed: Everything. It would start, run, and drive though. Your 63 sounds like a neat car, and I hope you have fun with it.
Nice story on my favorite 1963 car.
Cool story I drove my rebuilt 63 Holden from 95 until 03 drum brakes original steering etc it was fine you just allow a little more room between you and the car in front it had single wheel cylinders up front my 59 Hillman has twin leading brake shoes up front and actually stops but is manual everything including wiper park self cancelling indicators being its only automatic feature, quite a contrast to my other two cars. FE V8 jason I love it.
Nice story about a nice car. Now are you planning on driving this frequently or is it to be a garage queen with an occasional drive every few months? It would be a shame to let it just live in a garage.
Was the spot light an option on the civilian Galaxies or did this car have a police package? i know on American cars in the 30’s through 50’s you could get the spot light(or spot lights) as a extra cost option but did not know if they kept it up in the 1960’s
It will not be a garage queen. While I am “limited” to 1000 miles per year with the antique plates, I am exempted if it is for educational purposes or exhibitions. Might talking to someone at the store being educational?
Factory spotlights on the police car versions went through the front fender. This is very much a retail version and I suspect my great-uncle Donald drilled a hole in the a-pillar when he used it as his patrol car. There has not been a bulb there in thirty years.
I really like the 1963 Galaxies. Attractive and practical good old fashion road car!
Good story.
Now that you’ve got the Galaxie rolling you can sell me the Century.
What’s it worth to you??? 🙂
Sometimes I think I’d buy a ’63 Ford for those taillights alone.
I salute you, Mr. Shafer. I wish you many uncanny miles of “newstalgia,” though I hope you move to a two-chamber master cylinder at some point.
I’ve been torn on this issue. Wavering from dual chambers and disc brakes with 15″ wheels back to stock and then back the other way.
Stock won out. However, I have a set of 15″ rims and its a quick change to a dual chamber.
I would keep the original brakes, tires and wheels but upgrade the master cyl when you have time.
I will third the advice to upgrade to a dual circuit master cylinder, whether you switch to disc brakes or not. When something fails in your brake system, losing half your brakes is better than losing all your brakes.
A dual circuit brake system was mandated starting in 1967. There will be different master cylinders depending on whether you have discs or drums in the front. You’ll likely find a 1967 MC that works with a minimum of fuss if you want to keep your stock drums.
I also observed in your underhood shot that a ’63 Galaxie uses the same windshield washer pump as a 65-66 Mopar C-body. 🙂 Early Mustangs use that pump too.
And if you do not do that master cylinder, for the love of all that is holy, replace those rusty 50 year old parking brake cables!!!!!
Just reading this for the first time…I think it’s definitely wise to replace the master cylinder. Not just because of the redundant safety aspect…but also because of a proportioning valve. Drums will work great for stopping in general but gosh, I remember how all four wheels would lock up at the same time on my ’66 (power brakes, tho). I would have given anything for a more modern master cylinder. It’s truly worth it.
Are you going to install seatbelts in the back?
15″ rims would give you more whitewall options, too…
Gee, it’s fun telling other people how to spend their money. 🙂
I was hoping for an update on your Ford. Very good to see you driving it, and on a real road trip, no less! This story makes me wonder how well I’d do right now if I had to drive a car with three on the tree. William Jefferson Clinton was president the last time I drove a car with a stick, so I guess I’d be a bit rusty.
“mosquito-killing Saturn”
hah! I remember those trucks when I was a kid in St. Peters. That musky smell on a hot summer evening while we were playing in the streets.
Nice story! Your car reminds me a lot of my ’65 F-85, the driving manners and way it’s optioned. The old bias-plies look like the two that came with my car as well, and have been on the front temporarily, man the radials definitely make things easier.
SCHWING. This week is overflowing with gorgeous cars at CC. Love the wheelcovers. Quick jump down a rabbit hole on that particular style of wheelcover.
When I was five-ish, we moved from Lombard, IL to West Chicago, IL. Our subdivision was not in town but just off Route 64 (A.K.A. North Avenue). It was a very busy four-laner back in the late 70’s and whenever I could get away with it, I’d “ride my bike” — basically, ride straight to North Avenue, ditch my bike in the weeds, and start searching for hubcaps.
Back in the “good old days”, these suckers were everywhere. I would dig through thornbushes, wade through swampy areas & find these things everywhere. You’d be surprised just how many feet they would travel when released at 55mph!
One day I was really stretching it: I was in the trees probably 50-60 feet from the road & spotted one of those ’65 Olds wheelcovers… It had been there so long it was partially buried.
I’d never seen one before but I started looking closer and within that quarter mile area, I found two more of that exact same style wheelcover: They were too far apart to have been from a single car crash and I’ve never found another one (aside from later scrapyard runs).
I always thought that was weird. Three of the exact same year/make/model, all on the same side of North Avenue; all within a quarter mile of each other. Okay, back to your normally scheduled programming.
Excellent story, glad you’re enjoying it!
Awesome story! Keep those wheels turning.
Excellent news! Congratulations on getting your Galaxie back on the road. Here’s to many more great memories to be made with it.
“Raising the hood to be greeted with an empty engine bay was the hardest to see but was the biggest indication of moving forward.”
I got a chuckle out of that. Imagine being greeted by this sight when you went to visit your car.
ACK! I thought the fenderwells & radiator support were welded to the body shells on those cars! Was the blue wrench used here?
+1
That is almost as traumatic as going into the delivery room.
Nope, everything in the front end of a C-body bolts together, including the front subframe to the body.
One of these days I’ll have to do a proper write-up on this car instead of just posting teaser shots.
Congratulations on getting it running and driving it home! Many happy memories waiting to be made from now on…thanks for sharing!
Great story. Good to see you have your ride back on the road.
I turned 7 in ’63, and my next door neighbors bought a new Country Sedan. Their’s was technically a ’63 1/2 model, as is yours appears to be because it has the clear park lamp lens. Of course the main change for the 1/2 models was the new fastback style roof for the two door hardtops. I don’t know if the 1/2 designation made it to the titles on the cars, or if it was purely an advertising gimmick. Later when I was in high school, I had a ’64 XL500 2 door hardtop, and a ’63 Galaxy sedan very similar to yours. It was burgundy with a 289 and automatic. I’ve always enjoyed these cars. They are a nice size, basically a full size car but not as large as they were to become starting in ’65. I would love to have one again.
I am a purist so my two cent’s worth is to keep it as stock as possible. Just be sure to keep that emergency braked well adjusted.
Great story Jason and best wishes for many happy hours of motoring miles…my grandfather had a 63 black coupe, red interior…manual on the column and could never understood why I always wanted to ride in it vs. his 1968 Torino GT..
Hold out on the 1000 miles-maybe Missouri might change??- CT has no exceptions to it’s vintage plates except the car has to be at least 25 yrs old..insurance company is another issue. I signed an affadavit for my insurance company and there is no mileage restriction on my 80 Olds as long as i don’t drive it in the winter…
The 1000 mile limitation in Missouri is kinda sorta on the honor system. I’m supposed to keep a log of what I drive. However, I’m allowed up to 100 miles from home for repairs, so that doesn’t count, and trips to car shows or educational events don’t count.
Theoretically, I could drive it to Connecticut, educate you and everyone you know on how its overdrive works, and that’s okay. My actually doing something that bold is a different story…
It’s got collector car insurance, and I gave myself 2000 miles per year. They said if I need to do something different, like say the Mississippi River Run, they would waive the restriction.
I see a lot of opportunities to educate Spawn of Jason in the ways of a classic Ford – probably several thousand miles per year worth. 🙂
I like that idea – a lot.
Spawn is still learning how to drive; if one’s feet can reach the pedals, you are old enough to drive. Spawn does enjoy riding in it and has stated my hands and feet sure stay busy driving it!
Cool! Happy to see the Galaxie is up and running. Great story too.
Absolutely fantastic Jason – I love reading all your articles, and the personal nature of this car makes this article the best yet.
Makes me mourn all the more for my missed opportunity – my grandfather’s 1936 Dodge Touring Sedan that he bought in 1950. My dad grew up in that car; I first remember it from when it was moved in 1976; I finally realised my dream when bought it from my Grandfather’s estate in 1994. A non-runner (the engine wasn’t seized but wasn’t running), it was relatively sound but after a hard life serving as my Grandparents family car and work car (a taxi) it needed full restoration that was well beyond my finances or abilities. I sold it in 1999 to help buy my first house, and I regret it every day (selling the car, not buying the house which I like and still live in!). It’s now stripped for restoration and lives only 15ish km from me, one day, one day…
It’s so heart-warming to read a story like yours where something of your family heritage has remained within the family. Long may it remain part of your life! Looking forward to seeing her in front of the Ford factory and on Route 66 – as mentioned in Part 1. here’s to further Galactic adventures!
At Tom and NZS: THANK YOU! This was the longest brewing story I’ve had but definitely the easiest to write.
If all goes well (I’ve had a wrinkle with the Ford), it will be crossing Route 66 for another trip. But I’m not yet certain about that.
NZ: Knowing where the Dodge is has got to be both sweet and sour. And, I’m jealous you’ve been in the same house since ’99; the house I just sold was my third since ’98. I’m too old to move any more!
Ford kind of loses me after ’59, but things picked up a lot with the ’63s. I like this car. Congratulations on your progress with it!
I loved your article. thanks for posting. I need to sell my 63 Galaxie 500 :>( I have a 2 door sportsroof with a 390 and column shift. Do a little and drive it, or restore it! fastkricket1@yahoo.com
Love this article, and the history with your Gal, I bought one in San Fran, drove it cross-country and then shipped it home with me to NZ, and your driving account rings so true for what they’re like to drive. I wrote up a bit of a story on the trip. It’s being posted up on one of our local carfreak sites: http://oldschool.co.nz/2014/03/12/a-beginners-guide-1/
I just read the first three parts of your link; it made me nervous reading it, based upon my brief experience.
Good catch on a great car!
Thanks, looking forward to reading more about yours.
Coming in April.
I’m keeping an eye on your adventure, too!
Lol, great read on oldschool Mike, looking forward to when the remaining two parts are posted!
NICE STORY I HAVE A 63 TWO DOOR HARD TOP IN MY GARAGE 390 WITH THREE SPEED OVE DRIVE ON THE COLUMN THIS ONE IS COMPLETELY RESTORED WITH DISC BRAKES RACK AND PINION AND AC IVE GOT A LOT OF OLD PARTS FOR THAT CAR IF YOURE EVER IN NEED
NICE RIDE