What happened to the Ford Galaxie?
The Ford Galaxie was a popular and iconic American automobile that had a significant impact on the automotive industry during its heyday. This article explores the history, design, and ultimate fate of the Ford Galaxie, providing a comprehensive overview of this legendary car.
The Birth of the Ford Galaxie
The Ford Galaxie was first introduced in 1959 as a replacement for the Ford Fairlane. It was designed to be a larger, more luxurious and powerful car that would compete with the Chevrolet Impala and other full-size American sedans of the era. The Galaxie was initially offered in a variety of body styles, including a two-door hardtop, a four-door sedan, and a convertible. The car's distinctive styling, with its long, sleek lines and prominent grille, quickly made it a favorite among American car enthusiasts.
The Galaxie's Heyday
The 1960s and 1970s were the Galaxie's heyday, as the car became a staple of American roads and a symbol of the country's automotive prowess. The Galaxie was known for its powerful engines, comfortable ride, and spacious interior, making it a popular choice for families and long-distance travelers. The car was also a favorite among law enforcement agencies, with many police departments using the Galaxie as their patrol vehicle of choice.
The Decline and Demise of the Ford Galaxie
Despite its popularity, the Ford Galaxie's reign came to an end in the late 1970s. As consumer preferences shifted towards smaller, more fuel-efficient cars, the Galaxie's large size and powerful engines became less appealing. The oil crises of the 1970s also contributed to the Galaxie's decline, as consumers sought out more economical vehicles. In 1978, Ford discontinued the Galaxie, replacing it with the smaller and more modern Ford LTD.
The Legacy of the Ford Galaxie
While the Ford Galaxie is no longer in production, its legacy lives on. The car's distinctive styling and powerful performance have made it a beloved classic among car enthusiasts, and it continues to be a sought-after collector's item. The Galaxie's impact on the automotive industry is also undeniable, as it helped to shape the design and engineering of many of the full-size American sedans that followed in its wake.
What replaced the Ford Galaxie?
After the 1974 model year, Ford dropped both the Galaxie and the Custom in favor of consolidating its full-size sedan line to the LTD (the Custom 500 remained in production for fleet sales).
When did Ford stop making the Galaxie?
Ford redesigned its full-size line for the 1969 model year, and the Galaxie 500 name lasted Stateside through 1974. That said, the bones (and name) of the 1966 Ford Galaxie lived on, in Brazil: The Galaxie 500 name expired there in 1979, while a facelifted version, called Landau, lived into 1983.
Does the Ford Galaxy have a VW engine?
Basically, Ford's Galaxy and VW's Sharan share the same 2.8-litre V6 engine (the VR6 unit used in the top mkIII VW Golf and the Corrado coupe) and the 90bhp and 115bhp 1.9-litre turbo diesels (also VW-sourced). Ford also added a 2.3-litre-engined option from the Scorpio saloon.
What is replacing the Ford Galaxy?
Ford appears to be planning to extend the appeal of the Kuga by delivering a seven-seat version, effectively replacing the S-Max and Galaxy.
Which is bigger, the Ford S-Max or the Galaxy?
While the S-Max provides practicality with a 285-litre boot (up to 2200 litres with seats down), it's slightly smaller than the Galaxy. However, it feels more compact, making it easier to manage in city settings.
Why did Ford discontinue the Galaxy?
The decision comes as a result of Ford's transition towards an all-electric product range and in response to changing customer demand. The Ford Galaxy was launched in Europe in 1996 when the first generation of the family hauler arrived as a joint venture product between Ford and the Volkswagen Group.
Was the Ford Galaxie a muscle car?
The 1962 Ford Galaxie 406 brought newfound power to the company's muscle cars. Ford began 1962 without an engine over 400 cid, a serious deficiency against 409 Chevys, 413 Mopars, and 421 Pontiacs. The remedy came partway into the season with an enlargement of the 390-cid Ford to 406 cubic inches.
What was the last year Ford made a Galaxy?
| Ford Galaxy | |
|---|---|
| Production | June 1995 − April 2023 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Large MPV (M) |
| Body style | 5-door MPV |
How much is a 1964 Ford Galaxie worth today?
The value of a 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 can vary greatly depending on its condition, mileage, options, and history. Typically, you can expect to pay around $17,356 for a 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 in good condition with average spec.
Are Fairlane and Galaxie the same?
Nameplate usage
For 1962, all full-size Fords wore the Galaxie badge (replacing the Fairlane entirely), as higher-trim series took on Galaxie 500 and Galaxie 500XL badging. For 1965, the higher-content Galaxie 500 LTD was introduced as a flagship model. For 1966, the nomenclature was revised slightly.
