Going the Distance

The Ford Galaxie underwent four major redesigns in the 15 years it was produced, between 1959 and 1974. The model's remarkable popularity, resulting from its impressive body lines and customizability that allowed you to choose between an inline 6 to a medium block V8, has endured to the present.
This specific example is a second generation Galaxie from 1962. It has continued to garner attention as it was specially customized by a renowned American custom shop.

The relationship between car owners and their beloved cars is often likened to that of a couple on their honeymoon. However, that is not exactly the case when it comes to this specific Ford Galaxie and its owner.
We had the opportunity to see the vehicle for the first time in December 2024 when it visited our showroom, with its soul-stirring V8 sound - characteristic of American cars.
Although the exterior showed signs of age which could not simply be described as general wear, the engine sound was surprisingly smooth and stable.
It piqued my interest and I had to find out what kind of relationship had been built between the car and the owner, who used to be the vice president of a famous bank, along with the secrets behind the 36 years of his ownership.

The story begins in Atlanta, in 1991, with the owner working hard as a banker. He was approached by a more junior colleague who asked if he was interested in buying the car for $10,000.
Since the owner had a company car, he was not particularly looking to purchase a private vehicle. Plus, a 30 year old car was hardly the first option that comes to mind when considering a family car. However, he decided to purchase the car at the asking price.
We assume the powerful driving performance supported by its weighty torque and relaxing driving experience made the Ford Galaxie attractive to the owner, who appreciated good ol’ American cars.
However, almost immediately after bringing the car home, the car started acting up. When he and his family, who were visiting from New York, were sightseeing around Atlanta, the car suddenly stalled halfway up a hill. Realizing he couldn’t let it go like this, the owner decided to have the engine overhauled and took the car to a repair shop; the reason why he chose this shop is unknown… The car came back from the shop rejuvenated, and with an invoice of $17,000, almost twice the price of the car itself. A tricky one to explain to his family, but at least the car was now healthy. Then, in 1993, the owner’s work brought him back to Japan.
After all this, the owner couldn’t just leave the Galaxie, so he brought it over to Japan too. However, the owner spent only five of the next 12 years in Japan, jumping back and forth between the U.S. and Japan. Diligently, the owner regularly turned the ignition to keep things ticking over. When it came to driving the car, 12 years did seem like a long time, so he consulted with his mechanic and addressed any concerns, such as the hood, engine, transmission, and the interior.
With comfort equipment added such as AC and Bluetooth integrated into its original audio system, the Galaxie continued to provide a refreshing driving experience as he traveled down the Tomei Expressway to the golf course in Yokohama.
Anything can happen with these old cars. However, knowing from experience that nothing good would come from leaving it in the garage, the owner regularly drove the vehicle. Highways had little stop-and-go traffic, and in addition, his mechanic was conveniently located between his house and the golf course, so he continued to use the Galaxie as his golf car.

Apparently, the Galaxie seemed a little out of place in the parking lot of the golf course in Yokohama, but the owner didn’t mind. “It’s classier than the other luxury cars around here, isn’t it?” he asks, proud of its history.
It seems his wife did not share the same passion for the car, as she has only ever been in it twice. The first time was when the car broke down in Atlanta; the second and last time was when he decided to sell the car and invited her to go for a ride in the neighborhood for the last time.

So how much did this owner end up spending on his 1962 Ford Galaxie? Since all the invoices from every trip to the mechanic remain, it wouldn’t be difficult to calculate. But, it feels rude to do so.
What’s more important is the relationship between car and owner, his fondness for the car, and the bills which prove that he immediately consulted his garage if anything went wrong, and made sure that his concerns were properly addressed. The vehicle inspection certificate shows that the car has maintained its Shinagawa 2-digit license plate and has consistently driven approximately 3,000 miles (4,800 km) every two years.
Another owner might have polished it up and installed the latest engine, but this owner stuck to the beauty and charm of its original condition while making sure for the car to have constant maintenance so he could continue to enjoy driving the car.

I drove the car a little for the photo shoot, but the somewhat whimsical accelerator and steering took some getting used to. Patience and respect are necessary to drive this car.
My takeaway from this story is that you have to be open and respectful. The owner respected the history of the car and its original state, and never forced it to be something it’s not. The relationship between the car and its owner, which is somewhat similar to a relationship between people, made me think again about the way I see automobiles.