Going the Distance

The Ford Galaxy became Ford's top-range full-size model, launched in 1959, and soon after, the following year, it underwent a major model update. The new second-generation Galaxy featured two-door and four-door sedans, hardtops, and a two-door convertible, offering five different variations. The Galaxy became extremely popular alongside its sibling cars like the Lincoln Continental.

One of the key reasons for its success was the wide range of engine options, from the inline-six to the more powerful medium-block V8, which gave buyers flexibility.

The car in question is a 1962 model, a minor update from the previous version, with the tailfins removed and new rear trim. It is a 500XL Convertible, the top-tier model of the second-generation Galaxy, featuring plenty of chrome parts and an electric soft top.

The identification plate remains intact, confirming that this particular car is not equipped with the standard 292cui (4.8L) V8 engine found in the 500XL, but instead, it has the 352cui (5.8L) V8 engine. The car is also fitted with the Ford Cruise-O-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission, a system that Ford had been using since the 1950s. It was originally shipped with a Burgundy exterior and Beige Crush vinyl interior.

In 1991, the current owner purchased the car while working as a banker in the US. At that time, the car was in the same condition as described in the identification plate. After purchasing the car, the owner spent around $17,000 on an engine overhaul in the US. In 1993, the owner returned to Japan, bringing the Galaxy 500XL Convertible with them.

For the next 12 years, the owner split time between Japan and the US, but the Galaxy was kept in Japan, where it received regular maintenance. In 2005, the owner began residing in Japan full-time, and after this, the car underwent several refreshments and maintenance, including work on the engine and reupholstering the soft top.

The vinyl interior, which had severely deteriorated and had turned brown, was replaced with red leather, matching the car's body color. Additionally, to ensure comfort for the driver through Japan's changing seasons, the car was equipped with air conditioning and a manual choke for the engine.
For added convenience, the car also received a modification where the original audio system was updated with Bluetooth compatibility while keeping its classic appearance intact.

While the car has not been driven long distances, it was regularly used for short drives—about 50 km round trip from the owner’s home to a golf course in Yokohama. During these drives, any sign of trouble would immediately be addressed with maintenance from a trusted mechanic, and the car maintained an average of 3,000 miles (4,800 km) per year as per the vehicle’s records.

The owner had planned to address the exterior’s cracks and rust due to aging, but they decided not to restore the car, appreciating the original paint and the car's unaltered condition. The original engine and paint have been preserved as they are.

The car’s mechanical components, including the engine, remain in excellent condition, making it ideal to be kept as is, and possibly inheriting the Shinagawa 34 two-digit license plate. Whether you choose to refresh the exterior or use it as a base for a custom car, this is a prime example of an excellent foundation for any enthusiast.