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LACar Contributor Harold Osmer’s Stunning 1966 Ford Galaxie 500 Was Nationally Featured

Published on Tue, May 12, 2020

By: The LACar Editorial Staff

Harold’s period-correct 1966 Ford Galaxie 500 was featured as the cover photo on an article written by Autoweek.

Notes below by Harold Osmer.

If you obtain a fully restored, period correct 1966 Ford Galaxie 500, you will be confronted with drum brakes, three-speed transmission, and woefully inadequate climate control system.

Nostalgia can take you only so far before reality jumps in to remind you that a modern day Corolla will out accelerate/brake/handle your glorious machine without even noticing you are there.

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Galaxies were King of the Hill in the late 1960s. But by the mid-‘60s, the Galaxie had been relegated to family car status and became the Camry of its day. Speedy Ford guys went to the smaller Mustang of Fairlane options. That’s one of the more attractive points today. How many Mustangs do you see at car shows? OK, now how many Galaxies? Can you even imagine a guy trying to restore a 2002 Camry “just like Dad used to drive”? That’s why.

True story — many mid60s racing stock cars used the Ford front steering components. Something about the stoutness and geometry. Lasted until the mid70s!

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My car was purchased as a total piece of junk with the idea of turning it into a useful car on today’s roads with today’s modern cars surrounding it. Thus, we have front disk brakes and the modern drivetrain. My daughter and I used it as a garage project. I am no mechanic, but I can run some wires, handle the interior work, and hang some NOS panels.

Old cars are wonderful, but they are only as good their times. A Model T is an extreme example, but you get the idea. The T cannot accelerate, stop, or turn as efficiently as a modern car and is best used in parades with other period cars. A 1966 Galaxie 500 only had to contend with 1966 and earlier vehicles. Thus, it was at least current if not state of the art for its time.

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I like driving it because it requires level of attention not needed with modern cars. The Galaxie will not stop as fast, handle as well, zip along without worry like a modern car. I like that. I prefer to pay attention when driving. My Galaxie was retrofitted to mingle in modern traffic safely. I have no worries and my daughters love driving it for the same reasons I do. They are fully willing to be responsible for their actions behind the wheel. A modern car can make anyone a driving hero. Try that in a 1966 Galaxie and you will fail in spectacular fashion.

Here's the article written by Mark Vaughn of Autoweek with Harold’s Galaxie as the cover photo!

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