Sometimes a car comes along out of left field that you’d never expect to fall in love with. This 1966 Ford Galaxie 500 convertible is just such a car. Big Ford convertibles aren’t especially rare, but this big black cruiser with its reasonable price, muscular 390 cubic inch V8, and awesome originality just gets it all right. The critical thing to note is that we believe it to be a highly original car, including paint and interior, and with that in mind, it’s just an awesome survivor that drives like a full-sized luxury car should. There’s plenty of punch and it has movie star good looks, all for the price of a used Hyundai. Seriously, if you’re looking for a great ragtop to enjoy this summer, you won’t find more car for less money anywhere else.

First and foremost, that’s 98% original code A Raven Black paint on this big Galaxie’s flanks. Is it perfect? No, of course not. There are nicks and scratches and signs of time’s passage, but the great thing about original paint is that you know there are no nasty surprises hiding underneath. Nobody has been slathering Bondo over gaping holes, nobody has been using a can of Krylon to hide rust spots, and everything fits together just the way the factory did it in 1966. If you need perfect, you can spend more to get it, but I bet you won’t get a better car. Cars that have not been disassembled just feel better and this is no exception. We buffed the original enamel, which brought out a very nice period shine that looks great even up close. As I said, there are signs of age and use that are unavoidable, but I don’t think they affect the car’s overall appeal one bit. The factory trim is entirely original, from the simple grille to the long sweep-spear along the sides to the jet-inspired taillights that were a Ford trademark for many years, and it all has a very consistent, all-of-a-piece look. Even the original dealer’s sticker is still clinging to the trunk lid (Virginian Ford of Lynchburg, VA, by the way).

We also like the red interior, which is always the best choice with a black car. We’ve agonized over the upholstery and have concluded that it is indeed original to the car. The patterns and materials are consistent throughout and there’s some wear and fading on the carpets, and we figure that if someone was going to accurately re-upholster the seats, they would have replaced the carpets as well, right? Every clue we can find says that’s an original interior. There are some popped seams on the pleats, but there are no major tears or splits and both bench seats remain comfortable for long cruises. The steering wheel shows some age but isn’t cracked or broken, another big plus, and even the horn ring is still in great shape. The dash pad is definitely a replacement piece but it fits in neatly with the rest of the interior and at some point seat belts were added for safety. Everything appears to be functional save for the clock and the original AM radio, which has been supplanted by a more modern AM/FM/cassette unit installed neatly under the dash. And yes, the rear speaker still works! Overhead there’s a white power convertible top with a glass rear window, and it is probably a replacement piece since it’s way too nice to be 51 years old. It folds effortlessly and stows under an easy-to-install vinyl boot that matches the interior. The trunk is truly massive, as you’d expect, and includes what appears to be the original mat set and a full-sized spare tire with jack assembly, but no rust or rot. Just check out those inner quarters! Nice, right?

Now this isn’t some garden-variety Galaxie with a little 289, no, this is the big one with the Z-code 390 cubic inch “Thunderbird” V8 that makes all that sheetmetal feel 800 pounds lighter than it is. The official numbers are 315 horsepower and 427 pounds of torque, and from behind the wheel, it feels plenty strong. It isn’t a screamer, but you’ll quickly learn that there aren’t many hills this Galaxie can’t conquer and it leaps away from red lights like something far smaller (and younger). We don’t believe the engine has ever been out of the car, so it’s likely the numbers-matching powerplant, although Ford didn’t stamp numbers on the block to verify it. Recent work includes a rebuilt carburetor, new fuel pump, rebuilt distributor, a fresh alternator, and a professional tune that makes it run superbly. Turn the key and it starts without a fuss and idles smoothly even when it’s cold. Someone did their homework here. On the road, the big 390 just loafs along until you need a little boost, and it steps into action immediately, regardless of what gear the transmission is in. There’s power everywhere ready to shove you along like a big electric motor. It’s quite addictive. It makes a pleasing V8 burble from the twin exhaust pipes out back, but I think a slightly more aggressive set of mufflers (just a little bit!) would really change this car’s personality for the better. Some Ford Blue paint on the block and air cleaner makes it look authentic and you’ll again note just how clean the inner fenders and firewall really are—this car has never spent time in winter weather.

The transmission is a Cruise-O-Matic 3-speed automatic and according to the door tag, there are comfortable 3.00 gears in the 9-inch rear end, so it’s a fantastic car to take on long road trips. It’s well-maintained underneath because the suspension is taut but not harsh, the steering feels responsive, and it rides smoothly the way you’d want your big luxury car to feel. As an original car it is, of course, a bit crusty and grimy underneath and there are more signs of recent maintenance, including a transmission that’s so clean it must have been rebuilt in the not-too-distant past. Power steering means it’s easy to handle under any conditions and it sits on factory steel wheels with optional wheel covers and fresh 215/75/15 whitewall tires.

This car also includes a set of polished stainless steel fender skirts that have probably been with the car since it was new.

Look at the photos, then look again at the price. Full-sized cars with big block motors and awesome color combinations just don’t get any more affordable than this. Better still, this one is mechanically excellent and ready to enjoy, making it one of our favorites, regardless of price. Call today!