1962 Ford Galaxie Sunliner

This Canadian built Sunliner started life in 1962 at Ford’s Vancouver plant, It was purchased by its first owner in Vancouver, British Columbia, before finding it's way to California where it spent many warm, dry years in the Sunshine State until, following an estate sale, it was bought by a Wisconsin museum where it was kept indoors for several years. It left that collection and moved a little way to a new owner in Ohio, until it coming up for sale in 2017 with dealer Crusin’ Classics of Columbus, Ohio, when the current owner saw it online and imported it to Britain. It was registered and prepared for the UK’s right hand drive roads, but due to family circumstances was only been driven a couple of times before being put into storage.

The car has covered just over 89,000 miles and is believed to have the drive train it rolled out of the factory with and appears to be in original unrestored condition.

Moving into the 1960s, the rocket fins of the ‘50s were, year by year, absorbed by the design for a sleeker, more modern, sophisticated take on the space age styling that still heavily influenced car design, with every accent and flourish of the body looking like it came from a science fiction space ship, even the tail lights were meant to look like red rocket burners.

The 500 was the top of the line on Ford’s biggest car, the Galaxie was 209.9” or 5.3 meters long, vast for a two door body, but the ultimate in personal luxury, especially when fitted with a power hood, here in white fabric to match the white paint. The hood is in generally excellent condition, there are just two small repairs just visible, and the plastic rear screen is nice and clear with no creases. It operates from a switch on the dash and folds flat, a red tonneau cover comes with the car, it was a tight fit on the freezing cold day of the shoot but easier to fit when the car was last used in summer.

The paint looks either original or very old if not, there are a few chips around the body, some cracks in the paint on the rear passenger wing and the drivers door has a little bubbling on the bottom corner. The passenger door rubber seal has unfortunately split but could be glued until a replacement fitted.

The brightwork is mostly in nice shape, as is normal for almost 60 year old delicate pressings there is the odd wobble or ding on the strips and bonnet edge, the red paint in the side stripes has flaked a tiny bit in places but is very presentable and the grill and both bumpers are excellent, however the front passenger wheel arch trim has a light scrape.

The car wears four Firestone whitewall tyres with very good tread, and the stainless hubcaps are all unblemished.

60’s interiors were a feast for the eyes. All red with silver detailing, the vinyl seats have very little wear, the rears have darkened more over time, whether the fronts have been recovered is unknown, but the silver braiding has worn equally. The front seat backs fold forward for rear access - they don't lock, but lap belts have been added to the front.

The red carpet is good throughout and speakers hidden in the rear footwells, and the red dash is in lovely condition with cool chrome switches and contrast white steering column and column shift. The paint on the steering wheel is worn but the centre badge is perfect

In the boot, the monochrome tartan trim so beloved of Ford is in near perfect shape, the spare wheel has a new tyre, and the jack and wheel brace are present.

Looking under the car its easy to see the separate chassis and body and that they look to be solid. There is surface rust as is to be expected on underbody metal, but not corrosion.

The Galaxie is fitted with a 352ci, or 5.8 litre V8 engine coupled with a 3-speed Cruise "O" Matic automatic transmission. It starts on the button, idles smoothly and revs well. Looking in the engine bay and under the car there were no noticeable leaks or drips of oil, transmission fluid or coolant.

Sadly no paperwork crossed the Atlantic so what is known of this car’s history comes from Crusin’ Classics who sold the car last. The owner here ran an American car specialist garage for many years so knew what he was looking at and vetted the car extensively before making a deal.

Since arriving in the UK it was registered with a new numberplate from the DVLA but was only driven once or twice before going back into storage. On those occasions it ran flawlessly, and these are simple and solid cars.

This car is vary presentable and usable, although not perfect with a few very minor marks around, it looks stunning and runs well. After a few years off the road it would benefit from a fluid service and the chassis being waxoiled to protect that good metal work long term, and although the car is MOT exempt we always recommend submitting a car for a test for your own peace of mind and safety.

There are few motoring experiences like wafting around in a big ‘60s V8 land yacht with the roof down and this is ready for a summer of cruising and we think that, in its current condition, it will fetch between £12,000 and £16,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with the owner near Crockham Hill, Kent; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

This vehicle is not with us at The Market’s HQ, which means we have had to rely on the owner’s description of it, in conjunction with the photographs you see here, to compile the listing.

With this in mind, we would encourage potential bidders to contact the owner themselves and arrange to view the car in person, or to arrange a dedicated video call in which they can view the car virtually and ask questions.