Hemmings Find of the Day – 1962 Ford Galaxie 500XL

Published by Mike on May 9, 2017

G-code 406-powered 1962 Ford Galaxie 500XL for sale. From the seller’s description:

This is my G code Galaxie 500 XL. Built in the Los Angeles Plant and stayed in CA 40+ years until it was purchased by a gentleman in MI. It is a 406 405HP XL. Very few XL Super performance 406 remain. It remained im MI for about ten years before I purchased it and brought it home to NY to finish the job started in MI. The car was a solid no rust, all original metal car to start with and was disassembled and brought down to bare metal. Each body panel was blocked and sanded to better than factory standards. Car was painted base coat clear coat its original color of Raven black. Previous owner works for Ford in Detroit and had Ford experimental engineers design and do all the engine work. When I got it home, I proceeded to bring it back to factory. All trim was located and purchased NOS and then polished and installed. Interior was totally restored to better than new condition. Entire interior was removed, dash was sanded down along with heater box, rebuilt and painted Entire NOS steering wheel and horn assembly was installed. Interior was then completely Dynomatted for sound deadening. All new springs were made by Eaton Detroit from the original blueprints and installed along with Bilstein shocks and all new suspension rubber. New Tires were installed on new powder coated steel 15×7 and 15×8 rims. The BW T10 was replaced with a rebuilt Toploader trans. Factory shifter was rebuilt, driveshaft was rebalanced, Ford 9 inch rear was rebuilt and 3:73 gears installed. Rear sway bar was added at this time also. Much more to add but its just to much to list. This is a excellent low mileage CA built and bred G code 500 XL in Black and red.
Here is a little history on the 62 Galaxie 406
This Galaxie 500 XL rolled off the Los Angeles assembly line equipped with the G code 406 CI Super High Performance big block V-8 under the hood. This special engine was offered strictly as a homologation special for NHRA Super Stock drag racing, hitting back at the 400+ cubic inch offerings from Chevy, Mopar and Pontiac. The 406 was offered in two versions High Performance and Super High Performance with the top spec seen here. Factory 11.4:1 compression, triple Holley 2-barrel carbs breathing through a high-flow oval air cleaner, plus factory cast iron headers and dual exhaust.
Ford rated the Super High Performance version at 405 HP with 448-ft, and Motor Trend magazine described that the experience from behind the wheel delivered, “something like Ferrari performance at a fifth of the price.”
The Tri Power 406 was aimed at none but the most serious drivers. Heavy Duty suspension, Heavy Duty brakes and 15 inch wheels were all included with the engine package. What Ford would not allow with the Super Performance 406 engine option: No Air conditioning, no deluxe wheel covers, no power steering, no power brakes, no chrome engine dress up kit, no automatic transmission of any variety (because even Fords top of the line automatic could not handle the torque).
This XL is presented in correct Raven Black over Red and White interior. VIN 2J67G173699, BODY 65B, COLOR A, TRIM 85, DATE 13G, DSO, AXLE 5, TRANS 5. Number 517 in the ’62 Galaxie registry.