Daily Driver 1966 Galaxie -- possible for, say, <$40k?

[phonedude_mln]

So here I am, procrastinating on a rainy Sunday afternoon. What better time to ask the experts
on this forum about something I've been kicking around for a while: can I build a daily driver
1966 Galaxie with dependable performance, decent mileage (20-25 mpg highway), for <=$40k?
I have 2 vintage powertrain fords (66 Galaxie convertible, 66 Fairlane) that I'd like to keep
with their FE motors, 4 speed/C6, etc.

But my daily driver (96 Isuzu Rodeo) will need replacing in the next few years. I could buy a new
car, but I don't really *love* any of the new cars. The Isuzu gets ~25mpg highway, A/C, cruise,
4wdb, starts every time and has enough power to merge onto the interstate ok. I'm not looking
for a *hot* daily driver, but I'd like to not give up what the Isuzu gives me. I realize the Rodeo is
not exciting, but I particularly like the "starts every time" part.

So.... with that in mind, I'm interested in what it would take to take a 1966 Galaxie hardtop
into a "modern" daily driver. I've attached 2 pics of a 1966 Galaxie that was on ebay a year
or so ago. I did not buy it, but it gives an idea of why I like this year & body style (long, low,
sleek). Unfortunately, there are not many people that feel this way: nobody makes a rack
and pinion steering upgrade for this car and Baer does not make brakes for it. SSBC makes
an 11" disc brake kit for it, but if its a daily driver, having standard PBR pieces on it seems like
a good idea.

On to the questions:

1. At what point does it make sense to go with a whole new frame, such as one from AME?
I've attached 2 pics of what a 65-68 galaxie frame looks like (from someone's current
project on a separate mesg board). Since parts are rare for these cars (its not a Camaro
or Mustang), I wonder if its ultimately cheaper to get all new everything at once.

2. Or do I just get a new front end clip from AME? Is that possible / desirable? That would
give the R&P, new suspension pieces, etc.

3. I'd prefer a manual trans, and obviously a modern overdrive trans would help achieve
the mileage I want. But what about the engine?
- aftermarket fuel injection for a SBF? (289/302)
- has anyone made a 4.6 Ford mod motor live in an older chassis?
- or, realizing my Ford friends would never speak to me again, should I look at an
LS1/LS2?
I'm looking for something with decent power, but would like to optimize for mileage
(I recognize the Galaxie is a boat). Starting every time, good idle, and easily findable
parts are the primary options as well. (remember, I already have 2 other cars that
give me the rumpty-rump racer feel).

4. Is all of this achievable for, say, under $40k? Most other parts chosen to be pretty
mild / tame: a daily driver quality paint job, bucket seat upgrades, 11" Baer brakes,
15" wheels, etc.

Feedback / ideas?

TIA.

[phonedude_mln]

again, not mine, but on ebay a while back. The owner had removed the bottom
headlights (ala 1964 Thunderbolts); obviously I would not do that.

[Chad-1stGen]

My only contribution would be to recommend swapping a factory drive train into the car and staying away from aftermarket EFI. 25mpg will be tough to do with a vehicle that heavy but you can probably get that on freeway only driving with the right motor and gearing.

[jeff s]

That's the best chassis ever put in high volume production car. It dominated stock car racing in 65 when it was introduced. Fully boxed, 3 link with panhard, 9" rearend, all stock from Ford. I'm doing a 67 now, just finished a 66 convertible. I've got front and rear sway bars in stock for those cars 65-68. If you do a lot of the work yourself you may hit your budget.

[phonedude_mln]

That's the best chassis ever put in high volume production car. It dominated stock car racing in 65 when it was introduced. Fully boxed, 3 link with panhard, 9" rearend, all stock from Ford. I'm doing a 67 now, just finished a 66 convertible. I've got front and rear sway bars in stock for those cars 65-68. If you do a lot of the work yourself you may hit your budget.

yeah, I've heard that Ford ran that suspension in NASCAR for a really long time (into the 80s?).

did you address the R&P / brake issues? there is zero aftermarket support for these cars
(other than "return to stock").

[jeff s]

Yes.
As stated above, we have big front and rear sway bars in stock, also shocks, steering box, solutions, hydroboost system for the brakes. Along with a 11.75 dia brake system with very thick rotors.

[LMDGUY]

$40!!! you could have a really sweet ride for that money. The nice thing about 66 fairlanes is that they dont get big money for those car, so you could get a clean/solid car to start with. I would just do a 5.0efi , 5 speed trans swap, rebuild the suspension, upgrade the brakes, vintage air unit, interior and stereo .. you will be good to go!

[cheapthrillz]

I thought about doing this to my '65 Galaxie 500....

Try to find a wrecked Powerstroke Turbo F250 and use the motor and drivetrain..... 550 ft-lb and 30mpg would be sweet!

[andrewb70]

Here is your powertrain right here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/05-Chevy-SSR-6-0L-LS2-Engine-390HP-Rolling-Chassis-LS1_W0QQitemZ310023542041QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item3 10023542041

Andrew

[Steve1968LS2]

Hey I have a buddy with a nice Galaxie for sale.. I think it's a '66.

As for your build the key will be EFI and a good overdrive trans. About what Andrew posted. At least a DD Galaxie won't depreciate like a new car :)

[trapin]

Wow...there's something you don't see every day.

I wonder why GM stuck that intake on it and didn't just use the original LS2 intake that they came with.

I gotta send that link to my Dad. He's got an '05 SSR. He'll get a kick out of that.

[andrewb70]

Wow...there's something you don't see every day.

I wonder why GM stuck that intake on it and didn't just use the original LS2 intake that they came with.

I gotta send that link to my Dad. He's got an '05 SSR. He'll get a kick out of that.

The truck intakes have longer runners for more torque.

Andrew

[matthimself456]

As far as mileage is concerned I am confident with efi and OD 25mpg highway is obtainable. My DD is a 96 Roadmaster Wagon. It weights about 4500# and with the LT1, 4l60e and 2.56:1 posi I see 18 around town and 24 on the highway. My guess is the Galaxie would actually come in quite a bit lighter, albiet slightly more wind resistant. For $40k you could probably build two of them with 5.0's and T-5's.

[dusterbd13]

after having daily driven the old stuff a few times for a few years, ive gotta say that with a 40K budget, you could make one heck of a DD.

lets think about this: a good driver quality paint job like on my duster went 4K, with bodywork.

if you want to do a 4.6 AOD or 5.0 5spd, either are availible at your local pull-a-part for under 200 bucks. rebuilds on either motor, as long aas you took your time to find a good candidate would consist of a hot tank, mild cleaning of the bores and journals, rings bearings and gaskets. you may have money left over for some performance parts, like headers and a CAI, each of which would increase fuel economy.

as far as brakes, why are you stuck on BEAR? the pads will be hard to find in the middle of nowhere when you have to fet to work the next day. there is bound to be a conversion kit based on the cobra 13 inch brakes or the granada 11.5 brakes. just google it.

chassis: you dont need rack and pinion on a DD. i like rack and pinion, yes, but it is not necessary. i just ordered a high quality modified steering box for my duster after driving with one in a friends car. i couldnt have known that it wasnt R&P. and it was 600 cheaper. as far as the rest of the chassis, its a DD, and youre coming in from an isizu. they dont handle bery well. so a good set of shocks, decent springs, poly bushings, and fat sway bars and your ready to rock. fun enough for the daily drive to work, as well as eponomical.

same goes for interior. dont be afraid to use as much stock as you can. stock is usually cheaper anyway, and is at least easier. add really good AC, Electric windows and locks, a lot of sound deadening, and a good audio system.


for what its worthm if you use the budget minded approach and do almost all the work yourself, you could realistically get there for less that 30K.

Michael

[Restomod]

Why not go with a 66-67 Fairlane,they are lighter and in my .02 are better looking cars. I just bought one for a "Cheap Touring" project, but I dont think I will get far on it.

[trapin]

The truck intakes have longer runners for more torque.

Andrew
That makes sense since the SSR weighs nearly 4800 pounds. I guess it can use all the torque it can get. LOL!!!

[barraza]

It is very doable. I would suggest starting with a whole car, something like a lincoln or a crown vic. I used to have a lincoln that consistantly got 30-31 on the highway and low 20s in town. It was a slug and had rediculous gears, but was a nice cruiser. I always thought it would be an ideal starter for what you are thinking of, 4w-discs, air ride, fi 302 and od tranny.