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1958 Dodge Coronet Exotic car

This 1958 Dodge Coronet Super D-500 Convertible was offered for sale at the 2007 Sports and Classic Car Auction presented by The Worldwide Group, in Hilton Head Island, SC where it was estimated to sell for $125,000 – $175,000. It was offered without reserve, which was a rather daring move considering the value of the vehicle. This car is outfitted with the Super D-500 V8 engine that displaces 361 cubic-inches and produces 325 horsepower. There is a torque flight automatic transmission and four-wheel power drum brakes.

Virgil Exner’s design influences were prominent in Chrysler Corporation vehicles during the mid-1950s, as evident by the finned cars that took the market by storm. The Chrysler C300 was created to satisfy NASCAR homologation purposes, and variations of this masterpiece would continue for more than ten years.

At the Dodge and DeSoto marques, only slight changes were on the horizon. The Adventurer was given a dual quad setup similar to the C300 and offered superior performance to most other cars on the road. For Dodge, their D-500 was their performance pinnacle that kept its owners smiling a quarter-mile at a time. Above the D-500 was the Super D-500.

The Dodge D-500, Plymouth Fury, and Desoto Adventurer were introduced in 1956 with the D-500 being the most rare. These super performance machines were not ‘add ons’ or dealer options, but a model in all respects. The D-500 was given a heavy duty suspension, larger exhaust system, larger and lighter brakes, limited paint colors and schemes, special high performance engine and more. The result was astonishing, as the 1956 D-500 set or broke a total of 306 race records.

1958 Dodge Coronet retro car

In 1949 Dodge introduced the Coronet which was the top trim level offered by Dodge. It was similar to the Meadowbrook models in many respects, deviating in their interior appointments and minor differences with trim. The base level four-door sedan bodystyle was offered for under $1930. The top of the line version was the two-door station wagon which had seating for six and cost $2865. An L-head six-cylinder engine produced just over 100 horsepower could be found under the hood. A three-speed transmission with Fluid-Drive was standard equipment.

For 1950 the Dodge Coronet continued to be Dodge‘s top-of-the-line vehicle. It still was very similar to the Meadowbrook; it include all of its features plus added addition chrome trim on the wheels, rear fender guards and was adorned with the ‘Coronet‘ name proudly displayed on the exterior of the vehicle. Little changed for the following year. For 1952 the eight-passenger sedan was no longer offered. In 1953 the Dodge Coronetincorporated an air scoop on its hood. Under the Ram hood ornament could be found the word ‘Dodge V-8‘ for the eight-cylinder variants. The Hemi head overhead valve V8 engine was capable of producing 140 horsepower. The six-cylinder unit produced 103 horsepower.

In 1954 the Coronet name was used on the intermediate trim levels. Chrome trim could be found throughout the exterior of the vehicle including a chrome strip that ran along the middle of the body. In script letters, the name ‘Coronet‘ could now be found on the sides of the rear fenders. The base price for the four-door six-passenger sedan was $2110. The top of the line bodystyle was the four-door Sierra with seating for six and would set the buyer back $2695. The Coronet made an appearance at the Indy 500 where the convertible body style was the official pace car.

In 1956 the Dodge Coronet was restyled and grew by six-inches, became wider, and now sat closer to the ground. They were now the base trim level for Dodge. Both the six and eight cylinder engines now produced more horsepower. The eight-cylinder unit was capable of 175 horsepower. Tri-colored paint schemes were not uncommon. In the front was a new grille that was divided intro two separate openings. The parking lights were incorporated into the grille. The windshield was a classy wraparound design. Sales were very positive as the public agreed with the design and the vehicles mechanical abilities. Riding on the wings of success, Dodge made the wise decision to not mess with the design for 1956. The side trim and taillights were slightly modified. Tail fins could now be found protruding from the rear. A push-button transmission was now offered as optional equipment. This technology had been borrowed from Chrysler and proved to be rather popular with many.

1958 American retro car-Dodge Coronet

In 1956 the Dodge Coronet was restyled and grew by six-inches, became wider, and now sat closer to the ground. They were now the base trim level for Dodge. Both the six and eight cylinder engines now produced more horsepower. The eight-cylinder unit was capable of 175 horsepower. Tri-colored paint schemes were not uncommon. In the front was a new grille that was divided intro two separate openings. The parking lights were incorporated into the grille. The windshield was a classy wraparound design. Sales were very positive as the public agreed with the design and the vehicles mechanical abilities. Riding on the wings of success, Dodge made the wise decision to not mess with the design for 1956. The side trim and taillights were slightly modified. Tail fins could now be found protruding from the rear. A push-button transmission was now offered as optional equipment. This technology had been borrowed from Chrysler and proved to be rather popular with many.

In 1956, Dodge created a true ‘sleeper’ car. The Coronet D-500 appeared to be similar to other Coronet‘s but hidden under the hood was a 315 cubic-inch V8 that could pump-out 260 horsepower. It was able to go from zero-to-sixty in under nine seconds. One of the rules to compete in NASCAR was that at least 500 identical models had to be produced. The Coronet D-550 was a purpose-built vehicle intended for the NASCAR circuit. It featured a 315 cubic-inch Hemi V8 that produced 285 horsepower. In addition to a larger engine, the suspension, tires, brakes, and transmission were all modified to create a highly competitive, very effective muscle car / racing machine.

The Coronet was again restyled in 1957. Dodge began incorporating its ‘Forward Look’ design. The wheelbase grew, as did its length. The car was lowered and now sat even closer to the ground. One of the most recognizable features were the large tail fins. The front headlights were placed below headlight ‘brows’. A chrome strip ran the entire length of the vehicle on both sides. Chrome trim could be found throughout the vehicle, encompassing lgihts and grille openings. The base engine was the L-head six-cylinder engine that produced 138 horsepower. Eight-cylinder engines were available.

Picture of 1958 Dodge Coronet classic retro car

In 1957 the D-500 was replaced by the D-501. The ’500′ series was a high-performance option offered on all series. The Coronet D-501 featured a 354 cubic-inch Hemi V8 that produced 340 horsepower. Only 101 examples were produced. The suspension was updated to include torsion bar front suspension and a rear, heavy duty shock absorbers and leaf spring suspension.

The grille and headlights were the most significant changes for the Dodge Coronet for 1958. The headlights were now quad units. Dodge focused on improving the engines, which they did, with all engines of the ‘wedge’ single rocker head design. The top of the line engine was the 361-cubic-inch V8 with fuel-injection which was capable of an astonishing 333 horsepower. The Dodge name could be found in block letters along the front edge of the hood.

In 1959 the Dodge Coronet was given even larger fins. The brows over the headlights became even more exaggerated. They grew in length, width, wheelbase and were lowered, closer to the ground. A 383-cubic-inch V8 engine was available which produced 345 horsepower in its Super D-500 format. The buyers were treated to an extensive list of options, one of them being the Swivel-Seat option. The seat, with the push of a lever, could swing out to meet its occupant. Another option offered by Dodge was the self-leveling rear air suspension called LevelFlite. The name ‘Dodge‘ could be found in block letters on the trunk lid. The ‘Coronet‘ name was in script and appeared on the front fender.

The Coronet name did not appear on a Dodge vehicle in 1960. It re-appeared in 1965 as a mid-sized muscle car featuring a 426 cubic-inch Hemi engine that produced 425 horsepower. It was now an intermediate-sized vehicle. The bodyshell rested on a 117-inch wheelbase. The base trim level for the Coronet was outfitted with a 224-cubic-inch six-cylidner engine. The Dodge name was proudly displayed in block letters across the front of the hood. The Coronet name was in script along the front fender tip.

1957 Dodge Regent Retro car

The Dodge Regent for 1957 was the Canadian version of the Dodge/DeSoto dealers’ version of the Plymouth Savoy. It used the Savoy’s seat upholstery, door panels, instrument panels, and exterior trim. The engine was a 303 cubic-inch V8 unit with a 4-barrel carburetor producing around 240 horsepower. Other engines available include a 318 Cubic-inch V8 with dual four-barrel carburetors.

1957 Dodge Regent Classic American car

1954 Dodge Firearrow Classic car

Created by the exquisite American car designer Virgil Exner, the Dodge Firearrow was introduced in 1954 as part of a four part series and built by Ghia of Turin, Italy. The Firearrow II and Firearrow IV; ‘Dreams’ are the only two convertible Firearrows in the world. There were a total of four vehicles built between 1953 and 1954. The bodies of these vehicles were constructed at Ghia using the chassis of stock 1954 Dodge convertibles.

A true roadster, the Firearrow I was painted red and gray with a yellow interior with maroon piping. The first model had dual headlights and the wheels were full wheel covers with body side molding that wrapped all the way around the car. The Firearrow I featured exposed exhaust pipes, two on each side that rode low on the car’s flanks. An additional touch of Italian styling was featured on a wood-rimmed steering wheel.
Today the vehicle is on display at Petersen’s Museum.

1954 Model of classic retro car-Dodge Firearrow Concept

The 1954 Firearrow II was also a true roadster that was painted a subdued yellow color. Very similar in appearance to the Firearrow I, the main difference was that the body side molding didn’t wrap around the car, but ended at the headlamps and taillights. The modified version of the original vehicle, the Firearrow II retained the mockup’s two-place seating and striking frameless windshield. The full hub caps were also replaced by chrome-plated wire wheels and new single headlights replaced the dual. The split bumper was also changed from the Firearrow I and replaced with a more aggressive ‘mouth’ horizontally bisected by an uninterrupted bumper. The toothy look was achieved by five vertical design elements on the bumper.

A 2-seater Sport Coupe was introduced in 1954, the Firearrow III, also called the Firebomb. Much more civilized than the original Firearrow, the III was painted a light metallic blue. With racer/flyer Betty Skelton behind the wheel at the Chrysler proving grounds, the Firebomb clocked at 143.44mph, set a women’s closed-course record. The dual headlights were brought back on this third edition along a concave grille cut with narrow verticals. The Sport Coupe featured a hardcore element with its wraparound backlight. Crash protection both front and rear was supplied by modest bumperettes.

1954 Dodge Firearrow Roadster

Also dubbed the Firebomb, the Firearrow IV was a stunning red convertible 4-seater, that featured black and white diamond interior. Basically a convertible version of the Firebomb, the newest edition is now in the Blackhawk collection as a black vehicle with black and white ‘tuck’n Roll’ interior. Both the yellow Firearrow II and the red Firearrow IV, the last of the collection have received honors at Meadowbrook and Amelia island Concours d’Elegance. These vehicles sold for $1.1 million each.

Chrysler unfortunately made the decision not to proceed into production. These vehicles are but a great moment in automotive history and the only survivors of the early series of Chrysler concept cars.

1954 Ford Crestline Retro car

In 1952 the Crestline convertible earned the name ‘Sunliner‘. The Ford Crestline Sunliner was selected as the Official Pace Car of the Indianapolis 500 race in 1953. In 1954, the major update to the Crestline Skyliner was the two-door hardtop which featured a glass roof. In 1955, a new body arrived on the scene, while the wheelbase grew to 115.5 inches. The 1955 Ford line continued to remain suitably large. The plexiglass roof was still offered for the Skyliner, but only on the Crown Victoria model. In 1957, the Crown Victoria Skyliner was replaced by the retracting-roof hardtop Skyliner.

Characterized as having ‘Thunderbird elegance’, the Fords of 1959 were introduced with a whole new ideal of style. An incredible amount of stainless steel and chrome body trim, these vehicles also had exquisite three tone cloth pattern interior trim.

True customizing began in the 1950′s, and it was an art in which individual touch shone through the design. The aviation influence of the previous decade was utilized by Ford, and the appealing trend moved towards the new obsession, the Space Race. Throughout the years of Galaxie evolution, the 1959 Galaxie was a well-received vehicle from the start. Though it wasn’t chosen as often as the early post-war Fords, the 1952 Ford Crestline Sunliner had a body shape very similar to the new-for-’49 model.
The Sunliner, at over 79 inches wide, topped the 1960′s Galaxie range, which was now larger and all-encompassing. New development ideas were being inspired during NASCAR racing that would transform from the handling and suspension of the vehicle. A concave grille and a single side crease were updated on the Sunliner, which eventually morphed into horizontal fins at the rear of the vehicle. The option of a detachable hardtop roof was also available, though most buyers opted for the electric folding top.

1954 White retro car Ford Crestline

Another available option was the Police Interceptor tune, which had 401 bhp, while the base form model had a 300 bhp V8. The ever-changing world of motor design was moving quickly during the early 1960′s, and the Ford Sunliner only debuted a year before getting a total redesign and update.

Able to achieve a top speed of 122 mph, the Ford Galaxie Sunliner could reach 0-60 mph in 9.5 seconds. Weighing a total of 3,792 lbs, the Sunliner utilized a 3-speed auto transmission with a displacement rate of 390 ci (6,930 cc). The Galaxie range consisted of 6 models during its introductory year, the Galaxie Club Sedan, Galaxie Town Victoria, Sunliner Convertible, Skyliner Retractable, Town Sedan and Club Sedan. All six models showcased their own range of ornamentation, trim and tractable tops that folded into the trunk.

Various available options on the 1950 Galaxie range included power windows, brakes, steering, front seat, Flying Eclipse Hood Ornament, Sunray multi-colored wheel covers, deluxe rear deck antenna, visored spotlight mirror, and air conditioning. Engine sizes were offered in a variety for the Galaxie range that included the 292 V-8 with 200 horsepower, 332 Thunderbird, the 352 Thunderbird Special (at an astounding 300 horsepower), and the 223 Mileage Maker Six Cylinder at 145 horsepower. The available transmission options were also all-encompassing, including a three speed convention drive (with an overdrive option), three speed Cruise-O-Matic Drive automatic, Formomatic Drive two speed automatic and overdrive.

1954 Ford Crestline Convertible retro car

Updated in 1960, the Galaxie now featured completely new body lines, the same body design as the 1960 Fairlane. The exterior ornamentation and interior trim offerings were the main differences between these models. These new design enhancements were marketed by Ford as having increased stability, due to the added five feet apart between the wheels for better cornering. In this year, the Galaxie was available in 5 various engine options that ranged from the 223 cubic inch Mileage Maker Six Cylinder to the 352 Super V-8 with four barrel carburetor (rated at 360 horsepower). Three speed manual transmissions, optional Fordomatic Drive two speed automatic, and the three speed automatic were available as transmission options for 1960 Galaxies. The Galaxie was available in 13 Diamond Lustre Finish paint colors.

The following year showcased a brand new sculptured award-winning design on the 1961 Galaxie lineup. Centro per L’Alta Moda Italiana, for ‘functional _expression of classic beauty’ was awarded by the International Fashion Authority for the 1961′s stunning bulleted grill and rear panel design. Besides having several station wagon models, the range included the Sunliner Convertible, Starliner Hardtop, Club Sedan, Town Sedan, Town Victoria and the Club Victoria. 1961 Galaxie models were available with a plethora of available options and features.

1954 Ford Comete Monte Carlo coupe

The Comete was a personal project of Francois Lehideux, a designer formerly with Renault. In 1950 Ledhidex took over as the president of Ford. He decided that his newest prestige model should be developed independently of the Ford organization, and to do this, he chose Facel-Metallon to undergo this project.

The Comete project was designed in complete secrecy by Daninos in Italy without even the Ford‘s own design studio ever knowing until the Comete was unveiled at Biarritz in August 1951. The Comete didn’t even carry the Ford badge. In an stunning tribute to the advanced pressing and welding techniques of Daninos, the Comete featured beautifully proportioned line that were built on a Ford Vedette floorplan.

1954 Model of Classic car-Ford Comete Monte Carlo

The Comete featured a severe elegance in its silhouette that was offset by huge steel bumpers, and later, a large egg-crate grille. A ribbed stainless steed dashboard and door handles were displayed on the interior, along with an impressive jet-age three-spoked steering wheel. The steering wheel was a tribute to Daninos work on aircraft design..

The Comete came with a single, horizontal bar across the grille with a chromed shield of bullet in the center, very similar to contemporary Studebaker products, along with steel wheels with chromed hubcaps. The engine was originally taken from the Vedette, and its meager 60bhp unimpressed buyers. The Comete was considered to be unreliable and underpowered with its small engine, though the looks and features drew admiration from onlookers. By 1953, the power was increased to 80bhp, and driving was shifted through a 3-speed column change manual gearbox.

1954 Model of red Ford Comete Monte Carlo retro car

The new Comete ‘Monte-Carlo’ model was introduced in 1953, and received a 3.9 L V8 engine that was normally fitted only to Ford trucks. The engine delivered 78 kW (105 hp) and featured plenty of torque. The public wasn’t a big fan of the new engine, as it was not only known as a ‘truck engine’, but its large engine displacement meant its tax horsepower that was rated at 22CV, making for high road taxes. The ‘Monte-Carlo’ model came with a fake hood scoop, wire wheels, and a typical Ford egg-crate grille. This vertical and horizontal equally spaced bar grille was called a ‘coupe-frites’ or a ‘french-fry cutter’ by the French.

Under the hood was a 3.9 liter V8 Ford Mistral engine that produced 105bhp. This model was capable of 95mph, despite an increase in weight.

A total of 2,165 Cometes were produced during its production run, with 699 of them being Monte Carlos.
Ford SAF was taken over by Simca during the Comete’s production, and for 1955, the final year for the Comete was produced under the Simca name.

1955 Ford Thunderbird Roadster

The Ford Thunderbird is an American automotive icon first introduced in 1955. During the early 1950′s, military men were returning from fighting in World War II. In Europe, the style of vehicle was very different from the Detroit American car. The graceful but sporty MG, Triumphs, and Jaguar’s, to name a few, had found their way into the hearts of many of these serviceman. The American automobile manufacturers noticed this trend and felt there was a strong market to support a small sportscar.

The Chevrolet was one of the first, if not the famous, of the Detroit auto-manufacturers to test the market with the introduction of their Corvette. Not wanting to be left behind, Ford entered with their Thunderbird.

Lewis D. Crusoe, Frank Hershey, and George Walker are considered the creators of the Thunderbird. Crusoe was a retired GM executive; Hershey was a designer for Ford; and Walker was the chief stylist for Ford. While Crusoe and Walker were in Paris, they saw a sports car and were instantly inspired. They convinced Hershey to create designs and the result was an open car with room for two passengers. As with all cars, deciding upon a suitable name is difficult. There were well over 5000 suggestions, with the one submitted by Alden Giberson behind selected. The name Whizzer had been seriously considered but was dropped for Gibersons suggestion, the Thunderbird.

The Thunderbird, though similar, was different in many ways to the Corvette and the rest of the small sports cars being offered. The Thunderbird was created as a ‘personal luxury’ car and even to the current production version, has never been designed as a sports car. Instead of fiberglass, the Thunderbird was constructed of metal. Instead of six cylinder engines, Ford upped-the-ante with a V8. To keep cost and development at a minimum, it used as many parts as possible from the other Fords of that era. The result was a two-seater with many creature comforts and impressive styling. Manual and automatic transmissions were both available. The instrument panel was home to a tachometer, clock and a 150 mph speedometer. The suspension was comprised of a ball-join in the front, offering a plush ride.

The Thunderbird was first debuted to the public at the 1954 Detroit Auto Show, though it was still in concept form. The production version varied slightly. In September of that same year, the first production Thunderbird was completed and ready for sale. It was only available as a convertible. A popular option, the removable hardtop with circular portholes was available. During its introductory year, over 16000 examples were produced.

A 292 cubic-inch V8, depending on the configuration, ranged in horsepower from 193 through 212. A year later, the horsepower rose to a base of 215 and a high of 340 from the 292 and 312 cubic-inch engines. Ventilation was improved with the addition of side vents. The exhaust pipes were moved to the ends of the bumper. By moving the spare wheel to the outside, the trunk space was enlarged and the Continental Kit was born. Production for 1956 was down just a little but still strong with over 15,600 examples being produced.

1955 Model of black classic car Ford Thunderbird

The Thunderbird received styling changes in 1957 with a reshaped bumper and an enlarged grille. In the rear, the tailfins grew in size and became more pointed. The round tail-lights also grew in size. The spare tire was again housed inside the trunk. The big news was under the hood with versions of the 292 and 312 cubic-inch engines being offered. The base engine was the 292 offering just under 200 horsepower. The top of the line configuration was the F-code 312 with the NASCAR racing kit performance package, boosting horsepower to 340. The F-code, in non-NASCAR racing kit form was popular; with the help of a single four-barrel carburetor and supercharger it produced around 300 horsepower. The E-code 312 engine option, another popular engine choice, was equipped with two four-barrel carburetors and produced 270 horsepower. In total, 1957 was a great year for the Thunderbird, both in performance and in sales with over 21300 examples being produced. The 1957 season actually had three extra months of production because the 1958 models were not ready to be sold. On December 13, 1957, the last of the first series of Thunderbirds was produced and marked the end of two-seater Fords until the 1982 Ford EXP. A two-seater Thunderbird would not reappear until 2002. In total, over 53,160 examples had been produced from 1954 through 1957.

The major complaint of many of the owners of the ‘Classic’ or ‘Little Bird’ Thunderbirds had been due to its size, mainly because there was no back seat and limited trunk space. The next version of the Thunderbird addressed both of these issues.

The second series of the Thunderbird was produced from 1958 through 1960 and are commonly referred to as the ‘Squarebirds’ due to their design. The designs of the Corvette and the Thunderbird went in different directions with the Thunderbird continue to further evolve into the luxury car segment. Robert McNamara, the CEO of Ford at the time, made the final decision to morph the 2-door Thunderbird into a four-door. The decision was made in an attempt to increase sales.

1957 Ford Battlebird roadster

There were two Ford Battlebirds created and they were the work of talented engineers in an effort to bring racing glory to the Ford nameplate and to defeat stiff competition such as the Corvette. Much was needed to be done to make the popular Thunderbird into a formidable competitor. They were heavy, suffered from under-braking, and had a suspension that did not suite it well on the race track.

Four Thunderbirds were sent to Pete de paolo Engineering, which had a history with working with other Ford racing projects. Two cars were stripped of non-essential items and material and some of its material was replaced with aluminum. The aluminum bodywork was courtesy of Dick Troutman and Dwight Clayton.

The two remaining cars were kept in nearly stock guise so it would qualify for ‘stock car class’ racing. These two cars were intended to perform well on straight, high speed courses while the other two heavily modified cars were destined for road courses.

The two modified cars were given the nickname ‘Battlebird.’ They were built by Jim Travers and Frank Coons. The Ford engine was moved six-inches towards the back to held distribute the weight – as nearly every component had been removed from the interior of the car. One of the cars was fitted with a 312 cubic-inch Y-block engine while the other was given a Lincoln 430 cubic-inch V8. After a fuel injection system, supercharger, and other modifications, the engines were estimated to produce over 400 horsepower. Since Ford did not have a suitable gearbox to handle the power and to compete with Chevy’s Borg-Warner T-10, a Jaguar four-speed unit was used.

1957 American Muscle car Ford Battlebird

Finned drum brakes were used with the rears receiving special cooling. The suspension was improved with coil springs in the front and a seven-leaf spring setup in the rear. A Halibrand quick-change differential was installed and an additional gas tank installed in the trunk. The cars rode on Halibrand magnesium wheels with knock-offs and Firestone Super Sport tires.

The cars had some success in racing prior to the Automobile Manufacturers’ Association ban on racing, which meant the cars became obsolete. The were later sold to a privateer who continued to race them for several years. The Lincoln powered car was destroyed in an accident; the Ford engined cars remains and has been restored to its original Battlebird form.

Though the cars did not compete at Sebring and rival their competitors, they were given the opportunity to race prior to the ban. Out of the two, the Ford performed better, though the Lincoln-powered car did set the Daytona record for a standing-start.

1968 Ford Galaxie Muscle car

The Ford Galaxie entered the scene in 1959 and was offered in various configurations. The model line consisted of a Club Victoria, Town Victoria, Club Sedan, Town Sedan, Sunliner Convertible and Skyliner Retractable. Similar to the Fairlane, they were distinguished by differed ornamentation.

The highlight of the 1959 model line was the Skyliner Retractable that had an all-steel hardtop that could be moved via electrical mechanics into the trunk transforming the hardtop vehicle into a convertible in just sixty seconds.

The Galaxie was offered with optional equipment, transmissions and engine sizes. Air conditioning, Sunray multi-colored wheel covers, power front seats, power steering, power windows, and power brakes, were just a few of the options presented to satisfy the demands of the customers. The engines ranged from a 292 cubic-inch 8-cylinder producing 200 horsepower to a 352 cubic-inch power-plant that produced 300 horsepower. Transmission options were a three-speed with overdrive, Ford-O-matic Drive two speed automatic, and a three-speed Cruise-O-Matic drive automatic.

1968 Ford Galaxie coupe

In 1968 the Galaxie was redesigned. The base model was the Ford Custom 500, available in two or four door variations. The XL was void of the Galaxie name, available in convertible or fastback configuration. The dual headlamps could be concealed when not in use in the XL, LTD and Country Squire models. Six engine options were available. Transmission options were a three-speed Cruise-O-Matic, floor-shift four-speed manual, and a three-speed manual.

1968 Classic American car-Ford Galaxie

In 1969 Ford moved the Galaxie higher into the luxury car segment, making it larger, heavier, and wider. The result was more room for the passengers. This trend continued into 1970 when the vehicle grew even larger. The focus was a large but quiet automobile. In total, there were 21 new models to select from ranging from three LTD Broughams, two XL models, six Galaxie 500 models, and five LTD models. The models ranged in bodystyles that consisted of two and four door configuration, hardtop, convertible, and sports-roof. Due to rising government safety and emission concerns, the horsepower rating on the engines were decreasing. The base engine was the 240 cubic-inch six cylinder engine while the four-barrel carburetor 429 cubic-inch engine produced 360 horsepower. There were three transmissions available including the three-speed manual, four-speed floor shift, and the three-speed Select Shift Cruise-O-Matic.

1964 American Muscle car-Ford Thunderbolt

The 1964 427 Thunderbolt Fairlane was a specially prepared lightweight drag vehicle capable of operating in the low 11 second bracket.

The car came equipped with a 427 High Riser racer engine with unique ram air induction system, dual four barrel Holley carburetion, 12 to 1 compression ratio, tubular headers, aluminum scatter shield, four-speed transmission, revised drag suspension, trunk mounted battery, electric fuel pump, heavy duty brakes, tachometer, gauges, special wheels and drag tires.

1964 Ford Thunderbolt Sports car

This vehicle was the #2 unit built and was delivered in October of 1963. The car was restored to 1964 ‘match race‘ configuration, including aluminum radiator and water pump, Plexiglas windshield, fiberglass doors, and ultra light hood and front fenders.

Even a set of the original tires and rims that ran on the car from 1964 were located and incorporated in the restoration. All of the original body components, Plexiglas, and exterior trim were refurbished and retained. The re-lettering of the car was done by the same person who originally lettered the car in 1963.

1964 Ford Thunderbolt American racing car

The Thunderbolt, which was intended to be used at the drag strip, was powered by a 427 cubic-inch Ford V-8 that produced 425 horsepower.

1970 Model of racing sports car-Ford Mustang Boss 302