Dave Siek
1964 Galaxie 500 2-Door Hardtop
VIN 4W66X101100, BODY 63B, COLOR M, TRIM 15, DATE 24J, DSO 33, AXLE 1, TRANS 4
This car has over 120,000 miles on it, but over the years I've changed the motor twice. The original was a 352-4V which ran well. However, I wanted the car to run faster, so I bought a used 1966 390-4V, which made a difference. Then in about 1981 I got looking for parts and ideas. I found a guy selling a 1968 428 Cobra Jet. We traded some parts and money, and I'm glad I did! The power, torque and streetability of the 428 CJ is great. The transmission was an FMX, now it's a C6. The rear end gear was a 3.25:1 Traction-Lok, now it's a 4.11:1. It's quick, but not so great cruising on the open highway! I also added a teardrop hood scoop to give it the Lightweight Galaxie look, especially since it's white with a red interior. I also stayed with Cragar SS wheels to keep the '60s look. In May of 1990, a friend of mine helped me repaint it and put a reconditioned rear bumper on it. The car looked new again! Next, I needed to freshen up the interior. I had some bucket seats reupholstered for it and I put in some new carpeting. The rest of the interior is still original. I also put in a Hurst floor shifter. The exhaust is 2-1/2" with Flowmaster mufflers. After all that work, it should be good for another 20 or 30 years. I'll never get tired of driving it to car shows and cruise nights.
Left click on the thumbnails below to view the full pictures:
Let's see what the VIN and production data tell us...
The VIN of 4W66X101100 decodes as follows:
4 = model year: 1964
W = build plant: Wayne Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan
66 = Body Serial Code: Galaxie 500 2-door hardtop, bench seats (206,996 produced during the 1964 model year)
X = engine: 352 Thunderbird V-8, 352-4V, 250 hp @ 4400 rpm, 352 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm, 9.3:1 compression ratio
101100 = Consecutive Unit Number (CUN): 1,100th Ford car scheduled to be built at the Wayne Assembly Plant during the 1964 model year (Job 1 was CUN 100001)
The production data decode as follows:
BODY 63B = Body Style Code: Galaxie 500 2-door hardtop, bench seats (206,996 produced during the 1964 model year)
COLOR M = exterior paint color: Wimbledon White (white)
TRIM 15 = interior trim color, material and front seat style: red "Chain Weave" pattern cloth cushion inserts and red "Crush" pattern vinyl sides, bolsters, and back, bench seat
DATE 24J = scheduled build date: Tuesday, September 24, 1963
DSO 33 = District Sales Office: car was ordered through the Detroit, Michigan District Sales Office
AXLE 1 = rear axle ratio and type: 3.00:1 non-locking
TRANS 4 = transmission type and shift location: Cruise-O-Matic 3-speed automatic, console shift
Left click on the thumbnails below to read what the Buyer's Digest Of New Car Facts For 1964 had to say about the 1964 Galaxie 500 2-Door Hardtop:
