Posts Tagged: Nascar
In the ever-thrilling world of 1960s NASCAR, the Ford Galaxie 500 was like the plucky underdog trying to shed a few pounds to keep up with the cool kids. By 1964, it had a makeover, sporting a more aerodynamic look to say, “Hey, I can run fast too!” With a slanted boxtop roof and a new 289 entry-level engine, it was ready to hit the tracks. And if you fancied a little more ‘vroom,’ there was the mighty 427 cu in engine, perfect for zipping past in style.
The Hudson Hornet wasn’t just a car; it was a NASCAR legend, zooming through the ’50s and leaving competitors eating dust. With drivers like Marshall Teague, this “Fabulous” beast won 40 out of 48 races, showing off its lowered design and 170hp engine. It even made a star turn as Doc Hudson in Disney-Pixar’s “Cars.” And while it’s no longer tearing up tracks, you can find it gleaming on display at the Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum, ready to race into our hearts once more!
Ford’s Galaxie strutted its stuff in 1962 and 1963 with style and muscle. The ’62 model, known as “The Lively One,” boasted sporty options like bucket seats and a console, while the ’63 got a facelift, losing its tail fins and gaining a fastback roof for NASCAR flair. Engine swaps were afoot, with the 406 replaced by a ferocious 427 V8, making it a beast on the road. But alas, even with power galore, the Galaxie had a weighty issue—proving you can’t have your cake and eat it too, even if it’s a car!
The 1963 Ford Galaxie stands as the sole full-sized offering from Ford that year, available in the peppy 500 or the deluxe Galaxie 500XL edition. Under the hood, choices range from a humble 223 cu in (3.7 L) six-cylinder engine to a beastly 427 cu in (7.0 L) SE series V8, perfect for making your neighbors envious. Whether you prefer the smooth shifts of the three-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic or the more hands-on three-speed standard transmission, there’s a Galaxie for every enthusiast’s garage. Kudos to Gateway Classic Cars for the drool-worthy images!
The 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner Superbird, a NASCAR-inspired marvel, was designed to outrun the competition. With its aerodynamic wizardry and a distinctive, towering rear spoiler—rumored to be for trunk access rather than speed control—the Superbird hoped to lure Richard Petty back to Plymouth. It did, and Petty flew the coop with eight NASCAR wins. Despite its brief existence, the Superbird’s value has soared, unlike its spoiler-less siblings, proving that sometimes it’s cool to be a “funny car.”
In 1969, Ford revved up its NASCAR game, birthing the sleek Ford Talladega—a street beast born from racing and aerodynamic wizardry. This car’s slick design wasn’t just for show; it shaved wind like a barber with a vendetta, all thanks to its custom sheet metal. Under the hood, it roared with a 428 Cobra Jet, enough to make any gearhead’s heart race faster than the car itself. With a bench seat and column shifter, it was practically a family car—if your family raced to the grocery store at 150 mph!