1959 Ford Galaxie Barn Survivor Gets First Wash in 44 Years, V8 Springs Back to Life

It's a selection I'd definitely agree to. All these cars are stunning, iconic, and highly desirable nowadays. But while the mid-1950s Bel Air (and the Tri-Five in general) is indeed a design icon of the era, there are a bunch of cars I love even more styling-wise. And many come from automakers that are no longer around, like the 1951 Hudson Hornet and the 1952 Nash Ambassador.

It may seem like I have somewhat unusual taste in cars, but I also like quite a few 1950s creations from the Big Three. The Ford Fairlane is one of them. Whether it's the first or the second generation, the company's full-size from era looks the part regardless of body layout. The 1959 Galaxie takes the top spot, though. The dual headlamps, the big fins, and the extra chrome that comes with the Galaxie trim put this FoMoCo land yacht way above the Chevrolet Impala in my book.

Especially if it's finished in Coral with a white roof and has a tri-tone interior, like this four-door sedan that YouTube's "Pole Barn Garage" rescued from long-term storage. Parked since 1979, which means it's been sitting for a whopping 44 years as of 2023, this 1959 Galaxie 500 is a fantastic survivor in all-original condition. And that's something you don't see very often.

Why would anyone keep such a wonderful gem in storage for so long? Unfortunately, there's no story to run by, but this full-size wasn't parked due to a crash or mechanical issues. Aside from a few minor problems, the Galaxie looks outstanding, and the engine bay is cleaner than most barn-found classics I've seen in recent years. The sedan had only two owners and was moved from one garage to another in 2000.

Fortunately, the car got a decent roof over its head and doesn't suffer from the issues usually associated with long-term storage. The body is rust-free, the paint still shines, and the upholstery hasn't been chewed by rats or raccoons. And that's great news because this Galaxie sports a gorgeous three-color interior combining Coral, cream, and black (plus loads of chrome trim, of course). Not a fan of this pink hue? Well, tough luck, it's among my favorite 1950s shades, and I won't shut up about it!

Sure, the upholstery needs a good cleaning, and the upper dashboard has seen better days, but late 1950s interiors in this condition are as rare as they get. And check out that incredible headliner, which is still in one piece and not sagging.

There's even better news under the hood. Ford offered a wide selection of V8 engines in 1959, and this Galaxie 500 comes with the range-topping 352-cubic-inch (5.8-liter) FE mill. This one has a four-barrel carburetor setup and was rated 300 horsepower when new. Yup, this four-door sedan was among the most muscular vehicles of its era.

But does it still run? Well, our host managed to get it going with a bit of work. And surprisingly enough, the V8 sounds healthy and still has enough grunt to spin the rear wheels when the pedal hits the floor. It's great to see such a nice survivor back on the road, especially after it got its first wash in over four decades. Check it out in the video below.