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Restored 1968 Ford Galaxie 500 Brings Dreams of the Space Race Variety

Right now, humankind has visions of reaching the Moon again and, further down the line, even establish a presence on Mars. But 60 years ago, before that marvelous moment of April 12 when Yuri Gagarin achieved the first orbital flight, no human had ever reached extraterrestrial space.
1968 Ford Galaxie 500 for sale on Cars Remember When 28 photos
Photo: Cars Remember When
1968 Ford Galaxie 500 for sale on Cars Remember When1968 Ford Galaxie 500 for sale on Cars Remember When1968 Ford Galaxie 500 for sale on Cars Remember When1968 Ford Galaxie 500 for sale on Cars Remember When1968 Ford Galaxie 500 for sale on Cars Remember When1968 Ford Galaxie 500 for sale on Cars Remember When1968 Ford Galaxie 500 for sale on Cars Remember When1968 Ford Galaxie 500 for sale on Cars Remember When1968 Ford Galaxie 500 for sale on Cars Remember When1968 Ford Galaxie 500 for sale on Cars Remember When1968 Ford Galaxie 500 for sale on Cars Remember When1968 Ford Galaxie 500 for sale on Cars Remember When1968 Ford Galaxie 500 for sale on Cars Remember When1968 Ford Galaxie 500 for sale on Cars Remember When1968 Ford Galaxie 500 for sale on Cars Remember When1968 Ford Galaxie 500 for sale on Cars Remember When1968 Ford Galaxie 500 for sale on Cars Remember When1968 Ford Galaxie 500 for sale on Cars Remember When1968 Ford Galaxie 500 for sale on Cars Remember When1968 Ford Galaxie 500 for sale on Cars Remember When1968 Ford Galaxie 500 for sale on Cars Remember When1968 Ford Galaxie 500 for sale on Cars Remember When1968 Ford Galaxie 500 for sale on Cars Remember When1968 Ford Galaxie 500 for sale on Cars Remember When1968 Ford Galaxie 500 for sale on Cars Remember When1968 Ford Galaxie 500 for sale on Cars Remember When1968 Ford Galaxie 500 for sale on Cars Remember When
The Space Race – an informal competition of the 20th century’s Cold War – inflamed the imagination of a better part of the world back in the 1950s and 1960s. It led to incredible technological achievements in many fields, and it all culminated on that historic day (July 20, 1969) when the Apollo 11 mission managed to land the first humans on the Moon.

Just a year before that faithful moment, a 1968 Ford Galaxie 500 was born with a fastback body as part of the series designed by the Blue Oval to both celebrate and take advantage of the sympathy towards space exploration. The Galaxie 500 was Ford’s midship representative of the family from around 1965 until the nameplate’s retirement in 1974.

This example, in particular, was manufactured for the 1968 model year and is now a great – and very affordable, according to the listing – representative of the classic full-size segment from the era. Although it’s now more than half a century old, this Galaxie 500 is only showing less than 300 miles (483 km) on the odometer.

It’s no mistake, though, because the ‘68 has been fully restored to new car levels before reaching the inventory of “Cars Remember When,” a Colorado-based, family-owned business dedicated to classic car enthusiasts. Even so, the Galaxie 500 is not going to break the piggybank of the next owner, because the asking price is a mere $21,900.

For the cash, this Ford cruiser is offered in green over white vinyl top exterior and interior combination – which is quite fitting of its evergreen status. In addition, the Galaxie 500 has a “Y” code 390 double-barrel V8 engine that’s mated to a “U” code C-6 automatic transmission sending power to the rear wheels.

The drive is going to be relaxed at all times, thanks to the powered steering and front disc brakes, while the “original style” radio will feed the 1960s atmosphere with its tunes. Still, one might consider a visit to a tire station first, as the description notes the matching whitewall tires are in need of a replacement procedure.

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About the author: Aurel Niculescu
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Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution.
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