Most long-term married couples have some recollection of their wedding day, including the type of car that first served as their daily transportation. But those memories can fade over the years, especially as that first car is typically replaced many times, with each new phase of a family’s life. However, this 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 XL is a rare exception; Jack and Mary Holdorf of Hillsboro, Ore. still own the car that whisked them off on their honeymoon trip in 1967.
In 1966, Jack purchased the car from the original owner for $1,800. The Prairie Tan Galaxie, with 24,000 miles on the odometer, originally sold for $3,498 at Lynn Kirby Ford in Portland.
The years went by quickly as the Holdorfs raised their three children. Yet, Jack lovingly maintained the Galaxie as the mileage climbed. When the car topped the 100,000-mile mark, he decided it was time to rebuild its 352 V8 engine mated to a C4 3-speed automatic transmission.
The Galaxie soldiered on for another 100,000 miles, fortunately avoiding accidents along the way. In 1986—two decades into its service—it was finally time to retire the Galaxie from its daily chores. That sounded good, but Jack just couldn’t part with the car. A large shop that Jack built on his property offered enough space to shelter it from Oregon’s notoriously wet weather.
By the time of its first retirement, the Galaxie was still in relatively good condition inside and out. Despite a few minor parking lot scars, the original paint, trim, body panels, glass and interior were all in great shape considering the car’s age.
A Long Hiatus
For the next 24 years, Jack dreamed of someday getting the Galaxie back on the road—for no other reason except the car felt like a member of the family. Mary, who surprisingly had never driven the Ford, had other thoughts. “I kept telling Jack to just sell it,” she recalled. “The only car I ever had a real attachment to was my ’64 Dodge Polara. It was my first new car and I didn’t really want to part with it. We finally sold that around 1980.”
In 2009, the couple agreed that it was finally time to let the Galaxie enjoy the light of day. After so many years in hibernation, the car obviously required a full mechanical restoration. Jack commissioned a local shop to rebuild the engine, transmission, suspension, steering, brakes and exhaust system.
Thanks to being stored inside all those years, the dashboard cover was unscathed, the gauge faces were clear and legible, and control knobs remained in perfect condition. Though the original upholstery was still reasonable, Jack elected to install new upholstery, carpeting and trunk liner true to the original.
“Just like when I bought it in 1966, the car is so much fun to drive around and it draws plenty of attention,” said Jack. “With the dual exhausts, the subtle V8 rumble provides just the right note. Compared to contemporary cars, the steering is so light and effortless. I had forgotten just how nice a ride quality the cars of that era had.”
Jack added one last note which perhaps best sums up his thoughts regarding his Galaxie 500 XL—one of 58,306 produced in 1964. “I had long thought of it as a ‘someday project’, and that someday finally came after all those years.”
See 1964 Ford Galaxie for sale on eBay.
