Driving a 1961 Ford Galaxie 390 Stick: Pedal to the Metal

[ticker511]

I wish you guys drive these cars, you drive like your going to church, lets see some full throttle shifting, these Ole Ford are runners.

I had a 59 Studebaker lark, V8, 3 on the tree with overdrive, it would go 80 mph in low gear overdrive.

A friend of mine had a new 60 Falcon, 6, 3 on the tree ,my Stud would go faster in low gear then that Falcon would go in high.

[4spdBernie]

@ticker511 Thanks for the note! O-V-E-R-D-R--I-V-E!!

[poopsienoremac]

I had a 65 falcon six 2 door coupe (Aussie body) It was virtually a scaled down copy of the 64 galaxie coupe. Pull one up and check it out .The US body was slightly different.

I'm green with envy cause we missed out on most of these US beauties.

xpcrooser

Shellharbour Australia

[poopsienoremac]

the gear box is 3 on the tree?

[4spdBernie]

@poopsienoremac Yes;  plus you can engage overdrive in each gear (except reverse).

[christich99]

@4spdBernie Can you please explain to me what this Three-On-The-Tree is? Thank you.

[4spdBernie]

@christich99 Shift lever in on the steering column instead of on the floor.

[christich99]

@4spdBernie I prefer shifters on the Column instead of on the Floor. They just don't make 'em like they used to.

[SwankeyMonkey]

Wow, you've got the rare '61 Galaxie S-code, Socks-in-Sandals option.

:)

[truckr74]

I am happy to see that you are not afraid to drive it hard. Made my day, thanks.

[4spdBernie]

@truckr74 You are VERY welcome!

[n00bcak35]

i couldent say that any better myself

[MrTrack412]

Okay... Are all 1961 Ford Galaxies also 1961 Ford Fairlanes???

[4spdBernie]

@MrTrack412 Good question! Ford continued the Galaxie but '61 was the last year for the fullsize Fairlane.

[lylehsaxon]

I had a 62 with a 390 and the same electro-mechanical overdrive. The sounds are the same! I really miss that car! Great memories! I've got a big smile on my face while writing this - this is the first time I've heard those noises (including the 2nd gear scratch!) since I sold the car in 1977. Thanks for posting! - LHS

[4spdBernie]

@lylehsaxon Hello! Thank you for the note & sharing your great memories! Maybe your ol' Galaxie is still in town...

[mikestheman3]

Amazing, same price my brother paid for a 61 Chevy 2dr HTP Impala, 283 powerglide, radio, htr, 2 sp wipers, PS, $3,300. Actually the Ford was better priced & still as nice looking. Is the car all original?

[4spdBernie]

@mikestheman3 Hello, '61 Chevy is a great body style. Yes, our Galaxie is original except I upgraded the front sway bar and installed one in the back. Corners flat & neutral - and with the 390 has ample power to slide the rear out - very entertaining - as seen in this vid...

[mikestheman3]

@4spdBernie Nice looking sleeper, take good care of it!

[4spdBernie]

@mikestheman3 Thanks for the compliment. Will do.

[365degrees]

Nice looking car and sounds great too. My uncle had a 61 and then a new one in 63 so I remember riding in these when they were brand new. The 61 was a 2 door white like yours and the 63 was black/red interior.

[4spdBernie]

@365degrees Hello and thank you for the note. Good to hear the ol' '61 Galaxie brought back good memories for you!

[89ford150302]

so basically its a 1961 6-speed......

[4spdBernie]

Yes it is!

[89ford150302]

so basically its a 1961 6-speed......

[boazrg]

Nice car! I always liked the '61 Galaxie - nice clean lines. That 390/330 was hot stuff back then. A four speed did appear for the 1962 models. Ah, with gas at 30 cents a gallon, it waseasy to feed those 390 cubes!

[Cobra428SCJ]

Cool video, I like the low-buck pizza box floor mats!! haha

[victoriaphibes]

Sweet!

[drafthorselover]

How does one find a 427 SOHC engine? I have heard that they were a special order and the dealership had to install them. In the early days of NASCAR, Ford was clobbering everybody with this engine. Dodge demanded they be banned from racing and then they come out with the 426 Hemi making them the dominator for a few years. That wasn't very fair was it? It is great that Cupcake loves cars as much as you do.

[drafthorselover]

Thanks for writing back. The 406 with the 4 speed sounds awesome. Have you drove one and could you put it on youtube? The fun thing about sleeper cars is that the other guy has no idea what you have under the hood. So, when you pass him or beat him in the quarter mile, you can watch his jaw fall to the floor in disbelief, LOL, I wish I could find a '65 Ford Galaxie convertible with a 427 FE side oiler, dual quads, and a 4 speed. Thanks for posting these fun videos. God bless.

[4spdBernie]

Hello again, A 406 is one I'd like to find - and when I do - yes - you can rest assured a test drive will be in order!

[gokomets77]

Whats up with the guy who has the 4-speed on the colum 61 ford fairlane?

Is that "rare" or what?

[4spdBernie]

It's kinda cool - strippo and all but nothing factory about it. Plain and simple it's a converted 'v' code 6 cyl car with 3 spd column shift, now with the original reverse slot used for 1st and an underdash handle and cable arrangement to engage reverse. The seller probably got snookered and is hoping to do some snookering himself and bail out of it... Neat lookin' old Ford, though.

[drafthorselover]

Was a four speed on the floor available that year? How about a 427 FE side oiler or a 427 SOHC? One step even better would be a convertible. Very nice car that brings back the days of great cars for a fair price and lots of power. Enjoy.

[4spdBernie]

Hello, No 427s until '63; mid 61 you could order a 406 with a 4 speed. Thanks for the note!

[390merc65]

is it me..or did that thing chearp the tires at 1;33 down shifting out of o/d into second???

[4spdBernie]

Hello, 1:14 is a nice clean 1-2 chirp. 1:33 2nd o/d - 2nd straight downshift I was not aware of a chirp but your ears may be better than mine; and yes, typically that 2nd o/d - 2nd straight downshift will give you a nice sharp CHIRP. Thank you for the note.

[390merc65]

@4spdBernie yeah..i heard the first chirp ,,,i swear i hear one at 1;33 also ...thats a real cool car you have ...i seen all of your vids...i like this one and the fairlane and 64 merc video the best ...is the 61 ford your car??..i assume the fairlane is your's,,well good luck with them all

[4spdBernie]

Hello, and thanks again! Yes, Mayberry is ours - and real blast to drive. With that 390 4bbl stick & o/d setup will return almost 22 mpg @ 70 -75 mph with a light foot - rare - but does happen - once in awhile...

[390merc65]

@390merc65 well you got yourself a hell of a car..i am sure i dont have to tell you that ....good luck with it

[514570HP]

Great car !!! Great sound !!! Great video !!!

Great everything !!!

[4spdBernie]

You are welcome! This Galaxie is a blast to drive.

[514570HP]

Great car !!! Great sound !!!  Great video !!!

Great everything !!!

[Mullay2]

Hi 4spd. I love this video. That old Ford does some serious pick em up and lay em down! Iiked the power slide around the right hander as well. Listening to that Ford spread bore sucking wind as that 390 revs through the gears brings back some fond memories too!

[4spdBernie]

Hi Mike, Pleased to hear you enjoyed!

[mrgoodvibrations]

Took the blue oval beast out for another spin, eh! Reminds me of my late Uncles 63 Galaxy 500. My Uncle Herm was a ford man. Had a 2 seater Tbird, and a 57 fairlane too.

[4spdBernie]

Yep, another Sunday drive... Thanks for the note.

[pearsonba350]

Nice. I kick myself now, but I had a chance to buy a '61 Galaxie 500 with I think either a 260 or 289 and a 3 on the tree, it was traded in at a car lot on my security route. I couldn't get them to give me a price for the car. Rear trim was off, but in the back, and the rear window was broke out, but she was straight and the interior was real nice. I often wonder what happened to that car.

[4spdBernie]

These are neat old cars and with a little old school suspension

attention handle very well... Hope you find that '61 - there's one out there with your name on it!