Rick’s project is a 1963 Ford Galaxie 500. He found “Bertha” on eBay for $800. “Bertha is a 1963 Galaxie 500 four door sedan with a 352 cubic inch engine backed by a Cruise-O-Matic three speed automatic transmission” Rick noted. “She came from New York and was originally built in the Mahwah, New Jersey assembly plant in November of 1962 as best I can tell” Rick added.
Rick who lives in Delco, North Carolina is a member of the Ford Galaxie Club of America and had been looking for a 1963 Ford Galaxie.
Rick stated, “The reasons I picked this car are:
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Since the first time I saw one I fell in love with the style and shape.
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We were born in the same year.
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Most people don’t restore four door sedans.
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My long term plans are to make Bertha into an unmarked Police/Sheriffs Interceptor.
So far Rick has replaced the left rear fender, rebuilt the carb, replaced the front and rear bumpers, and has started on the brake system. These pictures are the pictures of Rick’s progress so far.
Rick begins to repair the damage on the left rear.
With the damage repaired, Rick rebuilds the carb.
With the carb rebuilt, Rick adds new chrome bumpers and then tackles the brake system.
Rick’s next step is to replace the trunk pan.
Update June 14, 2010 – Rick continues to make repairs to Bertha.
Rick turns his attention to the trunk pan in the 1963 Ford Galaxie 500. First he cuts out the damaged metal.
After removing the rusted section of the floor pan and fabricating a new lip to weld the patch to, the new pan is installed.
With the trunk pan completed, Rick moves under Bertha and and gives her two pipes to sing from.
Now that Rick has the exhale stroke the way he wants it, he balances out Bertha’s breathing by upgrading her intake half with the installation of a Police Package under the hood. Rick said “Dual exhausts are completed; so much for gas mileage. Boy does she really sing at 70!”
Rick told me now that he has the major issues addressed, he cruises Bertha as much as he can, including driving her to work during the week.
But it isn’t all work and no play for Rick and Bertha. The two cruised “Back to the Battleship” on May 22, 2010, pictured above, and went home with an award from the Port City Mopar Club. Rick has plans of cruising Bertha to the North Carolina Blueberry Festival Show in Burgaw, NC, June 19, 2010. To be continued…
I got that Quarter Panel from Concours Parts in Carson City, NV for $212. The panel was of very high quality and worth the money. Good luck with your Galaxie.
Hi Rick,
I am restoring a 1963 Ford Galaxie exactly like yours, just from 11th of January 1963, but in much worse condition. I want to know where you got the full quater patch panel shown on the picture 07/22/2009. Mine are all gone at the buttom.
Best regards,
Per Abildskov,
Denmark.
Fantasic job on the body work. I’m sure it’s going to turn out great.
Thanks Guys. Since I finished the trunk pan my next thing is to put duel exhausts on the old girl. I am tired of chasing the leaks. Plus big blocks sound really good.
That is downright inspiring! Good job.
It’s hard to believe that much work is FUN! I met Rick at the cruise-in at Smithfield’s during “Back to the Beach”. He is having a blast doing all the work on his Ford, especially the stuff he’s never done before. Great job Rick, I look forward to watching the project during upcoming shows.