Image via Autotopia LA/YouTube
Large and in charge, there’s a lot to love about a 1964 Ford Galaxie. Most will simply restore these full-size cars or make them cool-looking, fairly plush restomods if they go in that direction. But this one was built to go fast on a track, using a nice big block V8, making it fairly unique.
Check out a barn find Jaguar E-Type hiding a fire-breathing American V8.
Created by Ruffian Cars, this build required the team to think more creatively and outside the box. After all, as the owner points out in an interview with Autotopia LA, there aren’t a bunch of bolt-on mods for the classic car versus a Mustang or something more popular for racing.
But the guy wanted to go in this direction after asking his dad, whom he credits for getting him into cars, said he always wanted to build a go-fast Galaxie. And the challenge seems to have invigorated the Ruffian team.
While this is a Galaxie body, what’s under the skin is something else. The entire chassis has been created to racing and includes an integrated full roll cage. Plus, the car features a Watts Link Suspension, allowing the axles to flex, which helps with handling through turns on a road course. Plus, the system is adjustable.
At the heart of this car is a Shelby FE aluminum big block 526ci V8. Using 91 octane gas and natural aspiration, the engine makes over 700-horsepower. They mounted the engine behind the front axled to maximized handling, requiring the relocation of the firewall.
The Galaxie was built to rip around racetracks over and over in competition and not break, so everything about it is stout, capable of being beat on repeatedly. Yet it’s still a street-legal ride and has a little bit of comfort, although not much.
Check out the video to see more details of this build and watch it being driver – it’s a real treat.
Images via Autotopia LA/YouTube
You called it a big block then a small block in the same article.
Good catch, that’s been corrected. Thank you.