Last Of The Lightweights? This 1966 R Code Galaxie Was A 427 Powered Factory Hammer And Maybe The Last Of The Breed


Last Of The Lightweights? This 1966 R Code Galaxie Was A 427 Powered Factory Hammer And Maybe The Last Of The Breed

(By Greg Rourke) – In the early 60’s the Big Three all had factory lightweight drag cars.  Lots of aluminum and fiberglass body parts, holes cut in frames, and anything not required to make the car go fast in a straight line left in the parts bins. Here we have what’s believed to be the last lightweight Galaxie built by Ford.

In 1966 Bobby Edge used his connections gained from racing Ford products to order a new R code Galaxie sedan. R code got you a dual quad 427 and a top loader 4 speed trans. The car was then pulled aside and a 4:57 Detroit Locker rear was added, the battery stuck in the trunk, ram air hoses kicked out the low beam headlights,  and a fiberglass teardrop hood was added. Was there ever a better looking scoop? I think not. Heater, radio, clock, and even the side view mirror were all deleted. So not as radical as previous lightweights to be sure, Ford was putting the effort into Fairlanes for drag racing, but lighter than any other Galaxie nonetheless. They took delivery in March 1966, just as the new 1967’s would be tooled up.
Bobby and his brother Cecil raced the big Ford in A/Stock, but weren’t impressed with it’s performance. They would be faced with Hemi Mopars and cars such as Grumpy’s L 79 Nova.  They only raced the car for one year. It later was hacked up with a straight axle and engine setback and raced as a Gasser by a later owner. It apparently was a race car it’s entire life until it was restored as we see it today.
So here we have it. A plain Jane car built with one thing in mind, going fast in a straight line. And it didn’t completely accomplish that.
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8 thoughts on “Last Of The Lightweights? This 1966 R Code Galaxie Was A 427 Powered Factory Hammer And Maybe The Last Of The Breed

  1. Chevy Hatin' Mad Geordie

    Other than the ridiculously small wheels and tyres I would change nothing on this beauty and am already planning the bank job to get the money to buy it!

  2. BRAKTRCR

    As a Chevy guy, I love it. I understand it couldn’t keep up with the Hemi’s or the Nova’s which is why this car is so rare. Kinda like a top fuel Chevy, never really worked but cool as all get out.
    Beautiful car… bet it was a cool Gasser too.

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