The only reason that the word “restomod” exists is that someone was sick of explaining how they loved the look of a classic car but wanted the handling, braking, reliability, and creature comforts of a modern vehicle in one package. Instead of running through the forty-page list of things that would be changed or replaced, one word handled the entire definition just fine. And it works: a restored but modified car. But does that word work in the form of this 1965 Ford Galaxie? You see, visually it’s mostly as Ford shipped in in ’65, minus the wheels and brakes that you can spot immediately. But there is a lot more going on here than just upgraded rolling stock and the best mod you can do for a classic car…much more.
Underneath that slab-sided skin is a 2004 Mercury Marauder. You might remember it as Ford’s take on the same kind of recipe that Chevrolet used to turn the lumpy and dumpy 1990s Caprice into the Impala SS, a car that dropped jaws the moment it was seen. Mercury really did make an attempt with the Marauder…a healthy chunk of parts from the Police Interceptor, the DOHC four-valve 4.6L you’d find in a 2003-04 Mustang Mach 1, 3.55 gears out back, and an automatic trans handling the program. The problem with the Marauder was that it’s 302 horsepower wasn’t the kind of hit that Ford was hoping for, dropping well short of hopes for the aging Panther muscle attempt.
But in the shell of a 1960s machine, could all of that become magic? Well…if you want to find out, better get ready to open up that wallet…
Awesome!
That DOHC motor looks factory fitted and makes a superb car even better.