1959 Ford Galaxie

Ford aimed to blend elegance with practicality in the 1959 Ford Galaxie, addressing the 1950s critique that Detroit frequently prioritized style over genuine substance.

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Certainly, the decade saw an abundance of so-called "all-new" cars that weren't truly innovative, "major advancements" that were often just flashy gimmicks, and styling flair presented as genuine design substance. However, one might wonder if this was truly negative, given that consumers eagerly purchased nearly everything the industry offered. If we were occasionally misled, as critics claimed, many of us were willing participants.

As the most prominent advocate of "design by consumer research," Ford Motor Company faced significant criticism, particularly after the Edsel's failure. Yet this strategy also brought Ford numerous successes, including the 1959 Ford Galaxie. Models like the 1955 Ford and Mercury, the 1956 Lincoln, the 1957 Ford, and notably the four-seat 1958 Thunderbird were crafted based on buyer preferences—and consumers enthusiastically supported these choices with their purchases.

Ford would achieve even greater marketing victories in the 1960s, such as the wildly popular Mustang, but the 1959 Ford Galaxie remains a notable milestone. It was a swift response to capitalize on the success of the "Squarebird" hardtop, whose semi-formal roofline design was widely embraced.

By the time consumer feedback on the Thunderbird came in, it was too late to alter the 1959 Ford's standard styling. However, Ford's planners believed that incorporating a similar roofline could enhance the appeal of Fairlane 500 sedans and hardtops—and they were right.

As the final iteration in the design cycle that began with the all-new 1957 models, the 1959 Ford Galaxie and its counterparts underwent more extensive changes than typical end-of-cycle updates, likely due to Ford's anticipation of Chevrolet's all-new 1959 lineup. The wheelbase expanded from 116 to 118 inches for Fairlane/Fairlane 500 models, and new exterior panels were fitted over a significantly revised 1957-1958 framework, resulting in larger, bolder, and more angular vehicles.

Ford boldly marketed the 1959 Ford Galaxie and its siblings as "The World's Most Beautifully Proportioned Cars." While this claim might be debatable, the Galaxie's design appeared notably restrained compared to Chevrolet's daring "bat-fin" models. Despite this, it earned a Gold Medal for outstanding styling at the 1959 Brussels World Fair.

The outcome could have been different. Some early 1959 design concepts featured unattractive, overly ornate elements, including massive circular tail lamps, reverse-angled rear windows reminiscent of the 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser, and even toned-down "batwing" tails. Thankfully, Ford wisely chose to discard these unappealing ideas.

To learn more about how the 1959 Ford Galaxie reinforced Ford's leadership in Detroit, proceed to the next page.

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Continued

The engineering of the 1959 Ford Galaxie also demonstrated practicality: a reinforced frame with wider side rails for increased cabin space; engines tuned for improved fuel efficiency (a key selling point post-1958 recession); a lighter, streamlined two-speed Ford-O-Matic with fewer components; and a new front stabilizer bar and variable-rate rear springs that enhanced ride comfort, though not handling.

Long-term advancements included the introduction of longer-lasting aluminized mufflers, full-flow filters enabling 4,000-mile oil-change intervals, and "Diamond Lustre" enamel paint designed to eliminate the need for waxing.

The decision to launch a new premium series featuring Thunderbird-inspired roof styling was uncontroversial, but its name sparked discussion. Ford explored options like Townliner, Crown 500, and Thunderstar before settling on Galaxie—a misspelled yet fitting choice, possibly influenced by the growing success of the U.S. space program.

Regardless, the Ford Galaxie, boasting "the Thunderbird look," achieved strong sales despite its mid-year debut, with over 464,000 units sold. However, this figure is somewhat inflated, as the Fairlane 500 Sunliner and Skyliner were rebranded as Galaxies with only a change in rear fender script, though all 1959 Galaxies still carried Fairlane 500 identifiers on the rear deck.

Even when including the two convertible models in the Fairlane 500's total, the 1959 Ford Galaxie outsold it nearly three to one. Its four closed-body models accounted for over 405,000 units, representing more than 27 percent of Ford's total 1959 sales.

Thanks to this success and significantly improved quality compared to 1957-1958 models, Ford narrowly surpassed Chevrolet in calendar-year 1959 sales, though Chevrolet edged out Ford in model-year production by fewer than 12,000 units.

The 1959 Ford Galaxie had proven its worth and remained Ford's top-selling standard model for the next decade. Its influence even extended to the 1962 Falcon compact, which adopted a similar roofline design to great acclaim. This demonstrates that even the finest product benefits from the right presentation.

To explore the detailed specifications of the 1959 Ford Galaxie, continue reading.

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1959 Ford Galaxie Specifications

Although the 1959 Ford Galaxie entered the competitive 1959 market later than some, it quickly proved its worth. The specifications below highlight why the Galaxie played a key role in Ford's resurgence as a leader in Detroit.

Specifications

Engines: I-6, 223 cid (3.62 × 3.60), 145 bhp; ohv V-8, 292 cid (3.75 × 3.30), 200 bhp; 332 cid (4.00 × 3.30), 225 bhp; 352 cid (4.00 × 0), 300 bhp

Transmissions: 3-speed manual; overdrive, 2-speed Ford-O-Matic, 3-speed dual-range Cruise-O-Matic optional

Suspension, front: Upper and lower A-arms paired with coil springs

Suspension, rear: Live axle supported by semi-elliptic leaf springs

Brakes: Drum brakes on both front and rear

Wheelbase (in.): 118.0

Weight (lbs): Ranging from 3,388 to 4,064

Top speed (mph): Ranges from 95 to 110

0-60 mph (sec): Takes between 10.0 and 18.0 seconds

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