1962 Ford Galaxie 406

Buzz

In 2007, Publications International, Ltd. highlighted that the Galaxie was the sole model equipped with Ford's enhanced engine, delivering over 400 horsepower. Discover more images of the Ford Galaxie.

The 1962 Ford Galaxie 406 marked a significant leap in power for Ford's muscle car lineup. At the start of 1962, Ford lacked an engine exceeding 400 cubic inches, putting it at a disadvantage against competitors like the 409 Chevys, 413 Mopars, and 421 Pontiacs. Midway through the year, Ford addressed this by expanding the 390-cid engine to 406 cubic inches.

Ford Galaxie Image Gallery

Dubbed the Thunderbird 406 High-Performance V-8, this exclusive Galaxie engine was priced at $380. It featured a robust suspension, durable drum brakes, a high-capacity radiator, and upgraded 15-inch wheels in place of the standard 14s.

Equipped with a single Holley four-barrel carburetor, the 406 engine delivered 385 brake horsepower at 5800 rpm and 440 lb-ft of torque at 3800 rpm. In its Super High-Performance Tri-Power configuration, it featured three Holley two-barrel carburetors beneath an elegant oval air cleaner, boasting a rating of 405 brake horsepower.

Both engine variants featured an 11.4:1 compression ratio and integrated headers that connected to low-resistance dual exhaust systems. Ford mandated the use of their Borg-Warner four-speed manual transmission, with axle ratios reaching up to 4:11.1.

This setup allowed for the replacement of the standard 0:1 gear ratio.

The majority of 406 engines were installed in Galaxie 500 hardtops and pillared coupes, though a few were customized for the midyear release of the fully-equipped 500XL hardtop coupe and the 500XL Sunliner convertible.

A standard 406 could accelerate to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds, while the tri-power version shaved off approximately half a second. Both versions typically completed the quarter-mile in the mid-15-second range.

In official drag racing events, the 406 Fords remained too heavy to surpass the leading models from Dodge, Plymouth, Chevy, and Pontiac. Ford attempted to reduce weight by 164 pounds using aluminum bumpers and fiberglass body panels, but these efforts proved ineffective.

Despite the use of lightweight materials like aluminum bumpers and fiberglass panels, the 406 Fords still couldn't gain an edge over their rivals.

On the streets, an unsuspecting rival who overlooked the gold "406" badge on the front fender could easily be surprised by one of these enhanced Galaxies. Motor Trend praised the engine, describing it as delivering "Ferrari-like performance at a fraction of the cost." The 406 engine was also introduced in full-size Mercury models later in 1962.

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The 1962 Ford Galaxie 406

Specifications

Wheelbase, inches: 119.0

Weight, lbs: 3,600

Number built: NA

Base price: $2,880

Top Available Engine

Type: ohv V-8

Displacement, cid: 406

Fuel system: 3 x 2bbl.

Compression ratio: 11.4:1

Horsepower @ rpm: 405 @ 5800