635HP NASCAR Powered Ford Galaxie 500 – Real 427 SOHC Cammer Engine

The Ford Galaxy stood out among modern minivans for its handling capabilities. Meanwhile, the Ford Galaxie, produced from 1959 to 1974, was a full-sized car that embraced the era’s fascination with space exploration. Its design featured headlights in pod-like extensions and taillights reminiscent of rocket afterburners, complete with fins for a touch of the extraterrestrial. This design was Ford’s competitive response to the Chevrolet Impala, but what’s less known is its potential to dominate NASCAR.

Ford’s ambition to excel in NASCAR led to the development of the formidable 427 single overhead cam (SOHC) V8 engine. This powerhouse was engineered for endurance, capable of maintaining high revolutions per minute (rpm) for extended periods, and it was said to produce over 600 horsepower. However, when NASCAR’s Bill France discovered the 427 engine in the engine bay of a 1964 Ford Galaxie 500, he banned it, insisting that the engine must first be available in a production car.

This led to the creation of the Ford Galaxie 500 427 SOHC homologation prototype, a demonstration of what the required 500 units of road-legal cars would entail. Its most notable feature was the engine, which has since received updates from Matranga Hot Rods, Brown Auto Design, and Ford themselves.

The car’s most distinctive element might be its hood. Unlike the standard homologation vehicles with their unattractive fiberglass hoods, this car features a custom all-metal hood, finished in Wimbledon White, showcasing a unique teardrop bubble to accommodate the large air filter. It also boasts slimmer front and rear bumpers and an updated grille design.

Adding to its retro hot rod appeal are the E-T Mags AC III wheels, encased in Nitto NT555 G2 tires, complemented by Baer Extreme brake rotors with 6-piston calipers. To fit these, the discs were reduced by 3/8 of an inch.

Despite harboring a 635 horsepower NASCAR engine, this Galaxie is built for more than just speed; it boasts a custom Roadster Shop Fast Track Stage III chassis equipped with an air ride suspension for a blend of performance and cruising comfort.