The Ford Motor Company's muscle car lineup seems somewhat lacking when compared to its Chevy and Chrysler rivals. The Ford Mustangs deservedly began leading the power pack after Carrol Shelby created the Shelby Mustang, but the lesser-known Ford Galaxie actually shared the raw horsepower and performance of the Chevy and Chrysler muscle cars in the early 1960s.

The Ford Galaxie entered the American car scene in 1959 as a full-size car. It stayed in production through 1974. During that time, the Galaxie went from being a high-performing family sedan to a member of the muscle car realm.

The first Ford Galaxies were basically updated editions of the company's Fairlane. In 1959, the base engine was a 240 6-cylinder, but customers could opt to purchase one of four 8-cylinder engines instead. The 302 V8 produced 220 hp, the 390 produced 265 hp and the two different Thunder Jet V8s provided 320 and 360 horsepower. The horsepower increased to 405 in 1962, which exceeded the power of its competitors.

The biggest drawback to the early Ford Galaxie was its weight problem. The 1962 edition tipped the scales at a hefty 3,600 pounds. Competing muscle cars weighed much less and typically beat the Galaxie in out-of-the-gate acceleration and road handling performance.

When the 1963 model rolled out, Ford had trimmed down the Galaxie by about 200 pounds. This weight loss combined with an increasingly aerodynamic roof style enabled the Galaxie to compete with Chevy's popular Impala.

Options

Ford offered the Galaxie in various body styles over the years, including a convertible, a coupe, a sedan, a country sedan and a station wagon. Other body types included hardtop, a formal hardtop and a fastback hardtop. Different trim levels were available on each style.

Over the years, these cars came with various luxury features, including power options in the steering, brakes, windows and front seats. Rear window defrosters, air conditioning and Sunray multi-colored wheel covers where other popular features.

By the time 1967 rolled around, the Galaxie was available in 15 different paint colors and 25 two-toned color combinations. Features included quad head lights, bucket seats, a console-mounted shifter and rear bench seats.