Took the Galaxie and the fiance out to Colorado this summer to see my homeland in Colorado. Thought you guys might enjoy some pics.


We camped our second night on the Illinois/Iowa border.


The only noteworthy sight in Nebraska... also the only rain we encountered.


First glimpse of the rockies. Somewhere in Wyoming.


Today's colors are green and brown...


Heading up into the foothills


This is the mouth of the Poudre Canyon, which winds up through the divide. It is a really epic drive if any of you are close.


First altitude break (for us AND the car)


It's a common assumption that tunnels should include some sort of man-made material... Not in Colorado!


I wish I could recreate the noise of a healthy 428 thundering off the rocks for you guys.


and higher


and higher


and higher


Running the twisties


There were a few bull moose up near the top of the pass


Max elevation. Car runs a little rich up here.


Coming down the other side


Just past Walden, CO. Rockies in front and rockies behind.


Trusty co-pilot.

The car made it to dad's house making a terrible noise and leaking every type of fluid imaginable. We pulled the engine, replaced ALL the seals, a power steering hose, pilot bushing, the water pump, ignition coil, and swapped to DOT5 brake fluid. There were also a couple exhaust leaks and one tube on the driver's side header was rubbing. Long story short, after many long days, the car runs better, runs cooler, sounds better, stops better, and is LEAK FREE (hand on heart). It made it all the way back to Jersey with no complications (except I had to redo the timing/carb for sea-level).

Evan

1967 Galaxie XL, Q-code, 428"
1994 Bronco, 5.0L (winter car)
1972 Triumph TR6 (soon to be ford stroker powered)

Looks like the co-pilot approves.
Great that you're driving the car.

Makes me sad that summer is on it's way out. We were going to do one more run to the interior, but the roof needed to be redone, so I spent the last long weekend starting work on that.



Thunder's Home Page

The Restoration Video - 6 1/2 Years in Four Minutes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x63nB64zyM

Road Course In Car Track Video (Exhaust in Quiet Mode)
http://youtu.be/w75WVvAp57M

I think I just saw this car in Bear Mountain NY at the cruise or one that looks like it for sure...

I don't do a lot of shows, but bear mountain is a nice drive from where I live

Evan

1967 Galaxie XL, Q-code, 428"
1994 Bronco, 5.0L (winter car)
1972 Triumph TR6 (soon to be ford stroker powered)

That looks like a great journey and it sounds like you are lucky to get to dad's before the problems stranded you in the boonies.

It's surprising what will stay running, a friend just bough a barely running 71 F100 and drove it 300+ miles back from Idaho. I would be afraid to get that thing further than the end of my block. His last one he drove 400 miles from Oregon and it barely ran at all.

They built that thing in the middle of nowhere. It seems the wanted to find a way for people to stop and spend their money. I think it started going up after 9/11. Now, imagine that same spot with nothing there. Pretty dang desolate. I guess it breaks up the monotony on the stretch.

Seems every time i pass through there its raining too.

.

If you're hauling the mail (90-95mph), it averages about 16.5mpg. At more normal highway speeds, 17-18 (the best I've ever gotten was 19.2). Chalk that up to a big overdrive (.64), mild gears (350's), and a well tuned edelbrock (the holleys may make more power, but MAN do they drink gas). The thing just LOVES the highway (see the pic).

On the other hand, when you're having fun (like climbing the poudre canyon, for example), mileage drops to a more predictable 10-12.

I figure the gas cost me about $1000 round trip, but it sure beats flying and there's no restriction on liquids, if you know what I mean...



This is just a demonstration of driveability. The Speedo is a bit optimistic, but this is still 90mph at 2600rpm.

Evan

1967 Galaxie XL, Q-code, 428"
1994 Bronco, 5.0L (winter car)
1972 Triumph TR6 (soon to be ford stroker powered)

.

Sounds like a 95 mph admission of guilt! Surely you mean 75mph?

Not when there's so much to see and do...

Evan

1967 Galaxie XL, Q-code, 428"
1994 Bronco, 5.0L (winter car)
1972 Triumph TR6 (soon to be ford stroker powered)

............"Groundhog Day", Rod.

Mickey Thompson's 63 1/2 #997 S/S Hi-Rise 427 Lgt/Wgt Galaxie,
1957 C-600 Cab-over carhauler w/390-4V, 2-speed rear-end
FGCofA member #4908
MCGC member #75

"There will ALWAYS be an FE in my LiFE"