Vintage Cars, 1930 Cadillac V-16

The 1930 CADILLAC V-16 ALL WEATHER PHAETON, is one of several hundred interesting vehicles in THE EARLY AMERICAN MUSEUM, Silver Springs, Florida. This has one of the thirteen aluminum bodies built by Fleetwood Body Corp. of Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, for Cadillacs debut of the V-16. Fleetwood was acquired by Fisher Body in 1925, the year prior to General Motors purchase of Fisher Body Corporation.

The cars first owner was Mr. Harold Pryor, a V.P. of GM’s Frigidair Division who retired about ten years later, taking the car with him to his farm at Midway, Ohio north of Dayton. The car was stored on the second floor of a large barn during the war years due to gasoline rationing and it’s six tires turned to “aid the war effort”. Here the car remained for almost another ten years until purchased by Mr. H. Boyd Keys of Dayton, Ohio with only 11,300 miles on the speedometer. The only 19” tires available at the time were Montgomery-Ward Riversides and aside from the tires everything was original as when it left the factory twenty-years before. Mr. Keys drove the car very little over the next year before selling it to John C. Delameter of Richmond Indiana – a student at Purdue at the time, so it caught the eye of many wishful owners on the Lafayette Campus for another couple of years until acquired for $1,500.00 by the Early American Museum in 1954, the year of it’s opening.

With only 22,083 miles it is possibly the lowest original mileage V-16 in almost original condition throughout, with it’s like new Bedford-cord upholstering, top covering an two-tone paint job, with but one slight alteration in the color of the two-tone from light brown to cream. The interior is intact in every accessory, even the Jaeger 8-day wind clock. To lift the hood for a look at the massive V-16 power plant it is as sparkling as it looked years ago. This is not a restored classic, it’s age has been added gracefully over the years.

Model - All Weather Phaeton
Motor - V-16
Bore & Stroke - 3" x 4"
Horsepower - 57.60
Wheelbase - 148"
Tire Size - 7:50-19
Weight - 5675 lbs
Factory List - $6,650.00

American Muscle Cars, 1965-1966 Ford Galaxie 500XL

1966 Galaxie Convertible 428cid V8(7-Litre)

1965 Galaxie 2-Dr Hardtop Coupe

1964 Galaxie 2-Dr Hardtop Coupe

The typical definition of muscle car does not always fit the standards set as an intermediate or pony size car. Such is the case with several makes and models of automobiles produced in the classic and muscle car category. Muscle cars can be engineered by mechanics to perform as they desire. There were several models of the big name car manufacturers that fit this category.

Ford produced such a car that has been overlooked by many as a contender in the muscle car bracket. The Ford Galaxie 500 and 500XL grew from their birth in the late 50’s to becoming a candidate for enthusiasts to experiment with. With few changes and modifications, the 1965 Galaxie 500’s were improved for street rods. Although the body style was changed from the long sled look in 1965 to an intermediate size look that boasted boxier and more angular styling with stacked quad headlamps, and a sturdier new frame engineered from Ford’s experience in the stock car world. Ford’s big stockers in 1965 gave the division its best winning season in NASCAR, taking 48 wins out of 55 “Grand National” events.


The 65-66 Galaxie 500XL was a sporty extension of the Galaxie 500. The bodies of the 500XL were stronger and quieter than the previous year’s model of Galaxie. The XLs were given sporty bucket seats and console interior and had power options up to a 410/425hp 427cid V8,although the Galaxie came standard with a small block 289cid. A manual four-speed was available with the big block engines; most Galaxie XLs were built with the trusty 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic. The Galaxie, regardless of it’s weight, averaging 3497-4059lbs, could be quite fast and rewarding to drive. Their popularity declining in years reflected less on their abilities and more on buyer’s preference for the speedier and lighter mid-size muscle cars being engineered. The long overlooked 1965-1966 Ford Galaxies 500XLs are worthy of collector esteem.

1965 Ford Galaxie 500XL Production:

• Hardtop Coupe: 28,141
• Convertible: 9,849

1966 Ford Galaxie 500XL Production:

• Hardtop Coupe: 25,715
• Convertible: 6,360 w/7-Litre engine-428cid
• Hardtop Coupe: 8,705 w/7-Litre engine-428cid
• Convertible: 2,368

Engine Size Horsepower Year

• 289 cid 195/200 1965-1966
• 352 cid 250 1965-1966
• 390 cid 275/300/315 1965-1966
• 428 cid 345 1966
• 427 cid 410/425 1965-1966