50 Millionth Ford! *1959 Ford Galaxie Four-Door Sedan* A Golden Milestone

Ford celebrated its 50-millionth U.S.-built vehicle with this specially-adorned 1959 Galaxie four-door sedan

Ford wasn't about to let the achievement of manufacturing its 50-millionth vehicle since the company's establishment in 1903 go unnoticed. To celebrate what it christened its "Golden Milestone," the automaker produced a 1959 Galaxie Town Sedan with a large "50 MILLIONTH" graphic painted in gold and black on each side.
A distinguished new series, the Galaxie had been introduced partway through the model year and was positioned above the then top-of-the-line Fairlane 500. It borrowed its formal roofline design with broad sail panels and slightly recessed upright backlite from the highly successful four-place Thunderbird and retained the upscale Fairlane 500 trim right down to the "Fairlane 500" callouts on the decklid and instrument panel.

This historically significant Galaxie was produced on April 29, 1959, at the Rouge Dearborn plant, but most of the company's other manufacturing and assembly plants, as well as outside suppliers, contributed components to the car so that they, too, could participate in its construction.

It was equipped with the standard 200-hp Thunderbird 292-cu.in. two-barrel V-8 and the optional Cruise-O-Matic three-speed automatic transmission, "Master-Guide" power steering, "Sun Ray" wheel covers, and whitewall tires. The "Torque Tailored" axle ratio is 3.10:1.

This Galaxie also features a Colonial White "Diamond Lustre" exterior finish, and underneath is a "wide-contoured" box-section frame with "swept back angle-poised" ball-joint suspension, coil springs, and a new stabilizer bar up front, "Even-Keel" leaf springs in the rear, and shocks all around. The brakes feature 11-inch drums, and the 7.50 x 14 Tyrex super cord tires ride on 14 x 5-inch wheels.

"Luxury Lounge" interior contains "sofa soft" individually contoured seats, Mylar accents on the seat side shields and door panels, and Rayon carpeting. Upholstery colors include Radiant Gold "Sof-Textured" vinyl bolsters, white, and nylon fabric of Raven "Striped Nub pattern with Silver Strand."

According to company press releases, the Galaxie was displayed at Ford's Rotunda in Dearborn from the day after it was produced through May 20, 1959. It was then exhibited at the annual stockholders meeting at the Ford Auditorium in Detroit on May 21st.

This unique automobile received additional national publicity by participating in a caravan to retrace the route of the renowned 1909 Ocean-to-Ocean Automobile Endurance Contest for the Guggenheim Trophy--an event that aided in ensuring the Ford Motor Company's early success

In the years since Ford celebrated the production of its 50-millionth vehicle, the company has continued to surpass notable goals. The 100-millionth Ford built in the U.S. is a 1978 Fairmont Futura, the 150-millionth (built worldwide) is a 1979 Mustang, and the 300-millionth is a 2004 Mustang GT convertible. All are currently owned by Rick and Jim Schmidt. The 350-millionth Ford (built worldwide) is a 2013 Focus.

Though it's been nearly six decades since this 1959 Galaxie Town Sedan rolled out of the Dearborn plant, its condition belies its age. Hence, its style and engineering serve as an unsullied snapshot of Ford's midcentury corporate philosophy and its production milestone.

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