I have been watching the historic races since the mid 1990's and I find it interesting how things have changed, specially the perspective and acceptance of certain vehicles.
The racing I like the most are GT cars and Saloon cars, of which the Galaxie fits into the Saloon car class.
ALL vehicles being raced are there by direct invitation from the event promoter.
You did not see the full sized American cars in the early years because they were not invited.
If you watch past races, (St. Marys Trophy is always good) you will hear the general tone based on how the commentators talk. In the past they spoke of "wallowing", "Hulking", "Barge like handling", "Beast like" "Ill handling" "All over the track" and any number of other less favorable terms when describing the American saloon cars on the track.
How the American cars placed made little difference because they were not liked or respected as "proper" type race cars in the eyes of the Brits...The American cars often won, but the Euro cars got the press.
Yet when the Jaguar MkI's, for instance, are being raced it is a gloroius sight to behold.
The driver of the "drifting" Jaguar...because you drift a Jaguar while you wallow in a Galaxie, is said to be deft and poised on the edge, or giving a harrowing effort in controlling the Jag on the brink with such precision.
All sorts of praise and accolades are bestowed upon the mighty Jaguar as is drifts far left, then far right through the chicane and other sweeping corners....Never mind the Galaxie literally followed the Jag in the same manner and then just walked away, passing the Jag as the track straightened out.
But, things have been slowly changing over the last 7ish years because a few owners and drivers have been making headlines with the American cars so consistently that the action just can not be ignored.
This 2020 clip shows that with the commentary being positive, rather than dismissive and derogatory towards the American cars.
I think these are great examples to showcase the differences in weight, horsepower, torque, and the best line or method of making a certain style vehicle perform.
The Cortina's, Mini's, A40's, 2002's and other small, light cars are certainly more agile and able to brake later into a corner. They would outperform the Galaxies in a tight turn, short straight course.
But add even a moderate straight to the course and suddenly the acceleration and top speed limitations of the small cars comes into play...and things change.
I am glad the bias against the American cars is fading somewhat, but I figure it will never go away.
When these cars were being raced in the 60's the bias was heavy.
The French regulated FIA rules were written to favor non-American vehicles while hindering the American's directly...Specially in the Rally racing world.