Galaxie Consoles

[Royce]

Could you get a 62-64 with a console and column shift?   I have only seen a console in an XL and always with floor shift. Local "expert" claims you could get that configuration

[WConley]

Yes, at least in '63 and '64.  The XL's all came with buckets and a console, but you could order the rare swing-away steering column option that required a column shift.  (I think about 3 percent of cars were ordered with this.)

The swing-away column required a column shift automatic.  The column shifter unlocked the column when it was placed in Park, allowing you to slide the wheel towards the center.  The car couldn't be started until the column was swung back into place.  Shifting out of Park would lock the column in place.

I have one of these setups that i intend to use in my '64.  The blank top console plate is incredibly hard to find.  Here's a picture of a swing-away '64 XL:

[galaxiex]

I remember working on one of those cars here in Canada.
Really nice condition.

It was a convertible and I remember thinking the console with column shift was weird...
I didn't know it was a swing-away. (I don't think it was working)

It had a 390 (I don't know what version) and the trans was shot. Really bad...
That's why it was at our transmission repair shop.

We converted it to a C6 and also had to change the flexplate and starter and add the block plate.
Plus mods to the crossmember, cooler lines and linkage.

The customer was ok with all that extra expense.
The original Cruise-O was really tore up, and tho we could have found a buildable core,
the customer liked the idea of the C6 swap.

At the time (mid 90's) I had been a trans builder for approx 25 years.
I had always fooled around with Fords since my teens, and just looking the car over from the under side,
I knew putting the C6 in was relatively easy.
Driveshaft was even the correct length and spline.

Sorry for the tangent...

[Royce]

Thanks Bill... as usual your replies are accurate and succinct..  Now I have to eat some crow.. Only consolation is I can challenge him to find one..