Filed under: Aftermarket, Time Warp, Coupes, Auction Action, Ford
Auction Action: Reynolds' "Tobacco King" Rocket Axle Car on the block
Click on the image for more shots of the '64 Galaxy with Rocket Axle
We're pretty pumped-up about this auction for a 1964 Ford Galaxy from Dana Mecum's Original Spring Classic, running from May 15-18 in Indianapolis, IN. Even if we didn't love the '64 Galaxy as an A/FX drag-car, which we do, the rare Latham axial flow supercharger induction system with quad Carter single-barrel carbs that feed the 425-horsepower 427 Ford big block race motor would seal the deal for us. Still not impressed? Perhaps you didn't notice the FREAKIN' ROCKET ENGINE hanging off the rear axle! For those unaware, this adds historical significance to this particular Galaxy. The Turbonique Corporation from the roaring-'60s, when literally anything seemed possible, offered what it referred to as a "Turbo Drag Axle" that could add as much as 1,000 horsepower to a drag car using a snail-housing supercharger spinning at up to 92,000 RPM and force-fed N-Propyl Nitrate liquid rocket fuel. Yes you read that right... rocket fuel.
The Galaxy in this auction was built and owned by tobacco heir Zachary Reynolds of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco fame and is referred to as the "Tobacco King". The Turbo Drag Axle hanging off the rear end offers 850 additional horsepower in this application and the car has been souped up to handle the juice with chassis and suspension stiffening. While it's not likely to ever make another pass down the 1,320, with just 3,611 original miles and all of the period-correct modifications, this is one vehicle that deserves to be appreciated for years to come. Thanks for the tip, Trevor!
Gallery: 1964 Ford Galaxy with rocket-axle
[Source: Dana Mecum's Original Spring Classic Auction]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
toronado455 4:42PM (4/04/2008)
Hmmmm... I guess the real "rocket" wasn't an Oldsmobile after all!
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PAT 4:49PM (4/04/2008)
Only 9.36 elapsed time at 168 mph, seems a little slow for 1300HP. I guess the rocket really only kicks in at speeds outside of the quarter mile.
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Richard 7:05PM (4/04/2008)
My guess is that they're pretty traction limited...
Shipey 7:23PM (4/04/2008)
OMG man.. At that time a 9:13 e.t. was BLINDINGLY fast. That thing was a missile in its day.
Turbonique is teh awesome.
Rocketboy 3:18PM (4/05/2008)
How would they be traction limited? It has a jet, which has nothing to do with traction.
Rocketboy 3:22PM (4/05/2008)
Nevermind... I read the article.. Doh!
olderty 5:05PM (4/04/2008)
Hate to be that guy, but it's a Galaxie not Galaxy. My brother had a '64, but traded it for a '63 1/2.
Excellent boat of a car.
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henrykrinkle 5:08PM (4/04/2008)
Waiting for the mandatory "I'd rather have a WRX" comment.
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LX builder 5:24PM (4/04/2008)
You got something against cookie cutter rice burners?
psarhjinian 5:29PM (4/04/2008)
I'd rather have a rocket-equipped WRX.
PAT 5:12PM (4/04/2008)
"Waiting for the mandatory "I'd rather have a WRX" comment."
Good one...I think you gotta say STi...
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Olesma 5:25PM (4/04/2008)
You really should read this fantastic article about the Turbonique company: http://iowahawk.typepad.com/bolus/2008/03/the-real-acme.html
Fantastic stuff. I'll take one of each.
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studemax 6:46PM (4/04/2008)
Just the blown big block Ford ought to provide some thrills without the rocket.
Will 7:17PM (4/04/2008)
Great article, thanks for posting it. Makes that "rocket-equipped WRX" comment above sound weirdly possible and completely awesome.
havoc 9:42PM (4/04/2008)
yes, awesome article, and i did some devling into the axial blower, cool stuff.
havoc 6:47PM (4/04/2008)
**blink, blink**
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Rick 7:14PM (4/04/2008)
Yawn. Other than the obvious obsession with raw power, I don't find anything remotely exciting here.
I'd rather have something 'current'...
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Shipey 7:26PM (4/04/2008)
No appreciation for drastically forward thinking and unconventional engineering in an utterly cool and purposeful package that reeks of pioneering spirit?
Have fun driving your "current" Cam-cord-olla.
Bill G 7:35PM (4/04/2008)
I guess these kids don't remember the 1960's when you could buy a Hemi aluminum bodied Dodge, aluminum big Block Camaros or Boss Mustangs or any other muscle car for $3K-$4K and Sunoco 260 (102 Octane) gas cost 30 cents.
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why not the LS2LS7? 7:38PM (4/04/2008)
That device doesn't appear to be attached in a fashion such that it wouldn't rip itself loose from its mountings if it approached 1300HP...
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