During the Air Force Day celebrations held earlier today at Hindon Air Base in Uttar Pradesh, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh made a rather notable entrance in a vintage 1960s Ford Galaxie V8. This rare car, featuring a classic design and a powerful engine for its era, deserves a closer look at its key details.

Ford Galaxie V8: All you need to know

The Ford Galaxie was one of Ford’s flagship full-size models produced between 1959 and 1974. The model was equipped with a massive 6.4-litre V8 engine, delivering approximately 315 hp at 4,600 rpm. This engine was paired with a 3-speed automatic transmission.As seen in the images, the car’s design featured a long wheelbase of 119 inches. Other key design elements include a long, wide grille with a lot of chrome detailing and quad headlamp layout.

Image Credits: FordMuscleForum.

The V8-powered Ford Saloon was inducted into service with the Indian Air Force on July 30, 1969. It served as the official staff car for Air Chiefs, starting with Air Chief Marshal P.C. Lal in 1969, and continued to be used by subsequent Air Chiefs up until around 1992.

Interestingly, from Air Chief Marshal AP Singh’s arrival, it’s clear that this car is a left-hand drive model. Its long wheelbase gives it roomy interiors, while it also has features like air conditioning, an AM radio, and power rear windows. The car is currently housed at the Palam Air Force Museum and is brought out only for special occasions like this.Stay tuned to TOI Auto for latest updates on the automotive sector and do follow us on our social media handles on Facebook, Instagram and X.