1967 Ford Galaxie Country Squire at Drag Challenge

Little Trev and Wonky dove headfirst into their first Drag Challenge with a small block and a big wagon

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Photographers: Noah Thorley

There’s no hiding Little Trev’s Galaxie Country Squire; it’s big with a capital everything, yet there’s method to his madness in running the Dearborn Yank tank in the Hare & Forbes Dial Your Own category at Drag Challenge ’24.

“This is a 390 big block car,” Trev starts, “but those things are a bit of a boat anchor, so I had this built,” he says, referring to the 393ci small block nestled in the Galaxie’s enormous engine bay. “They’re easier to get parts for and so on, and while I’ve got two and a half tonnes here with me inside it, I’ve got plans to move this engine to something lighter one day.” Trev muses over a few different FoMoCo products that will suit, mentioning the Mercury Cougar among others before sighing, “Then this can be turned back into a cruiser again.”

Fellow Drag Challenge entrant Damien Reeves, who’s given the event a good nudge over the years in his blown XT Fairmont, is responsible for the build, encouraging Trev to go hard on components to ensure reliability. “I’m not that mechanically minded,” admits Trev, “So I’d rather not be broken down on the side of the road.” A fair philosophy, but it didn’t keep him out of trouble. “I took it up to Heathcote for a test and tune a while back, and a bloody screw from the throttle body got sucked into the engine. Bent a valve and so forth, but it could have been worse.”

“Damo’s only given a quick look over with the computer since then, so we’re going to tune it better as the event goes on,” Trev says. “I’m hoping for consistent low 13s and will dial that in, but once I’ve handed over my timeslip, I’m keen to let it off the leash.” He scratches his head, before musing, “If I get a high 12, I’ll be happy.”

Knowing that pushing the envelope is risky regardless of the high quality of the internals stuffed inside the cast iron Cleveland block, Trev planned to fill the big wagon with every part he can to ensure his successful completion of the event. He also parked another pair of Radir-style Rocket Strikes in the back,
and they juxtapose with the hard-worn aesthetic of the lanky longroof perfectly.

Despite the dings and dents from a previous life as a family truckster, Trev has ensured the running gear is as stout as the engine. “It’s got a built C10 trans with a 4400 stall and TCI shifter, 4.11s between four-link coil overs up the back and a set of Wilwood discs all round.”

“There are only three of these I know of in Australia,” he explains, “and the other two are on the west coast.” He’s not sure of its US origins, but it’s definitely a dry car, with minimal rust and only a little bit of sunburn to the 57-year-old front seats, while the rears are mint, and the rear-rears – normally folded into the boot area – are even better. “I’m not sure why I have a 10-seater wagon,” he says. “I’ve made it too loud for the wife and kids, so I’m normally the only one in it! At least I’ve got Wonky with me so I’ve got someone to talk to.”

Trev ran 13.3s like clockwork during the event, finishing fifth in Hare & Forbes DYO, with good mate Wonky riding shotgun. Next, he’ll start using the nitrous, ready to dip into the 12s.

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