Throughout the 1960s and part of the 1970s, the Ford Galaxie competed directly with the Chevrolet Impala (which usually won in the sales race). In 1965, Ford redesigned its full-size cars, and stacked headlights would dominate the styling for three consecutive years. The seller has a pair of ’65 Galaxie 500s for sale, with the convertible being the likely victor of the two. Located in Lincolnville, Maine, this duo is listed as a package deal here on Facebook Marketplace for $5,500. Thanks for the tip, “RichardinMaine”.
The 1965 model year should have been a great one for Ford. The new Mustang “pony car” was selling like hotcakes, and the LTD was doing so well that Chevy had to come up with a mid-year competitor, the Caprice. That being said, Chevy hit a sales record for the Impala/etc. series of cars at 1.6 million. The big Fords also sold well, but could “only” muster 800,000 units. Which would have been a banner showing at any time other than 1965. “C’est la vie” (such is life).
Convertible
Because it’s a drop-top, the seller’s burgundy ’65 Galaxie 500 will probably be the reason for taking home this pair. We told it has rust, which doesn’t jump out at you in the photos. The paint looks okay, and the interior seems good except for maybe the carpeting. The black canvas top also seems ready for a makeover at 90,000 miles. We’re not told if the 289 cubic inch V8 with a C4 automatic transmission runs.
Hardtop
More beat-up looking is the hardtop with a 352 V8 and manual tranny (3-on-the-tree?). We’re guessing it might become a donor for the convertible (if it hasn’t already). We’re told it once had a cameo in the movie Man Without a Face. As an extra inducement, the seller is throwing in some spare parts and an extra frame (does either car need one?).
Check that frame before the rear axle. Love these cars, but I have had to leave a few deals because of this. Yes, it can be repaired or replaced, but this has to be considered. The bucket seat interior is a huge plus.
nice
Can’t hardly get further away than Maine! (Particularly from Nevada) I have always liked the body style of these and have thought about picking one up a couple of times. BUT NO RUST FOR ME THANK YOU!
For $5500, two (2) cars and a spare frame is a steal! Grab’em both, the run, do not walk to the nearest exit! Even if you only make one (1) good car out of two (2) bad ones, the convertible with the bucket seats and console would seal the deal for me! GLWTS!
I had a fixer upper 65 Galaxie for my first car in 1971. I put a new top and few other things and wrecked it and put it back together. By the time I got rid of it a few years later it was wrecked in three places and had a used trans. Since the odometer never worked I am guessing it had a least 150,000 when I sold it.
My first car was a 1965 Galaxy 500, four door: automatic, heat, am radio, and nothing else. My parents used to store horse feed in it. My Dad told me if I wanted to drive I would drive the Ford. I got it running with his help, cleaned it up as best I could, and hit the road. Got me through a couple of years of high school and went on my first date in it. She liked the way the car smelled because of the molasses in the horse feed. Bought a 1967 Mustang for my senior year in 1974($695.00 coupe, 390, 3 speed on the floor). A couple of years later I gave the Galaxy to a friend. He drove it for about a year and the frame rusted out.
I had the dark green version of the Galaxie 500XL with a tan bucket seat interior 390 with a 4 speed trans w/Hurst shifter. The stock shifters were junk. Ford won the Lemon of the Year Award from CARS magazine in 1970 for that shifter. They kept falling off the car and the throw made it seem like you were rowing a boat.
Mine had a solid lifter cam, Holley 4 bbl and would 70 mph in 1st gear. It was a glamorous car and rust free. I paid $900 for it in 1969. I ran burned out Thrush mufflers on it. It was loud and famous in my area while had it. My first real drag race was in that car.
Even though a 2 for one this deal is a bit pricey in my book. Though I like the hardtop with a stick, no desire for any convertible. I’ve been reading up on the those 352’s baby fe’s. They can be built to run well without much trouble. Love the stick as well.
With what the pictures show and the propensity for frame rot though I’d be a bit leery without a personal inspection.
Still a 65 Galaxie is always special. First car I really remember is the old man’s 65 country squire that he would load the lot of us in anytime we were going anywhere.
I wonder, how hard would it be to bore & stroke a 352 into a 390 or a 428? Just Thinking!
Robert,
Here’s a ‘Jalopy Journal’ link to a conversation all about 352 FE potential that I found interesting. There was even a link, in one of the posts, to another article about somebody hot rodding the little FE.
R
It didn’t seem to be popular thing to do back then then. There lots of 390 blocks around. That was the cheapest and easiest choice.