Race fans in 1965 would recognize Ford’s two-door Galaxie from NASCAR, where Ford enjoyed great success in 1965, including a championship win by wheel man Ned Jarrett. Fastback versions of the popular full-sized Galaxie really took off with the high-strung 427 V8. This 1965 Ford Galaxie 500 XL two-door hardtop in Longmont, Colorado came with the next-best thing, the Z-code 390. Like the go-fast, turn-left Galaxie racers, this sporty hardtop puts the driver in control with a four-speed manual transmission. Now that’s performance! Running condition and anything resembling a description escape the listing. The $9,999 asking price here on Craigslist buys what looks like a never-restored specimen with normal imperfections and nothing too horrible. Thanks to reader Mark_K for spotting this floor-shifted Ford.
Whoa! The brown cockpit certainly clashes with the faded red body. Only the decked-out LTD ranked above the 500 XL in Ford’s full-sized lineup for ’65. The nifty console includes a sliding panel in lieu of a rubber shift boot; talk about class! Chrome-trimmed pedals and other shiny bits graced the 500 XL.
Twin gun sight tail lights evolved from circular units on the previous generation Galaxie. The rustiest Galaxies would have given up their rocker trim by now, as mounting holes deteriorated. No undercarriage pictures grace the listing, but what we see looks straight and solid. This Ford probably left the factory wearing Champagne Beige or Prairie Brown paint. Simply for the sake of variety, some buyers may prefer either of those hues over Resale Red.
If original, the Z-code four-barrel “Thunderbird Special” 390 cid (6.4L) V8 makes an even 300 HP running Premium gas through its single four-barrel carburetor. The 300 HP 390 in my late father’s ’66 T-bird gladly fried the stock tires with a purposeful application of throttle. Straight-up drag racers or street-going maniacs could order up a 427 cid (7.0L) V8 making 425 HP with 11:1 compression and a pair of four-barrel carburetors, insanely powering any full-sized Ford “except wagons.” Thanks to sales literature at lov2xlr8 for some details.
These Thunderbird-style seats find their way into hot rods of all sorts. Despite their svelte dimensions, the T-bird seats make a comfortable resting place for long drives. I first took notice of these seats in my Dad’s T-bird. They look great, maximize rear seat leg room, and support you well enough for normal cornering. Would you change the paint or the interior color on this four-speed Ford?
Nice one, Todd! That could be the most desirable car that I’ve seen in a long time. I’d go back to the original color for sure.
Thanks, Scotty! We had a ’66 Galaxie 500 convertible back in the day, so I have a soft spot for this body style. Love the stacked headlights. With all due respect to whoever spent $99.95 of the Earl Sheib red paint job, I’m with you on taking this back to original color. If I saw this in a yard, and it drove around, shooting from the hip I might go $7500 on it only because of the drivetrain, but honestly I don’t know what they’re worth. Best wishes to the new owner!
Cool ride. No power steering or brakes! Just like NASCAR.
Link:
https://denver.craigslist.org/ctd/d/longmont-1965-ford-galaxie-500-xl/7499744840.html
Thankee brother. I thought the story was missing something. 😜
Thank you Big_Fun! I forgot the link at first – it’s fixed in the article now. Much appreciated.
You’re welcome, Todd.
I went to the dealership website. They have more pictures posted. The *last* picture is of the data plate (see attachment above – link to all pictures below).
Original color? Code X, Vintage Burgundy! Now I want it more…
https://www.victorymotorsofcolorado.com/inventory/1965-ford-galaxie-500-xl-/514808?photos=1
Wonder what the “M” denotes?
Hey Boatman. I found this referencing a ’63, so probably same in ’65… “The XM color would show it was two colors. X on bottom. (Maroon) and M on top. (White).” https://www.fordforumsonline.com/threads/rare-63-gal.19689/
Pretty interesting and cool car. Vintage Burgundy with the tan interior, definitely worth going back to that combination. I like that it even still sports the original wheel covers.
Check the frame! Check the frame! Check the frame! Side channels behind the rockers, and over the axle. That sliding shifter panel had to one of the most annoying ever, ’66 and later reverted to a boot. Stars are missing on rear quarters, and trunk emblem missing, too. But if the plastic and stuffing for those mile long door armrests are useable, half your restoration of a ’65 is done! Crybaby Mopar sat out the ’65 season because France wouldn’t let them run the hemi in intermediates and 426 wedge didn’t get the job done. Only competition Ford had was Bud Moore and Darel Dieringer in a ’64 Merc Marauder 427.
You think maybe they had a reason to ? Ford products won the first 34 races in a row in ’65 until Nascar allowed Chrysler to use the Hemi again. Even then, it was mostly Fords that won. Not one GM car won that year
As Galaxies’ go it’s certainly one of the best of any year. Ah, the choices of engines you could have in a Galaxie.
That makes perfect sense. Thanks Todd!
My Uncle Pete had one of these at the time in Burgundy.
Thanks for the memories…haven’t thought about that for eons.
yea as Scottymac points out, do check the frame, here in the rust belt these are rare since the frames got them right quick. I’m thinking if its a real Colo car you might luck out. Vintage Burgundy with a set of torq-thrusts I’d be in hog heaven, and this will haul the groceries nicely with this drive train. Good luck and happy motoring.
Cheers
GPC
My dad bought a new burgundy 1965 Ford just like this ! ….except it was a base Ford custom 4 door sedan with no trim and dog dish hubcaps. The only options were an automatic transmission and a radio. I think it had a six cyl in it ! Perfect for his job and hauling the family around when needed .
Dealer sent me pics of rotted rear wheel arches and lower qtrs. Headliner trashed. And the most important report that the AC blows cold!!?? LMAO. No AC components are present!!!
The boxes are full of moat of the missing trim. Looks like someone was getting ready to repair and paint the car. They say you can test drive it down the road but I’m suspicious of their assessments of safe road worthiness.