390-Powered Find: 1965 Ford Galaxie 500

Both Ford and Chevrolet redesigned their full-size cars in 1965. But it was Chevy that won the sales race, as more than one million buyers flocked to one of their showrooms to pick up a new Impala. But Ford still had a good year, though it only sold half as many Galaxies. Like this 1965 Galaxie 500 2-door hardtop, which appears to have been in the woods for a long time. Yet the original 390 cubic inch V8 still runs and drives. From Lithonia, Georgia, this red-over-red Ford is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $2,900.

In fairness to the showing for the 1965 Galaxie 500, Ford introduced the LTD that year, too, and it was a quick success. That gave Ford two winners on its hands as the popular Mustang had buyers beating down the doors to get one. All of Ford’s senior cars had stacked headlights for the first time, a styling technique that would last through 1967. While most ’65 big Fords were probably sold with the small-block 289 V8, the original owner of this one wanted extra speed and opted for the more beastly 390.

All vintage cars have a story, so we assume this one does, too. But we don’t know what it is. Perhaps its 65,000 miles is accurate, but the odometer could just as well be on its second time around. We’re told this Galaxie is numbers-matching, so someone has at least tried tracking things down. With an automatic transmission, we assume it’s a 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic. The body has ample rust from sitting in the woods, and we assume a window was left down, as a pile of leaves occupies the rear floorboards.

Apparently, the seller has managed to get the Ford to run and drive around, as it appears in different spots in the photos. But it’s far from roadworthy, so bring your trailer with you. This will be an ambitious project if you plan to restore the car to its original glory, or maybe its best days are past and going on the donor route is preferred. A big “thank you” to Moparman for the tip.