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4-Speed Drop Top: 1965 Ford Galaxie 500 XL

This full-size Ford is more interesting that the typical mid-60s Galaxie. Looking down but not out, this 1965 Ford Galaxie 500 XL 390 4 Speed Convertible would have been a real head-turner in ’65 with its top-level 500 XL trim, 390 big-block, and four-speed manual transmission! Find it here on eBay where the bidding ends later today!

Thankfully the word “patina” is not used in the seller’s description, as most would agree that faded paint is not always a plus. The bumper appears to be straight, and the grille isn’t bad, but could use some dental work. Stacked headlights were new with 1965’s complete redesign.

The all-new for ’65 Galaxie grew larger and the 390 was the top “normal” motor. “Stored inside a barn for over 30 years,” this diamond in the rough is described as having little rust except the rear quarter panels. The motor turns but has not been started.”

It seems the car has changed hands at least once without having its title re-assigned. While relatively common, the practice of “skipping” the title is illegal in all 50 states. According to The Poor Man’s Off-Chassic Restoration.com  the door plate and VIN decode to what you see here, a Vintage Burgundy 1965 Galaxie 500 XL with Z Code 390-4bbl, Black Interior, 3.25 Axle, and 4 Sp. Manual transmission. All things roughly equal, if this was a Mustang, it would be worth a small fortune. This car will sell! The No Reserve auction has one bid of $2500. What will it take to win?

Comments

  1. Avatar redwagon

    nice car in a nice relatively dry area. longmont is located about equidistant between denver and fort collins. now bid to $3,551 nope now $3,651. with the right buyer this should get to 5 figures no problem.

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  2. Avatar Todd Fitch Staff

    My folks had one of these when I was growing up (picture attached, yes that’s me in the plaid shorts), and I remember it looking pretty aggressive with black steel wheels and no hubcaps. It had some kind of engine badge on it but the details have faded in my memory. My Step-Dad would sometimes gather us all up for a top-down drive through the PA countryside, which sometimes included a quart of Miller High Life for the driver. Those were simpler times. I’ve thought about buying one of these, and this feature car has pretty much everything I’d want.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Mike H

      Todd, that appears to be a ’66 you’re standing next to. 1965 had a full length protrusion down the side and the higher trims got chrome trim along that line. For 1966 the body line only went to approximately the rear wheel opening.

      Also, the engine badge you refer to would have been on the lower front fenders, behind the front wheel? I think that only the larger displacements got that badge (390 & 7 Litre), but in 1965 it was the 352, 390, and 427 that wore them; I don’t recall ever seeing a 289 badge there, nor anything acknowledging the smaller sixes.

      Like 1
      • Avatar Todd Fitch Staff

        Thanks, Mike H. – Good eye!

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  3. Avatar Warren

    So tempted to bid on this, had a 65 XL. I sure would want to look at the frame on this one before going for it. Even in Colorado I would be concerned with frame rot out. Positioning holes in the frame allowed road splash to accumulate inside the frame in the torque box areas and rot from the inside out. Seen more than a few with repair gussets welded on the frame. Great car with many of the desirability boxes ticked!

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    • Avatar Stang1968

      I’m wondering about the frame and torque boxes too. This car has many good options and is a decent color.
      It also has a gray door data plate instead of black. I havent seen that in a while. Something about acrylic vs enamel paint.

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  4. Avatar flmikey

    Perfect project…if, like Warren said, the frame checks out…btw, this car has been for sale before on Ebay…I remember almost bidding on it…

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  5. Avatar AMXSTEVE

    Now that’s a proper “Rag Top”

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  6. Avatar Morley Member

    I love 65. This is mine

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  7. Avatar Morley Member

    I love 65s. This is mine Morley

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  8. Avatar Rustytech Member

    The 65 Galaxie was my all time favorite year for the Big Ford, and this one pushes all my buttons. I really wish I could take on another project right now. The bid of $4800 still seems reasonable to me.

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  9. Avatar james burton

    you guys have pics of the frame on ebay so what’s the problem. 6 grand would be a good price on this ride

    Like 0
  10. Avatar PAPERBKWRITER

    Had a beautiful “65 that the frame rotted nearly thru. That Tin Lizzy would run.

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  11. Avatar lawrence

    Rare 4 speed console there….pretty sure a 1965 only….nice car !

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  12. Avatar Ben T. Spanner

    There is a 1965 automatic on Craigslist here in Ft Myers. Needs a hood and a trunk floor plus a gas tank. Runs and drives. Interior looks complete from one photo. Asking $4000.

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  13. Avatar leiniedude Member

    Winning bid:US $5,900.00
    [ 23 bids ]

    Like 0
  14. Avatar Windy Lawyer George

    I agree Mr. Burton, and after a return email from the seller who confided the frame was rust free and the 33K miles accurate, I bought it 4 $5900 and now wonder why and what am I going to do with it. I guess becuz it caught my eye & seemed reasonable. Since I have seen which are also reasonable and more in line with what I want–whatever that might be, and changes ever week. Although I have been a lawyer for 44 years I am far from rich owing in part to being 2 empathic and charging 2 little, and the common problem of clients who were scared to death when they crashed through my office door, feeling after I had saved their bacon that I really had not done much work. A car salesman who had been trying 4 15 years to recover $15K owed him on bonus which dealer had taken with him when he sold the agency balked@ my $3000.00 [where the standard charge is 1/3 of the $ recovered] bill for recovery 18 days after he retained me because I “really didn’t do much” as I had only “wrote 2 letters” was non-pulsed when I replied “just as you don’t really do much work selling a car?” and telling him the cost in the equivalent of $400,000.00 in today’s wages to learn what to say in those letters which resulted in the recovery within 18 days of the holder’s receipt of those 2 letters the money, he, a car salesman who had worked 4 the holder 4 several years, was unable to recover in a myriad of his letters which over a period of 15 years had failed to recover a single penny–and which he never would recover because of the time which had passed, the distance to employer/seller’s cash box coupled with the near impossibility of proof of entitlement 2 the $15K bonus.

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  15. Avatar Windy Lawyer George

    which I was attempting to correct the sentence starting with the word “Since” to read:

    “Because I have seen several since buying this convertible which are also reasonable but more in line with what I want–whatever that might be, and changes ever week.”

    but was stopped dead in my tracks by the bell!

    Anyone want it now for same price? It is still at seller’s place. Or do you want it after I finish it. If the latter try to develop an affinity for the pink U saw on the 85 Corvette! Yikes! I wanted 2 buy that, if 4 no other reason to irritate the Springfield Hooligans–I mean “The Springfield Police” but Justin must have sold it subsequent to my call as the Ad says something 2 that effect. Zounds, my last chance to own a bright colored Corvette. DANG IT!

    2 c

    Like 0

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