In the 1960s, the Galaxie 500 was to Ford as the Impala was to Chevrolet. Both were bread and butter cars that appealed to lots of buyers and sold well. For 1965, the full-size Fords had an all-new design, featuring vertically stacked dual headlights. Though the new upscale LTD would be popular, the Galaxie 500 would outsell it and the entry-level Custom. This ’65 convertible has been off the road for more than 30 years and needs a full cosmetic and likely mechanical restoration. Located in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, the bidding stands at just $500 here on eBay but there is a reserve and the Buy It Now price is $3,600. Thanks, Larry D, for bringing this find our way!
The new Fords for 1965 were taller and bulkier than the previous year’s models. These autos would be treated to a new suspension, replacing the former leaf-spring set-up with a new three-link system using coil springs. This is one of the reasons the upscale LTD could take on the Rolls-Royce in ride quality and passenger compartment quietness (at least according to their advertising). If you wanted a full-size Ford convertible that year, you could choose from the standard drop-top (like the seller’s car) which found 31,930 buyers, or the XL convertible at 9,849 copies.
As the story goes, this Galaxie 500 has been in dry storage since 1978 and was last fired up in 1990. The VIN confirms the Ford was built with a 352 cubic-inch V8 and 4-barrel carburetor and this one turns over by hand, so it’s not stuck. It’s paired with an automatic transmission, but no mention is made regarding its condition. The seller doesn’t know if the car is complete but there are extra parts in the trunk. So, the car is a project that needs someone who has the time and resources to bring it back to life.
The seller says the Galaxie is a Wisconsin car with the “typical rust.” I don’t know that any rust is typical, but we’re told the floorboards and trunk have some of it to be dealt with while the rest is said to be solid. The convertible top and frame assembly are all there. The Ford has all its glass, and the interior looks good from what we can tell, although the carpeting might be due to be replaced. The Ford even has dealer-installed under-the-dash air conditioning. Is this a car that you would fix up enough to drive and show as original or would you go the whole way and redo it from top to bottom?
I had a 65 just like this for my first car. When I got it my intent was to do some restoration work as it needed a bit. However as it goes it happened and I got in a bad wreck that should have been a total. However being young & STUPID I decided to fix as I had already put money into. I put it back together and drove it a few more years. I don’t know how much bondo was it , BUT LOTS. I also had no clue of mileage as the odometer broke at 49,000. It took ONE hell of a lickin and kept on tickin. I doubt many new cars could do this.
These cars were notorious frame rusters. First thing to check is where the frame starts up over the rear end, right at the front of the rear wheel wells. The 352 was surprisingly fast for a car of this size. Comfortable cruiser.
Normal rust? I live in Wisconsin & I know about “normal” rust. There are areas that catch & hold on to the slush, snow, salt & water. They developed bad rust holes in these areas. So “normal” rust is a thing.
The frame right in front of the rear wheels, where it kicks up, is one of those areas. I would be willing to bet this car is suffering there. Too bad, I always liked the stacked headlight Galaxies.