The bread and butter big three (Ford, Chevrolet, and Plymouth) saw big changes occur in 1965. Ford & Chevy went with entirely new designs, as did Plymouth, but their big deal was returning their full-sized Fury, back to actual full-size proportions. Ford added a new top-line trim level, called LTD, as did Chevrolet with their mid-year Caprice introduction, but the Galaxie 500 LTD is our subject for today. This 1965 LTD is located in Temperance, Michigan and is available, here on eBay for a BIN price of $9,500, there is a make an offer option too.
Ford’s line-up in ’65 covered all of the bases from the lowly Custom, moving on up to the Custom 500, the Galaxie 500, Galaxie 500 XL, and the new, top of the line Galaxie 500 LTD. The LTD was offered in both two and four-door hardtop body styles and was mostly a trim option in terms of badging and interior appointments. It also mandated a standard V8 engine. There were about 105K Galaxie 500 LTD’s assembled in ’65, two-doors accounting for 37K and the rest being fours – a pretty stout number for a first-year model that wasn’t that significantly different than the more pedestrian Galaxie 500.
Have you ever noticed how “large” and “barge” sound so similar and aren’t much different in their spelling? The words are sometimes used interchangeably on full-size cars of this era and they were large with this LTD measuring in at 17.75 feet in length and close to 4K lbs. in weight. That said, this era LTD/Galaxie was actually pretty svelte compared to what would come later, principally in the mid-’70s; those were true barges. It’s a subjective assessment but I think Ford really got their large car styling right between ’65 and ’68. And those lines still show well on this rather worn looking example. It is advertised as being non-rusted and solid, just some surface rust and an obviously shot finish. The trim and chrome present pretty well and there is no indication of crash damage. The original wheel covers are a nice touch!
The interior is in surprisingly sound shape. The seller advertises this LTD as being a 37K mile example but offers no documentation to back up that claim. The interior does show to have seen little use as well as having escaped the ravages of father time. And that’s curious as the exterior seems to have seen lots of non-SPF protected outside time but the interior says otherwise, other than maybe that dash cover that could be hiding something. The seller doesn’t mention this, but this appears to be a non-radio equipped car, unusual for a top-line model. There is no antenna visible and there appears to be a block-off plate with the letters FORD displayed where the radio would normally reside.
This car is referenced as a weekend driver and that is accomplished courtesy of a 250 HP, 352 CI, V8 engine. I’m not sure about that silver air cleaner lid, as in, is that correct? The grime coating the front of the engine looks like a bit more than 37K miles of operation. Nevertheless, the seller states, “It runs and drives great. It has new tires, a battery, and alternator“. A three-speed automatic transmission gets the power to the rear wheels.
The VIN checks out, this Ford is as it’s represented but then there would be no reason for it not to. Large, full-size cars like this LTD have not caught on, value or collectibility-wise, the way intermediates and pony cars have. And that’s really not bad news as it leaves a plethora of old, full-size cars, some with tremendous power, available for more reasonable prices – remember, these were the volume sellers. This one looks to have good bones, wouldn’t you agree?
Another cool BF’s blast, my friends dad down the block, had this exact car. It was no barge, and had plenty of mid-60’s muscle. These were Fords best cars, I feel, but only the untrained would agree on the mileage. I hate to keep bringing up price, but it’s a major deal when considering a car like this, that will need everything. I’d think a nice one could go for $10g’s and no bids bolsters that some. Air cleaner is correct, I think they used an aluminum top on some, like 390 police models, and the 352 was one of their best engines, this one, however, looks pretty tired. I swear, it’s almost comical how some people ordered their cars. Now, a LTD was the upper end, but no power brakes or radio, what gives, pops?
Ford was almost notorious for building cars with power steering but non-powered brakes, even when the car in question had a fairly powerful engine. I ran across a 67 Fairlane wagon in the mid 80s that had a 390 and power steering but non-powered brakes. And my 68 Mercury Cyclone GT had power steering but non-powered brakes.
My father had a 66 LTD with a 289, with the small block that was standard on these cars they weren’t all that fast, so this car has at least a good head start on reasonable power.
Would not mind owning this car if I had the spare funds to return it to as delivered new condition. But the current price is a bit optimistic for the market.
You reminded me of a car i bought in 1983 , a 69 mercury with a 390, power steering and non power brakes. I can’t remember if it had disk or drum for front brakes tho. It was one heck of a 100 dollar beater. I knocked a hole in the fuel tank doing stupid stuff. When I dropped old tank to put in replacement gas was dripping out of fuel line so i started the car to suck some fuel out and stop it dripping on me and that was the last time it ran. Had gas in carb and spark but would not start so I traded it for a 67 ford 1/2 ton.
I would bet dollars to donuts it has drum brakes, hence, no power brakes.
It is a nice car, however for the mileage ,if correct, you would expect it to be a little. Still I like it, my Dad bought one brand new, of course it was a 4-door plain Jane. I was in collage and he would let me use it occasionally, and the after I got married, he was selling it and my wife an I bought it. I put A/C in it and it was are family driver of several years and never let us down, it did get an oil leak ,from the back of the intake manifold, I tried to fix it several times and never did get it to stop completely.
Joe, on a Ford it’s called “external lubrication”-
The 65 Galaxie is one of my favorite fords and in a great color. Appears to be a solid car but the price is a little optimistic. I like these cars but they are just not very popular with the restoration guys maybe in the future.
That is not a radio block off plate. When you ordered a radio, the dash had holes molded in for the volume and tuner knobs, and five holes for the push buttons. The dash plate itself was the clear cover for the dial. My family owned several 66 Galaxies, one of which had no radio from the factory.
And AM radios were about a $75 dealer option –
a fair amount of money back then.
My family had a similar car in late 60’s. same drivetrain, 4bbl. got 12mpg! very dependable. I myself owned a 4dr several years later, was also a good car.
I had one in college went from North Dakota to Maine so many times that I was on my way to making close to 100,000. I think I waxed that every other weekend .good reliable workhorse.
The external oiling system looks to be working pretty well here. 137000 maybe?
I had one of these 40 years ago a darker maroon with a white roof. Had the 352 with the auto like this one. The car looked absolutely beautiful on top, BUT the frame was shot behind the rear wheels. I checked around and found out this was a common problem with these. Buyer beware on this one.
Frame is solid bumper to bumper. Only the expected surface rust for a 55+ yr old 😉 body is rust free with no bondo I’m guessing original paint.
as fairlane these came 4 ways: notch, fastback (MrEastwood’s), wagon & vert, Even 6 motors (428CJ) and 4 transmish…
If seeking a car (not wagon) I’d go for it as I love any stacked hdlght models (I think the Merc caliente` was the 1st in ’64?).
Comets, including Caliente, went with stacked headlights in ’65. Here’s a ’64.
Calientes, like all Comets, went with stacked headlights for ’65. Here is a ’64.
I recall a marketing comparison between the 65 Ford LTD and a Ro Rolls Royce back in the day.
In 1965 Ford did advertise their LTD as “ quieter than” a Rolls Royce. I also recall some commercials where the Ford was driven up cement steps with the marketeer inside the Ford holding a microphone. Mad men as days for sure
My Father bought a 1966 Galaxie, tan with a white sport roof ( not vinyl ), 390, auto. I liked the 1966 because the taillights were wider and not as tall as in 65. The 66 looked more streamlined, and the sport roof actually made the car sexier, if that makes sense. It was the last coupe my Dad ever owned, and the 390 could really haul a$$. Tipping the scales at about 4000 lbs it still ran a sub 16 second quarter mile. But alas the family was getting bigger and he had to return to a sedan. But in 1969 he bought a Marquis with a 429 4bbl, it was 500 pounds heavier but faster than the Galaxie. it was my Father’s favorite car.
My first car, ’65 Galaxie 500 2 dr hardtop, maroon with a black vinyl top, given to me for nothing by one of my pals, needed an engine. 240 w/a Cruise-O-Matic (aka FMX) bought a ’67 Custom with a good engine and tranny for $10 from a neighbor, took the day off from High School and did the swap in the dirt on my parents driveway with a rented hoist. Man that was so cool to finally have FREEDOM. aahhh the 70s what a blast.
Just remember, this car brand new was quieter than a Rolls Royce!
First car was a 65 Galaxie 500 XL Tudor, navy blue with white bucket seats! No power steering or brakes! Fun first car!
Had a 65 4 door….no p/s or p/b….ran like a bear! This was in ’76, and trunk was completely rotted out of it. Paid $50, sold it to my brother 6 months later for $50. He crashed it during the Blizzard of ’77 (western ny) and that was it . Never got stuck though!
Purchased a 1966 Galaxie 500 7Liter (428) 335hp in early 1966.C6 transmission.Front disc brakes,rear drum.Beautiful car but to heavy to really be a world beater.Should have purchased the 66 fairlane with the 390 motor. .
This car takes me back to the early ‘70s it’s the same as the one my aunt had and later my cousin owned it.First thing was Crager SS rims,air shocks and dual exhaust with chrome tips.I can remember riding in that Galaxy,one of the first hot-rods of my youth,many fast cars came after and I can say it was due to the spotless Ford with loud exhaust and many compliments!
My dad bought one of these new ! well , it was the same color, but a bone stock down to the dog dish hubcap six cyl. 4 door Custom model. I remember seeing it in our driveway and thinking how cool the stacked headlights were. He was a salesman , and he put a ton of miles on it before trading it in on a new 68 Monterey
$5500 bought this. Looks to be all original except for the reupholstered seats, alternator, battery and tires. Mint chrome & trim, solid near perfect body (minor dent in rear quarter) and NO RUST.
😉