Plenty of Patina! 1965 Ford Galaxie 500

Throughout the 1960s, Chevrolet and Ford were always battling for supremacy in the full-size car market. The Impala and Galaxie 500 competed head-to-head, and Chevy usually won (especially in 1965 when they sold one million Impalas). This 1965 Galaxie 500 was purchased from the original owner’s family, and it’s fairly basic except for factory air conditioning. Located near Seattle, Washington, this patina-laden survivor is available here on craigslist for $3,950. Once again, Curvette comes through in the tips department.

The full-size Fords were redesigned in 1965 and took on stacked headlights (a trait they would have through 1967). Despite the astronomical numbers of Chevy Impalas sold that year, Ford still found more than a half a million buyers for their all-new Galaxie, which is a good showing in its own right. Ford was also busy building Mustangs, of which they sold 1.2 million copies from 1964 to 1966 (take that, Chevrolet!).

This Ford may have too many doors to suit some people, and it has a “3-on-the-tree” manual transmission (with overdrive). But it was a one-family car for more than 60 years and has a solid undercarriage and sheet metal. Other than some wear on the front bench seat, the interior looks to have held up well for what is more than 100,000 miles. Patina lovers may find themselves in awe of this Galaxie and will want to put some clearcoat over the worn blue paint.

According to the surviving window sticker, this Ford retailed for $3,600+ in 1965, and the biggest option was the A/C. The 289 V8 and power steering came next, and that was mostly it. The LTD was a new product in ’65, but the original owners of this car wanted function over flash. The transmission has a chipped tooth in 1^st gear, but is otherwise fine. But the brakes, fuel pump, gas tank, water pump, and so forth are new, representing part of the asking price. If you yearn for the days when automobiles were simple to own and operate, this ’65 Galaxie could be right up your alley.