Vehicle Description
Full-sized Fords represent one of the biggest bangs for the buck in
the hobby right now, and you can pick up cars like this handsome
1965 Ford Galaxie 500 convertible for a fraction of the cost of
their bowtie competitors. With a smooth V8, room for five adults,
and plenty of flash, this big red Galaxie suddenly starts to make a
lot of sense.
There's one repaint on the car and it fairly accurately replicates
the original Rangoon Red finish. The older paint job has a great
shine and looks right on the squared-off bodywork and if we didn't
know better, we might believe it was original. The full-sized
Galaxie was totally redesigned for 1965, starting with a set of
stacked headlights and an overall lighter, sleeker look. That's not
to say it's smaller, because this is still a very big car, but the
trim bodywork makes it feel a lot more maneuverable. We believe the
70,619 miles showing are authentic, and given that the car has been
used regularly and never really restored, the sheetmetal is in
fantastic shape with no nasty surprises underneath. The doors close
easily and all the little details that make Ford's top-of-the-line
cars so special are still there, from the stand-up hood ornament to
the stainless rim running from nose to tail to the squared-off
taillights that make it easy to recognize from a mile away. If you
want a car that's ideal for just getting in and going somewhere,
this Galaxie delivers.
There's evidence that the two-tone red interior is original to the
car, and that should give you a better idea of just how
well-preserved this car really is. The first owner kept it for more
than 30 years, so you know it was special, and while there's a bit
of wear on the driver's seat, no reproduction covers can match the
factory's level of detail. There's a bit of fading on the carpets,
which isn't surprising with red, and the steering wheel is showing
some age even with the red leather wrap. Factory gauges are bright
and crisp, and we love the way the original AM radio is integrated
into the design (although it's sadly not functional). The recent
white power convertible top stows itself in seconds and includes a
crystal clear rear window and the giant trunk includes a correct
plaid mat and a full-sized spare.
Power comes from Ford's reliable, rugged X-code 352 cubic inch V8,
which we believe is the car's original powerplant. Still wearing
Ford Blue on the air cleaner and valve covers, it's just a deep
cleaning away from being ready to show off and there are plenty of
indicators that all three owners were conscientious about
maintenance. It starts easily, idles well, and pulls the ragtop
around with genuine enthusiasm, all the while feeling rugged and
eager, something that can't be said for a lot of other cars of the
period. At a glance you can see things like fresh ignition
components, new belts and hoses, and correct decals on the engine
itself, all signs that the owners liked to keep it healthy. Power
steering and power brakes are welcome additions and the heavy-duty
3-speed automatic transmission always seems to find the right gear
(remember to use the green dot on the selector!). A recent dual
exhaust system sounds suitably muscular without being annoying and
it's extremely clean underneath, so no worries there. Stylish
hubcaps look a lot like period mag wheels and carry 15-inch
whitewall radials.
We'll wager that this car won't last long. Big Fords are suddenly
very popular, whether it's because of their great road manners or
their reasonable prices, we can't say, but this big red Galaxie has
enough of both to make it very appealing. Call today!