Vehicle Description
1965 Ford Galaxie 500 XL
For those of you who used their formative years to educate and
mostly entertain themselves with the boob tube, you were probably
catching an episode or two of Andy of Mayberry. A number of awesome
cars were featured in the Andy Griffith Show over its nine year
run, but Griffith's squad cars were always Ford Galaxie 500 sedans.
Fords were increasingly featured as the show reached its later
years, undoubtedly because of a sponsorship from the Ford Motor
Company.
For consignment a 1965 Galaxie 500 that I would classify as a
survivor. A 1 family owned car since new having only accrued a mere
59,124 title verified miles and sporting a 352ci V8, bucket seat
interior, and 1 older repaint that is still holding its own today.
A large frown is noted on the underside but otherwise a solid
presenting car that can be and should be saved. Are you the one to
keep this low miles Mayberry cruiser on the road?
Exterior
Honey Gold, as an older respray covers straight steel panels, and 2
doors with well minded gaps. Paint has slightly dulled and has some
battle scars in the form of scratches and a few dents along with
evidence of prior body repair as well as a few areas of rust
bubbling on the lower panels. The fastback roofline of this skate
gives the illusion of movement even when standing still and the
side panels are highlighted by a mid car straight bodyline that
begins at the headlights and runs straight to the stern at the rear
quarter. Galaxie 500XL is badged just behind the dual front stacked
headlights and within is a well preserved egg crate grille and has
a nice badge offset to the left. The front bumper is very nice and
shiny. As we move to the rear, we find squared off tail lights with
a center round backup light and some starburst trimmings reaching
out to each side in shiny chromed points. More shiny trimmings for
the rear on the trunk, and just below is a nicely preserved rear
bumper. Thin whites wrap standard chrome whire styled wheel
coverings with a blue cloisonne hub and white Ford badge.
Interior
With a swing of either of the 2 doors all us to greet Ivy Gold
vinyl and carpeted door panels with a rocket age aluminum insert.
Bucket seats wrapped in yards of Ivy Gold vinyl with dark green
stripes racing from top to bottom appear original and show just the
right amount of age wear. Chrome trimming decorates the buckets,
and an Ivy Gold console fills the gap between the buckets, complete
with an aluminum insert that holds the chrome floor shifter then
dying off under the dash. A very clean and shiny original dash
looking like it was pulled from the Millennium Falcon with its
central white numbers on black horizontal shaped background is
flanked by the arrow turn signal indicators on either side. The
original steering wheel is noted. Gold carpet floods the floors A
lightly stained white headliner, good and tight floats above their
stunning 2 tone interior and lest we forget the rear bench seat.
Fully matching the front buckets with a centrally mounted rear
speaker and appearing to have never been sat in! Bringing our
attention briefly to the trunk it has its original speckled liner,
a spare, and jack neatly tucked away in the front of the trunk.
Drivetrain
Clean original with some nice patina is seen on the surfaces under
the hood, including the 352ci V8 which pumps out a factory rated
250 horses. This is complete with goldish painted valve covers and
a single 2-barrel carb with off-gold painted single snout air
cleaner cover atop. A 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission
is on the back and way back is a 9-inch 3.00 conventional axle.
Undercarriage
Some surface rust for the usual suspects, but the car is losing
structural integrity with the frame having severe invasive rust on
the turnouts behind the front wheels as well as both frame rails
that gap the front and rear wheelhouses. More invasive rust and is
noted on the left frame rail where it rises over the rear axle.
With this in mind, we see patching on most of the aforementioned
areas but due to the severe invasive rust there is a good chance
that structural integrity may be compromised. Independent coil
springs for the front, and a 4-link system with coil springs for
the rear suspension, as well as drum brakes are all around. A dual
exhaust is noted and has been fitted with Turbo style mufflers.
Drive-Ability
A quick starter and this car is a great large cruiser, smooth ride,
and no creaking or squeaking when turning the corners despite the
issues with the frame. Overall, it drives like a mechanically
well-maintained survivor and all other functions are working
perfectly.
Regardless of the large frown on the undercarriage, the paint
remains good and a bit dulled, chrome is all good, and well, they
aren't making them like this anymore. Not the most powerful or
unusual optioned car, but very respectable in overall presentation
with a snappy interior. Meet George Jetson....Jane his wife...
daughter Judy...well you get it! Now cue the whistling and grab
your fishing pole! (Gosh wasn't TV great back then?!)
VIN DECODE
5E68X148323
5-1965
E-Mahwah, NJ Assy Plant
68-Galaxie 500 XL 2 Door Fastback
X-352ci V8 4bbl 250hp
148323-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY TAG
BODY 63C-Galaxie 500 2 Door Fastback
COLOR C-Honey Gold
TRIM 78-Ivy Gold D/L Vinyl
DATE 12M-December 12th Build
DSO 11-Boston
AXLE 1-Ford 9" 3.00 Conventional
TRANS 4-Cruise O Matic
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
