Vehicle Description
1965 Ford Galaxie 500 Convertible
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 convertible that I would
classify as a survivor. Our consignor is the 2nd owner outside of
the family who bought the car since new, having only accrued a mere
105,998 miles which cannot be verified as actual and sporting a
289ci V8, a snappy red interior, and a new top that is still
holding its own today. A few frowns are noted throughout, but
otherwise a solid presenting car that can be and should be
preserved. Are you the one to keep this Mayberry cruiser on the
road?
Exterior
Rangoon Red, as an older respray, covers straight steel panels, and
2 doors with well minded gaps. The 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 replaced convertible top
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 500 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
wheel coverings with a blue cloisonne hub and white Ford badge.
Interior
With a swing of either of the 2 doors allow us to greet red vinyl
and carpeted door panels with a rocket age aluminum insert. Bench
seats, split up front and standard in back are wrapped in yards of
2 tone red vinyl with dark red bolster and lighter red tuck and
roll inserts appear original and show just the right amount of age
wear and color loss. Chrome trimming and buttons decorate the
seats, and 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. Red carpet floods the floors. Bringing our attention briefly
to the trunk it has 2 spare tires, and jack neatly tucked away to
the right.
Drivetrain
Clean original with some nice patina is seen on the surfaces under
the hood, including the 289ci V8 which pumps out a factory rated
200 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. We
note factory installed power steering as well as power brakes to
make things easier for the driver.
Undercarriage
Some surface rust for the usual suspects and no loss of structural
integrity with the frame and flooring remaining solid in this
patinaed but original environment. With this in mind, we see the
original flooring in amazing condition, speaking to the garage kept
care over the years. Independent coil springs for the front, and a
4-link system with coil springs for the rear suspension, as well as
power drum brakes are all around. A single exhaust is seen and has
been fitted with a stock style muffler.
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
age. Overall, it drives like a mechanically well maintained
survivor and all other functions are working perfectly save for the
clock not keeping time and a slight miss in the engine.
Regardless of the patina, 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?!)
5E65C192207
5-1965
E-Mahwah, NJ Assy Plant
65-Galaxie 500 Convertible
C-289ci 2bbl V8
192207-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY PLATE
BODY 76-Galaxie 500 Convertible
COLOR J-Rangoon Red
TRIM 65-Red Vinyl
DATE 17B-February 17th
DSO 23-Philadelphia
AXLE 1-Ford 9" 3.00 Gears
TRANS 4-Cruise O Matic
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
