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 cloisonn© 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
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