1965 Ford Galaxie 500 Ltd 4 Door Hardtop-excellent Condition Driver on 2040-cars

This car was sold new in Oregon, where I purchased it from the 3rd owner in 2005.

Overall, this car is in very good condition, a nice combination of original and light restoration.

Built May 4, 1965 at the Los Angeles Plant

Ordered from district 74-Seattle

Ordered with the following options.

390 Thunderbird Special V-8, 300 HP

Cruise-O-Matic  dual range 3 speed automatic

Power Steering

Tinted Glass

Visibility Group

Exterior:

The car was repainted some time ago in its original color of Medium Ivy Gold Metalic, called “Honey Gold” which is really more on the green side than gold.

Was probably painted 15+ years ago, but is still in very presentable condition.

Obviously not in perfect condition, with normal wear and tear associated with a driven car over that many years. 

The body does not have any rust, or metal damage to speak of at all.

There are 2 spots, passenger front fender and passenger top of door panel that have paint scars.

Detail pics available.

Antenna is cracked at the base, but still sits nicely. I remove it when driving.

The emblem on the grill is pushed in slightly, looks to be easily straightened out by someone who knows what they are doing.

All chrome, and trim is original and not restored, and in great condition.

Interior:

Almost all original interior. The front bench seat was re done using factory reproduction material to match, and looks fantastic. 

Back seat is still the original factory installed material, but is showing some wear after almost 50 years.  Some threads have split, but do not show unless really looking for it.

Capet is factory original and in amazing shape, as is the headliner and door panels.

Driver side armrest has wear, others do not.

Dash is free of any cracks and in nice shape, however some shrinkage has occurred on the driver’s pod at the base where it meets the rest of the dash. 

Nothing bad, just another example of 50 years of wear.

The 2nd owner who was a mechanic, installed some gauges under the dash in a nice wood unit.

I like them, but can easily be taken out as well.

Trunk is in fantastic original condition, with its original trunk mat still in great shape. (pics avail)

Mechanical:

Car runs and drives excellent, with its original 390 4 barrel and automatic transmission working flawlessly.

The second owner again, did some modifications. It has an MSD electronic ignition, with a Holley 4 barrel carb with electric choke. Works beautifully.

I suspect the 2nd owner may have rebuilt the engine, it just runs that smooth and flawlessly,

but this is just speculation on my part, and may or may not be the case.

The car has power steering, but manual brakes, interesting for an LTD of that time.

The brakes however are excellent, and I hardly miss the power assist at all.

Also has a period correct cruise control unit mounted below dash, with all hardware still in the engine compartment.

I have no idea if that was from the factory or added later, and it is non op currently.

Tires are in good shape, however are somewhat on the older side.

Recent work includes new gaskets/heat shields on both exhaust manifolds, after manifolds were planed for perfect fit.

This car was used in a couple of different films, being rented to the production companies shooting in San Francisco.

Milk, several years ago, and was featured in a night drive scene featuring the taillights.

Yet to be released- Tim Burton’ Big Eyes. Was used in a drive by scene in SF.