Photos from the Cohort, by J.C.
Further reading:
Curbside Classic: 1965 Ford Galaxie 500 – A New Ford Fit For Goldilocks
Car Show Classic: 1966 Ford Galaxie 500 – Look Ma, 428 Four-Speed
Cohort Pic(k) Of The Day: 1965 Ford Galaxie 500, By The Side Of The Road
– Posted on January 28, 2024
We had ’57, ’59, ’62, ’63 and ’64 Fords in the family. The ’65 and later Fords were a real let down with boring styling and a less “planted” feel on the road, so the ’64 was replaced by a ’67 Fury III, a much more satisfactory car imho.
Used to ride around in my friends fathers silver blue four door hardtop. Took the hubcaps off to look cool and went to the local drag strip with it… Just attending not participating..!!! The good old days.
For the 1965 model year, Ford was trying to become GM, particularly Pontiac. They had a lot to learn and ended up going the Brougham route.
These Fords were my first lesson in vehicle life cycles. I was just a tot when these were new, and my father had a 66 Country Squire, so I paid attention to them. They were simply everywhere in my childhood – far and away more common than our 64 Cutlass. And they were the “new” Fords, compared to the older ones that were running around. I still remember walking past one in 1975, and I marveled at how time had passed – “How can a 65 Ford be ten years old?!?”
Then as they aged they became one of the most common beaters around, with missing hub caps, dents and dull paint. Oddly, these resisted body rust far better than any Ford before or until many years later. The frames were another matter, of course.
Then they started to disappear. They became uncommon sights, then were never seen at all. Now, on the rare, rare occasion when one turns up (usually here) they look strange compared to everything that is now normal. This is the case with every car, of course, but it was the 65 Ford that was the first one I watched and paid attention to as it happen in real time.
First thing I though of was Joe Friday and Bill Gannon from the Dragnet TV show, but checked and see that they drove a 1966 Ford Fairlane.
“It was cool in Los Angeles”.
I used to not see these for reasons similar to what JPC commented. But now when I see one I’m struck by how handsome they are.
A 1964 Galaxie 500 convertible drove by my house (twice) yesterday while I was in front pulling weeds. A fine car, and a rare sight these days. But to my eyes it looks “old” and the ‘65, with its stacked lights and sharp edges, looks “new”. Of course, 1963-1967 were very formative years for me automotively.
We got hold of a “67 Galaxie”, sdn in “1975-6ish”. High miles, good shape, lasted us about three and a half years..Was very reliable.
Actually caught fire in summer “79ish”. We never did exactly figure it out but iwas attributed to “wiring”.
Looks too nice to be left un attended with the hood ajar……
I too remember when the ’65s came out, it was a HUGE deal for a year or so .
I too remember when Fords were everywhere and then suddenly, not .
-Nate
1965 and 1966 Full-size Fords were my first “favorite” car. I’m partial to the ‘66 over the ‘65, but they’re both great.
A little over 20 years ago, my maternal grandmother passed away. Her daughters went through her packed away mementos, they returned to me my school notebook from 1st grade, sent to her by my mom.
I had forgotten all about it. What made it special, was that it was the subject of a parent/teacher/ principal (and me) meeting. I don’t think drawing a car was a big deal, however, the school was amazed that a 6 year old would draw in door handles, an antenna, wipers, mirrors, and even a dome light. Add to that the road grime that ubiquitous to most cars driven around in a Buffalo winter. Supposedly, 6 year olds don’t typically draw in such details. I recall the principal going on and on about it wasn’t the artistic quality, but rather the details.
All that said, when I saw the notebook after over three decades I immediately recognized the model of car I profiled….a 1965 Ford 4-door sedan..
I see it plain as day.
Looks kind of sad and forlorn sitting there by itself! Put some stock full wheel covers and narrow stripe whitewall tires on it and it will look a lot happier!
My dad had a 1966 custom 500 with a 240 six cylinder and auto transmission
Pulled a 16 foot camping trailer with a 12 foot aluminum boat on top, but not very fast!
Wow, this takes me back. When I was a wee lad growing up, my grandpa had a blue ’66 Galaxie, same basic body but different taillights and other minor trim differences. This eventually became my aunt’s first car in high school, affectionately known as the “blue bomber”, but remained in the family even after she upgraded to other wheels.
One time Grandpa took her out fishing, and when they were done and got back to the car around dusk, he realized he must have inadvertently locked the keys in the trunk. Luckily the doors weren’t locked, but with no remote trunk release he had to get creative quick, lest they have to walk to the nearby highway and try to thumb a ride back in the advancing darkness.
He finally figured out a way to pull the back seat rest and crawl halfway into the trunk to fetch the keys, but then he couldn’t get back out! Turned out he’d snagged his belt on something and had to finagle around to get unsnagged and back his way out again. From then on he was more conscientious about checking for the keys in his pocket before he ever closed a trunk lid again.