1965 Ford Galaxie 390 Sedan (RHD)

Description

Billed as “the newest since 1949”, Ford’s full-size Galaxie underwent a major restyle for 1965, emerging with sharper, cleaner lines devoid of excessive chrome ornamentation. The Galaxie’s new interior came with more luxury features and, for the first time, coil sprung rear suspension dramatically improved the ride. There were several trim levels available, including the intermediate 500 series (named after the 500-mile NASCAR events dominated by the big Fords), the sporting XL range or luxury-oriented LTD. The Galaxie 500 was offered in either six-cylinder or V8 guises, the latter available in either small-block 289, Interceptor 352-cid or Thunderbird 390-cid capacities. The 1965 models – with their stacked headlamps – were the first locally-assembled Galaxies, emerging from Ford’s Homebush factory in New South Wales. Designated the GE series and sourced from Canada in CKD form, local Galaxies were offered with a choice of 290-cid or 390-cid V8 engines and used a right-hand drive woodgrain dashboard based on an earlier Lincoln Continental model. All Australian Galaxies were equipped with automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes along with luxury features like washer/wipers and a three-speed heater/defroster unit. Proving popular with business leaders, politicians and farmers, for whom a big, powerful American car carried a certain status, only four-door sedans were offered to Australian buyers. Big, powerful and easy to work on, Galaxie remains a popular classic Ford model, with a loyal following and plenty of support from local clubs and specialists.