1965 Ford Galaxie 500 Specifications
by Phil Whitmer
The Galaxie series of full-size cars were manufactured by the Ford Motor Company from 1959 until 1974. For the 1965 model year the cars were called Galaxie 500s. There were six distinct series of Galaxies, including 17 different models. The high-performance and luxury trim model was the Galaxie 500 XL. In 1965 the top level Galaxie 500 LTD was introduced. The performance-trim models were large for muscle cars and featured many luxury options.
Engines
There were several engines available. The base model 1965 Galaxie 500 used a 239-cubic-inch in-line six-cylinder engine with a single-barrel carburetor. It produced 150 horsepower and 234 foot-pounds of torque. The 288-cubic-inch V-8 generated 200 horsepower and 282 foot-pounds of torque. It used a Holley two-barrel carburetor. The 390-cubic-inch V-8 with a Holley four-barrel had a 10.1-to-1 compression ratio. It had 300 horsepower and 427 foot-pounds of torque. The top-of-the-line engine was the 425-horsepower, high-performance 427. It was an option for the Galaxy 500 XL. It had an 11-to-1 compression ratio and a bore and stroke of 4.23 inches by 3.78 inches. It produced 425 horsepower and 480 foot-pounds of torque.
Chassis
The Ford Galaxie was restyled for the 1965 model year. It featured a squared-off body with vertically stacked quad headlights. The standard transmission was a fully synchronized manual three-speed called the Synchro-Smooth-Drive. The clutch was a dry, single-plate type. A manual four-speed gearbox with a floor shifter was available with the 390 and 427 engines. The three-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic was optional. The car had spherical ball-joint, coil-spring front suspension. The rear suspension was a redesigned three-link system with coil springs. The steering gear was recirculating ball and nut type. Stopping power was provided by hydraulic, self-adjusting brakes. The semi-floating rear axle had a hypoid differential. A single pipe exhaust system was standard.
Dimensions and Performance
The 1965 Galaxie 500 was 210 inches long, 77.3 inches wide and 54.7 inches tall. It had a 119-inch wheelbase. The front and rear track was 62 inches. Galaxies with the 240 engine had a top speed of 101 mph and did a 20.6-second quarter mile. A 289 Galaxie could go 109 mph and had a 19.2-second quarter mile time. The 390 equipped Galaxie went 124 mph and had a 16.6-second time in the quarter mile. The high-performance 427 Galaxie could go 143 mph with a quarter mile time of 14.6.
