1965 Ford Galaxie 500 Convertible (RHD)

The Galaxie was Ford's intermediate level full-size model and for 1965, underwent a major restyle, emerging with sharp, clean lines largely devoid of excessive chrome ornamentation. Billed as "the newest since 1949", the 1965 Galaxie had more luxury features, a new interior and, for the first time, coil sprung rear suspension, dramatically improving the ride. There were a number of trim levels available, including the intermediate 500 series (named after the 500-mile NASCAR events the big Fords had dominated), the sporting XL range or luxury LTD. The Galaxie 500 was offered in either six-cylinder or V8 guise, with the latter available in either small-block 289, Interceptor 352-cid or Thunderbird 390-cid capacities. The Interceptor V8, as found in this car, had a 9.3:1 compression ratio and was rated at 250 hp at 4400 rpm. Of the 420,379 Galaxie 500s built in 1965, just 31,930 were convertibles - the most expensive model in the range - although it's not possible to work out the exact number that had the 352-cid V8 factory installed. In Australia, the 1965 models - with their stacked headlamps - were the first locally-assembled Galaxies, emerging from Ford's Homebush factory in New South Wales, but only the four-door sedan was sold here, proving popular with business leaders, politicians and farmers for whom a big, powerful American car carried a certain status.