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AMT's 1965 Ford Galaxie 500 XL: Finished


David G.

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Hello Everybody!

Here is AMT's 1965 Ford Galaxie 500 XL. This kit can be built a couple of different ways. It comes with a nice set of Cragar SS wheels and some racing slicks. Also provided is a dual quad high-rise intake manifold with a cold air system. I decided to build this one as a mostly factory mild custom. Kind of a COPO build for a young guy with more money than time who likes to spend weekends at the strip.

This was kind of a difficult build. It's an old kit that in some ways is really showing its age. Due to the age and amount of wear on the molds, many of smaller parts are roughly cast and require some reshaping to fit properly. This really became evident when it came to getting the opening hood and trunk to operate properly

There were a number of adjustments and compromises that I had to make as I went through the build. I did a whole build thread. For those who may be interested in seeing the journey, here's a link to that.

 

 

Now, on with the show!

AMT's 1965 Ford Galaxie XL. I built and added some rear quarter windows to help hide the convertible top mechanism enclosures in the rear seat.

65_Galaxie_95.jpg.9671e9e3909c1324d9fd10e73828d63d.jpg

 

 

I lowered the ride height in the front just a little.

65_Galaxie_96.jpg.c2ab130d496d7a3fefaacf67e5cdf1aa.jpg

 

 

I think this gave it a pretty good stance.

65_Galaxie_97.jpg.694e8a8820e1e0d76bad09eb802d8a19.jpg

 

 

I got the trunk lid to line up well enough but the hood has given me nothing but problems.

65_Galaxie_98.jpg.4a2f98ac136f9d4c88b5d39719d2f38e.jpg

 

There will be more later.

As always, thanks for taking the time to look and please feel free to post any comments you may have.

David G.

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While watching this build I was not liking the color and the '65 model is my least favorite of the big Fords. That said, the finished build looks terrific.  The chrome trim sets off the paint enough to change my opinion of the color. The addition of the quarter windows lends realism. The Cragars work to put this Ford squarely in period and the angle of attack is just perfect. Congrats on another sweet build, David 😎👍 You worked your tail off on this one.

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Nice 65 Galaxie. The colour, stance and execution are spot on. I've avoided this kit in the past but after seeing yours I'll definitely be picking one up for the stash. Really well done David. 

Cheers, 

David M. 😎👍

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On 9/14/2024 at 7:32 AM, ncbuckeye67 said:

Excellent build! That's a great looking 65. My favorite body style of Galaxie is the 65/66.

Thank you Jeff, I'm glad you like it.

 

On 9/14/2024 at 7:37 AM, rv1963 said:

Nice finish on your 65, you did a lot of work on the model and it came out good.

Thanks Robert, I appreciate that.

 

On 9/14/2024 at 7:51 AM, Bullybeef said:

Turned out awesome David, well detailed and the paint finish is impeccable.

Thank you Bil, it's kind of you to say so.

 

On 9/14/2024 at 8:36 AM, Horrorshow said:

Great color 

Great detail 

Great stance 

Great build all around, great work 

Thank you Jack!

 

On 9/14/2024 at 8:39 AM, ChrisR said:

Very nice!

Thanks Chris!

 

On 9/14/2024 at 11:08 AM, customline said:

While watching this build I was not liking the color and the '65 model is my least favorite of the big Fords. That said, the finished build looks terrific.  The chrome trim sets off the paint enough to change my opinion of the color. The addition of the quarter windows lends realism. The Cragars work to put this Ford squarely in period and the angle of attack is just perfect. Congrats on another sweet build, David 😎👍 You worked your tail off on this one.

Thanks Jim, it's nice having one's efforts recognized. I'm glad you were there following along.

 

On 9/14/2024 at 1:33 PM, espo said:

Great looking paint finish and chrome trim. The Crager's look good with the stance. 

Thank you David.

 

On 9/15/2024 at 1:33 AM, XYHARRY said:

Nice 65 Galaxie. The colour, stance and execution are spot on. I've avoided this kit in the past but after seeing yours I'll definitely be picking one up for the stash. Really well done David. 

Cheers, 

David M. 😎👍

Thank you most kindly David. It took me a lot of effort to get this kit to this state so before you invest in one of your own, may I recommend having a look at the WIP to see what you're getting yourself in for.

 

 

 

I have a couple more sets of photos to post that I'll get to in the coming days. Thank you all for your kind responses.

David G.

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23 hours ago, PappyD340 said:

Great looking Galaxie!

Thank you Larry.

 

18 hours ago, slusher said:

Beautiful Ford Galaxie!

Thanks Carl.

 

9 hours ago, mrm said:

Very nice, but I need some help with something. We are having an argument with my wife. Is this considered purple? 

Thank you Mozzi.

Tamiya's name for this color is TS-37 Lavender, though I always thought of it as purple.

TS-37lavender.jpg.a9014a89120f72451b7d1a7a4c0546ff.jpg

Tamiya does have a TS-24 Purple which to me actually looks more like violet.

TS-24_Purple__73725.jpg.2d806eae16e48745b80bfe1b3b4ff6a9.jpg

 

The final answer, I'll have to leave up to the two of you. :) 

Thanks again,

David G.

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8 hours ago, David G. said:

Thank you Larry.

 

Thanks Carl.

 

Thank you Mozzi.

Tamiya's name for this color is TS-37 Lavender, though I always thought of it as purple.

TS-37lavender.jpg.a9014a89120f72451b7d1a7a4c0546ff.jpg

Tamiya does have a TS-24 Purple which to me actually looks more like violet.

TS-24_Purple__73725.jpg.2d806eae16e48745b80bfe1b3b4ff6a9.jpg

 

The final answer, I'll have to leave up to the two of you. :) 

Thanks again,

David G.

Oh, you made my day. I said it was lavender and was trying to explain to my wife that purple would be exactly what the Tamiya purple is. I know that we should not sweat the petty stuff, but pet the sweaty stuff. LOL Still I will get great pleasure to tell her she was wrong, fully aware there is going to be a price to pay. 😁

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22 hours ago, ewetwo said:

Nicely done.

Thank you David.

 

16 hours ago, mrm said:

Oh, you made my day. I said it was lavender and was trying to explain to my wife that purple would be exactly what the Tamiya purple is. I know that we should not sweat the petty stuff, but pet the sweaty stuff. LOL Still I will get great pleasure to tell her she was wrong, fully aware there is going to be a price to pay. 😁

One is happy to be of assistance. :) 

Best of luck to you ;) 

-D-

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Hello Everybody!

Here's the next installment of finished photos for the Ford Galaxie 500 XL.

I like to upload photos in small blocks of no more than 5 or 6 at a time. I do it this way for a couple of reasons.

First, I don't always have all the photos ready at the same time. Taking the photos and editing them to be suitable for uploading can present me with certain challenges and sometimes getting everything pulled together takes a little longer than I would like.

Second, I often find the "wall of photos" posts a little overwhelming. When looking at such posts, my mind can really only appreciate the first 10 to 12 photos. After that, my brain stops processing the "newness" of the experience and I begin to lose interest in what I'm looking at. 

Uploading the photos in small blocks helps to avoid imposing the possibility of this situation on others. Allowing them the option of coming back to see more photos (or not) as they choose.

So, thanks for your patience with my situation and my explanation of it.

And... maybe there's a third reason too. It's just a hobby and this is how I choose experience it, enjoy it and express it.

Again, thanks for your patience.

On with the show!

 

It looks like I'm going to have to tweak the rear bumper too *sigh* It's amazing what the photos can bring out!

65_Galaxie_99.jpg.f372f1d3b9f228033c81da40deb71f77.jpg

 

 

I did knock together a quick trunk liner to cover up that unsightly floor.

65_Galaxie_100.jpg.b05d606a52011d970cf4950819a30a9e.jpg

 

 

AMT provided some nice accessories to put into the trunk. I kit-bashed the spare wheel though.

65_Galaxie_101.jpg.7ffda9c2c798542db090aafab5c6f72f.jpg

 

 

Rear 3/4 view with that crooked bumper. But using a bumper jack on these old card sometimes did push the bumper out of kilter. So maybe it's accurate after all? ;) 

65_Galaxie_102.jpg.f1ed50ac597f07b47d224ddacfeafe2f.jpg

 

That's all for this round. I have a couple more planned.

Thanks for your attention and your indulgence.

David G.

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20 hours ago, Rattlecan Dan said:

Nice job. Looks great.

Thank you Dan.

 

19 hours ago, ATHU said:

What a beauty, great job!!

Thank you very much Anders.

 

14 hours ago, STU111 said:

Sounds like the basic kit had a few issues but you’ve brushed them aside and produced a really good result. 👍🏻 Any engine pics to follow?

It was pretty much one challenge after another, thank you Stuart. I have one or two engine pictures coming up soon.

 

12 hours ago, 70 Sting said:

Very sharp looking car. That colour totally works for me. 😎

Thanks, I'm glad you like it Harry.

 

12 hours ago, TransAmMike said:

Yep David, that is a sharp looking '65, great job👍

Thanks Mike, I appreciate that.

David G.

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Hello Everybody!

Here's the net to the last set of photos of the 1965 Ford Galaxie 500 XL.

It does have a nice rake.

65_Galaxie_103.jpg.35f99add7dd504b184f96e50331a1d84.jpg

 

 

Left 3/4 Iso.

65_Galaxie_104.jpg.b3f7c73e7e96ae1cb4af0063b39f5e34.jpg

 

 

I used some speaker cloth to make a screen for the openings in the hood scoop.

65_Galaxie_105.jpg.df1b81fe14df67102a9b9bed9594313c.jpg

 

 

Again, trouble with the hood alignment. 😕 

65_Galaxie_106.jpg.e782f50aa576a4810a4ca028e617ae32.jpg

 

 

And finally, the Dual-Quad 427 with cold air induction! @STU111

65_Galaxie_107.jpg.06912184f41f9948a85d0b9efa3852f4.jpg

 

All I have left to post for this one is my traditional Display Case Shot. Hopefully I'll get to that one soon.

Thanks for your patience and support.

David G.

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