The Australian way

Delivery of RHD Galaxie models and variants typically used on of the methods:

- Full RHD import from Ford of Canada, sold via special Australian Ford dealers

- CKD assembly of sedans, sold through dealer network

- Conversion of fully imported LHD vehicles by Ford of Australia, sold through dealer network

- Individual import of high spec'd vehicles by special Ford dealers, and local RHD conversion by 3rd party.

Prior to local CKD assembly, small numbers of RHD full imports were available through select Australian Ford dealers, and also by Ford of Australia for executive use. RHD versions of wagons, convertibles and fastbacks, 2 and 4 door hardtops, XL's and LTD's were generally sourced as full imports from Ford of Canada, and this continued through the 1968 model year. These supplemented the local sedan assembly programs from late 1964.

From the 1969 model Galaxie LTD (this nameplate was unique to Australia) to the 1972 model, Ford Australia imported LHD LTD sedans from Ford USA and converted them to RHD at the Broadmeadows plant on the northern outskirts of Melbourne.

The fully imported 1959 through early 1963 models utilised a 1959 US Fairlane dash and instruments. Late 1963 a 1959 Edsel Corsair-based dash was used, and for 1964 Galaxie's a 1959 Edsel Ranger-based dash was used.

Australian assembled 1965-1968 models were sourced in CKD form from Ford of Canada. The 1965-1967 model Galaxie's adopted the RHD dash based on the 63 Lincoln instrument cluster. The 1968 RHD dash was based on 68 Ford Torino. The 1965-1968 vehicles had localised seating design to provide a styling link to the locally manufactured Falcons (and later Fairlanes/LTD's that superceded the Galaxie in Australia).

In the 1969-72 models the LHD dash was reconfigured to RHD using the standard instruments, and the  steering column and pedals were moved across, the former just clearing teh A/C box under the hood. While the steering box was also relocated to the RH chassis rail, making for a tight fit against the starter, the brake booster remained unchanged and a shaft was installed from the relocated brake pedal across the firewall to the original booster input shaft location, now in front of the passenger!

Australian assembled cars 65-68 received a woodgrain dash fascia, and accessories as standard such as:

- Power Steering

- Power brakes (front disc from 1967)

- Radio with 390 engine

- Automatic transmission

- Wipers and washers (1 speed intermittent wipers for 65-6, 2 speed from 67)

- 3 spd heater defroster

Australian options included external sunvisor and rear window venetian blind.

Additional to above, for 1969-72, was integrated A/C, and a rear window defroster. Vinyl roofs were a popular option on these cars.

Mechanically, the base engine from 1965 - 1967 was the trusty 289 CID "Windsor) V8. For the 1968 model year the 289 CID engine was dropped as the base option in favour of the new 302 CID (Windsor) V8. A 390 CID "FE" V8 was optional, and was offered as 4V then later 2V through to end of the 1970 model run.

1971 through to the last 1972 model Galaxie LTD, a 400 CID "M series" 2V engine was the only choice.

Local build quantities of 65-72 model Galaxies totalled 4892 vehicles based on details from the late Ford Australia Historian, Adrian Ryan, and ran from Dec 1964 to early 1973.