Poll: Which '65? (9/8/2023)

Dodge, Olds, Mercury.

Merc, Dodge then Olds for these massive cars.  

Going for the Dodge today, I always liked the rear end design.

The new more squared and edgy design change for Mercury in '65 had mixed reviews in my group of car guys back in the day, but I loved it and the general changes at Ford in '65 through '67.  Mercury wins this comparison easily IMHO; Olds is second and Dodge third.

@david-vandermeer I like this perspective of the '65 Dodge, also its roofline, interior and drive train; but I always thought the grille looked kind of coarse and chunky and spoiled its overall look.  The '65 Plymouth nose was much nicer IMHO.

EASY ONE TODAY!  OLDSMOBILE all the way! 

I was not a fan of the "square boxy" look of Mercury (or Ford) and the Dodge was "boxy" looking in its own way too.  Though the Oldsmobile is long and yacht like, the styling is perfect for the era.  

A very nice and challenging comparo. Thanks, John. I like that you make me think. 

While I like the design of the Dodge really well, to me, the Dodge was more of a competitor to Pontiac or Ford. I never saw it competing in the same league as the Oldsmobile or Mercury. For '65, GM was at the peak of its design philosophy. Somehow, the Olds didn't capture it as well as the other divisions. To my eye, it managed to look more ponderous and heavy than the others and seemed to be a portent of what was coming: several years of not being able to live up to the original design ethic. So, my vote goes to the Mercury with its distinctive styling that eschewed the coke bottle look and a truly great interior. The Dodge comes in as a close second. 

For me it's Merc, my Dad had a '66 so close in styling, then the Olds ( w/o those fender skirts ) so Dodge last. 

Steve 

I'm not an expert, but I wonder if the Oldsmobile is not a '66 ? That aside, I would go for the Mercury as I love its uncompromising straight and boxy lines. Though the more I see the front fender 'vent', the more I wonder if it contributes anything.

Posted by: @jkuvakas

A very nice and challenging comparo. Thanks, John. I like that you make me think. 

While I like the design of the Dodge really well, to me, the Dodge was more of a competitor to Pontiac or Ford. I never saw it competing in the same league as the Oldsmobile or Mercury. For '65, GM was at the peak of its design philosophy. Somehow, the Olds didn't capture it as well as the other divisions. To my eye, it managed to look more ponderous and heavy than the others and seemed to be a portent of what was coming: several years of not being able to live up to the original design ethic. So, my vote goes to the Mercury with its distinctive styling that eschewed the coke bottle look and a truly great interior. The Dodge comes in as a close second. 

John K. I agree regarding the Pontiac in place of the Olds. Matter of fact, I did that compare in the past. To keep things interesting, I used the Olds this time around.

@sizedoesmatter, it's still a  great comparo. The lines were pretty blurred, even back then. The '65 Dodge Monaco 500 held its own with the big dogs.

@charles-rockett Charles, thanks for setting the record straight.

In '65 the Dodge Monaco only offered in a 2 dr ht but the Custom 880 had all the different models.

But I love the Mercury too!

Yes I know the sears are '66