Engine overheating

So firstly, get an IR gun and define overheating, then
when exactly does it overheat;
idling in your driveway,or
slogging in traffic at under 30 mph/50 kph,or
cruising the hiways at 60/65 mph, or
hauling azz

Congratulations on your recent purchase; how long have you had it?
Automatic trans? Air-conditioning?

The dash gauges in these old girls are notorious for giving unusual readings. There is no telling after 50 years, where "normal" on the gauge is, anymore.

If it's "overheating" in your driveway, there's a cheap easy test; When cold remove the cap and start it up. If it doesn't boil the coolant,even with the needle 1 mark from pegged, it ain't overheating. Then it's a gauge calibration issue.