Ford made a couple of changes to its Galaxie coupe in ’68 which, in my humble opinion, were an improvement to the car’s appearance from the previous year’s model. The rear glass on the sides was updated along with the grille, and the four headlights changed positions from vertical to horizontal. The XL model also included concealed headlamps, making it one of my favorite-looking Galaxy cars from the period. The car being offered for sale here on eBay one-ups the XL, as it’s an XL GT example, of which less than 2,000 were produced for that year, so if you dig sporty fastbacks with plenty of room and zoom this 1968 Ford Galaxie XL GT may be worth checking out. It’s located in San Antonio, Texas, with bidding currently sitting at $18,600 with more to go before the reserve is reached.
The seller says his XL GT is in superb shape and original, and also boasts that it’s a 1-of-1 example ordered with the combination of options featured on the car. We see lots of “one of (fill in the number)” claims on Barn Finds, and while the owner mentions that a Marti report backs this up it’s nowhere to be found in the eBay listing, although the Marti info will be provided to the winning bidder. The body is said to be in very nice shape with no dents or rust issues, but all of the photos we get to view are kind of small, although they do seem to adequately show a straight and nicely preserved exterior. The Sunlit Gold paint is also stated to be in nice shape overall, with the top showing some discoloring from the Texas sun, but the stripes are said to be original, so perhaps this car is still wearing all of its factory paint, though we are not told that for sure.
Under the hood is the original 390 cubic inch V8, and while a 428 would be a bit more desirable the 390 is no slouch either, with the 4-Barrel versions like this one cranking out over 300 horses. The engine is said to run beautifully, with the mileage listed as 29,000 but no word on if that’s actual or just what the odometer is showing. Another unknown is what kind of carburetor is on top of the big block, as the original carb is sitting inside the trunk, but nothing is mentioned as to what’s currently nestled in its place. Some very good news is the transmission, a 4-Speed manual.
The interior is stated to be extremely nice, and judging from the photos things inside there do look to be very well preserved, especially considering quite a few of the components are white. The dashboard specifically is said to be in perfect shape, and some additional good news is that this is a factory air conditioning car, but it’s not specified as to whether or not the A/C is blowing cold breezes at the moment. The car is also equipped with power steering and power disc brakes, and based on what information we are provided with this one seems like a really fine example. What are your thoughts on this 1968 Ford Galaxie XL GT Fastback?
I haven’t seen one of these in a long time. Interesting big Ford. Looking at the pics, I was reminded of several things: the flashy mag-style wheel covers, the racing stripe on the shift knob, the console-mounted tach, the long skinny instrument cluster (with few instruments– I see the owner has added auxiliary gauges) including the radio (which places it in a very inconvenient place).
Looks to be in good shape. Won’t see yourself coming and going. Would make a fun cruiser, especially with the 4-speed.
Sorry rob, I don’t see any console mounted tach, I own two of these with the console tach, it’s not there.
I can’t see how you could call this an improvement
over a ’67 (fastback).It’s nice,but ’67 was one of the best,
if not the best styled year for these.
Yes even though he did said it was his “humble opinion” it kind of struck me too when I consider the ’67 models is one of the nicest(if not the nicest) looking Fords of the ’60s.
I LOVE the Hot-Wheels hub caps!
I’m with anglia; the ’67 is the bomb, but the ’68 is just too amorphous for my taste.
Beautiful Interior, really nice.
Uncommon 4 speed is a joy to see – but not a hot rod here, needs to be TLC’d and could be a great cruiser for sure.
History??
VIN: Why not listed ?
What carb replaced the factory Autolite 4v? (Rebuildable, for us original only once folks?)
Pics of Trunk, underside of body and engine, headliner would be good to see for leaks, etc.
Exhaust – original, needs repair?
Clutch – how many miles on it ?
Everything work ?
Headlights work up/down?
Any Recent work done, or Needs Done (brakes, radiator, AC, PS) ??
Anything rebuilt- engine or transmission ?
Oil, tranny fluid changed recently?
*** have to use heavy ZDDP oil in these pre- roller cam engines to avoid cam/lifter damage.
Just the messanger on that.
Asking for those that hate surprises.
Needs details, and certainly a Good Home for this nice XL GT.
Hi TorinoSCJ429,
I am not sure by what you mean about “Heavy ZDDP” oils, but too much, or, the wrong type of zinc can cause chemical corrosion. There is an excellent SAE paper (2004-01-2986) addressing how much ZDP (and what type) is too much. It is important to use an engine oil that has been properly formulated and has documented industry engine test results. Viscosity is also very important. Using the viscosity that your engine was designed for (e.g. what the manufacturer recommends) is important. Most engines, if built to factory specs will be fine with current licensed oils. If your engine has been modified to produce more power, than they are probably using modern techniques such as cams with roller followers to help increase performance.
thank you
Eric,
How are you. 1969 would be 428, 1970 would be 429.
Explained to me: On older engines, before roller cams, the cam-to-lifter surface needs the “cushion” that Zinc/ZDDP provides.
https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/diagnose-flattened-cam-lobe/#:~:text=Flat%20tappet%20cams%20can%20be%20damaged%20by%20using,oil%20that%20conforms%20to%20the%20latest%20API%20standards.
https://www.enginebuildermag.com/2014/08/preventing-flat-tappet-cam-failures/
“Today’s retail consumer “starburst” motor oils lack the critical ZDDP zinc compound necessary for keeping flat-tappet lifters alive with today’s modern cam profiles. Comp Cams’ Valvetrain Engineering Group Leader Billy Godbold affirms this, saying, “You can do everything right to reduce the number of flat-tappet cam failures, but you cannot bring that number to zero.”
“Flat tappet cams (pre-1980’s) can be damaged by using modern engine oils that lack zinc and associated anti-scuff additives. Zinc can damage catalytic converters, so it’s slowly been eliminated in modern engine oil that conforms to the latest API standards.”
… A bad surprise for many new owners of classics.
My 1969 Ford BB rebuilder had very, very clear cautions on the lack of the cushion from Zinc on pre roller hydraulic cams, and that the warranty would be void if oil <1,400 ppm ZDDP was used.
Blackstone Labs offers oil test kits- I found it worth the $30 to see what is in your engine's oil = a report card.
Current API "SM" rated oils not not have safe levels of ZDDP for these older pre-roller engines – many have found out the hard way.
Hi, 1969 was the first year that the XL GT got the 429 engine. I have a factory 1 of 1 1969 XL GT convertible with the 429 4 barrel carb and top loader 4 speed. A very nice southern California car. I love it.
390, 4spd Fords = 😎 👍
I love 1968 Galaxie fastbacks. I would give up a body part to have one of these. As a self proclaimed (69 year old) FORD fanatic, this car is in my top three Galaxies. #1-1964 2-door hardtop, #2-1963 2-door and then the 1968 fastback. I owned a 1966 LTD but I’m done with the stacked headlites. I like the wide grill with the hideaway headlites, long sloping roof line back to the good looking taillites. And the ride in these is the greatest. Wish it was mine!
One of the last of the breed. Ford was the last to offer a four-speed in the full-size cars, the option last appearing in 1970 and although Plymouth made the six-barrel 440 available in the Fury, it was only ever built with a 727. It was just supply and demand; had demand existed, Detroit would have continued to build them.
1969 wad the last year you could get a 4 speed in a full sized Ford.
1967 was vertical headlights. This is a real nice car., but the same trim in a convertible would be better, or a custom 500 coupe
A very nice car in and out. Only 2000 made in ’68 so there can’t be too many left 50+ years later. I like this one a lot especially since it seems to be a turn-key car and you’ll likely not see another. The bucket seats are a plus as they weren’t too common in the full-size Fords and the center console is a beauty. I like the car for the most part, it’s definitely one I’d love to have.
I wouldn’t mind owning that one bit! I especially like manual transmission cars.
Same seller as the Honda Z coupe.
68 was definitely an improvement over 67, especially with the cast metal grille and concealed headlights, that front end is gorgeous. This one’s a rare beauty, and looks to be in great condition, hopefully it finds a good home. I had an uncle who had a 68 XL with a 427 back in the day, talk about rare.
You could drive this is in Philadelphia and not get car jacked, because today’s punks cannot drive stick. Beautiful at a time when cars were cars. Today’s roads are filled with stupid, ugly SUVs that only do one thing, COST a TON of money.
The 1967 Ford Galaxie XL 2dr looks like a Grandma car compared to the 1968 Ford Galaxie XL 2dr. It has awesome body lines with a mean look with the hidden head lights. I’m not saying that its the best ever because the 66 Galaxie 500 XL is a stand alone awsome machine.
Ahhh, all but Dan Lee can go jump in a lake. Nothing beats the looks of a ’66 Galaxie 500 7 Litre. As I’ve probably said here before, it had everything you could want: the go = first 428; the slow = first disc brakes; and the show = gorgeous body (roofline).
Would I go after this ’68 if I had the money and the room, you better believe it. At the end of the decade, nothing was sharper, other than the 1969-70 Mercury Marauder. The condition of this Gal appears outstanding. Are you ’68 fans aware of Goldvargs? Other than old AMT models, not aware of any others; also available (tho rare) in Gulfstream aqua.
https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=BNb%2fXmFc&id=F983EE255CFB462C6DE4BC487FE005774214FF43&thid=OIP.BNb_XmFcHJ9RziqHF9hxHwHaFj&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2fwww.modellautos-budig.de%2fWebRoot%2fStore17%2fShops%2f64511824%2f5FBD%2f3031%2f96BA%2f66FF%2f97D0%2f0A0C%2f6D11%2f7AEA%2fGoldvarg_GC-037B_1968_Ford_Galaxie_XL_Tahitian_Rose_1_43_1_ml.JPG&cdnurl=https%3a%2f%2fth.bing.com%2fth%2fid%2fR.04d6ff5e615c1c9f51ce2a8717d8711f%3frik%3dQ%252f8UQncF4H9IvA%26pid%3dImgRaw%26r%3d0&exph=750&expw=1000&q=goldvarg+galaxie+1968&simid=608020636394277594&FORM=IRPRST&ck=C7F8F1038C6DC865C69FA41C0A8DFCB2&selectedIndex=0&idpp=overlayview&ajaxhist=0&ajaxserp=0
Welp, I am a ’68 fan so I’ll bite. What the heck are Goldvargs?
Click on the URL, and you’ll find out
Thanks for the info, I collect die-casts. Btw, the 65 Galaxie was sharper looking than the 66😎
Dad worked at Mahwah plant in NJ and his first “new ” car was a 66 Galaxie, beige and black, remember sleeping in the backseat bed lol, he wanted the 390, but said he couldn’t pay the extra so he got the 352..listing seems like a nice car.
Hi, 1969 was the first year that the XL GT got the 429 engine. I have a factory 1 of 1 1969 XL GT convertible with the 429 4 barrel carb and top loader 4 speed. A very nice southern California car. I love it.