The seller of this 1968 Ford Galaxie XL is a true minimalist when it comes to writing, since the only detail he includes in the description is “390 4-speed”. I guess if sites really did limit their post details to just 3 words, he probably would have used them wisely, since that’s likely enough to pique the interest of those seeking a muscle-oriented late-sixties big-block project. Thankfully, enough photos are included to give a pretty good indication of what’s needed here, and there are certainly some strong points. However, there are also a few negatives to report, so let’s dig in and let the pictures do the talking. This one’s in Bonner Springs, Kansas, and is listed here on Facebook Marketplace, where the seller is asking $5,000. Zappenduster, thanks for another excellent tip here!
Mechanically, the good news is twofold: not only is an engine still present, but it’s also a 390. Judging from the shots provided from under the hood, it looks like years may have passed since it last ran, and perhaps decades. With the missing hose and radiator cap, the cooling system is probably bone dry, and who knows if there’s any oil inside. I’m guessing it’ll probably need to be torn apart and completely rebuilt, and hopefully the crank will still turn.
The paint has faded quite a bit over time, but below the finish, I’m spotting what appears to be a fairly solid body for the most part. While it’s usually better if all the trim is present, it may be a plus that the rockers are exposed, since the sheet metal here is visible and looks reasonably sturdy. The area around the rear window also appears decent, and based solely on appearance, rust doesn’t seem to be a significant issue outside. The back bumper is bent, and the front unit shows some corrosion, so both will probably need replacing, but the panels may all be pretty good to work with.
The interior is a bit of a mess, and parts of the dash have been removed, so the inside will need plenty of attention. To my eye, the most beautiful components here are the clutch pedal and manual shifter poking through the console, which is certainly motivating and makes me want to see this one saved and brought back to life. No photos are included from the underside, so the condition of the rails and platform remains a mystery. Is this 1968 Ford Galaxie XL one you’d be interested in restoring? Is $5k a reasonable amount to get started?
Unless someone really absolutely positively needs to have one with a 4 spd. it’s a safe bet they’d be a lot of money ahead to buy that Texas car that Adam wrote up just previously-even if that one needs the drivetrain, brake system and assorted bits refurbished,
The best thing about this one is that which you pointed out already, Mike—it’s dry so not rotted out that we can see.
This would easily take $10k to bring this back just to where the green Galaxie sits now!
…well….. at least most of the tires hold air.