I was excited to read the opening line of the listing for this 1968 Ford XL, which states, “Got this car out of a barn, where it’s been sitting for quite a few years. Around 25 is our best guess.” These full-size performance-oriented cars from the sixties are some of my favorites, and I’ve always dug the fastback lines of the ’68 Ford two-door hardtop. But then, further down, I encountered the line that suggests, “Good parts car, or find a cheap Galaxie, LTD, or Monterey frame to set this body onto.” Hmmm, too bad, sounds like this one’s got some big issues, so let’s check it out and see if it’s salvageable. Lancaster, Ohio, is where you’ll find this big hardtop, and it’s available here on Facebook Marketplace for $3,250, OBO. Thanks are due to Sam61 for this tip!
This XL is one of 56K assembled in ’68, and it has some desirable features – more on that to follow. At first blush, it looks fair. The finish is faded, the chrome is dull, some trim is missing, there’s observable surface rust – some maybe more so, but this XL is intact and doesn’t appear to have suffered any crash damage.
However, there’s that entire matter of the frame – and it’s not just failing in one area, it has lots of problem spots. The extent of scale and deterioration likely indicates that this car’s 25-year respite was hardly conducted under dry conditions.
While the XL projected a sporting image, in standard form it was docile, powered by a six-cylinder engine. They could be optioned with some serious power, of course, and whoever first purchased this example opted for a 390 CI V8, generating either 265 or 315 gross HP, which is not stated. The seller includes a video of it running, and he’s of the belief that the engine has been rebuilt, as he notes, “390 motor was seemingly rebuilt before. Has overbore pistons, can take a spark plug out and show cross hatch and piston tops with bore scope if desired.” But boy-oh-boy, look at that engine and compartment rust! I’m thinking submerged at some point. As is usually the case, a three-speed automatic transmission backs up the FE big-block motor, but it supposedly has gear activation issues.
Another standard feature of the XL was a vinyl-covered front bench seat, but this car was optioned with bucket seats and a center console – items more befitting of this car’s image. The environment’s condition is about what one would expect. The upholstery and headliner are split, the instrument panel is dingy and delaminated, and I can only imagine what’s under the very worn-looking carpet.
This was one fine car in its prime, but it has clearly seen better days. It seems too good to write off as a parts car, but that frame problem is a critical path item – it’s in crusty enough shape that I doubt it’s repairable. As for parts? Well, the engine has value, as do some other components. So, what do you all think? Is it fixable or a part donor?
These were sleek and attractive full-sizers in their day. A cool feature was the horseshoe-shaped shifter, which this one has. Unfortunately this barn find is in poor shape. Maybe someone can find value in it.
Parts car, if it were less expensive. It’s yard art at the current asking price.
Steve R
Someone attempting to put this body on a Monterey chassis would be very disappointed. There’s a four inch difference in wheelbase.
“Atta boy star of the day ” for washing the car!
I’m with you JO, I love the full size cars ordered with the performance and sport features. Always wanted my folks to buy one…No dice, always wagons and trucks.
It’s a shame. You’ll still see a few full-size ’68 Fords but rarely this body style. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen one. This is a mid-western car which answers the question “why did it rot?” It appears the only thing of value here is the engine and some body pieces. The glass especially would be hard to find. Take what you need then it’s off to the crusher unfortunately.
The bucket seats, console and floor shift steering column as well as any other associated small parts will be worth a significant amount of money.
Steve R
Any car found in Ohio is going to have this problem. The frame is gone. Sad but true
I have the same year/model XL sitting in my garage, in Lancaster, OH. Still needs restoring but the frame/floors are as solid as the day it was driven out of the factory.
That’s interesting. The 68 XL is not exactly a commonly collected vehicle, yet we have two in Lancaster. It is not a small town, but it is a not big city either. (I grew up in a nearby village.)
Salted roads claim another car. I almost bought a 912 Porsche from this same area until I noticed I could see my feet through the floor.
What a shame, great Ford full size model. The body and engine definitely have value as does interior, but the big problem is that frame. At least it’s reasonably priced for someone needing what’s left.
I used to have one very similar to this. 390 2V but it wasn’t an XL. Loved that car. Very comfortable and lots of power.
Nice car. Good job!
Beautiful car. Sure you didn’t have frame issues like this one.
Nope. Solid frame. It was purchsed new in Edmond, Oklahoma. It spent most of its life in Seattle and was always garaged. I bought it from the original owner.
How about putting this body on a 4×4 frame. Great body style
Like a crew cab long bed F150?
My father gave me the exact same car when I made it home from Vietnam. Drove it for about a month and gave it back to him. Burned way too much gas……….bought a VW.
man, what a shame somebody let this happen. you would be upside down trying to redo this. needs a frame from a yard out west just to start then there is everything else. parts car at this point
If the Floors aren’t gone, a Donor Frame might be the way to go, or maybe have one made, we had a 68 LTD same Look comfortable ride 429 CI 4BBl Police Interceptor. We Also had a 67 LTD not much Difference other than Dash and Front and tail it had a 390 2BBl I myself had a 67 LTD can’t remember if it had a 427 or 428.
Paint it brown and it would be good for 1 jump . Gator McCluskey
With a 429 4 speed!
This looks like a perfect Ringbrothers project. Massage the body, keep the interior stock-ish, put an Art Morrison chassis under it and stuff a Coyote or a 427 in it.
Wait, check the Facebook ad if you haven’t already. The video of the 390 running does sound good, as rusty and dirty as it looks. I might believe the seller who says it is reported to have been rebuilt. He put a scope down to view the cylinder condition. What is the cost for a rebuilt 390? The rest may be sold or used as necessary.
Yet another comment and finding this morning. There is what looks to me, a very nice #3 condition 61 Thunderbird that has been listed on Hemmings for some time near NYC. The owner posted that they would be willing to come down in price to $8,000 due to the 390 engine having low compression in two cylinders. So, how about purchasing this Ford and using the “rebuilt” engine in the Thunderbird, then selling the rest for parts? Space and money are the only obstacles perhaps, along with some risk.
According to Facebook Marketplace ad
This Listing Isn’t Available Anymore
It may have been sold or expired
Once I saw the frame pictures it is all bad. But like other comments there are a lot of good body and inside parts worth something.