Technically, this 1962 Ford Galaxie/500 XL is a year too early to be sporting a 427 CI engine but then again, on a sixty-year-old car there’s no telling what one may find in the engine room. This baby is all dialed up so let’s dig in and find out what’s really going on here. This Galaxie is located in Burbank, California and is available, here on craigslist for $38,000. Thanks to Pat L. for this tip!

Ford’s big news for ’62 was the short-lived 406 CI “FE” engine as the horsepower race was on to counter Chevrolet’s now one HP per CI, dual quad 409 W-head powerplant. The 406 would be upstaged in mid-model year ’63 with Ford’s fabulous 427 CI motor but there’s no reason not to perform a little time machine magic and have Ford’s top predator make a showing a year early. The trim levels for ’62 were pretty much all Galaxie all of the time as there were Galaxie/500 Club or Town Victoria models; Galaxie/500’s; just regular old Galaxies; and Galaxie/500 XL’s, the sporty variant, . The XL designation meant bucket seats, a center console with gear selector, 292 CI V8 as a minimum, a nicer appointed interior, and some additional trim.

Besides the very obvious door decal, this XL is in great, straight shape and looks like it’s ready to rock. The “Thunderbolt” hood blister is a bit over the top but it holds up the vibe, right along with the American Racing Torque-Thrust wheels. The what looks like Baffin Blue finish isn’t a shade that I would associate with a hotrod but it shows really well.

The hubba-hubba under the hood is a 427 “Industrial” engine that has undergone some significant modifications, not the least of which is having been bored and stroked to 451 CI – so much for that door decal. Beyond that, it’s a mix of Ford and aftermarket parts, including a T-10 four-speed manual transmission and a 9 inch differential housing a 3.55: 1 gear set. Originally powered by a 352 CI V8, this 451 hummer has to be a palpable over-performer but there’s no description of operation characteristics provided.

The interior steers your eyes towards that aqua rimmed steering wheel – not sure that I have seen an aftermarket piece quite like that! Speaking of aqua there’s a whole lot of that going on inside – again, not a shade that I would associate with a hot-footer. The environment appears to be in excellent condition however, nothing looks like it’s out of place or needs attention. The upholstery pattern and color do appear to be one of many that were offered by Ford in ’62, depending of course, on the exterior hue – days long gone I’m sorry to say.

The seller adds, “Several years ago, while looking for parts to build a 406 cu in engine, a 427cu. in Industrial Engine was discovered. That 427, now in the car…“. So, forget about model year authenticity; here’s a great example of “If you can’t find what you want, build it yourself!”, right?