Ford Motor Company introduced the Galaxie in the 1959 model year, and the car ended up having a good and long run all the way up through 1974. The Galaxie never really achieved muscle car status, as it was more of a competitor with the full-size Plymouth Belvedere and Chevrolet Impala, and while it may not have had the cool factor that some of its counterpart coupes achieved there were certain models that added some pep for buyers who wanted a comfortable and smooth-riding car. For the 1969 model, Ford offered no less than 4 engine choices, with the top dog being the 429 cubic inch V8. If you’ve been in the market for a late ’60s Galaxie and you like the idea of an example equipped with the largest engine available, this 1969 Ford Galaxie 500 XL might be a good car for you. It is located in Cape Coral, Florida, and can be found here on eBay with a current bid of $6335.87. The reserve has not been met, but there is a buy-it-now option for $15,000.
The seller tells us that his Galaxie XL is a true Barn Find fresh out of 30-years of storage, and says it is an original rust-free and unmolested South Carolina vehicle. Other than this, there’s not a whole lot more history given about the Galaxie, but looking around at the photos I’m guessing that it may still be wearing its original paint. The patina appears pretty good overall, although it looks like the quarter panel on the driver’s side had a minor encounter with something probably way back in the car’s past.
The inside is looking pretty good as well for a driver, with the original carpet recently replaced. It was good thinking on the seller’s part to include a photo of the floorboard while the seats and carpet were out, which shows a decent platform down there. The seats, door panels, and dash are looking better than one might expect for a vehicle more than 50 years old.
Not a lot is said about the 429, other than it is a desirable engine for the Galaxie and that the car runs and drives excellent. Mileage is listed as 101,155 but no word on whether or not the big block has ever had a rebuild. The gas tank and sending unit are said to be new, and the car has had the original radiator re-cored. The last time the Galaxie was serviced at a Ford dealer was in December of 1990, likely around the time it was put into storage, so maybe it was somebody’s daily driver up until then. What are your thoughts on this 1969 Ford Galaxie 500 XL?
Nice one, Mike! I love that rear 3/4 view much more than this somewhat similar car: https://barnfinds.com/429-v8-powered-1970-ford-ltd/
Make mine this Galaxie XL, that’s one great body style!
Yeah Scotty, that tunneled rear window really is kinda hot looking!
I was thinking this morning about current world events and the skyrocketing prices for fuel and I thought to myself would I change what I drive? Absolutely not! I have 2 cars right now that get 15mpg on average with their decent displacement V8’s and their is no substitute for the sound of a V8! The same thing can be said for this Galaxy XL with the 429 4bbl carb. Love the lines on this car and love the big V8. Sure it wouldn’t be a daily driver but it would be enjoyed. The number one puts on a car that looks, sounds, and feels good driving priceless!
When I see those numbers going up at the pumps, I remind myself how fortunate I am that there are no tanks approaching my city. I’m not sifting through the rubble looking for my belongings. I’m not wondering where I’m going to sleep tonight. I can drive a little less. It could be much, much worse.
@ CCFisher – I agree 100%. Perspective is everything.
Well I wonder how I’m gonna get to all my doctors appointments and procedures so you do you…
Great looking ride.. Love big blocks..and yes no substitute for the sound of a V8!! Looking at the photos and engine compartment. I wonder why they put that gas filter there. It’s the hot zone. Exhaust manifold area that not a good place for a gas filter especially plastic. And the gas line…. I would move it towards the middle towards the carburetor. And find a location up there for the filter. Otherwise I wouldn’t mind having this in my driveway. Go look to next owner. 🐻🇺🇸
Bear this Ford probably never got hot just idling around town with all that torque.
That gas line is a big red flag. Somebody did a 1/2 arse job.
These were/are great cars, and the 429 would make them fly. I’ve owned several. Actually, these were just XL. Ford had dropped the galaxie designation from
The XL by 68? Definitely by 69.
The 69 was also the last year you could equip one with a 4 speed. Super rare, but there are a few of them out there.
If you wanna see this car in action, go to
YouTube and type in Bud Linderman drive tests. He really put that thing through the wringer. The road test video
was great too.
Great looking big Ford, especially that black interior, nice. Nice place to be hauling at 75mph plus down the highway. Comparing this sporty full size two door to anything made today or even twenty years ago, at least in styling, is a no contest. They don’t make machines like this anymore.
We had one, dad’s car we used for business…. That car would fly on the highway, and cruise effortlessly forever, but the dash was my fav thing. EVERY control and element was on the left side for the driver only…. Passenger got an A/C vent and use of the ashtray…. No touching radio or heat controls ! Nice…
I drove a ’69 Ford XL 390 c.i. 2V, metallic emerald green paint with black vinyl top, back in college 1974-1976. Not low mileage, but extremely clean. My father bought it for me; he was convinced that a large car would protect me better in a collision! It was a great daily driver, didn’t get that great of gas mileage, but had a large fuel tank. A couple of complaints I had with it was 1) the pivot pin securing the gear selector handle for the automatic transmission to the steering column was worn, or had worn the channel in the collar it was pinned to, such that changing the gears was not a simple matter; one had to fiddle with it to get the car into the right gear; and 2) the automatic transmission had enough miles on it such that the bands kept breaking and leaving the car with a single-speed transmission instead of 3 speeds. Having a replacement trans from the parts yard installed solved that problem.
I did take a lot of pride in my XL when taking it over from my Dad. I replaced a cracked windshield with a parts yard replacement. I also fitted a hand-made replacement driver’s floor pan formed from galvanized sheet metal over the rotted-out original. Additionally, I cleaned, dried, re-dyed the discolored front carpet while the front seat was out. Those 3 issues are casualties of Michigan winters! Then, tragedy. While driving around Ann Arbor just before the end of semester before Christmas, some Yay-Hoo in a pickup truck goes around me in the right lane, covering my windscreen with road salt spray. As I was clearing off my windscreen with washers and wipers, I could not see that the Yay-Hoo had pulled into my lane and was stopped at a red light. The road was wet and slick, but I was able to reduce the speed of impact enough such that no human casualties occurred. However, the front end of my beautiful XL was trashed, along with the radiator, by collision with the pickup rear bumper. The XL was towed to a tow-company storage yard, and I had to find another ride home for Christmas. My Dad and I returned to Ann Arbor over Christmas Break to recover my XL. But that’s another story.