Ford introduced the Galaxie 500 XL (supposedly for “Extra Lively”) in 1962 to compete against the Chevrolet Impala Super Sport. The seller says this 1969 edition is a Galaxie XL, which had become a trim level rather than a separate series. But it lacks the bucket seats the XL typically should have. It packs a 429 cubic inch V8 under the hood, but a pic or two would be nice. Located in Yakima, Washington, this solid-looking drop-top is available here on ceaigslist for $17,500 and may be a driver-quality car.
Ford redesigned its full-size cars in 1969 and continued with the round/rectangular taillights, which had become the Galaxie’s signature. The XL came with a V8 engine as standard fare, and the seller says this one has a 429 big block, which was new that year. The seller says very little about this Ford beyond the powerplant and its companion, an automatic transmission. We’re told the car has 85,000 miles, which sounds legit if the use of the car waned as it got older. He/she also says the car’s condition is excellent, but that may be in the eyes of the beholder.
Sources say that about 7,400 of the big drop-tops were produced in 1969. Besides bucket seats, an XL is supposed to also have a console that resembles that of the Thunderbird. The headlights were also hidden, as is the case here, though optional on other Galaxies. The XL was on the way out in the late 1960s as performance cars had shifted to mid-size automobiles starting at the beginning of the decade.
You don’t see many of these big Fords running around anymore, especially convertibles. Times were changing, and as the 1970s grew on, drop-tops disappeared from the roster of most auto manufacturers. Only to make a soft resurgence in the 1980s. From what we can tell, this Galaxie may need nothing more than a new home. But those plastic aftermarket wheel covers need to go. Kudos to Barn Finder Barney for the tip.
What a great find, and a great write-up Russ! That’s a lot of red!
Would certainly go a long way if the seller had more pics of the car – under, trunk, engine, etc. 57 years is a long time for such a reasonable ask.
Interesting placement for the radio – at first I thought the dial was a mileage indicator, snuggled somewhere around 11 MPG – but that would be the highway reading anyhow!
Interesting car. Like Russ says, rarely seen today. I now have more appreciation for these full-size convertibles, from all the manufacturers; they were cool, in their own way. This one looks to be in good shape. It even has the “simulated “mag” wheel covers” (that’s what they were called).
Sure would have been nice if the seller had spent more than thirty seconds compiling the ad.
Such a brief Craigslist ad for a car that so much could be said about as it is well (and somewhat uniquely) optioned.
Also of note to me, is the drivers seat back is a bit behind the passengers and leaning back. But with a few extra pounds myself, I will not comment on the drivers weight.
Big car, big motor 👍