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!
My parents’ 1969 and 1970 dealership demonstrators were Country Squires. My dad loved the placement of the radio as he would say that it kept my sister and me from playing with it and constantly changing the channels! This XL may have been a dealer demo as there aren’t many options that it doesn’t have. Buckets and console were optional in 1969. Don’t see many full sized 1969-70 Fords with all of the power accessories, rim blow/tilt steering wheel and 8-Track tape player let alone a 429cid (A/C was coming into its own by then but still rare in convertibles). Beautiful car at what appears to be a reasonable ask. Somebody is likely to become a happy new owner.
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 👍
Dated a gal who drove this exact car(well close enough) Her dad collected Ford XL’s and this was the one he let her use.Loved the car more than her :D Also,those wheel covers are factory stock and need to stay.
By 1969, it was just called the “Ford XL.” A bench seat was standard. The wheel covers are Ford’s “Simulated Mag” wheel covers and are a desirable option.
My second car was a 2 door Ford XL hardtop. It had a 390ci motor with a C6 automatic transmission, and a bench seat. It was light yellow with brown roof. I got many compliments on its looks. BTW, if you drove with the windows down, you could hear the rattle of the hubcaps.
I believe this is an LTD. Xl’ had bucket seats and floor shift, auto, or standard.
XL did indeed come standard with buckets and console for years. Some would say that equipping it with a bench and column shifter betrays the very essence of the XL. However, Ford decided to do just that and make a front bench standard from the 1968 model year on.
Bucket seats with console were optional, which is how my grandfather’s beautiful bright blue with white vinyl roof and white interior 1969 XL was equipped. I loved that car and always hoped to get it, but sadly 16 Omaha winters left it mortally wounded by the insidious dark lord of oxidation. According to the dealer it was rusted out underneath and wouldn’t pass inspection. Or at least that was their story.
So mere months before getting my learner’s permit Grandad traded his gorgeous XL in on a new but rather nondescript white 1985 Mustang LX hatchback with a V6. I was heartbroken.
Also, I missed xl emblem on hood, but alot of desirable options, a/c, tilt wheel, power seat, and what looks like a under dash 8 track.
The simulated ” mag wheel covers are oem.
I own a 70 XL429 vert.
A ’69-70 full size Galaxie/LTD/XL fan here, I’ve had them all, 2DRs, 4DRs, fastback, wagons & convertibles. Was in Ft Myers FL a dozen yrs ago at a local New Years car show and came across a real unicorn…a ’69 XL convertible, red & white top, 429 V8 & 4 speed. Had the center console & buckets, gorgeous car !! Always a sucker for a stick….
The thing I remember about the 1969 full sized Galaxies was FORD’s advertising for them. The dash was designed to be a ‘Living Room’ for the passenger. All the gauges and controls were in front of the driver while the passenger side was pushed forward to give them more room. Kinda cool.
The worst ting about the 69-70 full size cars was the dash. A relatively new process, a thin vinyl over foam on a steel base. Nearly every one cracked & broke, mostly due to yrs baking in the sun. Bought a parts car from a guy for the sole reason it had a perfect brown dash for my wagon.
Had a ’69 Galaxie conv, 390 & auto, fairly stock. The ’69 LTD wagon, though, loaded…vacuum operated wiper delays, hide aways, auto air bags in the rear with a vacuum operated air pump. A/C, power bench. Added a tilt wheel with rim blow horn…and a real nice dash. A daily driver for college…
All engine and a place for everyone to sit. Air, windows, seat and seldom seen tilt column. This looks like a prize. You’re not finding another.
People have already commented that the wheel covers are or look just like factory ones. In person they looked good and tried to get them on dad’s country squire but he said no. I never understood why they put the radio there. Switching the clock (so people could see it) with the radio (so someone else could tune it) was so strange.
That right there is a deal. Gorgeous car and great price.
Nice. In ’03 I bought a ’70 XL conv. w/52k orig, 429 & loaded. Buckets & console in factory grabber blue/blue int white rag top.
Near mint, bought at estate auction in Emmett,ID. for $1100 only after hearing 2 teens discussing buying & putting engine in their mustang to race at Firebird. I was there for trinkets to eBay, but wasn’t letting that happen. Ex wasn’t happy rolling in with a car.
As bidding got to $1k I leaned over & said “I don’t know about you, but I’m bidding five thousand”. They stopped, I won. Sold a year later on eBay $7k & it went to New Hampshire. Just didn’t fit in the damn garage. Had to climb over the console & out the passenger door all the time. I just found the extra keys last year! Wish I kept it of course.
big block convert fairly priced and hideaway lights, surprised it did not sell yet.
Alot of nice cars coming outta the North west . This looks reasonable …
I had a 69 LTD i inherited from my wife at the time when it needed an engine swap. Great car! Ours was green with a black interior. O dreamed of tubing the rear end adding wheel skirts and Lambo door hinges. Ah, youthful dreams. Never had the money to do it but still wish I had
I remember seeing a mid 70s Cutlass S with AM 8-track stereo.
The am/8-track setup in that car is factory, and more rare than the car itself. Philco made the radio (am only with the word “stereo” in the faceplate, which is confusing) and Mother Motorola made the floor mounted tape unit, and somehow the two companies made it work seamlessly.
All the rest of the options probably put this vehicle in 1 of XX territory, if you’re counting that sort of poppycock.
In 1969, only the LTD,Galaxie XL and Country Squires came standard with hidden headlights.
The regular Galaxie did not offer hidden headlights as an option.
Those are factory wheel covers.
Those are factory wheel covers.
I wouldn’t be so sure those are aftermarket wheel covers. I’ve seen them before on period Fords (and GM’s), they may have been optional:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/127025851602
FYI this car is an XL, not a Galaxie XL. The XL became a separate model from the Galaxie for 1967 and remained so through the end in 1970.
Nice