Several years before the Metric Conversion Act of 1975, Ford decided to give its big bucket-seat XL models a little European flavor by introducing the “7-Litre” in 1966. Coming standard with such niceties as a 428-cubic-inch V8, power front disc brakes, and a sporty steering wheel, it sold fairly well at just over 11,000 units. For 1967, Ford decided not to carry over the 7-Litre as a separate model, but instead offered it as an option package called the “7-Litre Sports Package.” According to Kevin Marti, it is one of 255 XL Convertibles built in 1967, and Barn Finder T.J. found one on Marketplace in Denton, Maryland, with an asking price of $28,000.
The standard engine with the 7-Litre Sports Package was Ford’s Q-Code “Thunderbird 428,” which produced 345 horsepower. This one is backed by a C6 automatic with a floor shifter, and it has power steering, power brakes, and air conditioning. The engine compartment looks nicely detailed, and the only serious deviance from factory stock seems to be the air cleaner. The seller doesn’t mention how it runs, drives, stops, or keeps its passengers cool; however, given the pictures and the car’s storage situation, I’d be willing to guess that everything works as it should.
The interior is Code “RB,” which means that the big XL has a blue luxury interior with bucket seats. The 7-Litre Sports Package came with a “simulated wood-grain sports steering wheel,” and this one has the optional AM 8-track radio and power windows. The seller is presenting the XL as a “very rare original unmolested car,” and the interior pictures support his assertion; nothing seems to be freshly restored or brand new, so if it has been refurbished, it was a while back.
The car has had one repaint in its lovely original shade of “Nightmist Blue,” one of my favorite Ford colors; it is an older paint job that “still looks nice but does have some imperfections.” The white convertible top has a glass rear window (as pointed out in the Marti Report below), which is a boon for anyone with an old convertible. The more common plastic back window is easily scratched and tends to yellow with age, but this window will stay clear for years to come. The same cannot always be said about a white top, which is almost impossible to keep clean if you use your car at all. On the other hand, I can’t imagine a top color that would look better with the dark blue paint, and when combined with whitewall tires (G70-15 Wide Ovals from the factory, most likely radials now), this may be the best-looking full-size 1967 Ford on the planet (in my opinion).
Here’s the Marti Report, which is always a nice thing to have, especially when you’re considering the purchase of a rare car such as this one.
I wouldn’t be surprised if this XL finds a new home fairly quickly. While 1967 Galaxies aren’t the most popular collector cars in the world, this one’s big engine, convertible top, rarity, and nice presentation make it a relative bargain. If you like old Fords, this one has to pique your interest.
Good write-up Aaron. Very sharp, and very desirable car if one likes the big convertibles of the day. Attractive Nightmist Blue with lots of external trim. White top is a great contrast. The whitewalls and wheel covers keep the stock look and fit the theme of the car. Nice blue interior with plenty of bright trimwork. Console and floor shifter. Big engine. I even like the steering wheel with the holes in the spokes. Plenty to like here.
I did not realize these were so rare. A guess is that not more than a couple dozen remain.
This was a beautiful, rare, massive, and fast car. When I saw this I thought of the funny story of Jay Leno tricking his Dad into ordering a new ’66 7 Litre muffler delete. This one looks absolutely beautiful. Marti report is a huge bonus too. Nice find T.J, when I saw this on Fast Finds I was hoping it would get written up. Great write up too Aaron. Always enjoy your articles.
OMG, Dave-I’d forgotten that Leno story until you brought it up! And of course it had to be again..
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0A9t6XEmobQ
You’re bang on the buck, Bob. This car is rare and shouldn’t last long if it’s really as portrayed especially at that price.
A very cool car and an old school definition sleeper-what a beauty.
Another one of your terrific write ups, Aaron.👍🏻
Thanks for the compliments, all.
Thank you so much for posting that link!!! I totally forgot his Dad gpt a speeding ticket for 110 mph!! That was a good story.
Thanks so much for posting that Jay Leno youtube clip. I never saw that before and i am a fan of Jay Leno and that is funny. He has some amazing cars too many to count along with so many great and funny stories and a true car guy.
Incredible really. What a beautiful Ford. Styling perfection as you mention Toth. Top of the option page for motor, power steering, 3.25 open gear, and C6, great seats ✔️ this car was built for comfort on fast boulevards and highways.
Beautiful, nicely optioned car, most people didn’t get A/C in a convertible, and power windows wasn’t very common yet. It’s exactly how I’d have ordered it.
What a great find! One sees Galaxie 7-Liter examples periodically, but this XL seems like a very rare beast.
Beautiful car! It was built during a great time for American automobiles. They were well built, great looking and powerful. This is a full size automobile. With a front bench, it would have held six people, in a convertible! I never thought twice about it at the time, but it’s mind boggling today. Only SUV’s and pick up trucks are offered and no on looks twice at them. If this Ford drove down the street, I would watch it all the way. My, how times have changed!
Great find T.J.! My best friend in high school got a coupe version of the 7 litre and what a great car. It wasn’t worth a lot at the time (1973) so when the trans went out he sold it for almost nothing. This car is perfect spec and seems reasonably priced.
I had a 1969 Galaxie 5oo. 2dr.hdtp. Black jade. 429-4bbl N-code. With for lack of a better term (dress-up package). It had chrome hood springs and hinges, chrome valve covers and air cleaner lid. And chrome moulding around the gas filler door. Like this car. Car was fast..
The Marti report seems inaccurate based upon the number of options seen on this car.
Absolutely beautiful, love these full size coups and droptop performance cars with the buckets and console interiors.
We had a young neighbor that was a TWA pilot. When he first moved in he had a 66 LTD 4 door, within a year he bought an XL coup with the sport interior. I don’t know any specifics about the XL. But it was beautiful!
wicked looking ride. needs the mag style wheel cover. great colors and buckets too. would love to have this
nice
I have a similar story to the Jay Leno dad account. My dad was not a car guy either. But, he had a career army brother who was. Uncle Willis traded cars every 2 years. Willis had this exact car, but the hard top. My dad just liked the looks of it, not knowing about the power train. Dad told Willis that when he got ready to trade, he would buy it. Dad wanted the car for a three week road trip to the west coast, about 5000 miles round trip. Upon return, dad traded it away. I asked why he got rid of such a cool and powerful land yacht. He mumbled something about getting 7 mpg average on the three week trip.
I’ve never seen one of these in the wild! Beautiful and rare. We had a ’67 Galaxie Fastback, jade green, but with the 289. Always liked this year’s looks.
Ford got some mileage out of their afterburner/gunsight taillights carrying them through 1969. By 1970 they were already toning it down. These remind me of a HS classmate’s LTD 4-door hardtop. Triple black with Crager SS wheels. Such a sharp looking ride.
I have owned a 1967 7 Litre for the past 30 years . Well optioned hardtop . It is a garage queen….Moss green / Saddle interior…
Sorry, Aaron, the open element Mustang GT style air cleaner was part of the 7 Litre package, so correct on this car. I’m surprised, as H.O. 68 points out, the mag style wheel covers are missing on this car, as they were also part of the package. About five years ago, I sold an NOS set to a fellow restoring a ’68 XL GT for $1,400, they were an option for that car.
Wasn’t the original air cleaner chrome, Scotty? This one may be the original (but painted), but for some reason it didn’t quite come across as a Ford piece to me.
No, Aaron, without the chrome dress-up option (air cleaner top, valve covers, master cylinder cap), they were painted blue.