Although it was a limited production car in 1961, the Chevy Impala Super Sport went mainstream in 1962 – and Ford followed suit with the XL version of their Galaxie 500. Like the Impala, it was available in hardtop and convertible body styles and had sporty accessories like bucket seats, a console, and hideaway headlights. The XL remained in the Ford lineup through 1970. This ’69 XL is a runner that comes with some spare parts but needs body, paint, and interior work. Located in a barn near Custer, Wyoming, this drop-top project is available here on craigslist for $3,500 (firm).
All full-size Fords received new styling for 1969-70 and the XL would benefit from it, looking lower and wide than its predecessors. The XL would continue to be in demand in ’69, with some 54,500 fastbacks and 7,400 convertibles leaving Ford factories. A variety of engine choices were available, and the seller’s car has the 390 big-block V8, although we don’t know if it’s original to the car. The gas tank is rusty on the insides, so the seller is providing the buyer with a new one plus a sending unit and seal. Despite this, we’re told that the Ford runs and drives well.
On the other hand, the body is going to take some effort. At a minimum, the right rear quarter panel has more rust than indicated and the blue paint is old, faded, and peeling away. It’s not even the original color as the seller says a gold finish can be found underneath somewhere. The canvas material for the convertible top is all but gone and will need replacing and the interior is quite worn from age and use. So, expect to spend more time on the cosmetics of the car than the mechanicals.
A bit unusual for a 1960s convertible is air conditioning, which this car has but no mention is made as to whether it works. According to online sources, the Fords of this vintage don’t command more than $20-30,000 in prime condition, but the seller’s asking price does leave room to fund the kind of work that this one is going to require at 130,000 miles.
This would be Custer South Dakota. And that plate is a current one, so it has been on the road recently
The CL ad says it is west of Custer. The CL map shows it to be just over the border in Wyoming. So yes Custer is in SD, but the car itself is located in Wyoming.
Neat car, wish I had room to restore it…. It’s in South dakota mike. That CL map spot is just a decoy. I can tell by the tree cover it’s not over the border. Plus their boat is SD license as well.
@ Jon.
I defer to the expert. SD it must be.
Yeah a decent asking price, and it’s a car that does get hurt by restoring it the way you like. For me that means this one would look so sharp with magnum 500’s, and that black interior would compliment a new black paint job. Finding the police issue sways bars and 140 speedometer would be nice touches.
I wouldn’t worry too much about whether the A/C is working or not…There are some priorities to deal with first. If it was closer to me I would definitely go take a look !!!
I just purchased a 68 Galaxie 500 drop top.. Crazy things began to happen with the electrical system lights, guages, radio etc. Come to find out the entire wiring harness has been molested, cut, spliced, re-routed, hanging wires that go nowhere.. The seller made no mention of any of it.. The dash and trim panels are out while I trace everything back to stock.. IMHO, use caution on cars like this. You don’t know what your’re getting even with an inspection.
$3500? Great starting price! A convertible that runs and drives, a new top isn’t too hard to install and the rust looks minimal. Another deal-of-the-week IMO.