Big-Block Survivor: 1968 Ford Galaxie 500 Fastback

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Ford Motor Co. redesigned their full-size cars for 1965 and brought out the LTD to raise the level of comfort to their products. This included the Galaxie 500 whose advertising proclaimed that these cars were quieter than a Rolls-Royce, pointing to the job Ford’s engineers had done in isolating the frame from the body. That generation of the car would run through 1970, with yearly adjustments along the way. This ’68 Galaxie 500 in fastback garb is located in Wichita, Kansas and available here on Facebook Marketplace for $8,000.

Ford sales would inch closer and closer to Chevrolet, thanks in part to the continued success of the Mustang. The most noticeable change with the ’68 full-size models over the ‘67s was that the headlights went from being stacked back to being laid out side-to-side. The 2-door fastback Galaxie 500 remained a popular choice with buyers, with nearly 70,000 being produced for 1968. The Galaxie, which first appeared in 1959 would continue to be a part of the Ford U.S. portfolio through to 1974.

The seller’s ’68 fastback looks to be a decent survivor with little rust reported and a two-tone white over red paint job that’s begun to lose its luster after 53 years. The odometer reading is just under 45,000 miles, which means the car has likely gone for periods of time with limited use. From what we see of the black interior looks original and in somewhat good but dirty condition. The upholstery has separations in a few places.

Under the hood resides a 390 cubic inch big-block V8 that we’re told is unmolested and runs well, and the car operates as it should, including the factory air conditioning. The 390 motor was good for 265 or 315 hp depending on whether a 2 or 4-barrel carburetor was used, but we don’t know which applies to this car. As you might expect, the shifting of gears is taken care of by an automatic transmission.

Other than a new paint job and some seat covers, these may be the only things needed for this to be a very presentation daily driver. Hagerty doesn’t offer a lot of optimism on resale value, with ’68 Galaxies in Fair condition running about $4,300 and Concours closer to $12,000. This ’68 Galaxie 500 is toward the lower end of the scale, but you would have the opportunity to ride around in a car that may be quieter than a Rolls!

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Comments

  1. Miguel

    Where do people get these big number for cars that need everything?

    Like 8
    • FordGuy1972 FordGuy1972Member

      My thought exactly, Miguel. Very little info in the ad and the pictures aren’t the best. You have to check the rear frame for rust on these big Fords which can turn this good-looking Galaxie into a parts car. I like the late ’60s big Fords as my very first car was a ’69 4-door Custom with a 428 PI. This one shows potential but I feel the ask is too high. Conceptcarz auction results show that ’68 Galaxies in Excellent Condition have brought between $11,550 – $15,000. At $8k, you’ll probably be upside down after a paint job, rust repair and whatever else it needs. It’s a nice car with potential but I’d think $4k or $5k is enough. Otherwise, save $12,000/$14,000 and buy a nice turnkey example.

      Like 0
    • brewmenn

      Seems like a decent price for a car that needs almost nothing to take out and enjoy a local cruise night. I wish I had storage for something like this.

      Like 0
  2. Miguel

    From what I remember being a kid in one of these, the emblem on the back rest was vertical not horizontal.

    Have these seats been redone at some point?

    Like 0
  3. JoeNYWF64

    Sporty handsome looking big car. Surprised to see kick panel vents on a car with a/c.

    This concept front end kinda looks like a cousin to the ’69 charger …
    http://www.carstyling.ru/ru/car/1968_ford_fiera/

    Like 2
    • Greg Kozera

      My 1969 Dart had factory air and still had those big doors, by kick panels, for floor vents. It also had vent windows. I miss them in cars now.

      Like 2
      • Allen L

        Those little door vents could each hold three bottles of beer. For sneaking into the Drive-In theatre.

        Like 3
    • Miguel

      Joe, that is the way this car was made. It had them both from the factory.

      Like 2
  4. timothy herrod

    Quieter that a rolls? Remember the ford commercials with the diamond cutter, perfect

    Like 1
  5. timothy herrod

    Quieter than a rolls? anyone remember the ford commercials with the diamond cutter, perfect

    Like 2
  6. Bmac777

    Yes, do you remember the SNL fake commercial of that ad?
    Instead of the diamond cutter, it was a Rabbi doing a Briss with the car swerving and hitting bumps and then at the end………”Perfect”

    Like 6
  7. Todd

    “He only took tips.” (Al Franken)

    Like 5
  8. Terry

    Meanwhile back to the car.

    Like 1

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