Ford added the XL to the Galaxie 500 line-up in 1962, as an in-kind response to the Chevrolet Impala Super Sport (SS). Production of the XL continued through 1970, of which the last two years were available only in the fastback and convertible body styles. The seller acquired this car a year ago and began doing some mechanical upgrades when circumstances changed, and the work has stopped. Because the seller must move, the car is available for $5,000 here on craigslist. Or he would be willing to hire someone to finish the work for him so he can keep the Ford. The car is located near Colorado Springs, Colorado. Thanks for this unusual trip, Gunter Kramer!
One of the features of the Galaxie 500/XL was they came with buckets seats and a floor-shifted console, although buyers could opt for a bench seat and a column shifter for the automatic (as was the case with the seller’s car). Ford referred to the cars as the “lively ones” and they even used the term “Xtra Lively” in their sales literature. The fastback body style was called the SportsRoof and looked a lot like the roofline on Dodge Chargers of the era.
The XL continued to be a popular model for Ford in 1969. More than 7,400 convertibles were produced along with 54,500 fastbacks like this one. The car here was listed on eBay about a year ago and that’s when it went into the seller’s possession. It was a running car and made the trip home from Nebraska to Colorado with no issues. The water pump started leaking later, so that’s when the seller began replacing stuff. That included resealing the engine which was being dissected when work came to a halt. Parts are scattered here and there in the garage, including the radiator which now resides in the front floorboard. Once the oil pan is removed, everything could start going back together.
This Ford has the 351 cubic-inch Windsor V8 with what looks to be a 2-speed automatic transmission. An aftermarket 600 cfm Edelbrock carburetor awaits being reinstalled. If the car is sold, all the new parts that have been accumulated for it (like the water pump and alternator) will come along. The paint on the auto is well-worn, but there is a little rust in places like the rear wheel wells and the driver’s side door needs some adjustment. Fortunately, the hideaway headlights work properly. The interior looks okay (except maybe the front seat bottom), though the driver’s door panel has been removed and needs to be rehung once the door is repaired.
Despite his pending move, the seller is not opposed to trades. A pleasure craft, a jet ski, and even a street motorcycle might “float his boat”. But he would also consider hiring someone to finish the work he started so he ends us with a running automobile that he could get around to restoring cosmetically when all the dust settles.
Definitely a 3 speed automatic – most likely a C4 or a C6.
Or an FMX.
Select-Shift or Cruise-O-Matic..
$5000.00 Not a bad deal for a BIG GIRL Cruiser.
Does anyone out there know of a dash pad repair company they can share? These cars are nice drivers, just never going to be worth a lot of money when repaired. With that said, do it up the way you want, no need for authenticity.
Dave, try Dash Specialists in Medford, Or. Dean is the owner at 1910 Redbud lane, (541) 776-0040. Dean and former partner did (3) dashed for me over the years. Excellent workmanship.
Nifty old cruiser ya just don’t see no more. But I hate buying something someone else tore apart. Big jigsaw puzzle. No fun!
Which brings me to a question…if I thought there was a chance I would be moving in the next 6 months or so, knowing I work a job, have a family, so on, would I start tearing a car apart like this? No way. So who does that lol?
I love the placement of the radio, I think I would buy just for that.
Please correct me if I’m wrong, but that looks to me like a 351 Windsor and not a Cleveland. Unless someone put it there, again a 2spd wouldn’t have been installed from the factory. Just my 2 cents….otherwise it’s definitely a classic worth saving! One of my best friends had a 70 XL fast back with the buckets and console w/a 390. Sadly, it was in the mid-to-late 70’s and he beat the snot out of it. I still remember seeing it in the junk yard and being sad.
Finally, a halfway-sensible ask for a project car.
I owned one of these in 1973. Had the big block 429 with the auto transmission. I junked the old gal due to the amount of rust. Trunk had rusted out, rear bumper rusted so bad it fell off. When the wreaker came to pick the car up it nearly folded in half. I lived in the UP of Michigan then.