I like full-size domestic convertibles and have covered a variety manufactured by all of the usual suspects. What caught my attention in the case of this 1969 Ford XL, besides its very red exterior hue, is the seller’s statement, “Valued at over $50k for insurance purposes, offered at the same level a few years ago“. Hmmm, does that sound right, or necessary, or maybe I’ve just been asleep at the switch when it comes to valuing big Fords? Well, this one certainly presents well and is worthy of a once-over, so let’s check it out. Calling Lexington, South Carolina home, this fire engine red ragtop is available, here on eBay for an opening, no reserve bid of $15,000.
So, this XL is exactly that, an XL and not a Galaxie XL, or a Galaxie 500 XL; it’s just an XL and was offered in two-door hardtop and convertible form. The XL was the “sporty” full-size Ford, similar in character to Chevrolet’s Impala SS and Plymouth’s Sport Fury. By ’69, there was still some interest in full-size cars that had some flair, or sporting intentions, but it was definitely a trend on the wane as intermediates (Torino/Fairlane) and pony cars (Mustang) filled that marketing slot. That said, Ford did OK with the XL that year, total sales reached about 62K copies with the convertible accounting for 7,400 units.
New for the Ford brand in ’69 was the 429 CI V8 engine. The seller refers to it as an “FE” series engine but in reality, it’s a “385 series” powerplant, a designation also shared with the larger 460 CI motor. This car is motivated by the 320 gross HP version, an engine fed by a two-barrel carburetor. Accompanied by a C6 three-speed automatic transmission, the seller informs us, “Yes, she can cruise smooth(ly) at over 100 mph and is perfectly stable at speed, dives like she just left the showroom floor. No matter where you live, if there is a road there she can be driven, 5 miles away or 5,000 miles without an issue!“. Here’s a brief in-motion video.
The seller mentions a restoration that occurred but offers no details as to when, what, or how extensive – we do know that it occurred sometime in his fifteen years of ownership. To cut to the chase, this big Ford looks fabulous! It has a strong, deep finish, chrome plating with luster, and a sound-looking convertible top. The only thing that appears to be out of place is the missing wheel opening moldings, an XL standard.
Inside, we find matching red vinyl upholstery, and the good news is that other than some carpet fade, the great top-down outdoors doesn’t seem to have degraded the environment. The dashpad and door panels are in fine nick but I’m not certain about the bottom rest of the front seat. It may just be the lighting but there might be a pair of unraveled seams. Beyond that, it’s in stock and original condition.
In some parts of the country, the summer cruising season will soon end – and then again in some parts, it’s still too hot to even consider it. But fall is coming and that’s some of the best weather for enjoying just such a ride. I’m a bit surprised that there’s no opening bid so this Ford XL will be one auction to watch – a potential good buy perhaps?
Sweetie cruiser here.
2.75 ⚙️ opt. 3.25 ratio.
Torque a plenty.
😎 🌞
I passed on one of these for $500, back in the day. Black over yellow ragtop, black interior, co sole and buckets, 390 4bbl.
I bought a ’69 Bonneville convertible instead, for $175. It needed a new top and had a 428 4bbl.
Reminds me of the opening of The OMEGA MAN with Charlton Heston ( though he may have been driving an LTD convertible ) .
Heston drove a ‘70 XL in Omega Man. There were several other cool cars if the era. I watched it a few nights ago.
Very nice looking car, and probably very fun to drive with that engine. The fenders look like a slightly different, lighter shade of red than the rest of the car, and it really looks like something is missing without the wheel opening trim. It’s only slightly over priced in my opinion. I hope it finds a good home, you don’t see these cars anymore.
You made the correct choice after owning a ’69 LTD Brougham from New. Nothing but trouble
well after all it is a found on road dead……lol
These are somewhat under appreciated to me. I never had a 69 or 70 but did and do have a 67 and a 71. Those wheel covers rank as some of the prettiest and heaviest of that time. the second place goes to the Chevy turbines of those years. My 71 is triple red, as I hate white convertible tops. A rather nice specimen here.
Good Old School Homecoming parade car & drive in movies Great for star light nights deep in the country side.
This kind of Car is what Family memories are made of from a 1st date – borrowed from dad to grandkids & towing a camper to Yellowstone.
A fine example of the breed. The 429 could be woken up with headers, dual exhausts and a four-barrel intake, or maybe fuel injection for the well heeled. If you want to get really crazy, it could become a 460 with a stroker crank and a fresh set of pistons and con rods. The only way it would be better would be if it had the optional bucket seats and console, complete with a “basket handle” shifter for the C6 automatic transmission (and you though only GM products had basket handle shifters, you silly thing, you)!
Had one just like this with white bucket seats and black console with stirrup shifter. Was a great cruiser.
Love these ’69-’70 big Fords for the wrap around drivers cockpit and the cutaway dash area on the passenger side. Too bad no buckets and console which would be the perfect add to this good looking ride. Source the OEM fender molding and take a late summer road trip!
The area on the front seats is the shadow of the steering wheel, but more concerned about the carpet, talk about sun bleached! Makes you wonder what the dash pad looks like
The XL is a great driving car. For years it came standard with V8 and bucket seats with console shifter, but by this time it came standard with a six and bench seat. My maternal grandfather had a gorgeous bright blue 1969 XL Sportsroof with white vinyl top and white bucket seat interior with console-shifter automatic. It was a super smooth cruiser with good power. I always wanted it as my first car but sadly 16 Omaha winters left it mortally wounded by the insidious Dark Lord of Oxidation.
By the way, decoding the data tag on this one indicates it was originally white, so it seems to have been given the requisite “Resale Red” paint job. It was sold new out of the Seattle DSO so a pre-purchase inspection is certainly a good idea.
Nice Big Red convertible. 429 2bbl seems odd to me. 🤷♂️
Zen, can you explain to me how a no reserve auction is over priced? 🤔
I have a 69 Marquis with a 429 2 barrel, and originally thought I would have to upgrade to a 4 barrel. But after owning the car for a while, I realized how dumb that idea would be. First, I would get even worse mileage, and secondly, there would be no difference in around town driving. Only in freeway driving over 70mph, would there be a difference. Until you experience the high compression 429 using high octane leaded premium with a 2 barrel, you won’t be convinced.
Actually with the primaries being smaller around town driving might give you some economy with a four-barrel. And where you needed the secondaries you would have them to use. Options are always nice.
My brother had a 69 Xl. Blue with a white vinyl top. 390 ci 2 barrel. Column shifter and white vinyl bench seats. I loved that car. Plenty of power and very smooth riding.
I think it should have rocker panel moldings and wheel opening moldings. I don’t recall seeing an XL in 1969 without both. If I am wrong please correct me. I was a Ford mechanic in those days and I saw a lot of them.
Here in Vermont, Summer is short, but great weather to drive a ragtop. I have a 1972 LTD convertible, yellow with black top and interior and a 400 under the hood. Great cruiser, and having a bench seat and not buckets means you can have your sweetie close to you! Is the car featured worth 50K? That’s up to you, but I would be happy to get half that much. By the way, I am currently finishing a 1965 Galaxie convertible with a 390, and the wheel well mouldings are unobtainable. Nowhere. Could be that’s why they are not on this car.
The most passenger unfriendly location for a radio ever! & probably the most difficult to replace/service too (& notice the red line on the speedo!) …
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/X4cAAOSwFo5k9Ou1/s-l1600.jpg
Can i assume this car once had chrome rocker & wheelwell trim?
Surprising that Hankook makes whitewalls that thin today, tho the car may have had even thinner whitewalls(tho bias plies instead of radials) back in ’69
There is a nice one at a car dealership in Seattle for $11k
Nice car. Reminds of the one Charlton Heston drove in The Omega Man. He played Colonel Robert Neville, a United States Army doctor. The movie was those last man on Earth saga.