This 1969 Ford Galaxie 500 has been on my radar for several days now, and I’m still going back and forth about whether this one’s a worthwhile project, or perhaps better left alone and used as a fun, occasional cruiser. From a distance, the car looks fairly decent, with a cool SportsRoof, and the engine is reportedly running very well. However, to be a standout and a reliable daily driver, it will need some bodywork, interior refurbishment, and transmission attention, or at least a bit of shifter or linkage tinkering. I’m thinking that attempting to negotiate the asking price of $4,500 down may be the way to go here, as a lot of time, effort, and funds will be required if the next owner wants to take it to a higher level. Tipster Barney spotted this 1969 Galaxie 500 here on Craigslist in Outlook, Washington, and we’d like to thank him for making us aware of it!
Outside, there are both positives and negatives to consider, with a good point being that this one is mostly complete. I don’t recall seeing many of these cars with a luggage rack either, which may be because the trunk area is large and deep enough that many buyers probably thought it was unnecessary. The seller mentions that the only real rust is on the quarters, and there are also some visible cracks in the finish on both sides. However, the floor pans are stated to have only surface rust, so hopefully, they’ll be solid enough not to require any immediate attention.
The interior’s condition appears to be at about the same level as the outside, with many components in some sort of disarray. I do like how the dash was designed with the driver in mind, with the curvature making it easy for them to access all of the controls. It’s a plus that this one features a manual transmission, but it was originally a three-on-the-tree, and a past owner relocated the shifter to the floor. The owner reports that the linkage is funky, and not in a good way, as it’s sometimes challenging to find the gears with the current setup.
The seller states that there’s a 289 under the hood, so the engine isn’t original, as the 302 had taken over as the small V8 by 1969. Fortunately, it’s said to be running very well, though no further details are given. The bottom line is there’s both good and bad with this 1969 Ford Galaxie 500, and fortunately, nothing that necessarily makes me want to avoid this car. I’m just not sure how much time and resources I’d want to invest here, if any, deeming this one a likely mostly-as-is driver for the foreseeable future, in my opinion. What are your thoughts here?
Love the sport roof on this, you don’t see these around anymore. It has a sinister look with that all business frontend and the way it sets, even with the light colors. For some reason, when I first saw this car, the movie “From Dusk to Dawn” came to mind. I can see this hauling ass down a dusty desert road with someone tied up in the trunk!
Ruff as my dog would say . I’m sure this is a rust bucket underneath as well.
Looks a transplanted engine and four speed transmission. This may be too far gone for $4500. Maybe a $2500 Fix Or Repair Daily project.
Is that a duct tape repair on the driver’s seat? I want to like this car but for the price it needs too much. They were good looking full sizers though, back in the day. Oh and put the ride height back to stock.
Yeah, I thought that was duct tape as well! But I think it’s just a worn out seat cover. I agree these are nice looking cars and the back end of the car should be dropped down to stock height. It looks like there are new bottom bolts for the rear shocks. Wonder if those are coil overs shocks or something that increased the height?
Definitely worth fixing up but not a full restoration. I think it would be great as one of those fix that you go type of projects and drive it and enjoy it for what it is while you’re fixing it up. It may need some work before the price it’s hard to find an old car that’s running. The shifter, despite being wonky, is a nice addition to the car.
Yes! I’d definitely grab that and fix it up. Those were really nice driving, nice riding cars. You just don’t see those anymore either. Even at cruise in nights you don’t see these. Looks like a fun project you could drive as work progresses. Grab it👍
When I see someone actually hauling luggage on a factory “luggage rack,” it will be the first time.
I was on a sports car club scavenger hunt. Where everything had to come a yard sale. Strapped to the luggage rack of my MGB was a, fire hydrant! Lots of thumbs up from passing cars and I won the contest for the shortest distance traveled AND most interesting “artifact “!
If you really wanted one of these I bet you could find better, but anyway it’s a shame to see this one die a slow death
My brother bought a ford just like this when I was in my early teens. Even in the mid to late 70’s it was odd to see a full size car with the three on the tree. He got a little drunk one night and filled it full of diesel fuel by mistake, it did something to the motor and it got scrapped.
It will take a lot more than the asking price to get it right.
I love these big Fords from the ’60s
A lot of work needed here. Find another one maybe and make one out of 2 cars or just use this one for parts as there is rust and a lot of interior work needed.
what a driving bomb. i give 45.00
I love these cars I’ve had several but this one is a needy beater I might give a grand for it if it were close . It just needs so much work to be really nice again.
That engine looks lonely in there! Well, it has the stupid aluminum rad, so you are half way there to restored