The 1968 Galaxie 500 is a relatively heavy beast, but Ford offered potential buyers a selection of engines that gave it excellent performance credentials. This Galaxie started life with the iconic 390ci V8 under the hood, but the seller craved more. Lifting the hood reveals a motor that provides horsepower and acceleration that should satisfy most enthusiasts. The seller feels the time is right for this Galaxie to find a new home, so they have listed it here on eBay in Norco, California. Bidding has reached $8,300 in a No Reserve auction. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Larry D for spotting this Galaxie in a winner-takes-all auction.

This Galaxie is an attractive vehicle that wears what the seller believes is its original Seafoam Green paint. They say it has some chips and marks, but the presentation is more in keeping with a five-year-old car than one with more than five decades under its belt. It shines beautifully and should receive favorable comments wherever it goes. If that isn’t enough to make you sit up and take notice, the car’s rust-free status may attract anyone unwilling or unable to undertake a restoration project. The seller indicates the Galaxie has spent its life in a desert climate, and the underside looks as impressive as the exterior. Considering the reputation desert locations have earned for baking paint, this Galaxie’s overall presentation is extremely impressive. The chrome and trim look excellent, and the tinted glass is flawless.

The VIN for this Galaxie indicates its original owner ordered it with the entry-level 390ci V8 producing 266hp. They also specified a three-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. That V8 offered sufficient performance to launch the car through the ¼ mile in 16.7 seconds when the motor was in its prime. When the seller located this classic, its engine had seized. The simple solution would be to source a standard replacement, but this seller craved more. They contracted Survival Motorsports in Walled Lake, Michigan, to build a new motor. Survival is a Ford “FE” specialist, creating a 445ci monster with a steel crank, I-Beam conrods, Roland Sharp rockers, ported heads, and a Sniper fuel injection system. They sank a cool $15,000 into that engine, and the beast now churns out 415hp and 500 ft/lbs of torque. Power feeds to the 9″ rear end via a three-speed automatic transmission, and while performance figures are speculative, I would expect this classic to return a low 14-second ¼-mile ET. The seller didn’t simply upgrade this car’s engine and hope for the best. They replaced the fuel tank, fuel lines, and the entire braking system. The original alternator made way for a 130 amp unit to cope with the additional current draw for items like the fuel injection. They added a new power steering pump and a new steering box and rebuilt the radiator. The seller has clocked around 8,000 miles since completing the build, stating it is in excellent mechanical health and is ready to provide a new owner with immediate motoring pleasure.

The excellent presentation of this Galaxie continues when we examine its interior. Desert locations may be perfect for preserving classic steel, but it can wreak havoc on upholstery and plastic. This Ford has avoided those issues because it features a garage-kept ownership history. The upholstered surfaces show no appreciable wear or damage, while the dash and pad are excellent. There are cracks on the wheel, but a competent new owner could use one of the latest wheel restoration kits to return it to as-new condition for under $100. The Galaxie features ice-cold air conditioning, and the seller’s decision to upgrade the radio to integrate Bluetooth should relieve boredom on long journeys.

I’m unsure whether there is any such thing as the ultimate sleeper, but this 1968 Galaxie 500 makes a passable impression. Its excellent presentation does not indicate the performance potential hidden below the surface. Older high-performance V8s can have a reputation for being cantankerous, but the fuel injection system the seller attached to this motor could make it a civilized daily driver. Even standing still, it will attract attention for the right reasons. The paint and panels are impressive, and the interior is tidy and unmolested. The bidding has been far more sedate than I imagined, and if the action doesn’t increase, someone could potentially score this beast for less than the seller spent on that glorious V8. If that happens, it could be the bargain of the year.