This 1968 Ford Galaxie 500 convertible looks to be a low-mileage, one-family-owned car that needs nothing more than a new home. But the VIN provided, and the seller’s description, don’t quite agree. The seller says this is a Galaxie GTA (A stands for automatic transmission) which could be another way of saying it’s a Galaxie 500 XL. But the VIN says it’s a regular 500 and it doesn’t have the hideaway headlights or buckets seats associated with the more senior version of the car. Either way, it presents well enough and is available from Orange Park, Florida, and here on eBay, where the bidding hovers at $7,901.
Styling of the 1968 full-size Fords was quite similar to the 1967s except that the stacked headlights, a Galaxie cue since 1965, had been dropped in favor of horizontal ones. As had been the case for many years, the big Fords came in second again in sales behind the comparable offerings over at Chevrolet. Ford sold 11,832 copies of the Galaxie 500 as a drop-top in ‘68, while the snappier 500 XL saw 6,066 canvas tops produced. Assuming the usual attrition, only a few hundred of each may be still around, on the road or hidden away in barns somewhere waiting to be discovered.
According to the seller, this Ford stayed in an enclosed and secure garage for most of 1987 to 2016, only driven by “the wife” when it ventured out. That would help explain the reported low mileage of this clean vintage automobile (32,000 miles). The engine is a mighty 390 cubic inch V8 with an output of 335 hp with no mention of it being numbers matching. But it’s said to run and drive well, so the vehicle appears to be turn-key.
Apparently, the seller had an assortment of Ford products at one time and this Galaxie is the last to go. The V8 is paired with a C6 automatic transmission, 3.91 rear gears, and front disc brakes (with anti-lock brakes? I doubt it). Push a button and the convertible top goes up and down. We’re told the seats are leather, but we wonder if the interior has been redone. The set-up is a combination of black and red (including the boot) and I didn’t know Ford did mix-and-match in those days. The seller says the car has been appraised at $36,000, so we’re surprised a reserve in that neighborhood wasn’t set.
Definitely not a Galaxie GTA, no such thing, not even an XL. Just a plain ol Galaxie 500 with power steering, brakes and it does have discs in front. NO ABS in any FORD until 1987 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, (maybe a 1986 Lincoln) but who’s counting. And a yellow car with a red boot? Ouch! Someone had some extra red interior parts left laying around. 36k? Not for me. Maybe half that.
I could have sworn I drove a 77 LTD II in the late 70s that had ABS. Or is my memory going bad with age?
You likely did as Lincolns and high end Fords of that Era offered a form of antilock brakes. Not sure how it worked but there was wiring that went into the rear end. That was how you could tell.
Dead right with the GTA observation, it was a designation used on Mustangs and Fairlanes only. Definitely not an XL. Top HP rating for 1968 in this line was 315, with 427 lb/ft of torque. Leather was not an available option, and anybody that has ever looked at actual leather should realize this car has vinyl seats, re-covered ones at that. The odometer is completely misaligned, which does not happen before you turn over 100,000 miles. If all these BS claims don’t scare you away … you just don’t want to know.
I really wish Barn Finds would try to establish themselves as an authority on low mileage claims. Far, far too many cars appear on hear that are OBVIOUSLY way, way beyond the seller’s claimed mileage.
I sure would like to stand on it ,390 with 3.91 gears 🚬!
Must of had a mustang as I think I see a pony on the floor mat.I liked the 65-66 to me they were sharper looking .These have too long a nose up front imo.390 is a great engine and it looks super clean.Nice car glwts.
3:91 gears are going to limit top end, but great fun launching this boat.
Seems a reasonable example, though I’d agree the color trim combo does not look original. I didn’t think the seats were ever leather from factory – though maybe an option? probably recovered if they really are leather now.
I agree with other comments, no disc brakes in 1968, though they were added on subsequent years of full-size Fords and not too hard to swap out the parts and upgrade older cars.
I have one of these, very similar spec, 1968 Galaxie 500 with 390 and auto. The “Z” code 390 in the Galaxie with 4-barrel and twin exhausts was rated 315 bhp in 1968, not 335? (I think similar but slightly different 390s used in the Mustang GTA and others had 335). No hot-rod, but no slouch either. The torque of the 390 works well with the auto and the weight of the car.
The 1968 model doesn’t have the same collector appeal and value that the 1964-1967 cars have, it’ll be interesting to see where this one sells.
Disc brakes? I remember my dad’s 1967 Galaxy 500, new from Los Altos Ford- had disc brakes. The center of the brake pedal had the small chrome logo that said we disc brakes on it. Not sure if it was an option, probably was. Purchased my first driver at 16, in 1972.It was a 1967 Galaxie 500 two door fastback.
Had a 289 with a two barrel. Had about 30.000 miles on it and looked like new- but the 289 was too slow… Bought a ‘71 Challenger with 19,000 miles on it for $2,100 the next year…
Those were the days!
No longer available, i will guess sold off of FeeBay.
1968 was the pinnacle year for the car industry, the gloves were off and the smog police were 2 years away, engines were designed to move a full load of passengers very fast down the road, miss the days of real malibus’, dusters, fairlanes, challengers, torinos & cutlass
Try to remember that a current 4 cyl., EcoBoost Mustang will blow the doors off most of the cars from the “good old days”, and use about one quarter of the gas. It handles better, is infinitely safer, and has creature comforts that you couldn’t even dream of in the late 60’s. I love the cars of my youth, but things really are way better today.
Maybe better but not as much fun!
Really? In what way? Today’s car handle better, go faster, use less fuel, and provide tremendous creature comforts. You can argue aesthetics all day long, but the only way the old cars provide more fun is if one wants to live dangerously.