Although the Pontiac GTO is often considered the first muscle car, this 1962 Ford Galaxie 500 XL demonstrated that buyers could order cars with serious performance credentials two years before the first GTO graced showroom floors. That is courtesy of the first owner’s decision to order this Galaxie with a 390ci V8 under the hood. The Ford presents superbly, with no apparent weaknesses or problems. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this beauty listed here on Craigslist in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. You could drive it home for $24,995, and the indications are that this figure represents a recent substantial price drop.
Ford released a dramatically restyled new Galaxie range for the 1960 model year. The fins, which had been a styling feature in 1959, were significantly reduced and had disappeared entirely by the time this 500 XL left the line in 1962. I’ve always found it fascinating how some paint shades seem to be inextricably linked with marques from a particular period. Such is the case with Fords from the 1960s and the Rangoon Red gracing this Galaxie’s exterior. The seller believes that most of the paint is original, with evidence that the right rear quarter panel may have been refreshed at some point. Therefore, close inspection will reveal minor marks and chips, but the car still presents exceptionally well for a survivor-grade classic. The seller also states that this beauty is rust-free and that the underside is as tidy as the exterior. Some of the color inserts on the badges have faded, although the trim still looks very impressive, and the glass is clear.
The 1962 Galaxie 500 XL was V8-only territory with the 292 as the entry-level powerplant. This car’s first owner selected the Z-Code 390, with Ford’s Dealer Specification Sheet quoting power and torque figures of 300hp and 427 ft/lbs. A three-speed Cruise-O-Matic transmission handles shifting duties, with this Galaxie also featuring power steering and power brakes. The seller states that the previous owner recently invested approximately $8,000 to ensure it is mechanically spot-on. They believe the car is numbers-matching, and although the engine currently features a few cosmetic enhancements, the original components are stored in the trunk for the buyer to install if they prefer authenticity. They supply this YouTube video of the Galaxie for further information. It includes a comprehensive walk-around and provides an opportunity to hear the engine running. The 390 sounds sweet and clean, further reinforcing the claim that this is a turnkey proposition.
This Galaxie doesn’t appear to have a genuine weakness, with its interior as impressive as the exterior. It is a sea of Red, from the painted and upholstered surfaces to the carpet and the wheel. The seller confirms that the horn is inoperative, and there is visible wheel wear. However, that appears to be as bad as it gets. The vinyl looks flawless, the bright trim sparkles impressively, and there are no aftermarket additions. The Galaxie’s bucket seats and console add a touch of luxury, and the factory AM radio and all lights work as they should.
This 1962 Ford Galaxie 500 XL seems to tick most of the boxes enthusiasts prefer when searching for a classic to park in their garage. Its presentation is first-rate, the interior is spotless, and the 390ci V8 is the icing on the cake. I mentioned a potential recent price drop, which I discovered while researching this story. If you delve into the text below the previously mentioned YouTube video, it refers to a figure of $29,995. The seller only posted the video a month ago, suggesting that they are eager to find this Galaxie a new home. Therefore, there may be further room to move if someone is determined to pursue this Ford further. Are you tempted to be that person?
Beautiful car
Substantial drop is relative, and I don’t gloat in the fact the price is dropping, I think people that are in a situation where the “Ford” needs to go, are finding out peoples interests are changing. Take this fantastic car here. Okay, the wide whites need to go, but this was the epitome of a full size Ford. Not quite a T-Bird, ($4400-$6,000!) but I read this cars price was about $3356, or almost a grand more than a base Galaxie, $2490, but still far less than a T-bird, and quite frankly, this was a better deal. Not a “muscle car”, per se, although as the author sez, definitely a car with muscle. Is it worth $25grand? Yes and no. Obviously it’s a better choice than a rusty Charger, but seasoned folks like us, know what a marvelous car this is, but is there any appreciation like that left today? Time will tell.
I’ve been say’in this for years…the times they are a changin-and not for the better in our hobby..
What do you mean “not for the better”, many of us can finally afford to buy a classic car that was ridiculously overpriced for many years. It’s only going to get better, and I can’t wait to see what they will be selling for in 5 or 10 years. If you have too much money in a restored classic then it’s best to cut your losses and take what you can get now. Fairy tale prices are over, and now there’s finally a buyers market.
Wow, this caught my eye! It’s a shining example of what Ford used to be. The interior and the exterior are truly nice. I love the fact that it’s a two door hardtop. The white walls are incorrect. It would’ve been much thinner in 1962. Overall though, this is a great car!
A friend of mine had a ’62 Galaxie 500. I watched as he was rear ended by a hit and run driver going the speed limit of 45. The Galaxie had a slight dent in the rear bumper. I’m sure the hit and run driver didn’t get that far up the road with the debris it left on the road way. My friend was a little shook up but fine. Not bad for not having airbags, high seat head rests or shoulder strap seat belts. I was never wild about Ford until I saw that with my own eyes.
I did something similar to what you described when I was 18 YO. I had a ’66 Mustang and ran into the back of a ’63 Galaxie on a rain-soaked street when the driver of that Galaxie went into a panic mode stop for a train that was several blocks away. I dented the chrome piece between the taillights of the Galaxie and took out the hood, the bumper and the floating horse in the grill, both front fenders slightly buckled over the wheel openings also. I estimated my impact speed to be between 15-20 mph.
The ’62’s were the oddball body style. Ford went from the beautiful Starliner hardtop to this boxy roofline. Notice that they quickly remedied it in mid ’63. That was when you won on Sunday, and sold on Monday.
The car that knocked me and my Olds powered ’40 Ford out of drag racing, and they had 4 guys in the car! Fast and good looking.
“Fast and good looking”. Describes my high school heart throb, Lessie!!
Almost like the one my dad had. Except it wasn’t an XL and it was a four-door. But, it did have the same 390 under the hood. I managed to bury the speedometer. Scary.
Always liked the ’62s mainly because of the midyear 500/XL trim level. The hot performance setup in these wasn’t the 390 it was the triple-carb 406 with 405 gross horsepower (there was also a 385 hp version with a single 4 barrel). With the top 406 and a 4-speed manual quarter mile times were only in the low 15s — not that impressive today, maybe, but notable for a full-size Ford back then and the XL interior topped off the package nicely.
This one is a great-looking survivor, though I’d prefer the original air cleaner and valve covers.
THE 406 DIDN’T HANG AROUND VERY LONG IT WAS REPLACED WITH A 427, A FULL RACE ENGINE IN MID 63
I had the “base” version of this car, Fordor, six-cylinder (223?) with three on the tree standard shift. I saw it parked in a Schenectady back yard, with grass growing up through it. The owner was outside, so I stopped to ask him about it. The car had belonged to his Dad who had died suddenly at age 91, and the Ford since had sat for twelve years, right where it was. He wanted it OUT of there, and he told me I could have it for $50 if I could get it to run. I found that I could turn the engine over by hand (always a good sign). So, I got a tow-truck to come out there and put jumper-cables on it. And, after spraying starting-fluid into the carburator, it started right up. Very strangely, it KEPT ON running, on the stale gasoline that remained in the tank. We put air into its flat tyres, and they held air. I was able to take the title, go and get licence-plates, and drive the car away under its own power! Just as I reached the mechanic with it, one brake-line blew a hole, and the pedal sank to the floor. But the emergency brake still worked. I had it put into roadworthy condition (brakes, battery, oil-change, chassis-grease, etc); however, its frame was like swiss cheese from the grass that had grown through a number of places in it. The finish on the paint was so dull and weathered, that wax couldn’t do anything for it. I used it as a second car, to save stress on my 1946 Ford V-8 Super Deluxe Tudor, as sort of a “beater”, I guess… until one day about three years later I hit a pothole, and the frame broke. Still running fine, it sadly retired to the salvage yard. But I always liked it. And I would be interested in this one if it had the 272 engine with Cruise-O-Matic, and not the 390. I need only enough power to drive comfortably at legal speeds — no “muscle” or bucket seats: a bench seat suits me just fine, thank you!
I like every Craig’s List whose price ends with 995.
Whoever at Ford came up with– XL–for this model in 1962 should go down in an all- time marketing hall of fame, because it became, and still is, one of the most popular product promotional ensigns in history, along with ‘deluxe’.
nice car but the updated chrome do dads under the hood look out of place. seller is dealer most likely stole off some widow for pennies
Forget the car. I just love reading all the stories in these comments. Keep ’em coming.
The Fullsize Fords ’61-68 were really great road cars. You didn’t feel beat up when you got to where you were going. We had many over the years. My favorites were the ’63 Galaxie 500, the ’65 Country Sedan, and the ’68 LTD.
Our family had a bunch of these mostly well used/THE,61 WAS A BARE,B0NES COUPE/ 6 3 ON THE TREE ALL WE DID WAS PUT A JUNKYARD TRANS UNTIL IT WAS, TOTALLED, GOD ONLY KNOWS HOW MANY MILES. WE PAID A NEIGHBOR FIFTY BUCKS. NEVER SEE THIS AGAIN GREAT BASIC TRANSPORTATION,
I had the same car, in turquoise. Paid $200 in 1974, cheap even then due to it having no reverse. Bought it in Albuquerque, and drove it back to NJ.
Didn’t need to back up too much for that trip! Loved the car and would love to own this one, but no room with other projects in the garage.