I was raised in a household where classic Fords ruled the roost. My father demonstrated an unashamed passion for the company’s larger models from the 1950s and 1960s, and I guess it would be fair to say that I have followed in his footsteps. That makes me wonder whether he would have found this 1968 Ford Galaxie XL GT as attractive as I do. It presents exceptionally well for its age, with the seller only its second owner. The time has come for it to find a third, with the seller listing the GT here on Craigslist in Wildwood, Missouri. The price is a neat $20,000, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting yet another fantastic classic. Please keep them coming because we appreciate your input!
Ford introduced a new Galaxie for the 1965 model year, with styling poles apart from its predecessor. Gone were the soft curves and swooping lines, and “in” was a more aggressive and “square” look. The new model remained on sale until 1968 when our feature car rolled off the line. The seller purchased the car from its original owner in 2018, and it carries the hallmarks of a car that was treated respectfully. The Lime Gold paint shines nicely, and the panels are free from obvious bumps and bruises. The seller doesn’t mention prior repairs or restoration, making it conceivable that this is a genuine survivor. A lack of visible major rust is another promising sign; no issues are mentioned in the listing. I believe there could be tiny bubbles developing near the wheel arches and above the chrome rocker trim, but it is hard to make a definite call on that. The lack of surface corrosion in areas like the engine bay is encouraging and could be a sign of positive news. There are minor blemishes on a couple of trim pieces, but the remaining components and glass look excellent.
Enthusiasts who like a few ponies under their right foot but prefer a civilized driving experience will like what they find under this Ford’s hood. The GT was a Special Order vehicle, and the original owner selected the Q-Code 428ci V8. This motor delivers 345hp and 462 ft/lbs of torque to the rear wheels via a three-speed automatic transmission. It is fair to say that at 4,032 lbs, this beauty isn’t the lightest car on the planet. However, the Q-Code allows it to storm the ¼-mile in 15.5 seconds, which is pretty respectable for any vehicle from this period that could comfortably seat five people. It looks like the seller has flipped the air cleaner lid to improve breathing, but no other changes or modifications have been mentioned. It is frustrating that they don’t supply information on how it runs or drives, but the visual indications are the news should be good. Those who like paperwork will welcome the extensive collection of documentation dating back to Day One.
It seems appropriate that this Ford features Ivy Gold interior trim, which perfectly complements the exterior paint shade and accentuates the car’s inherent class. The bucket seats and console make this a genuine five-seater, with plenty of head and leg room to accommodate even the fastest-growing teenager. The overall presentation is good for a survivor-grade classic, with no evidence of physical damage or abuse. The driver’s door trim has accumulated the typical dirty mark above the armrest, and I am unsure whether careful cleaning will improve the situation. The dash looks spotless, the console is excellent, and the rear parcel tray speakers suggest a modern stereo might be hidden somewhere.
One of the challenges of writing for Barn Finds is fighting the urge to buy many of the cars that cross our desks. I harbor those feelings about this 1968 Galaxie XL GT, and I am sure I am not alone. The only surprise is that, given the seller’s price, it hasn’t found a new home yet. I am sure it will eventually, and it will be fascinating to learn if that person is one of our loyal readers. So, over to you.
Beautiful car, but the flipped air cleaner top has me concerned. Why?
In my 20’s I had a company ute with a 253 V8 under the bonnet. I flipped the air cleaner for :
A. Induction noise at full throttle , and
B, More power (a little bit).
So judging others by judging myself, the seller is a Hoon, just like me.
These FE big blocks jump and go with dual exhaust, a fresh carb rebuild and adequate air intake
Wasn’t this featured before?
I was thinking the same thing. About a year ago or so, IIRC. It sure looks familiar.
Thar 428 police interceptor engine was strong and the C6 trans was unbreakable what a hoot to drive this boat. They were pretty quick from a roll on, and usdd lots of high test ethyl. I remember riding in these beasts, they rode very nice but had a lot of understeer if you tried sliding it around, but still lots of fun. 20k a good value for a relic like this!
What a gorgeous car! I would probably agree with the seller that a car equipped like this is indeed a rare sight. Big block power, fastback styling, hidden headlights along with buckets and a console make this full size Ford a very desirable muscle car. The beautiful Lime Gold color is just icing on the cake. I can’t imagine this car will last long at this price, it’s a real gem.
How is this not sold yet?
Per CraigsList, “Posting has been deleted by seller.”
Friend had 1968 Torino that color I believe it was called harvest gold
Nothing says get the hell outta my way you poof like a 4000 lb galaxy with a 428 with bucket seats.
Something virtually no one else has. That’s special in itself. A 68 428 plates. Idk what’s up with the trailer hitch. What the hell would ya tow with a muscle car? Unlike your house Adam, my Dad was thru & thru GM man from 56 Cady to 75 Suburban. I took the Fomoco road as well. All the way to retirement with the 2021 Stang in my dway (no wife). Good day to all!
back in the day, (70’s and 80’s), trucks were getting lower on power, well the muscle cars of the 60’s had tons of it, so you got find a big block car pull it out of a field or someones back yard, weld a piece of flat iron between the rear frame rails and put a ball hitch on it and boom you had something to pull your trailer or camper. you have to remember there was a time when these cars were almost worthless, you couldn’t give them away, much less a big block car, and not everyone had the money to go buy a new c or k 30 with a 454, so people improvised with what they did have or could get for cheap, my moms 69 cutlass s has a hitch on it, my buddies 68 roadrunner did till we cut it off, most of the cars me and my dad have pulled out of fields and the woods have them.
When I purchased my 1970 440 4 speed GTX in 1990, my first order of business was to remove the homemade trailer hitch from it. I scoured acres and acres of fields, fence rows and junk yards in the 80s and 90s buying cars and parts. As I recall, it was amazing how much old muscle was equipped with those homemade hitches.
I bought a ’70 Toronado last year with a towing setup: two metal plates welded inside the trunk provided support to bolt the massive hitch assembly into. There also was what appeared to be a dealer-installed towing brake under the steering wheel, leading me to believe this was a dealer option. Never realized a lot of these were homemade — ty for the education!
I had a hitch on my 68 Mustang 428. Towed a tent trailer nicely. It freaks me out now when I think it was bolted to that rusty old car!
Built on my 3rd birthday. I am leap year. Love this car. So much better looking than a Mustang. More conformable. Dad bought a new Ford in 1968. I went to the dealership with him. I was 12. He didn’t get a 428.
Not generally a blue oval fan, BUT I kind of like the originality of this one. That said, it sure looks like the passenger fender has been repainted. GLWTS.
I saw that as well, good eye.
Beautiful car and rare. Looks very original and in turn key condition. This is a great example of the right car turning up for very reasonable money. A 428 Ford that’s likely not been apart and runs good, no or very little rust, original paint. And only a $20k asking price?
Hell yes!
Feeding this beautiful car is the only problem I see, had a 66 Bird with that engine. I could pass about anything on the road but a service station. It had an amazing top end, FYI knew of a 68 Ohio State patrol car unmarked and he loved it for the same reason.Maybe 12 on the highway, around town it got a lot worse!
Mom’s ’67 T-Bird would scoot with a 390, but I often wondered how much extra “Go!” you got with the 428 and what it cost at the pump. The 390 would consistently get 16 mpg, no matter what. City or highway, it didn’t care, 16 mpg was the number. The problem was, when we were in college and gas went over $1.00 a gallon for the first time, $25.00 to fill that gas tank was a small fortune to a struggling college student back in the day!
The proportions of the looong quarter panel and fastback are perfect. If that wide stripe isn’t original, I’d remove it. If doesn’t enhance the quarter.
Agreed, remove that stripe and that odd decal above the 428 badge. At first I thought the fastback version of this car looked ungainly; now I’m becoming more attracted to it, especially after seeing the side profile.
Had a 68 XL in burgundy, had that stripe, was a Ford option !
Brings back a lot of good memories……..Mom and Dad had a blue one when I was in grade school/junior high…..bought slightly used, as he bought all his vehicles. Beautiful car, and even back then, rarely saw another one. I’ve actually only seen a couple of others. The 428 had more power than he needed, but the gas mileage seemed about the same as a 390. I got to drive it with my learners permit, but he traded it off just before I got my license.
Grandad, Dad, and me, have always bled Ford blue, too! These cars harken back to the days when you could walk into your dealership, and order exactly what you wanted. What a concept!
I bought a new 1968 Ford Torino gt fast back had stripe down the side great car it was a 390 4 speed was newly married first child on the way traded a 1967 Corvette for it got the Torino and $500 for Vette Vette was only 10 months old
Starting in 1967, Ford called this the “XL.” The “Galaxie” name was dropped from these models.
man thats a kool car
I gotta admit that is one good looking BarnFind!
When that car was new, and decades before that, it was common to pull trailers with cars. Only some farmers had pickups. Emissions standards in the ’70s moved a lot of people to pickups and pickup-based SUVs, because the pickups had more relaxed standards.
we towed a small camper trailer with a new 1967 Corvette 327 4 speed
I towed my 16 foot boat with my 1970 Camaro. It did fine even with the six cylinder and three speed manual. I didn’t have to fabricate it either. I bought a bolt on. This is a great looking car. Reasonable price too. GLWTS.
Dad bought a ‘68 Ford ex Seattle police car in ‘71 for $530. 390 Interceptor, bucket seats- and 5 bullet holes in the trunk! After some paint and polish, it became Mom’s daily driver. 10mpg. Uphill, downhill, or sideways. I asked Dad why he bought Mom a car that only gets 10mpg? He said she only drives a few thousand miles a year, and gas is 30¢ a gallon. Late model car for $530- no brainer. How times have changed.
I used to loathe cars like this, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to appreciate their virtues. Ah, the ignorance of youth! I like the fastback roof and the rare (for Fords) basket handle shifter and console that seemed to be more common in GM mid-size and pony car products. The only way this car could be better would be if it was a convertible, but then you’d lose that distinctive and rare full-size fastback body style, so maybe this one is better for the fast back roof after all. AFAIK, the only more powerful engine option for these was the two 427 options, the Cobra Jet (CJ) and Super Cobra Jet (SCJ), but those couldn’t be ordered with air conditioning, so if you wanted A/C, this was the biggest mill you could get.
Very nice
Worth 20.000 !
I’ve always been a big fan of the Galaxie fastbacks (63-68)! I think the sexiest one was the 67. We had a neighbor in a Denver suburb that had a black/red one about 20 years ago that I I thought was the best looking one I’ve ever seen. I’ve never been a fan of the 68’s ( didn’t like the horizontal headlights) but for the right money I’d have to give buying this one some serious consideration if I didn’t already have a full garage with my GTO and my wife’s Cooper Mini convertible.
best fastback galaxy in my opinion was the 1961 starliner mostly if it had a tri power 390 with 401 HP and a 4 speed friend had one great car
Not a big Ford fan. But this is impressive, and I would drive it!
A 1968 Galaxie was our family car. Just like this one…yet so different, a four-door sedan, auto and V8 but otherwise, a stripper.
Nonetheless this model marked a couple of mileposts. It was the best iteration of this 1965-71 series – lines that flowed, unlike the original squared 1965; and the front better proportioned, without the stacked headlights. Its beautiful lines make the 1964 Ford look dowdy and cheap. Yet, better proportioned than the 1969-70 models, which had too much tumblehome on the greenhouse.
This one year, represented Lee Iacocca’s triumph over the austere Robert McNamara.
The hidden headlights were a nice touch, also. Yeah, I know, pointless; and a source of trouble with an aging car. But they just look so proper with the 1968’s line. Again, the 1969 and 1970 models didn’t pull it off nearly as well…with their high flat grilles, unlike the low, narrow, grille of this year’s. Like an intake; or some sort of mechanical monster.
I like.