Cars or trucks that are parked for 30 years in a barn, shed, or in the case, a carport, kind of fascinate me. Sometimes the sellers tell you “the rest of the story,” and many times, they don’t. Take this 1968 Ford Galaxie 500 XL for example. All the seller says in the ad is that he/she is the second owner, has had the car since 1976, and for some reason (maybe mechanical?) parked it in their carport where it has sat for the last 30 years. When new, this ’68 Ford would’ve been quite the looker. It’s currently carport-bound in Midwest City, Oklahoma, and is for sale here on craigslist for $6,700. The seller says the price is firm, it’s pick up only, and like the color of this faded Ford, it’s a green cash transaction only. A special shout out to Tony Primo for sending us this “XL-ent” tip.
Ford’s sales literature in 1968 stated: “Ford ’68…Quiet. Strong. Beautiful. A great road car!” My friend, Brian, who had a ’68 Ford Galaxie 500 Convertible back in the day (and pulled a 24′ Boles-Aero camper up and down the East Coast when he worked for radio stations), would agree. To this day, he says it was the best car he ever owned. The fastback was one of three new rooflines Ford introduced in 1968, and after three years of vertical headlights, the ’68’s went back to headlights arranged horizontally. And with the XL model, the headlights are concealed which I think gives the car a more aggressive look. Based on a paint chart I found online, this one left the factory in Highland Green, and it’s showing its age from being stored in a carport. The rear of the car appears to have had the most exposure to the elements and is faded and thin in spots. The rest of the car’s paint is holding a shine but the photos aren’t the best. The white vinyl top will most likely need attention and it’s hard to determine the condition of the dirty bumpers and other trim pieces. I’m not spotting rust and the glass looks good and it’s also sporting the optional “Styled Steel Wheel Covers” which were intended to simulate mag wheels.
The photo of the Ford’s original black vinyl interior really surprised me. It looks very good and appears to just be needing a deep cleaning. This XL was ordered with the optional front bucket seats with a padded console and a cool-looking shifter. It was also ordered with factory SelectAire Air Conditioning. Two other photos shows a well-preserved back seat, headliner, and the black carpeting looks to be in good shape as well. I also really like the redesigned-for-’68 instrument panel and dash with the contrasting simulated woodgrain appliqué which Ford said, “added a more luxurious touch.”
The seller only provided eight photos and none of the engine bay, but lists the engine as the base 302-cubic inch V8 with 66,508 on the odometer. It’s paired to a Ford C4 three-speed automatic transmission. We don’t know if the engine is seized or turns over or anything. One would assume that this car’s just been sitting in a carport and will need all of the usual work done to get it out of its current coma and roadworthy again. Hagerty’s estimates the value of one of these in #4 Fair Condition to be $7,200, so the asking price of $6,700 seems reasonable. What do you think of this Ford project?
This has to be the best condition carport stored classic car I’ve ever seen. Looks like it’s worth the ask.
All that glitters is not gold. As the author smartly points out, “all the usual work needs to be done to bring it out of it’s coma & roadworthy again.” That’s $$$ when an auto has been sitting for 30 yrs. And with only 67k on mileage, why park it? Once again, I fail to understand why ppl list items for sale & don’t provide adequate pics. Pull or push it outta the carport! Finally, I’d pull the 302 & make it a hi-performance 302 although I’d prefer a 390.
If it was a 390, I would already be enroute.
Removed by it’s author.. Probably sold right away.. I would have grabbed it for sure..
When something sells that fast, you know it was priced too low.
Posting deleted.
I am not a FoMoCo person, except for Lincolns and Thunderbirds. But the ’68 XL with the fastback roofline is killer! One of my favorite 68s. Chevrolet had a fastback roof for ’68 also, but just didn’t look as classy.
This Ford with a white vinyl roof, buckets and floor shift, hidden headlights, the only thing it’s missing is p/w & p/l.
Did these come on duel exhaust? That would put it over the top
No dual exhaust with a 302. Had to order 390 4V or 428 to get duals.
I’ve Always Loved These BIG GALS
These are the cars that you look for locally. Only at a little less, a deal can always be struck. But parked for 30 yrs, yep sign me up. The drive train does not concern me. These cars were plentiful back in the 70’s, and the first year 302 was better than any 289.I really like the 302, easy to rebuild into a HP motor. But not enough for the middleweight.
Andy Knapp is spot on with the 390, and bored can have more CI for little cash. But find a crashed 429 car and cheap easy increase in Fun. Forget the 427-28 power as you needed wads of cash to find one and more for hard parts, at least where I lived.
This car will sell quick as if it is an Okie car will be allot of car for the money. Good Luck to the next owner.
The original 390 went at 67000 when parked. Like most people of the time. Rode hard and put away wet.