This 1969 Ford Galaxie XL is a one-owner classic that has just been unearthed in a Minnesota barn. It isn’t clear how long it has been sitting, but it is now at the stage where it runs and drives once again. It will probably need some work before you could class it as roadworthy, but that could make it a great project to tackle this Winter. Making it even more tempting is the fact that the owner has slashed their asking price. Located in Rice, Minnesota, the Galaxie has been listed for sale here on Facebook. After initially advertising the vehicle at $9,999, the knife has been taken to the price tag. The price now sits at $5,999.
Once it emerged from the barn, the Candyapple Red Galaxie has proven to be a clean looking vehicle. The owner makes no mention of any rust issues, and there are no visible signs of problems in the limited photos that he supplies. He does provide close-ups of the lower rear quarter panels, and these look remarkably clean. The paint doesn’t look bad, and it would be interesting to see how it responded to a buff and polish. The Black vinyl top appears to be in good order, and there are no signs of bubbles underneath. Some of the trim is a bit loose, but apart from a couple of missing hubcaps, it all seems to be present. Looking at the glass reveals no apparent problems, meaning that this car might not need a lot of work before it presents at its best once again.
If the interior of the Galaxie is to be returned to its best, then the shopping list of parts is going to be pleasingly short. The carpet is worn, and the lid on the console is looking dilapidated. Replace those two items and give everything else a deep clean, and you would be well on your way to having it shining like a new penny. A carpet set will set the buyer back $160, while a console lid is under $200. The wheel has a crack in it, and a buyer could potentially restore this in a home workshop. Alternatively, $175 will secure a high-quality reproduction wheel. The rest of the trim looks good, and there are no issues with the dash.
Lifting the hood of the Galaxie reveals a 390ci V8 engine that should be punching out 266hp. This power finds its way to the rear wheels via a 3-speed automatic transmission, while the vehicle is also fitted with power steering. In this guise, the Galaxie wouldn’t be considered to be a high-performance classic. However, it should still be capable of covering the ¼ mile in 17.3 seconds. Given its overall weight of 4,230lbs, that figure is quite respectable. It isn’t clear how long the Galaxie was sitting in the barn, but the seller has undertaken some of the work required to return it to a roadworthy state. A new fuel tank and sending unit have been installed. He’s also thrown in new plugs, plug wires, a cap, points, and a rotor. The Ford now runs and moves under its own power. The owner indicates that the Galaxie will need more work, and I know that I would be commencing that process with a thorough mechanical inspection. However, this sort of tinkering would be a great way to pass some time during the depths of Winter.
Finding project cars that require little work but are affordable can be a difficult task. The genuinely desirable classics like Mustangs will generally start in five-figure territory, and the story can be the same with many classic station wagons and pickups. This 1969 Galaxie XL seems to be a breath of fresh air. The photos paint a positive picture, and it looks like the sort of project that could be tackled by someone intent on a spot of DIY. The price drop makes it very affordable and makes me think that it probably won’t be long before it is heading to a new home. It would be great if it were bought by one of our Barn Finds readers. This is one project that I’d love to get progress reports on.
Nice car, love the “Cruise-a-day” gas tank, no wait, that was Evinrude, Johnson was “Mile-Master”. Half price, you say? Hmm, I think we’ll be seeing a lot more of that. Some of Fords best years, right here.
He knows his boat stuff too!
Looks like a bargain to me. This would be a great winter project.
Looks like a decent project for a good price. The exterior color is attractive and who doesn’t like hidden headlights? The bucket/console interior beats a bench seat any day and compliments the red exterior very well. I like the rear end treatment, especially the full width trim above the bumper and the sail panels are a sporty touch. The paint may respond well to a good polish and buff and the interior shows a lot of promise that might not need too much money thrown at it. I’d go over the mechanicals, add power disc brakes, A/C and find a few extra full wheel covers.
The seller should have had cleaned the car up before offering it for sale. If you’re too lazy to do it yourself, spend the money and have it professionally detailed. That minor cash outlay would probably translate to a higher sale price. I really like this car as my first car was a ’69 Custom with a 428 Police Interceptor under the hood. I’d love to have this one but too many cars and limited space leaves me out. Bummer.
Just the right car for someone like me.
Too bad the company that owns my
apartment building would frown on letting me keep it on site no matter how
good a relationship I have with them. If
I weren’t helping my FBIL with his ’01 Ram 1500, I’d be all over it. Word of
caution though, check the frame before
you buy it. FoMoCo may have got it right
in ’69, but the frame, not so much. They
often rusted in two which ended the life
of quite a few of these cars.
I grew up in a time when these were everyday cars, I admit seeing one out cruising today would turn my head faster than a Corvette or a Mustang of the same vintage… Sure looks like a solid buy- and I suspect all offers are being considered. Install the fuel tank and sending unit, clean it up and get a hubcap- easy winter project!
Oh boy oh boy, do I love seeing another ’69 XL come out of hiding. First things first, the author states it’s a Galaxie XL. It isn’t. It’s just an XL. Second, speaking from experience with just such a car, ditch the hubcaps, ditch the chrome side trim, put on some white letter tires (a little wider and taller in the back) and you transform this car into one that looks mean and ready to rumble. Those full hubcaps do this car no favours.
I sometimes wish mine was a black interior, but I have to say, on a hot summer’s day my white interior can’t be beat and with a dark blue outside it looks great. Although again, just my personal opinion, the vinyl top makes this car too civilized. Of course, if you’re going to make it look mean, you have to back it up, so hop that 390 up with a more aggressive cam, a 4 barrel intake and a 700 CFM carb, throw some headers on, of course power front disc brakes are needed after that. Of course, I stroked mine to a 410, shaved 30 thousands off the heads, put a nice cam with a 750 Holley and headers on. Then it’ll have some muscle to back up the look.
Quick, somebody buy my Harley so I can get this! Next summer’s Sunday road trips would be a ball.
Okay, what kind of Harley do you have?
I noticed one unusual accessory for a car of this vintage, Cruise control. If it works that is another story. Fords of this vintage had lots of problems with things like window motors and no doubt the cruise control.
The thing I have found with cars sitting so long, is many, many things you need to run down the road. I have a 1 ton van I am working on and it needed to be torn apart in the dash to make everything clean and workable again. Then the brakes, then the seals in the transmission, and the list is growing. It always looks easy from the pictures. Of course the tires, and so many things. I had to chase down wires and clean the connections on a lot to even get it to turn over, then to fire. Got it running and took it to get tires, something was locking up and stopping the van. Transmission? brakes? Love this old 7000 lb. truck, so I will keep going. Maybe it won’t eat my whole check next month.
My first driver high school was a Galaxie 500 with the sports roof and a 390 V8, nice but too many restrictions on its use. I ditched it and bought my very own car, a ‘55 Cadillac in a coral pink color. The authorities were not happy.
This is one sweet ride! Curious what work is needed to make it roadworthy. I’m glad its 2000 miles away!
My father purchased a almost identical car to this one in 1970. At the time I was just a pup (about 6 yrs old) I remember it like it was yesterday, I was interduced to a whole bunch of new words I had never heard before shortly after we got the car. My father hated this car because he had multiple problems one after the other and some twice. I don’t know if there was a lemon law then but I know my father forced the dealer to return the car and his money! I got a newfound vocabulary that I use to this day. This is a great looking Ford…maybe it is de-bugged by now
Looks like overspray on the inner fender wells , but I dont see it anywhere else- maybe the fenders have been replaced at one point ? Its a nice looking car that you dont see too often anymore
I loved my 1969 XL with the 2 BBL 429.
It was so smooth on the highway.
I want another one.