Looking to tap further into the luxury car market, Ford introduced the LTD in 1965 as an extension of the Galaxie 500. Chevy would soon take notice and its Caprice appeared shortly thereafter, a dressed-up Impala. Unusual in Ford circles in the 1960s, the LTD would outsell the Caprice, at least in 1968 when Ford cranked out 138,000 copies vs. 115,000 over at Chevrolet. This ’68 beauty was a one-family automobile until 2019 and has seen only 31,000 miles over the duration. Located in the Akron-Manchester, Ohio area, this hardtop is available here on craigslist for $9,500. We appreciate the tips that Pat L. brings our way!
We’re told this LTD is a survivor and it wears it well. It was garage-kept at least during its first 51 years, which has helped it stay rust-free and generally presentable. For the last four years, it’s been in the hands of a collector who is now looking to thin the herd. The Ford is not a show car, but it should hold its own if you were to take it on regular outings to Cars & Coffee. The interior has held up well and only a little detailing might be needed for that extra touch.
This LTD is not laden with accessories, but enough to make it a nice car to drive. Power steering, power brakes, and an automatic transmission are there, but no air conditioning or power windows. Ford’s smallest V8 is under the hood, a 302 cubic inch unit, where a 4-barrel carburetor has been added to perhaps goose things up a bit. Nothing is amiss with the car’s electronics and the hidden headlights operate as they’re supposed to.
If you were looking for a reasonably priced classic car to get into the “hobby”, this FOMOCO product might be a good start. It shouldn’t need any immediate work and a 1968 Ford LTD isn’t the typical old car that shows up at club meet-ups. You’re likely to see a ’68 Caprice before you see one of these autos, even though more of the Fords were built. Maybe you’ll run into a Rolls-Royce owner and you can test Ford’s advertising of the day that the LTD was quieter!
Maybe you’d like to buy a muscle car, but can’t afford their high prices. Or maybe you are just tired of them. Instead, how about a clean late 60’s cruiser like this LTD?
Preferred two-door body style. Attractive styling, highlighted by the hideaway headlights. Eye-catching colors. Interior in good shape. Lots of bright trim. Whitewalls/wheel covers give it a straightforward look. Low miles. Enough power to keep up with modern traffic. Can be maintained with off-the-shelf parts from AutoZone.
Sure looks like it has led an easy life. Assuming everything checks out, all of this goodness for less than five figures.
Good job Russ.
This looks like a heck of a good deal to me. Ford built a darn good chassis back then and the LTD was solid as could be. It would be a nice, mellow alternative to my ridiculous hot-rod Delta 88.
Full size Fords from 1965 to 1968 had a frame rust issue in front of the rear wheels. I have heard aftermarket makes a repair kit.
Be sure to inspect before purchase.
A great price for a well-kept nice looking car. “Rare” might be stretching it a bit but we must admit there are far fewer of these around than “Bullitt Tribute” cars…and if that 32k miles on the odo claim is valid all the better!
Maybe not rare but certainly fairly scarce. I’ve seen many a comment here on Barnfinds about guys at car shows passing by the multitude of vintage Mustangs, Camaros, Super Bees, etc to take a look at something unusual, something like this. We all love muscle cars but the more common cars of years ago, the ones our dads bought, those are the cars not often seen anymore. This Galaxie looks like a bargain considering how nice it is. The 302 isn’t the most potent engine you could have under the hood of a full-size Ford in ’68, but it will get the job done. I like this car; it has a lot going for it and should be a quick sale.
RE: Guys at car shows walking by the common to see the less common- recently I sold my ’62 Studebaker GT Hawk (relatively common, at least at Stude events) and got a barn find ’54 Stude Conestoga wagon (rare as hen’s teeth). Took it to a local event and was literally swarmed in 5 minutes with lookers who had never seen one
This Ford looks like a great muscle alternative. 390 would have been better, but the 302 would respond to some hot rodding tweaks
This or a $60,000 new pile of crap Ford? Dad bought a new 68 Ford. Yeah it rusted out and had problems, but nothing like today’s insanely overpriced garbage. Love this beautiful 68.
Ok, now we are talking. I bought a 67 convertible ions ago. Even though it is fully optioned and now has a 69 460 in it.I ALWAYS thought the 68 XL and LTD were the best looking of the 65 – 68 body run. I know it’s a 302 which means its no barn stormer but a darn nice cruiser and one you don’t see very much anymore 9,500.00 for this or 8k for that Cutlass mess a few cars down. A plus here.
“Quieter than A Rolls-Royce”
I also recall them comparing Granada’s to Mercedes.
Might be that Ford created fake news? 😜
These really were one of the quietest cars then. My grandparents had a 70 and very, very quite. No wind noise or road noise, only other car close was the later model Thunderbirds from the 90’s. Both fantastic highway cars. Now the Granada is a different story! Would not argue that! LOL!
Amazing CL add with lots of helpful pics and thorough description. A very nice sounding car that appears to be solid and low mileage. Definitely deserves a look see!
We had the 4dr 390 LTD Brougham with vinyl top version of this car in our family for about 15 years. Bought when it was about 6 years old. One of the best cars we ever owned.
The “road rash” behind the rear wheel is worse than it appears. Rusting from the inside out. Take a look at the underside, rockers and frame also.
The engine looks newer than a 68. Such as the dual port vacuum
advance.
The dual port vacuum advance came out on 1968 models.
Beautiful car in my favorite color. I’d wax it with Rejex, maintain and preserve it and enjoy it for what it is, although I’d miss A/C.
I’m mostly a Ford guy, and I love just about anything with hideaway headlights. I think this LTD is a steal for $9.5k and it doesn’t even need any expensive work, just bring it home and enjoy it. You’ll definitely be the only one at the local car show, that’s for sure. Back in the oughts my wife and I were at a car show in Fenton, MO and someone had a 1970 version of this car in metallic brown with a brown interior, low miles and I think it had a 351, but my memory is kinda fuzzy about that. But anyway, he had a for sale sign on it and he wanted $5k for it. It was in excellent condition both inside and out and I wanted to take it home. Yet another car she said was “way too much money”, so we left without it. Coulda woulda shoulda, as they say. I just turned 50 on Wednesday and I still haven’t technically had my midlife crisis, and I swear, one of these days I’m going to come home with the fastest, loudest most beautiful and obnoxious muscle car I can reasonably afford and she’s just gonna have to deal with it. Something like a GT350R or C8 ZO6 that’ll make all my friends jealous.
My Dad got company cars every two (2) years when I was growing up, and most of them were full-size Ford sedans, but Galaxie 500’s, not LTD’s (the company wouldn’t spring for the top trim level). This one is a well kept survivor, albeit with a smaller motor than I would like. These bad boys weighed almost two (2) tons, so asking the base V8 302 to move almost two tons of steel is asking a lot. There are two ways to go with this bad boy. Either keep it bone stock as a rare survivor, or restomod the hell out of it, with a crate motor, new tranny and maybe even a new frame with an IRS setup out in the back. The only way this could be better would be if it had the bucket seats with a console and a convertible top, but this one is a keeper!
Nice simple, clean ford. And no vinyl on the roof! The only thing it needs is an original air cleaner.
Quieter than a Rolls Royce was for the ’65 Ford LTD!