The 1970 Ford Galaxie XL wasn’t exactly a small car, but with a curb weight around 3700 pounds, they were surprisingly sporty when equipped with the right engine. Most cars were fitted with a small block, but some received Ford’s big 429 cui V8. Of the cars that were equipped this way, only 137 were convertibles! This rare example looks to be in good shape and is in need of a good home. You can find it here on craigslist in Langley, BC, Canada with a $9,400 asking price (there’s no word on if that’s in Canadian or US Dollars). Special thanks to Matt R for this tip!
While it’s always a bit misleading to throw out production numbers on a find like this, since there are likely tens of thousands of other Galaxies built with the 429 V8, it’s actually a bit surprising that Ford would have only produced 137 convertibles with this engine. Then again, I doubt there were a lot of shoppers looking for a big Ford Convertible at this price point. Based on what production figures I could find, they only built 6,348 XL Convertibles in 1970 and I’m sure most of those were optioned with the 302, 351, or 390. The seller doesn’t state whether this is the 2V or 4V engine, but it seems likely it’s the 4 barrel engine. If that’s the case, it would have been one hot drop-top with 360 horsepower on tap.
It appears that this car was given an amateur restoration at some point, with plenty of overspray and cheap undercoating. Thankfully, it looks like the interior is in decent shape. The steering wheel features some interesting additions, I’m guessing the horn button is broken so someone made their own. The seats look good though, as does the dash. With a little work, this could be a comfortable place to enjoy some top-down cruising.
This Ford definitely needs work, but it’s quite tempting for the money. Even if the price is in US dollars, it’s a good buy, especially when you think about what a big block Mustang Convertible would set you back! This Galaxie wouldn’t be as cool to look at, but it would still be fun to drive and comfortable to cruise in. So, what do you think of this Ford?
I just sent my aunt the listing. Her first car was a 70 LTD convertible with a 429 2bbl. Was hoping she would want to relive her youth as she talked about the good times she had in that car. Was even the same color. Unfortunately the salt on the western PA roads made short work on the body and frame. I think I remember her saying it only lasted a few years. She learned from that experience and her second car was cleaned religiously and kept in the cold rather than being parked in a heated garage as the freeze thaw made the salt more effective at destroying the underbody.
My dad was a Galaxie XL junky. A white on white on white in both 70 and 71. And, of course, nothing would do other than a 429 BB under the hood. They sure were fun to drive as a 15-16 year old.
Daddy didn’t have a ‘71 XL because the last year for them was 1970.
It’s a great base to work with, but will need a whole lot
What I believe is the Mercury version of this car is the featured vehicle in this music video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJ69R19gdoA
For all you number crunchers, how many of these 137 had 2v and 4v. I’m pretty old and I don’t recall ever seeing a 2v 429. I’m not saying they don’t exist, I am sure they do.
In ’69-’70, The 429 2V would have been the rule, not the exception. Even the Marauder came with a 429 2V standard. Only the X100 came standard with a 4 barrel. People today don’t realize that big blocks on big full-sizers were commonly fitted with 2 barrels on GMs and Fords to A. Help improve mileage, and B. Because these cars were family cars not hot rods, and C. These big blocks, with high compression, premium fuel were more than adequate performers. As I have said before; it’s only at the high RPM range that 4barrels open up. I.e. flooring it! But even a 2 barrel has a kick-down on automatics, that knocks you back in your seat for passing etc.
That’s a rim-blow steering wheel. I like to see them in cars working but in the case with the button and an aftermarket wrap I guess this one doesn’t.
This takes me back . My first car was a 69 Galaxy XL drop top , with a 429 4V . It was a lot of car for a 16 year old , but taught me respect in a hurry. If I recall , the taillights were a little bigger and more square on the 69 . Surprised a lot of muscle cars , and few motorcycles in late night stoplight drag races with that car .
I had three ’69 hardtop. All 429/360 hp cars. One was moderate a fair bit. Ghise cars would fly.
This vehicle is an XL, not a Galaxie. The XL became a separate model from the Galaxie lineup in 1967, and remained that way through the 1970 model year.
I literally just bought one just like this except with the 351, interior is perfect condition, 43k miles. Wasnt priced this low though, 14K
That is $9,400 USD. I would spend the few dollars for a new steering wheel cover.
I owned a 70 XL 429 conv back in ’02 with 52k orig documented miles. Bought at an estate auction for $1200. Near mint cond, from estate of a mom & pop grocery store owner in Emmett, ID who had it since new. A rare grabber blue fact paint, white conv top, blue int. Had a C6 trans, buckets, AC, loaded. Sold it in ’03 for $7k to a guy on ebay that resided in New Hampshire. I sourced a new gas tank from Maine & the only existing sending unit from a Ford guy parts barn in Kentucky, the local Ford dealer found. I wanted to keep it, but it was a hassle climbing over the console to passenger side to get out every time as it was parked against the pole that protects the furnace & in back, there wasn’t a half inch from rear bumper to inside garage door. Newer ’91 homes made for smaller cars in the garage I found. Miss it.. Woulda shoulda coulda…
Same with some 1940’s homes – a ’55 chevy fits, but not a ’72 tempest!
I am seriously interested in this vehicle but do not know how to go about contacting someone to go forward. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Hello
I’m very interested in where you got your production numbers IE 137 X 429 BB convertibles built in 1970.
I currently own a 1971 Ltd convertible with 429 BB and curious on the production numbers for 1971 with regard to the 429 BB
Also curious how you can tell if it is a interceptor model.
Please note mine does not have leaf spring rear suspension.
We would like to know if this coverable with BB set up is rare or not , IE 137 built 1970 .
Cheers
Breakdown of total series production of 1970
Ford Custom: 124,443 units
Galaxie 500 318,339 units
Galaxie XL: 33,599 units and only 6,348 convertibles
Ford XL 1640 units and only 737 convertibles
LTD/Brougham 373,930 units only 96,324 2 door hard tops
850,315 total units produced
***info from a Galaxie/ XL car club listing
Nothing has changed in the past three months … there was no vehicle produced by Ford in 1967, 1968, 1969, or 1970 that was a Galaxie XL. For those four model years the XL was a stand-alone model. Prior to that there was a model called the Galaxie 500 XL.
Ford XL 2-door hardtop volume was 27,251. Ford XL convertible production was 6,348. Nothing was produced in numbers as low as 1,640 or 737.