This 1968 Ford Galaxie XL is a tidy survivor, but it hides some intelligent mechanical upgrades under the skin. The next owner could choose to continue driving the vehicle as it is. However, with all of the original mechanical components included in the sale, they would be free to return the car to its factory specifications. I have to say thank you to Barn Finder local_sheriff for referring the Ford to us. It is located in Brighton, Colorado, and has been listed for sale here on craigslist. You can drive this Galaxie away by handing the owner $8,500, although it would seem that he could be willing to negotiate on that.
The Wimbledon White Galaxie appears to be a clean survivor. There are no signs of any visible rust, and the owner doesn’t mention any issues in the listing. The panels seem to be extremely straight, and while some of the panel gaps are a bit on the large side, this isn’t unusual for a Ford from this era. The majority of the trim and chrome appears to be in good condition, although the molding is missing off the driver’s side front fender. The vehicle is missing its hubcaps. However, this shouldn’t be a problem. Finding a decent secondhand set is a simple task, and they generally sell for around $160 per set.
Don’t be fooled by this photo because the 302ci V8 that is hiding under the hood of this Galaxie is in good health. The 302 is backed by a 3-speed automatic transmission. We have now reached that area of this Ford where the next owner will need to make some choices. The Galaxie has received some important upgrades, and these should have a positive impact on both performance and safety. The engine has been treated to an improved Edelbrock intake and carburetor, and there’s a good chance that it probably produces more than its original 210hp. The front end has received a rebuild and features an upgraded sway bar. The rear suspension has also been given a tweak, with new components from Spohn and Hotchkis. This suspension work should help the Galaxie to be more sure-footed. The big news is the brakes because these have received a substantial update. There is a shiny new Wilwood power booster and master cylinder, while the front brakes feature ventilated discs and calipers from the same manufacturer. I’m always an advocate for better brakes because they can mean the difference between a close call and loud crunching sounds. The owner states that the Galaxie drives and stops exceptionally well. He also says that he is holding all of the original mechanical components, and will include them in the sale if the buyer wants to return the vehicle to its factory specifications. That is a matter of personal choice, but I would at least retain the upgraded brakes.
It would seem that the buyer won’t need to outlay a lot of cash on the Galaxie’s interior because it appears to be in relatively good condition. It looks like there is some “dirtying” of the vinyl on the driver’s door trim and the front seat, but I suspect that this might be able to be addressed with some careful cleaning. The dash looks to be in good condition, with the pad not showing any signs of cracking. I think that the kick panels might be sporting some slight damage, but due to how dark the photos are, it is hard to be sure. The carpet also looks like it might have some wear and staining, but with a new set costing under $200, this would be cheap and easy to fix. The owner states that this is an A/C car, but I couldn’t see any sign of the compressor or hoses when I was looking at the engine bay. That’s something that will require further investigation.
If this 1968 Ford Galaxie XL is as rust-free as it would appear to be in the supplied photos, then it holds a lot of promise as a project car. Its needs are minor, and it is a car that is ready to be driven and enjoyed immediately. I believe that the upgrades that have been made to the braking system are an extremely smart move. When you combine those with the suspension updates, this should be a confidence-inspiring classic on the open road. It also seems to represent a lot of car for the cash, and the fact that the owner appears willing to haggle makes it a tempting proposition. Do we have any takers?
Right out of HS,( ’72) I knew a guy that had a car exactly like this, only an ultra rare 390 and factory 4 speed. It was a “special order” car. His dad worked for Ford in some capacity and “handed this down” to his kid. He also had, at his disposal, a ’68 KR500 that I think was his dad’s too, from Ford somehow, and used it whenever he wanted. Some kids had all the luck. These were some of Ford’s best cars, right here.
Howard, when I was in my last year in the Army, a fellow soldier brought to base a 500KR. Green. His dad had a Ford dealer. We were stationed at Ft Polk, Louisiana. Think he was from Houston, not sure. That was very late 1967.
That’s where i was stationed, also in 67 but June and July, i remember that very well non AC barracks didn’t get much sleep those 9 weeks
Forget dorky hub caps or wheel covers, this ride needs Magnums!! GLWTS!! :-)
I was on a job and one of these in same color was across the street.
I went over to check it out, it had buckets and a console shifter.
What the pictures don’t reflect is how big and long these cars are when your standing next to one, yet they still had a style to them
Nice car
A 302 in an XL?
302 with three speed stick was standard.
My friend had a 68 with a 428.
I have 70 with a 429.
Sadly, both were automatics but we surprised many.
Nice 68- non existant in the rust belt as the frames rusted out and fast. First thing you need to check. I’d rather see a 390 but that 302 with some goodies might surprise you. Good luck to the new owner, needs a set of torque thrusts!
Stay safe
Cheers
GPC
My 65 galaxie convertible is one of my favorite cars!!! This would look awesome right next to it!!!
I had a 65 Galaxie convert for my first car out of high school. I got it from some relatives. It had been wrecked a time or two when I got, the odometer was stuck a 55,000. Over the next few years I wrecked a couple of more times and put God only knows how many miles and when I finally got something else a couple of years later I still was able to sell. As the Timex Commercial used to say it look a licking and kept on ticking.
Why change a thing, it’s perfect the way it
is! Charles is right though, get it up on a
lift BEFORE you plunk down the cash.
My late FIL lost a sweetheart of a ’67
Galaxie sedan to frame rot and that’s why you don’t see too many of these at your
local car show. As for 390 being in most
of the XLs, it more than likely was unless
you grew up in the South. Those folks
down here crammed in 427s or 428s,
took ’em out, and ran moonshine all over
Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and the
Carolinas. Not so much here in Florida
though. Get with me later, and I’ll tell you
a story about the time my cousin Tom and I uncovered a ’28 Packard portable
moonshine still!
The perfect home for a nice fat Windsor stroker.
Rather alarming to see any engine sitting without its standard issue 710 cap
I owned a 69 LTD, no a/c, and it did not have dash vents, so a/c car makes sense.
Put that body on a 2000 anything Panther chassis and have a highway cruiser!
I had no problems cruising the highway with my 1969 XL 429 and I am sure this car wold cruise the highway as is as well.
Cool car. My grandfather had a ’69.
FYI this car is not a Galaxie. It is an XL. It was a separate model 1968-1970. The calling card of the XL were bucket seats and console, but in later years some came with the bench.
This car has the bench and column shift.
SteVen is right about XL being a separate model. My 68 XL is a 390 vert. Sweet highway car.
Sporty body style, and plenty of it. Wheels like the ones on it now give it an almost old clunker look, some like the original wheel covers or hub caps, I don’t know maybe torque thrust or mag stars gotta have size though. The brakes are the big mechanical upgrade here. I always thought the 289/302 engines performed best in the smaller cars,, similar mods I had on a ’66 Mustang with the 289 and it ran good but performance was just okay if you know what I mean. I really don’t know how to put that.
A car this size is a candidate for even just a 351, the extra torque just helps these big cars out. Of course a 428 would get it going hard, as some have mentioned above, and it’s got better brakes to haul it back down. Big plus in that much steel.