If you prioritize a known history when searching for a classic to park in your garage, this 1966 Ford Galaxie 500 XL might be extremely appealing. It is a two-owner classic, and the seller has been its sole custodian since 1980. It presents extremely well, and with a healthy V8 under the hood, it appears to be a complete package with no apparent needs. We always appreciate the input of our readers, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Galaxie listed here on Craigslist in Snohomish, Washington. The seller set their price at $24,000 for this turnkey classic.
When Ford released its new Galaxie in 1965, it bore no resemblance to its predecessor. Gone were the soft, curving lines; in their place were hard edges and a more aggressive appearance. The company tweaked the styling slightly in 1966, which is when this 500 XL rolled off the line. The seller purchased the car from its original owner in 1980, treating it to some significant TLC in the intervening forty-six years. It included a high-quality repaint about ten years ago, and the lack of deterioration confirms that the shop didn’t cut corners. The Candy Apple Red paint shines impressively, with no significant imperfections. The panels are as straight as an arrow, and with the car garage-kept for four decades, its rust-free status is unsurprising. The trim shows slight age in a couple of spots, but its condition is comfortably acceptable for a high-end driver. The glass is clear, and the 15″ Cragar wheels wear Yokohama Aegis tires.
The seller states that since they created this Galaxie build from two vehicles, it is no longer numbers-matching. It seems that most of its mechanical components were sourced from a donor, but the car remains pretty faithful. Decoding the VIN confirms that it left the line equipped with a C-Code 289ci V8, producing 200hp and 282 ft/lbs of torque. The engine bay still houses a 289, although it is unclear what upgrades it may have received beyond the obvious cosmetic enhancements. A three-speed automatic transmission handles shifting duties, while the buyer receives power steering and power brakes. The seller recently fitted new brake hoses throughout and took the opportunity to flush the system. It is freshly greased and has always been meticulously maintained. Their decision to fit new sway bars at both ends should make the Galaxie more sure-footed, which is never a bad idea when the vehicle in question is quite large and relatively heavy. The V8 springs to life at a twist of the key, and the seller says that the buyer can slip behind the wheel and confidently drive this fantastic Ford anywhere.
This Galaxie appears to have no genuine weaknesses. Trimmed in Black vinyl, its interior features bucket seats, a console with the shifter poking through the classy woodgrain inserts, and a custom-made console addition housing a gauge cluster and a modern CD stereo. It isn’t showroom fresh, but it is extremely tidy. The front seats look nice, while the back seat is even more impressive. It is consistent because the remaining upholstered surfaces show no evidence of problems. The dash and pad are excellent, and the carpet exhibits minimal wear. Overall, the impression conveyed is that the seller has cherished this classic since becoming its custodian in 1980.
Although it isn’t perfect or original, this 1966 Ford Galaxie 500 XL is a turnkey proposition with a known history. Its V8 isn’t the most potent on the block, but unless the buyer plans trips to the local drag strip, it should produce enough power to ensure respectable performance. Whether it is cruising on the open road, prowling the streets, or rocking up to a Cars & Coffee, it can’t help but turn heads. The known history is a definite positive, providing a certain peace of mind. That is why I think it will find a new home fairly quickly.
Great lines on the Galaxie. Looks sharp from any angle.
I couldn’t agree more about the great lines, Stan, and $24k for this beautiful red machine might be today’s goin’ price, but my ’66 Galaxie 500XL, exact same model as this but done in dark green with “saddle” buckets, I ordered from the factory as soon as I got my first look at the sixty-sixes, cost me just a hair or two above $4k…sigh…and mine was a 390 4-speed with a/c and lots of other goodies…ain’t inflation wonderful… ;-(
PS: She’s a two-door hardtop, not a coupe… ;-}
390 , 4sp 😎 👍 🏁
Like Stan said, this was a clean and sharp design. I always liked the stacked headlights with the adjoining stacked turn signals. This one looks good. I might try to source some stock wheel covers, or even the cool-looking wheel covers from the 7-Liter.
Thanks Adam.
The current wheels are garbage. In the mid-1980’s I worked at a place that sold wheels and tires when these started being imported, they were popular with the Toyota 4wd owners and others that were looking to put bigger tires and rims on their trucks. This style was the cheapest you could find, approximately $25ea. They are a warning sign that an owner might cut corners on their build and to give an extra close inspection to any car wearing them.
Steve R
I bought an original mileage 68k firebird conv & it had Cragars, Holley carb, Edelbrock intake, headers not allowing removal of the oil filter, & loud dual mufflers. It was easy to take the redneck off & return it to original without much ado. Its a quiet nice running seeming original with the 326 orig engine & 3 spd a/t. I’m like you, the wheels can take away from a nice original vehicle.
A really sharp car, and meticulous console addition!, (I don’t particularly care for the wheels, though) GLWTS!! :-)
Best looking full sized Ford of the sixties. Even better this is a coupe! Very nice.
I have no problem with the rims, and I like the idea of combining two surviving cars and apparently doing it right.
Nice car but I don’t think that little 289 engine is enough. An FE would make it more attractive to me
Barney, that little 289 looks almost lost in that huge engine compartment!
I believe those seats are actually leather. That was an option for the 500XL and they certainly have that appearance/patina of real 60 y/o leather. Nice.
I love to see these. I had a 65 w/289 & a brother had a 66w/390 at the same time. Both rusted out the frames eventually in Michigan. Always nice to see west coast oldies like this. I feel the 289 is adequate imo, never had a problem with it.
nice looking gal for sure. that 289 looks lonely in there. what it needs is a 427 in there for some real go. need to lose those truck wagon wheels for those factory chrome mag wheel looking hubcaps. why in the world would you put those on a car.
because hub caps are worse.. and the stock wheels where skinny.
If i were gonna put steel 15s on it, either dog dish on 8″ or better magnum 500s.
I love a ’66, so much more than a ’65. The 500XL is where its at.
I was about 17, when car shopping, found a ’66 500XL, sitting in a neighbors backyard and looked like its been sittin. i had little idea what i was lookin at. It was a 4sp big block. It was the longest, meanest,, i was wide eyed and had only driven a 5sp a few times.
It fired up, sound was consuming, he drove it onto the road, and let me take the wheel.. i let off the clutch, and it put down rubber so fast and and when it caught near snapped my neck. I stopped, stepped out and knew it was more car than i could handle.
Ended up with a Chevelle with a 250ci. I always remembered that car and loved the C-piller and taillights. Didnt know what it was until i was in my 30s and saw a 7litre, then it all came back.
Of all the cars ive known, a ’66 XL500 is , well, ‘the quickest, quietest’, classiest yet meanest..
If i got one, itd be maroon and black, or maybe emberglow; power windows a must ;)
Ive seen that these came with an optional make-out passanger seat ! cool =)
all ways liked the stacked hdlghts (so much so I researched yrs ago. Comet may have been 1st). Aint this a ’67 if w/this grill/lghts?
This is absolutely beautiful car,I love it.
As a young mechanic in the 70’s- I saw a lot of 65’s and 66 full size Fords go to the boneyard for bad frames around the tourque boxes ( where the front fender meets the cowl)- one broke on our lift that came in for an oil change – not saying this one has that issue- just sayin-
Throw in a Vintage Aire setup and rock this beauty all summer long!
Nice