10k: Big n Tall: 1970 Ford Galaxie XL 500
When Ford picked a name for their new full-sized offering in 1959, the discussion went like this, we need a name for a car that is bigger than a house, bigger than a city block, bigger than the country, bigger than the earth, bigger than the solar system…how about a galaxy? Yeah that is big, but let’s change the spelling to we don’t get sued. Done. It is amazing that I could find the old transcript, but that’s the way it went down. Find this 1970 Ford Galaxie XL 500 offered for $8,500 in Priest River, ID via craigslist. Tip from Oldsmobuick.
By 1969 with the release of the 4th generation Galaxie, the over expanding universe had gotten even bigger and used an XL suffix (and the randomly large number–500) for additional emphasis on size. The XL version had these wicked rear flying buttress inspired sail panels that simulated a fastback roof shape (and supernova sized blind spot), but maintained a typical coupe sized rear window.
Power in this plus sized 2-door comes from a 351 cubic inch Windsor V8 mated to a Cruise-o-Matic slushbox transmission. Factory stock power would have been 250 horsepower and 355 ft-lbs of torque (SAE gross…ewww), but it should be a bit healthier with the few bolt-ons mentioned by the seller.
See another car that looks like a pair of fancy sneakers? tips@dailyturismo.com
Wow, what a flashback. My late dad almost bought the Mercury equivalent of this beast (a Marquis Brougham) in 1969. He came to his senses at the last minute and opted for a Torino (which was the top-of-the-line Fairlane that year). I think the prospect of trying to get the Marquis down his narrow lane-way to the garage at the back of the house was what made him flinch.
As a new driver at the time, I had enough trouble keeping the Torino out of snow banks. I can only imagine the carnage I would have wrought with the Marquis.
Sorry guys, but sued by whom? Who produced the ' Galaxy'? ( preemptively, no philosophy/creationist jokes please. Unless they're really funny).
No real threat of lawsuit, I was just making a joke about the spelling. But I do like the line: "who created the Galaxy" = Ford in 1958!
I may have never picked a two tone paint scheme like this, but it really works for me, and 8500 USD seems really reasonable money too…
how many feet back does one have to stand to capture the whole car. 30' – 40' maybe?
Not a fan of the paint job good mpg well better then a FE block i guess.