Xtra Lively: 1970 Ford XL Convertible
The Ford Galaxie was launched in 1959 as a plus sized top of the line version of the already fullsized Ford Fairlane, but by 1970 it was known simply by the name XL…which didn’t stand for Xtra Large but meant Xtra Lively. This next car is a beast of a classic for that is powered by a 390V8 and has a cool coat of brownz (yeah…brown and bronze) paint and hidden headlamps all offered for a very reasonable price. Find this 1970 Ford XL Convertible offered for $8900 in Ramona, CA via craigslist.
From the seller:
1970 XL
condition: good
cylinders: 8 cylinders
drive: rwd
fuel: gas
odometer: 52000
paint color: brown
size: full-size
title status: clean
transmission: automatic
type: convertible
Top end rebuilt 390, Automatic, P/S, A/C
New aluminum radiator, new water pump, new exhaust
52K miles.
Enjoy, or take it to the next level
Galaxie Fairlane Lincoln Mercury LTD Mustang Torino
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Two things about this:
Despite having a big-block 390 engine, the sticker on the air cleaner suggests that it came with a 2-barrel carb. Odd combination there, Ford.
Why do sellers of vintage cars try to suggest that the mileage shown on the 5-digit odometer is the actual mileage? This seller says that there’s “52K miles” on this nearly 50-year-old car. Does anybody really believe that this car was driven an average of only 1000 miles per over its entire life? Come on.
I can believe 52K miles on a nearly 50 year old car.
It's a convertible, so it may well have been a weekend or special occasion car from new. Ditto for white interior. If it made it to 1980 relatively intact it was a "they are never going to make an american convertible again" collector car even then.
Also any 1970 American car would spontaneously disintegrate at 100,000 miles without serious intervention. Engine mounts, ball joints, and the rest of the suspension for instance.
A top end rebuild, automatic refurb, P/S, A/C, new aluminum radiator, new water pump, and new exhaust are things that you fix when the car has been sitting mostly unused. "occasional use" really kills exhaust systems.
I suspect that an older person bought this new, drove it a few years then put it in the garage – it just screams 1970 old man's car – and the grandchildren finally sold the house.
Since I like the car (not as much as the red one in one of the pictures), I was poised to be offended by your last comment. Then it occurred to me that I'm 60 years old…. :{
Actually, the 390, 2V combination was a very popular choice for lots of big fords of that era. (Especially popular in station wagons)Big block small carburetor..bingo..lower gas cost, so said the salesman (when leaded premium was probably about $0.40/gal.
Big engine and little carb makes for really nice throttle "tip in" response.
Really dig this, especially the front end. Indeed on the bigger displacement/small carb approach. Early 70's-era Cleveland 400's also had a 2-barrel carb (non-performance version). Chrysler also had a 400 of the same era. Went from the 383 to the 400, but with a 2-barrel carb. Chevy had a 396 with a 2-barrel carb (for one year, 1969)…. and I could swear there were a couple a couple years Cadillac some big blocks in their Caddy's with only 2-barrel carbs, but don't recall the years.