The originally a trim level on the Ford Galaxie, the XL became its own model for the 1967 model year. Sold as either a coupe or convertible, it was a sporty model that slotted into the lineup between the regular Ford 500 and the plush Ford LTD.
When the full-size Fords were redesigned for 1969, they got a sleeker, more fuselage-like body and the XL hardtop coupe had slick flying buttress sail panels on either side of the rear window. Riding on a 121" wheelbase and weigh in between 4200 and 4500 pounds depending on which powertrain you selected, these were large cars.
Under the hood, the base motor was Ford's 240 cubic inch OHV inline six, rated at 150 SAE gross horsepower. Optional V-8s included 2-barrel versions of the 302 and 351 Windsor, which made 220 and 250hp, or the 265 horsepower 2-barrel 390 FE big block.
The badge low on the front fender of this Raven Black 1969 Ford XL convertible indicates it has the Thunder Jet 429 cubic inch big block which could be had in 320 horsepower 2-barrel form, or with dual exhausts and a 4-barrel Autolite carb for 360 SAE gross horsepower.
Car Life magazine tested an LTD sedan with the 4-barrel 429 and saw a zero-to-sixty time of 9.1 seconds and a 16.7 second quarter mile at 86mph. The convertible's only about 75 pounds lighter, so acceleration times should be similar.
This one was photographed in May of 2021 using a Fujifilm X-T2 and an XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR zoom lens.
I always thought XL was a dumb name for a car.
ReplyDeleteRemarkable how few of this generation of big Ford has survived.
It made a lot more sense as a trim level on the Galaxie.
Delete"Ford Galaxie 500XL" sounds normal. "Ford XL" seems weird.