1969 Ford XL

Description

Affordable Ford muscle is still easy to find if you know where to look. Cars like this 1969 Ford XL made their living on the oval tracks of NASCAR, which certainly explains the swoopy fastback bodywork. Today, they're rare and extremely cool pieces that will stand out among all the pony cars at the next cruise night.

It's rare to find an XL hardtop of any kind, let alone one restored to this level. Showing what we believe to be original mileage, it's not quite a survivor, but the work that was done was clearly sympathetic to the cause. Wimbledon White paint was freshened a few years ago, and it's a little brighter than the original specs, adding shine without making it look like some 21st century remix. Fit and finish are exemplary, at least as good as the factory did it, and as a life-long southern piece, there's never been rust or other issues underneath. The vinyl top is definitely new and shows quite well, and if you squint just right, you can see where the roofline on the '71-73 Mustang coupe came from. The full-width grille with hidden headlights was more Lincoln than Ford, and yes, the headlights are fully functional. But despite all this, there's not a lot of chrome beyond the bumpers, which are excellent originals. Out back, you can see that Ford was still in love with jet exhaust taillights, although these are squared-off to match the car's overall theme.

The black and white interior is brilliantly accompanied by a red interior that by all measures appears to be original. In particular, the seats are exemplary, showing very little wear and no splits or tears-remarkable, don't you think? It's possible that the carpets are newer and the dash pad has been refinished, but it has a very cohesive overall look that fits the car perfectly. There's easily room for six on board with a spacious back seat that most 4-door sedans today would envy. With a wrap-around instrument panel, it has a very driver-oriented feel, and all the controls are at your fingertips with the exception of the original 8-track player, which is way over on the passenger's side. A mammoth trunk is still finished in its original mouse fur along with what might very well be the original spare.

To get all that sheetmetal moving, you need V8 power, and this XL carries a smooth-running 302 that shows few signs of age. It's been freshened with correct Ford Blue engine enamel, but things like the original air cleaner and carburetor remain, and given the wide availability of performance parts, it's remarkable to see one so original. It starts easily and idles the way you'd expect, with a soft burble from the Flowmaster dual exhaust system. A 3-speed automatic feeds the original 9-inch rear, which is full of highway-friendly gears so this sucker just loafs along. The list of new equipment includes that exhaust system, the brakes, the shocks, and, of course, those gorgeous 17-inch Torque Thrusts, which wear 225/55/17 front and 235/55/17 rear Uniroyal radials.

For fans of the unusual, this XL hits all the right notes: great colors, stylish bodywork, and just enough attitude to get some attention. Call today!