Most 20-year-olds probably aren’t dreaming about driving a nearly 60-year-old American land yacht. They’re usually looking at something newer, sportier, or at least a little easier on the gas bill.
Morgan clearly isn’t your typical young car enthusiast. His ride of choice is a 1968 Ford Galaxie XL, complete with a big V8, weathered paint, and plenty of old-school character.
The classic Ford originally belonged to his father, who bought it 18 years ago. Morgan took an interest in the car when he was just eight years old and has been working on it ever since.
Speaking with the Magnacars YouTube channel, Morgan explained that he loves older vehicles because they’re simple, relatively easy to repair, and almost guaranteed to make people smile. He also hopes his Galaxie will encourage other young enthusiasts to give classic American cars a chance.
A 58-Year-Old Ford That Still Gets Driven
Under the hood sits a 302-cubic-inch (5.0-liter) small-block V8, although this Galaxie isn’t exactly a drag-strip monster. Morgan is perfectly happy with that, since keeping the car on the road matters far more to him than chasing horsepower figures.
Earlier this year, he revived the Ford after it had spent four years sitting unused. A new fuel pump, fuel tank, sending unit, and replacement rubber fuel lines were all it needed to get moving again.
According to Morgan, the repairs cost around $400 and took just one weekend. He’s since driven the car regularly, including a roughly 1,000-mile road trip that went without a hitch.
You Don’t Need A Fortune To Own A Classic
One reason Morgan wants more young people to consider older cars is their potential affordability. He estimates that a running, driving Galaxie project like his could cost around $6,000, far less than many desirable classic Mustangs.
Of course, fuel economy isn’t exactly the car’s strongest selling point. Morgan admits the V8 is thirsty, but says the simplicity of the mechanical components helps keep maintenance manageable.
The car still wears its naturally patina’d roof, aftermarket wheels, and colorful seat covers that hide the worn original upholstery. Rather than restore everything to showroom condition, Morgan plans to preserve its character and keep enjoying it.
Keeping Classic Car Culture Alive
Morgan says older enthusiasts have been incredibly supportive, often sharing mechanical knowledge and offering spare parts at discounted prices or even for free. That encouragement has helped him keep the Galaxie running.
He’s already inspired a friend to buy a 1958 Oldsmobile Super 88, while another is considering a classic Ford Falcon. For Morgan, getting more young people behind the wheel of vintage machinery is part of the appeal.
You can watch his full interview on the Magnacars YouTube channel. His Galaxie might not be the fastest or fanciest car on the road, but it’s a pretty convincing reminder that enjoying classic cars doesn’t necessarily require a huge budget.