This isn’t really my area of expertise, so I’m going to crowdsource this to you Ford know-it-alls out there: this Galaxie two-door sedan is listed as a 1963-1/2 model, but all of my research says that label is typically only applied to the quasi-fastback Sports Hardtop and/or cars equipped with the 427 V8. Is the July 31st build date enough to qualify this Galaxie, with its 352-cubic inch V8, for half-year status? If not, it certainly seems like this seller should know better—there are two actual 1963-1/2 Sports Hardtops visible parked next to this sedan! This car, being offered from an apparent Ford horde, is on eBay out of Winfield, Missouri, with a starting bid of $2,000 and no reserve.
Controversy aside, this Galaxie is described as “a pretty solid car with only a few rust holes,” including noted rot in the trunk. I suspect that the underside was not subjected to much, if any, inspection, so if I were buying, I’d say the jury is still out on this Ford’s true suitability for restoration.
Here’s a configuration that would blow the minds of most young’uns: a pillared, two-door sedan with bench seats front and rear and roll-down rear windows. With its relatively basic, if not totally Spartan, spec, mid-level V8, and Cruise-O-Matic I’d say this is a pretty sensible-shoes Galaxie, the kind a schoolteacher or grocer or other upstanding, unpretentious citizen might have bought in 1963—and possibly at a discount as the ’64s were hitting the dealers, given its late build date.
What does that mean for its desirability as a restoration candidate? As noted, there are some pretty serious unknowns about the condition of some important components, making the $2,000 opening bid feel a little high, and a fairly staid car like this tends to be better received when it’s been preserved in good original condition and driven few miles, rather than fully restored. If the frame checks out, I think this could be a candidate for stripping out excess weight and adding maximum power and creating a vintage drag or sedan racer. Isn’t that what everybody loves these two-door sedans for anyway?
A lower, fastback roofline was added mid-year to improve looks and make the big cars more competitive on the NASCAR tracks with the added downforce. This 1963½ model, the industry’s first official “½ year” model was called the “sports hardtop” or “fastback” (it shared this feature with the for 1963½ Falcon).
The car shown does not have the fastback roof line. It is NOT a 1963½.
That one looks like the box top to me.
In 1963 my Dad bought a new Galaxie notchback. I was 11 yrs old. Shortly thereafter the fastback came out as a 1963.5 model. He was a Dr and really wanted a new Lincoln 4 door but as a Quaker he could not drive something so ostentatious. I wish he had waited a few months for the fastback but we had no idea it was coming. His 55 Pontiac was tired and he traded it in.
Yup, that’s how it was in those days. No intel about future models soon to hit the show rooms. We didnt know until the metal arrived at the dealer, or an article or ad appeared on a car magazine.
The orange car next to it is a 63.5.
Look at the ebay listing. There’s a 63 1/2 next to this car. The seller got his cars mixed up.
On a mildly related topic, i saw a 64 Galaxie wagon the other day. Pretty rusted but with a rare factory ordered bucket seat and console set up. Super cool. If I had a panel side wagon to put the interior in……..
Freshen up that 352, put a stick or a c6 in it and cruise~~~
Has 390 flags slapped on the front fenders, but is a 352 according to the VIN. Had a wagon the same color.
Had a ’63 Galaxie 4-door in high school in 1970 in that same color, the muffler was even hanging down like that before it fell off.
Had a ’63 convertible with a 406 cu in engine. 63 1/2 the 406 was dropped, replaced with the 427.
Looks like a 1962 to me.
63 and 1/2s could be ordered with the 390……………
Did the seller revise the listing? I just looked at it and I see no reference to the car being a 63 1/2. The ebay title just says 1963.
My father had a 64′ Galaxie 500 with the same roofline, while there were many Galaxies with the sport roof, they made my father’s Galaxie look quite rare….
THIS is a 63 1/2. And I’m not letting it go.
Hi Phil, what a coincidence you have a black 1963 1/2 fastback. I grew up in a small country church. One of our elder members bought this very car, a black 1963 1/2 fastback new. Her grandson, which she raised, drove it for awhile to church until a couple of years later, he bought a used black 1963 hardtop, not the fastback. His name was Phil. My mother also had a 1963 Ford Galaxie 500, but it was a white 4 door sedan, not nearly as sporty as those.
As a 16 yr.old my mom had a63.5 in champagne gold the same as shown 390 4 bbl
Car that is shown isn’t a 63 1/2
These 2 door post cars are the way to go He is a pic of my 2 door post and the this 63 should be built the same way
Love your glass headlight covers. 427?
Those are some sticky tires.
I hope your not upside down in it
I had a 63 13 years ago. I always wanted a 63 1/2. Right now I have a 61 2 door with original color, light blue, engine and transmission. I wanted to trade it for starliner or 63 1/2. Any interest?
The grill and hood pull gives it away doesn’t it………and if was built after Jan 1963 – heck July 63….that’s late in any book….the 64’s would soon roll out….
Oh nice post car if any one didn’t know……..