America’s post-war horsepower battle started long before special models called “GT” or “Mach 1” attracted sportier buyers. By 1963 the drag-racing scene attracted countless drivers and spectators to congregate at local quarter-mile tracks for a weekly showdown. Stock car racing (featuring actual factory car bodies) showcased auto-makers chasing the mantra “Win on Sunday, sell on Monday.” Armed with a potent 427 cid mill and a four-speed manual transmission, this 1963 Ford Galaxie in Fort Worth, Texas represents Ford’s entry into that melee. This Ford’s formal roofline, sedate steel wheels, hub caps, and white wall tires belie its fearsome 427. Pry the engine badges off the front fenders and you’ve got a fine sleeper. This never-restored survivor retains much of its original equipment. The listing here on eBay Classifieds asks $54,995 to make it yours. How many survivor 427 Galaxies have you seen lately?
Here, as they say, is where the magic happens. Dual-quad induction feeds the 11.5:1 compression 425 cid V8. Dyno tests prove the stock setup made at least the advertised 425 HP and 480 lb-ft of torque. Thanks to howstuffworks.com for some details. While Ford engine blocks did not bear a VIN stamp in ’63, this is “believed to be” the original 427, according to the seller.
Aside from the hood (a Ford-applied re-spray in 1963) the original 57-year-old Viking Blue enamel covers all-original metal with barely any rust. Most racing Galaxies utilized the new-for-’63 fastback design, making this two-door sedan even more interesting. Check out this similar car in drag-racing trim.
The original upholstery shows some wear but presents well. Yes – that’s a date-friendly bench seat with the floor-shifter, suggesting the original owner may have been more of a weekend warrior than a sponsored drag-racer. The listing describes a “factory line-lock” though I suspect that maybe (at best) a dealer-installed addition. At any rate, that and the Sun Tachometer fit entirely with this car’s Day Two appearance. With a mere 26,474 miles on the clock, this Galaxie is barely broken in, though it may well have accumulated those miles in 1320 foot increments. Rev up that 427 and no one will buy the sleeper story, but this one’s too nice for street racing. Would you change anything on this modest-looking Ford with the monster mill under the hood?
I could rationalize this expense.
Me to
What a brute! The only thing holding this back are drum brakes and bias ply tires. I bet you could liquify them pretty easy. Put slicks on it and you would need a neck brace to prevent whiplash.
The Author opines, “too nice for street racing,” I couldn’t disagree more.
Considering it’s $54K, there is no way I would dare race this. Would you take a chance on wrecking this? I wouldn’t.
The fearsome Ford that could back up those words, really.
I doubt that line lock was installed before delivery at the factory, no warranty maybe? Could be, seeing how that mill was hardly for basic boring everyday driving.
Always nice to see one of these stock, day two, or dressed down for racing.
My dream car. If only……
When I first looked , I thought, this won’t be cheap, then I gasped, I didn’t think it would be that much. Now ,I have thought about it, and the only thinging stopping me from buying it is, I don’t have the money, if I did it would be heading for my garage as we speak.
Those days raw gas came out exhaust,not efficient, too many quench areas didn’t burn
Ya, but whoever owned this wasn’t concerned about mileage or the cost of fuel! Even back then, Sunoco 260, which was 102 octane, was under $.30 a gallon. IF, you drove that car easy, and depending how the carburetors were linked, (progressive or primaries synchronized together), and how the rear end was geared, probably the best you could get was in the 10-12 mpg range! HOWEVER, with a car like that, you know that you’re going to have your foot in the secondaries, at least part of the time, and then you’re talking gallons per mile!!! AH HA, but what fun!!!
Be still my beating heart! Beautiful car.
With inflation that 30 cents a gallon in 1963 would be about
$2.58 today. Unfortunately the only equivalent in SE Michigan is race gas at about 8 bucks a gallon.
When low lead came on the scene in the late 60’s, with an octane rating of 87, all the guys with high compression engines that wouldn’t run the low lead, would just head to the airport, and fill up with 100 octane aviation gas, and put a can of lead additive in it. Depending on the airport, aviation gas right now is in the $4-5 range. I wouldn’t recommend a night of cruising at that price, however a few hole shots wouldn’t use that much gas. If you’re gonna play, then you’re gonna pay!!!
Blackwalls and a period correct Sun tach are the only changes I would make. I’m a GM guy but I love this!
Exactly. I think a “day 2” tach wouldn’t be this one. This tach Looks like late 70’s or 80’s. Maybe Its a “day 3” tach?
The line lock button does look a little older but most likely not a mid 60’s unit.
Galaxies, savoys and biscaynes Are the true factory sleepers.
The “correct” sun tach for a 1963 vintage automobile would have been a 90 degree sweep style. The Sun Super Tach came out in 1965 from what I can tell. The tach in the photo is one of the plastic cased 1980’s-ish Sun Super ll models. The original Sun Super had an adjustable redline pointer adjustable from the center of the glass, and was all metal. The ll model had a plastic tab that was retained by the bezel as a redline indicator, and again, constructed of plastic.
“suggesting the original owner may have been more of a weekend warrior than a sponsored drag-racer.
Racers know the bench is lighter than buckets. Probably less $ as well.
Looks like a nice deal at $55k for this beautiful car in a great color. Would be way more fun to show up at Cars and Coffee in this rather than the usual pony and muscle cars that we’ve all seen thousands of over the last 50 or so years. Loved the old NASCAR when they were real cars. Also a way better value than that 1959 Chevy convertible restomod advertised here at $120k.
Never was a fan of the box top Galaxies but with a 427/4spd combo, I’m willing to overlook that flaw!
lose the white walls
Maybe for a 63-1/2 fastback…
What was the weight difference between the boxtop and the fastback ?
Perfect, it would look very nice beside mine. where is the phone, I have a call to make.
Morley, to my particular tastes yours is the absolute best full size Ford bodystyle of the 60s. By far.
Well thank you I agree, 427, 4 speed, it is fun
“Your” car looks identical to this one. Amazing!
http://www.collectorcarads.com/Ford-Galaxie/36908
Poncho, it is the same car. I bought it from a guy in Calgary, I slive near Toronto , Canada. Saw it for sale, flew out took one look and flew home . It was deliver 5 days later. Everything I have is big block, dual fours and manual transmission. The cheaper the body the better. I have wanted one of these Fords since they were new. An it is fast.
This is not about you or your car focus on the Galaxie,and the article….
Yes you are right, but do you realize how many offers I have had for the 65 but I am trying to buy the Galaxie. And then the 63 , like my 65 will not be for sale.
Morley, unlike gman and perhaps others here, I am glad when readers chime in and share personal experiences and their rides.
It looked to me like someone was commenting on the car & said it would be a great stable mate for his current car. Others took it off track. No need to get testy to the guy because other became distracted lol. Let’s all enjoy the site, including you gman.
Yeah, I too would love to have this in my garage, or better yet, have the drivers seat under my fat a$$ lol.
Like the old saying goes…a fool and his money are soon parted. I would be that fool!
Oh my!!! I don’t remember seeing one of these… only the non-post bearing cars. Thinking back tho, why wouldn’t Ford go up against GM and MOPAR with a Grandparent looking sleeper.
Me want….
Yes!
Hell yeah, yes !
Looking at this car, I was wondering ..
When was the first aftermarket mag wheel released onto the market?
I like sleepers, but a little flashing muscle does not hurt?
Genuine magnesium wheels made by American Racing Equipment (ARE) were introduced in 1956, but they were typically only found on real race cars. ARE introduced the Torque Thrust magnesium wheels for the street in 1963, and shortly after that introduced them in aluminum. I’m sure there were other companies out there making similar wheels around the same time periods, but for the sake of general discussion, the typical wheels we fondly referred to as “mag” wheels that made their way onto hot rods about 1964 Before that chrome reverse wheels were extremely popular, baby moons of course, and the 1957 Plymouth full size wheel covers also appeared on many hot rods. We had a 57, and 3 sets were stolen until my dad finally gave up and put on a later model wheel cover.
Thank you 19sixty5 !
Very informative and much appreciated.
I’d like to set the goll dang streets afire with that dadgum thang, son. Right past the court house downtown smalltown Tennessee. I’d be squallin’ tires one end of town to the other bet me a dollar, I’m here to testify!
Nice car, but you better have a big garage.
Time capsule piece of Ford history. Worth every penny
Beautiful looking car probably did good in the day back then racing, my opinion only how do you know spending that amount of money drive away something happens to the engine would be slot more to replace it
It has survived 57 years. It Is a rare look into an original “muscle car”. Please respect it and don’t see how much rubber you can burn and how much smoke you car create. It deserves better.
Good sleeper color. Hope the next owner drives it with their right foot firmly in place. Wish I could find something like this from the first, second, even third owner before a reseller has it.
I have a near equivilent Dodge. Never raced it. I got over that crap years ago. All my motorhead friends with their constantly broken cars … what’s the point ? My burns up the road just fine with that good suck-you-back-in-the-seat feeling, but I don’t need to try and break things to enjoy the thrust. This car, like mine, is just as impressive parked at the curb or running for groceries as it is melting tires. The understatement of a low key appearance and fender tags with large numbers on them is all you really need.
I am curious about that exhaust, looks like a 3 inch exhaust , pipes never stuck out that way
amazing..i never see many unrestored galaxie’s..very rare pre 1963.5 galaxie…someone lucky will buy…
Hello, the ford 427 box top is truly a rare car. Less than 50 made. How many are left and an origional paint and interior 427 box top, well how nice and rare. I called and the car sold for almost full price. You live and learn. Very rare and nice.
Wow, an origional 1963 and a “Box Top” as well. This is a true rarity as very few box top’s were made..Wish I had the money..Some smart buyer will get her home..Way too nice to race though..I have never seen an origional paint and interior 63.
Hello my brother purchased this car. He wanted a “Box Top” origional ford 427. Two ford experts came over and verified this amazing origional car. It has it’s origional block, tranny and rear end and all the rare parts which make this a real “R” code. The car runs great although it does need a rebuild of the tranny. It is a true history correct car. Very glad to have gotten it…rarity costs..