After weekend cruising duties for 20 years, this 1963 Ford Galaxie in Ocoee Florida needs nothing beyond a new name on the title to continue the easy life. The fully gone-through Sunshine State rag top promises to absorb car show accolades and solar rays at every opportunity. The listing here on eBay shows at least eight bidders on the lookout, pushing beyond $15,500 in the auction’s waning hours. The seller lowered the Reserve to invigorate the action. Though not perfect, nearly every photo shows a stock or nearly-stock restoration effort, and an original-specification engine rebuild in 2010 means this classic could serve a life of leisure for many years to come. The convertible top, Peacock Blue paint, and burly 390 under the hood add value for most buyers. Thanks to eagle-eye reader Larry D. for spotting this drop-top beauty.
Only the fire-breathing 406 topped this 300 HP 390 cid (6.4L) V8 in ’63, according to GalaxieClub, with the 390 making nearly as much torque. The extra displacement and reasonable 9.6:1 compression ratio made it the perfect choice for towing or the satisfaction of practical everyday thrust. Nearly unblemished finish on the cast iron manifolds suggests low miles and a high degree of care since the refresh.
Under-dash air conditioning adds passenger comfort when situations like heavy traffic limit open-air refreshment, though it may be non-operable as no compressor or mention graces the listing. The turquoise interior boasts acres of shiny trim. Even the foot pedals are camera-ready. While rendering this full-sized Ford a five-seater, that flashy center console looks great, adding a sporty touch and a practical arm rest. The chrome shifter stirs a three-speed automatic transmission.
Prominent gun-site tail lights mimic rocket thrusters on this older restoration. Though not a show-winner, it’s perfect for trolling the weekly dinner specials in a sun-drenched retirement community. The trunk will gladly swallow the golf bags of a friendly foursome off to the links. Can you picture yourself cruising in this high-style 390 Galaxie?
Very very nice and great color…..but not as nice as 63 T-Bird convertible IMHO
Maybe not as nice as a 63 Tbird but one Hell of a lot less electrical problems with a Galaxie!
Personally I prefer the Galaxie after owning both in the 63 model year.
I had a 631/2 ford Galaxie fast back loved that car was sad when i had to sell it.
I wonder whatever happened to Mike Cheesman? Who is/was Mike Cheesman? He was a guy maybe 6 years older than me who lived in my neighborhood. He took a two year high school course and graduated from Grade 10 and got a good paying factory job. He immediately bought a (1963?) Ford Galaxie convertible. I saw him once in a grocery store my mother had sent me to for something that was on sale at a great price. Since we were checking out at the same time he offered me a ride home. Since it was at least a 15 or 20 minute walk I immediately accepted. I fell in love with his convertible. I’m surprised I didn’t also sign up for the two year course when I reached high school so I could repeat his path. Come to think of it though, if I tried, my mother would likely have killed me. Anyway Mike, if you’re out there I hope you didn’t regret the education choice you made. And by the way it was an AWESOME car.
I’ve owned two 63 Galaxies; a four door and a 63-1/2 fastback. They were land yachts but I’ve always wanted to own another one. Too bad it won’t be this one.
Todd… the only exception I take to your finely written description is the available engines. The 406 was replaced in mid-year with the 427.
I worked in a warehouse in high school back on the late 70’s early 80’s that dealt in old car parts. We would get truckloads of parts from a bolt and nut company, Bowman? maybe, I can’t remember. They took old parts in trade for hardware and my boss bought them. We got at least one 48 ft semi truck/ trailer in weekly and one time we got one in stacked full of nos 38 Ford front fenders that came out of the NY City Police Dept Repair Facility warehouse. This was a common occurrence as the parts came in from all over the east coast. There were two cars in the building that belonged to a buddy of his, a 427 Tripower Corvette and a 63 1/2 Galaxie, 427 four speed, black with a red interior. He knew I loved old cars as my art teacher was his girlfriend and all I did was draw cars and Linda Ronstadt she got me the job in the first place.
I loved the Ford and he let me move it around once when we needed to get a box truck in to load parts. I was scared to death of damaging it and pretty much just idled it around and took it outside. Man that thing sounded sweet, what a beautiful car
Really nice car! I would prefer a 1963 Ford Fairlane, same color, 2 door, 260 V8.
I drove this almost exact car for decades. It was the same XL, color too, but with a 352. The 352 was OK and got about 16 MPG. Drove the,”XL” all over the USA. What memories.
There was an engine between this one and the 406 — the P-code 390 (P is for Police) that had a number of enhancements, made 330 hp and could be ordered on a civilian Galaxie.
Those are really rare and pretty fast for the time
Not just a Galaxie, a Galaxie 500/XL. The regular full-size convertible was a Galaxie 500. There was no Galaxie convertible.
Any idea as to how much the XL option was? It was very nice to have. The center console was a good place to put cold beverages.
Typically the XL package added about $550 or so to the price. However the XL trim level included the base V8 as standard equipment (until ’68) whereas the The Galaxie 500 Sunliner had a six as the standard engine (the 223 in ’63).
I convinced my father to buy a 2 door 63 500. I was in college but he did let me drive it a lot. I loved it, it didn’t look like you were driving your parents car. After be sold it he never bought another 2-door
first year ford put in blue dash lights thought they were sexy