The 1960s horsepower wars were in full swing when this 1963½ Ford Galaxie 500 rolled off the line. If you don’t believe me, take a look under its hood. It features the mighty 427 R-Code V8, churning out an incredible 425hp. The car looks superb, and although the seller admits to a few minor changes, they are reversible for those who prefer authenticity. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Tony P. for spotting this fantastic Galaxie listed here on Craigslist in Marble, North Carolina. The seller set their price for this potent classic at $85,000 OBO.
Ford’s 1963 Galaxie was largely unchanged from the previous year’s offering, but it introduced a revised 1963½ variant in January. It included a Sports Hardtop variant, featuring a different roofline, designed to improve aerodynamic efficiency for NASCAR competition. Our featured Galaxie is one of those cars, rolling off the line in March 1963. The seller describes it as an older restoration, which included a repaint in the car’s original Viking Blue. The Galaxie still looks great, with no genuine cosmetic problems. That suggests it has been treated respectfully and has not been abused. The seller crawled beneath this classic, providing images confirming it was undercoated at some point and that it’s rust-free. The trim and glass look extremely nice, and the taillights haven’t suffered the typical fading that occurs with age or long-term UV exposure.
When Ford introduced the 1963 Galaxie, the “gun” motor was undoubtedly the 406ci V8. It developed a factory-claimed 405hp and 448 ft/lbs of torque, making those cars genuinely fast. However, who doesn’t need (or want) more power beneath their right foot? Ford came to the party, placing the 427 R-Code brute on the Options List. If the 406 was impressive, the R-Code offered even more. Equipped with a pair of Holley four-barrel carburetors and a solid-lifter camshaft, it churned out 425hp and 480 ft/lbs of torque. This Galaxie also features a four-speed manual transmission, and with the seller identifying the Milodon oil pan, MSD ignition, the new steering box, and the Ansen bellhousing as the only non-original components, it appears to be numbers-matching. The seller includes the original bellhousing, distributor, and steering box for anyone who wants to return the car to its factory form. They recently replaced the brake master and slave cylinders and rebuilt the transmission. There is no suggestion that it is anything but a turnkey proposition, but I would expect nothing less from a Galaxie in this price range.
Trimmed in two-tone Blue vinyl, this Galaxie’s interior is as tidy as its exterior. The upholstered surfaces and carpet show no wear, and there are no stains or other issues. The back seatcover looks slightly “baggy” in the middle, and I’m unsure whether it could be tweaked to fix the problem. The underdash mechanical gauges are a later addition that could be removed. However, I consider them acceptable insurance to monitor what’s happening under the hood. It isn’t lavishly equipped, but the buyer receives a pushbutton radio and a clock. Frankly, I’d probably never fire up the radio, preferring the bellowing bass produced by the R-Code.
This 1963½ Ford Galaxie 500 could almost be considered a sleeper. Aside from a couple of small fender badges, nothing about its appearance hints at its incredible performance potential. Its appearance is stunning, but it needs to be virtually perfect to justify its high-end asking price. Values have also recently dropped, and it is unclear why. It might be a typical market correction, or a sign that the shine has worn off the 1963½ Galaxie. Purchasing any classic based on its investment potential is always risky, but would you roll the dice on a potent Galaxie costing $85,000? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Yes, the Galaxie for 1963 would have had a 406 as the top of the line engine option, but the mid year changes (1963 1/2) of the fastback roofline and the 427 did not happen on the same day in production. I was at a car show and spied an all original 63 1/2 sporting 406 fender badges. I was at first dubious about the originality, suspecting those badges had been added to a 352 powered car, but the owner advised he had known the car from the beginning and was finally able to persuade the original owner to part with it in the late 1990’s. He was very credible the more we spoke so I’m quite confident in the story and that his fastback Galaxie was born with a 406.
406 with 3 2 barrels and solid lifter cam was no slouch.
I don’t know about this particular 63 1/2, I have heard about 63 1/2 with 427’s.
When I was younger back in 70’, a month before I got drafted.
I bought a Maroon Galaxie 500XL 64 1/2 that had a Genuine 427, in very nice condition.
It was a very sweet and fast car. With great lines.
The previous owner had installed headers and performance mufflers.
My dad kept it along with my 63’ Vette in the garage when I went to Nam’.
I dove it until after I got married and sold it to put a down payment on a house in 77’.
It was being traded in at a Ford dealer, I bought it the next day.
I would drive by this Ford dealer almost everyday and would stop in and check out the used cars.
When I saw it was being traded in I walked over and talked to the dealer, we agreed on a price, $75 more than he gave the previous owner for a trade in value. That is when they were just another used car.
A married guy with a family was trading it in for a Station wagon he order an LTD Country Squire with a 390.
This way they didn’t have do anything to the car and made an easy $75.
That was when Cash was King.
I miss both my Vette and the Galaxie, but I was able to buy a house.
I know a 15k mile 63 1/2 R code
Cool car. Even being an older restoration, it still appears to be in good condition. Even the blackwalls and dog dishes are fine, they give it that “I mean business” look and feel.
Yeah, this is awesome, almost exactly as I would have done it, if it were my restoration.
Yeah – love them blackwalls.
Good size, perfect proportions.
The weather seal that runs the perimeter of the door is missing, at least on one side. Makes no sense for a car of this caliber, since they are readily available and fairly inexpensive.
Melton, you have a keen eye. I wouldn’t have noticed the missing door seal and you’re right, makes no sense.
I was 12 then… my older brother had a friend who ordered a 63 Galaxie 300 different roofline.. 406 / 385 (1 4 barrel… the 405 hp cars had 2 ) same blue… 4 speed. It was his driver but it went to the dragstrip also as a B Stock. . I got to go along one Sunday… it was great.
Not long after, (Summer ’63) a car identical to the listed one appeared in town… white with 427.
The 406/405hp had three two barrels, not dual quads.
Thanks… I read that recently and it just didn’t stick… getting old…
I have one in white-great shape, all original. Not a lot of these left, most were drag raced to death. I have several classics but the R- code 63 1/2 was always my dream car. Old and with cancer so thinking of selling a few.
Something is up with the carbs. Only the front carburetor is supposed to have a choke. This has a choke on both. So one, or both, are incorrect.
Better get it right for that price.
This is one for the big money boys and their advisers to decide if it’s real enough as an “older restoration”. It’s a nit pickers field day.
If it’s an investment, I just don’t see a lot of upside at this price in 2026 going forward, but lots of downside if you use it.
I’m not a car baby-sitter, but some people like to do that just to have one.
I like everything about this car and the steel wheels and caps are perfect. I also like the upgrades with the original parts available if you want to take it back. I absolutely love the old school full size muscle cars, I don’t like the bench seat but, if it’s original it’s got to stay. Personally I could not stand to own this car and not want to drive it regularly or at least on weekends.
I might be tempted to leave it in the garage at 85 large…NOT!
Bench seat four speeds…FTW
It was 2006 when I was delivering concrete to a ranch just west of a small town in east Texas. I spied a 63 Galaxie under an open front barn. I asked about it and was told his father bought the car while working at a local Ford house(dealership) back in 64. He said it was a R code light weight model that he planned to restore.
Now in 1967 I was working for Boeing Airplane Company and shared rides with a group of fellow workers. One of them drove a 63 Galaxie 406 4 speed. He really baby’d that car saying it drank gas by the tanker full. In those days was about .35c a gallon and that car had a big tank. Until next time, Happy Trails.
God Bless America
Straight line performer!! Very wicked!!
I owned a 63 Galaxie XL four door and a 63.5 Galaxie XL fastback… both with the 352… this is the one I always hankered for but never got… now I don’t have the space or the dinero… however, that is one beautiful set of wheels…
Boy I wish I could afford it and drive it around. Someone needs to remind todays kids what a real car with raw power is like.
heavy money but 1 badass gal for sure. nothing but business here.
A few years ago I was following an auction at an old time junk yard. They had a 65 Galaxy police car with only one emblem still on the car showing only the first two numbers… 42… With a 4 speed manual… They didn’t know what motor was in it… Funds were low at the time, and with shipping, it past my dollar point… I still wake up at night and cry about missing that one… Lol
Great to see this one as it takes me back to my first car in 1967 when I was a sophomore in high school. Pop bought me a 1964 Galaxie 500, had a 390/4barrel/3 speed manual. Same color inside and out as this one. Car was fast but it was heavy. Loved it and drove it hard. Pop eventually traded it in for a 1969 Mustang/302/3 Speed for me as a sophomore in college. Pop was always a Blue Oval man, Mom drove a 1966 Fairlane/289/automatic. Thanks Pop!
Good for you and your dad..
64 Fords even looked heavy..
65 was the year of the great styling.
What a beautiful Galaxy. And a really nice high quality restoration too. Seeing under the hood, you can tell they paid a lot of attention to detail. Great color too. Really nice.
It’s in Western North Carolina; it would have made a good ‘shine runner back then.
Nice.