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.
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