In the 1960s, the Galaxie 500XL was Ford’s equivalent of the Chevrolet Impala Super Sport. They came with bucket seat interiors and apparently with any engine that Ford offered in the Galaxie. This ’63 XL is a convertible that’s been going through a restoration of sorts over the past two years. In the process, it’s about to gain a 427 cubic inch V8, Ford’s monster engine of the mid-decade. In dirty, but overall good condition, in Temecula, California, this Ford awaits someone to finish the project. It’s available here on eBay where you’ll have to go higher than $19,700 to break through the seller’s reserve.
Ford redesigned their full-size automobiles for 1960-64 and the 1963 models were the most attractive (IMO). Buyers agreed as more than a half million Galaxies were built, including some 18,500 XL drop-tops like the seller’s car. I got a bit excited when I saw that a rebuilt 427 V8 was ready to go into the car (remembering the 1963 ½ Galaxies), and then I checked the VIN. While this open-air Galaxie is an XL convertible (code 69), it had a 352 2-barrel (X-code) in it when it left the assembly line. No mention is made of the whereabouts of the lesser powerplant.
As the story goes, the seller is just the car’s second owner. The original purchaser died in 1983 and the car sat for 38 years before the seller bought it off his/her estate. It sat untouched until two years ago and all the work referenced in the listing was done by the seller. That includes rebuilding the engine and automatic transmission. The Ford sports disc brakes all around, something else we assume the seller has taken care of. The body looks good, the interior even better (except maybe cracks in the dash pad), and the paint (green/gold) may be okay though the seller suggests it could stand a new clear coat.
The motor and transmission may be back in the Galaxie before the auction closes. And the hood, not pictured, is said to be somewhere nearby. The overall vehicle has 82,500 miles and the exhaust system (will a 352 convert to a 427?) is said to still bear Ford insignias. With most of the heavy lifting already said to be out of the way, maybe detailing the car will be the buyer’s biggest chore.
Looks like it has power windows?
It does, not a common accessory. I had a white one with a 390 with a 3 speed overdrive with the am fm radio.
Nice Clone … convertible
The R code 427 Galaxies had a reinforced frame for obvious reasons.
Dropping a 427 into a standard frame might spell trouble. It will twist.
Also not sure if an automatic trans is wise. IIRC the R codes used a Borg Warner 4 speed.
Ford didn’t make a 427 it was a 428.
Ford did make a 427 SOHC Cammer engine and it’s very well known especially in NHRA DRAG RACING EVENTS DURING THAT ERA, just saying, wish I had one of those and it’s probably going to cost 💲 a pretty penny to get one too lol 😂
428 was much later and not as radical, the 427 was basicly an all out race motor.
Where did you get that idea???????
Sometimes it’s best to not comment when you don’t know what you’re talking about.
Have you ever heard of the 64 Thunderbolt? 427 2X4 4 speed. How about the Cobra? Same 427 in it! How about the term “Side Oiler”? Ford made a 427, just like Pontiac made a 428, and Cadillac made a 429! Plymouth made a 350 too! It was a 58 Belvedere option w/ Dual Quads. Lincoln had a 430 just like Buick did, only Lincolns version was a Side Oiler just like the 427! This ends todays lesson in Cubic inch 101 lol.
Rare car for sure. Can’t.be many 60 year old Fords with OEM mufflers left.
The 427 cars used the same frame as the 352’s..the big block frame,if this had been a 6cyl car then yes the frame would be an issue.
Yes, you can see the switches by the console lid and rear panel. The engine has 406 headers, 427 should have the long ones. My 63 500 ragtop I did almost 40yrs ago now has p/s, p/w, p/b, am-fm, remote police trunk release, air conditioning, and p/bench seat
That 427 should have the long headers. The 63 500 ragtop I did almost 40yrs ago now has P/S, P/B, P/W, AM-FM, Select air conditioning, P/bench seat, remote trunk release (taxi , police)
My Hollander’s Junkyard Interchange Manual says that all 63 convertibles used the same frame. Convertibles in that era almost always had a heavier frame because the lack of a steel top makes the body less rigid and more likely to flex. Hollanders says that this convertible frame is different from all other 63 full size cars and other years. I’m willing to believe this, Hollanders doesn’t miss very often.
No 427 with an automatic transmission.
Based upon VIN the car was a 352 originally.
This is a very cool car. It’s over 22 grand now reserve still not met. Temecula is where the “Rust to Riches” NetFlix car show is at, I wonder if this is one of their cars or a member of their cast? I believe I see the hood behind the car in one of their pictures. I agree that automatic is probably not strong enough for the torque of the 427. I’ve owned a lot of 63-64 Galaxies back in my younger days, I always loved to lines on these cars. If they get the engine installed and up, running, stopping and able to drive the price will likely be upwards of 50 g’s.
God bless America
The Ford C6 auto trans is certainly capable of the 427. B&M builds kits for them. Remember the auto Thunderbolt? C-6.
I would prefer the 4 speed, but if kept an automatic I would suggest building a C-6 for it. That will hold up to the power. Could be a real fun car.
There’s probably not many 63 Galaxy convertibles left that are as rust free as that one is. I’ve never been a Ford guy but did like the 63’s when they came out. I’m not sure what I would do about the engine and transmission if I were to buy this car. It would be nice to open the hood and see that 427 flag on the air cleaner but Fords with that engine were not sold to be regular drivers. I had a friend who had one back in the sixties and it was brutal. I still can’t help but wish I could somehow buy this car but it’s not possible so good luck to the seller and the buyer.
On the exhaust issue: if they use the manifolds shown, then at least the initial “H” pipes will have to be replaced. The carburetion should dictate the use of the original “Tri Y” cast iron headers, which again, will necessitate the replacement of the “H” pipe. Putting back on the 390 or 428 stock manifolds will do nothing but choke up the engine, causing the next owner headaches down the road. Spend the bucks, do it right, and be forthcoming to the next owner.
There’s a guy here in MI that has 4 Thunderbolts as well as many rebuilt 427 2X4 engines! He want’s $10k for a 427 w/heads & intake but no accessories making it VERY EASY to buy any 63/64 Galaxy and add the 427 for half what this one will bring. Just a thought for any of y’all that already have a sweet one with a 352 or 390 4 speed already to make yours worth triple the value!
Actually ford didn’t make a 427. it was a 425, they just called it a 427
I think if purchased I would save the 427, and install a 390 with the auto trans. Much more docile with a 390, and would make a great cruiser. That 427 the way it was built, would need a higher gear in the back and even a stall converter for the trans. This is a nice one…..
Since we are talking about an engine change, how about we just put a late model Fuel Injected 460 in it with an overdrive auto, 3.50 or 3.73 gears and have a sweet convertible cruiser?
i see a LS chevy in it 🤣🤣🤣
Had a family friend and Iowa Hiway Patrol officer that drove a ’63 sedan w/390 3 speed OD. Met him professionally one nite in my ’58 Ford convertible w/332 Interceptor motor. Needless to say we talked about 5 miles from the old style radar traps they had in the day. Seems I was doing 128 in a 55, and he caught me! Lucky knew him, maybe. Had a choice, ticket for reckless driving (1 year suspension) or I had to help him dig a basement under his house. Long 2 weeks labor, but learned not to race for the flying mile with ’57 Chevy’s (which I won).
A lot of bad info here. Of course Ford made a 427- it’s a legend. My Fairlane 427 stroker has a c4 behind it. Yes an auto can take the power depending how its built. All auto Trans have a stall converter, that’s why the car doesn’t stall.
The frame can take any FE motor. My 460 Galaxie has more power than the 427, and it doesnt twist. The convertible has extra bracing grafted into the midsection. The Galaxie lightweight factory drag cars had the lighter frame, they were about 500hp.
Barn finds should probably bring back the “Report” feature for Mark.
My favorite year Galaxie, and at this price that engine and trans had better be in the car by the end of the auction. Timed and running with exhaust is even better. She’ll be a sweet car when she’s put back together again.
Ford most definitrly made a 427!!!
My first car was a ’63 Galaxy convertible, 390 & automatic. I wish I jad it back. These are getting major $ these days, if you can find one!!
That price tag is insane for having to put it all back together yourself. Who knows what is missing?
I do love this 63 Galaxie, but $24k price to DIY piecing back together yourself isn’t a great deal. This 427 big block would need to have a C6 behind it so that’s the trans that was rebuilt? And pretty sure exhaust would need some modifications too. If seller wants this kind of money, he may need to get drivetrain installed and running first before selling it.
It’s at $25.9K now with three days left so maybe his price isn’t so far out of line afterall.
If the buyer doesn’t mind paying $25k to finish someone else’s project in boxes, I guess it’s not a big deal. Certainly, not for everyone