When it comes to aerodynamics, the 1963.5 Galaxie 500 XL Fastback was one of Ford’s better ideas for the period when it appeared as a mid-year offering, featuring a different roofline with a new design that helped the car cut through the wind with less drag, which was especially beneficial in NASCAR. This one here on eBay is probably best described as a stalled restoration, but some mechanical upgrades have already been made, and it’s likely at a decent point for someone else to take over and finish. This cool blue oval is in Moorpark, California, and is available now for a buy-it-now price of $6,900, with a make offer button also included.
The seller tells us that this Galaxie left the New Jersey assembly line with a 352 engine under the hood, but it has since been swapped for a 390. It’s said to currently run on gas supplied from a can, so I’m assuming the plug wires were put on after the photo shoot, but it should operate independently once the fuel system is complete. Right now, a Holley 1850 carburetor is installed, but an Autolite 4100 will also be included with the sale. The big V8 is paired with an automatic transmission, sending power to a 9-inch rear axle that’s reportedly still performing to factory specifications.
Although the sheet metal outside is far from perfect, the exterior appears mostly complete, and there are still some decent bones to work with here. Probably the worst area is the passenger-side quarter, which is said to have been parked next to a sprinkler that caused rust in this area. Fortunately, a complete replacement panel is included, so I’d probably go ahead and install that entire component rather than just cutting it down for the needed sections. The door on this side also needs some old bodywork redone, plus the driver’s side is reported to have minor corrosion on the bottom edge of the lower quarter, along with a small section of the front fender.
A few interior parts have been removed but are included, and the rusted sections of the floors have already been cut away, ready for the supplied front pans to be trimmed and welded into place. Thankfully, the dash still looks pretty good overall, and perhaps just a thorough cleaning will get it back into satisfactory condition for a nice driver. This one seems to have gotten off to a pretty good start for the next owner to continue, but there’s still a lot left to do, and I might at least try to negotiate the cost down a bit before committing to the full asking price. What are your thoughts on this 1963 1/2 Ford Galaxie 500 XL Fastback?
My thoughts are that I’m glad as you-know-what that my ‘63.5 XL is originally from Colorado and has nearly zero rust.
And strange, an XL shoulda’ve left the assembly line with a 390…
although it’s a bit confusing because they were all stamped 352…crazy world…
A 1963 Ford with an “X-code” in the VIN signifies a 352 cubic inch FE V8 engine equipped with a 2-barrel carburetor, producing approximately 220 horsepower. These were often found in the Galaxie 500XL series, providing a base V8 option before the 1963½ mid-year performance upgrades introduced higher-performance engines like the 427ci
Actually, the XL package could be had with any drivetrain. It was literally a trim pckg., nothing more. My dad ordered a brand new ’63 XL with a 289 and floorshift in early ’63 and drove it from MI to CA with 2 other buddies in their new cars after college graduation. He ordered it in the rare one year only Rose Beige exterior and interior…..too bad I only have black and white photo’s of it.
XL is just a trim level. Any powertrain could be used. Family friend had a ‘67 Fairlane 500XL with a 200 six and automatic.
I don’t know about the ‘63.5 model, but a long time back I had a ’64 XL with a factory 352.
One of the sweetest looking of the big Fords. When the Blue Oval got serious about racing. Sadly, this one looks like it’s loaded with the tin worm. Was it parked next to the lawn sprinkler for the better part of the last five decades?
Decent price. what this vehicle needs is a restoration with floor pans and quarter panels needing the most work.
It’s the 1963 Daytona 500, last lap, and it’s Tiny Lund driving his #21 Wood Brothers Ford to victory!!! It was the 1st Daytona 500 victory for the legendary Wood Brothers racing team, still at it today. He wasn’t alone, as Ford dominated NASCAR in ’63-’64, as mentioned on the last ’63 Ford post. Kind of funny, I saw’r a video with Jay Leno and Joey Logano. I used to like Logano, but have since realized just another spoiled brat race car driver, anyways, Leno thought it would be fun to have Logano drive a period correct NASCAR ’63 Ford around the Vegas track for comparison. While filming the stunt, it was clear, Logano was scared s-less, and said the car was a death trap. Aw, boo-hoo. His biggest complaint was he kept sliding across the bench seat. I think he came away with a new appreciation for his race car, and the REAL drivers before him.
This car? Hole in the floor, originally a 4 speed? Great find 20 years ago, today, I just don’t see the interest, sadly, they were wonderful cars.
The hole in the floor is for the console mounted shifter.
You are right the pictures in the add show a console automatic.
Speaking of old NASCAR cars. The same thing happened with Clint Boyer a couple years ago. Driving Dale Jarrett’s 1999 Taurus. He couldn’t believe the power of that Robert Yates small block. Scared him a bit. But it’s all relative to what time period you were brought up in.
Guess Joey had those championships given to him……apples and oranges….
I like these. A lot. But there’s too much rust for me on this one.
$6,300 is too much for this rust bucket. I owned two of these in my lifetime. I would gladly own a third one if the right one aligns with my space and my finances.
Like the style looks like a bootleggers dream!! LOL
Not bad. Right up my alley.
That last black 63 1/2 galaxie, with a 427 FE under the hood, on barn finds that people were asking 85k for … yeah unobtainium for me. But this one has potential! And, to be honest, I prefer the no red interior.
Now all I need is a garage … But then, it’s on the wrong side of the country. One day I’ll find one with an FE and a stick.
killer looking but it has some heavy rot for a west coast car. a redo on something like this will put you under water real fast
The stripped down no frills model was called Custom. Also, 352, 390, 428 all had the number 352 embossed on the front driver’s side of the engine block.
This one would be apealling to me. It has that era correct Stock car vibe big time!