Ford’s mid-year addition of a fastback to the popular Galaxie full-sized coupe in model year 1963 targeted the ovals of NASCAR with its slippery shape, and this 1963 Ford Galaxie 500XL in Tooele, Utah gave its owner a transfusion of racing blood with a 390 V8 and a three-speed manual gearbox. Chromed steel wheels and white wall tires mix sport and style, and the rear skirts and XL trim dress it up for a night on the town. This ride reportedly sat in a barn since 2009 before having its original title signed over to (presumably) the current owner. That’s right; this Galaxie served nearly its entire life at the bidding of its original owner. Now it’s running again and offered for $30,000 here on Facebook Marketplace. Thanks to T.J. for spotting this forgotten fastback Ford.
Despite looking like a high school attempt to extend the gold body color as a theme in the engine compartment, the gold-painted air cleaner and rocker covers are true to factory. That panel atop the radiator came black, but only purists would decry an extra splash of gold. Ford offered an array of five transmissions and eight engines for ’63 1/2, including three 390s. The seller describes a three-speed manual with overdrive, which seems a bit odd. I owned a Ford with a similar configuration; my 1985 F250 came with a four-speed manual box, but I only used the “creeper” first gear to pull vehicles from ditches or stumps from the ground. That left three road gears: Low, a 1:1 Second, and an Overdrive third. It did surprisingly well for a small-block powered 3/4 ton 4×4, reaching 60 MPH in around 14 seconds and a consistent 20 MPG on the highway. Expect even better numbers from this Galaxie. Thanks to Wikipedia for some details.
The twin rocket thruster light modules identified multiple Fords of the Space Age. Twin turndowns call out the performance-upgrade of dual exhaust without trumpeting noise rearward. How does a Ford Galaxie owner list it as a “Galaxy?”
Nothing visible would get you turned away from a car show, and the seller pledges a tune-up and detailing. Roll the windows down and enjoy wide-open pillar-free hardtop. That truck-style floor shifter clears the bench seat, offering room for six on the way to the ice cream social.
Deep twin instrument barrels echo the rocket-styled tail lights while round knobs galore control illumination, climate, and your cloaking device. Stand on it and you might “bury the needle” with this 390 overdrive cruiser. Before auto makers started the “muscle car” revolution by jamming full-sized engines into mid-sized rides, buyers expected full-sized cars to come with the best of everything, including performance. Would you drive this barn find Galaxie as-is or make some changes?
This Galaxie is out of this world – how deep will the detailing go, I wonder? Looks like a carpet refresh and vinyl cleanse might make a world of difference, Astro!
Upgrade to a four speed at least. Thirty grand seems a little high for a car that’s not show room looking. Just my opinion.
Shouldn’t an XL have bucket seats and a console?
Mine does but w/o a console and has a 4spd Toploader to boot.
And I couldn’t agree more (w/Todd) about an owner not able to spell the name of their own car. Reminds me of Cameros…
It’s very nice, but I don’t think it’s an XL.If it was, wouldn’t it say XL on the shield on the grill?
Lose the fender skirts…
no back in 1963 you had to have fender skirts it was a must have I was 18 years old in 1963 had a 1956 Bel aire covertable pinstripe 1959 caddy tailights and fender skirts
Wrongo! I ordered a new 1964 390 Galaxie XL triple black and there is no way I would have put fender skirts on it, nor on the 59 348 Impala that proceeded it, nor on my early 65 K code Mustang nor on any of the 33 cars that I owned over the years. Skirts were way out of style except of course on the low riders since the 50’s. Also this ’63 is way overpriced and definitely not an XL.
That’s truly a lot of dollars for this vehicle. It’s far from perfect.
Not an XL. Has the 3-speed with overdrive which wasn’t even offered on the XL. And of course lacks the XL badging and interior. Price is overly optimistic (but that’s not unusual these days).
Three on the tree with overdrive was a factory option. My experience is it was used by Ford more than the other 2/3 if the big 3 combined. Was rare by 63 but still available. Priced in dream land territory.
I will just copy my remarks from the last storage car , a 4-door chevrolet, same song second verse. The only difference is this Galaxy is a better bet in the long run, however I would pass!
I happen to own a ‘63.5 XL (see my profile pic) and no, this is not one of them.
Nice car, but like several of you fellow gearheads have mentioned, she’s a bit on the pricey side…
Did Ford offer a floor shifted 3 speed O/D in ’63?
My 64 Galaxie 500 had a 390 4V with a three on the tree with OD. The OD was activated with an electric module on the tranny. Back off the gas when doing about 40mph in second gear to engage the OD and then flooring it while it was in second gear OD to gas it and up the revs while also kicking it down out of OD. Zoom!
My Dad had a Mercury (I think it was a Marauder). We called it a 1963 and a half. Funny as I know own a 1973 and a half VW Sportsbug.
Not an XL.
3 speed w/O.D. is NOT similar to a 4 speed truck tranny w/Granny Gear.
“Author” needs some remedial education.
That’s as nicely as I can state it.
I had one way back then. great interiors on the XL. This is not one.