During its 15-year run, the Ford Galaxie competed against Chevrolet’s successful Impala (and usually came in second). The name was developed during the days of the “Space Race” to give Ford a futuristic kind of image. This 1963 Galaxie 500 is from the car’s second generation and maybe the best looking of the 1960-64 iterations.  It has been in storage since the 1980s and has been brought back to running condition, though cosmetically it shows its age. Located in Pipersville, Pennsylvania, the car is available here on eBay for the Buy It Now price of $6,499.

The Galaxie nameplate was a Ford staple from 1959-74. All of Ford’s full-size cars would wear the Galaxie badge by 1962, with the 500 being next in line behind the XL as the top model. As was the practice in the automotive industry back in those days, styling would change a bit from year to year and the ‘63’s were an evolution of the ’62s, but largely the same mechanically. Ford built nearly 30,000 Sunliner convertibles in 1963 (Sunliner being the drop-top equivalent of the Galaxie 500).

This ’63 Galaxie 500 had the same owner from 1977 until recently and was kept in a garage for the better part of 40 years. It’s a running, unmolested car that’s waiting for someone to improve its physical appearance. It’s a numbers-matching Ford with a 352 cubic inch V8 paired with an automatic transmission. The seller had a new gas tank put in, did some carburetor work, changed some fluids, and it started right up. We’re told it runs and idles well, with no noises, smoke, or leaks that the seller knows of. But it should be trailered to its next home.

Some additional work will be needed. For example, the brakes are stiff and should be gone through, including the power assist. The canvas on the convertible top has served its purpose and needs to be replaced. Fortunately, the power mechanism to lower and raise the top is in good working order after 92,000 miles. The Corinthian White paint has seen better days and is showing its patina. There is rust apparent in the quarter panels and fenders that may be repairable with patches. The interior will need a complete makeover.

The seller says he’s priced the car to reflect the fact that additional investment will be required to take the car through the restoration process. A refreshing admission since so many basket case cars are presented as jewels these days. This has the makings of a drop-top that could be worth in the middle $30,000s according to NADA, so you’ll have to only invest a fraction of that to acquire the car and get started.