As drag racing started to take hold of American culture in the early 60s, the OEMs started to take notice and offered some truly great rides. Up for sale is one of these cars, and it is a real stunner. Check out this 1963 Ford Galaxie R-Code for sale here on eBay. Listed for sale for $89,900 or best offer, this heavyweight blue oval could be your ticket to the glory days of the American OEM racers.
The 1963 Ford Galaxie R-Code is an amazing symbol of American muscle and a pivotal moment in the history of OEM performance. As the drag racing craze surged in the early 1960s, Ford recognized a golden opportunity to appeal to enthusiasts and competitors and tried to corner the market. The R-Code was born from this burgeoning scene, showcasing Ford’s commitment to high-performance engineering. At the heart of the 1963 Galaxie R-Code is its powerful 427 cubic inch (7.0-liter) V8 engine, a burly powerhouse that quickly established the model’s reputation on the drag strip. This engine was an engineering marvel, producing an astounding 425 horsepower. Coupled with a heavy-duty four-speed manual transmission, the R-Code offered speed and a thrilling driving experience that captivated racers and car enthusiasts.
For the price being asked, the seller does not offer much detail. Fortunately, there are plenty of pictures, and this car looks the part of the blue-chip dragster it is labeled as. Everything looks clean and original, as mentioned in the ad, but what gets the heart racing is that big, beautiful 427 lurking under the hood. Topped with dual Holley carburetors, this engine gets the blood flowing for blue oval and race fans alike. The rest of the car also looks to be in amazing condition, as noted by the seller.
So, what do you think of this R-Code? Is the price too high, or is the nearly 6-figure figure worth it? These cars are great alternatives to the Shelby/Yenko/Hemi fervor in the muscle car market. The early 60s models are great transition cars, as they have some big-car 50s class and styling mixed with the muscle car DNA of the pony cars that came after. So, you can cruise with the style of the 50s and the performance of the best 60s cars. That is a great mix, and this car has me investigating black market organ sales and my baseball card collection to raise funds for this beautiful beast!
I have a warm spot in my heart for 60s FORD Galaxies. And this 63 would rank close to the top as the best of them. $ 89k is alot of cash, and I haven’t kept up with Galaxie prices lately. I have seen some nice ones for 15, maybe 20 grand. Maybe that’s his ‘I really don’t want to sell it’ price. I’m thinking the buyers for this type of car are disappearing every day. I would be so scared to drive this on the streets just to have a 21 year old girl come up behind me while texting on her phone. I see those rear enders everyday. This car should be in a museum somewhere.
An R-code Galaxie in its original form is in a different league from other Galaxies of the same era. These hold their own against the most desirable cars of the muscle car era. The market for those elite cars will always be strong. What you are saying about a diminishing market isn’t wrong, but that will primarily effect generic versions with small engines and extra doors.
Steve R
It’s very sad when we would be scared to take them out. But the big prices and being an R code car it would be hard to replace. Guess I can do without the problem.
at least her car would probably have a plastic bumper
You know this is a R CODE right? $15- $20,000 ?
I’m somewhat confused by your question, “You know this is an R code right? $15- $20,000?” You seem to be saying that an R code car isn’t worth this much. I may be wrong, but that is the way it reads to me. If that is the case, I don’t think that you could buy an original, date coded R code 427 engine for much under that figure, much less the whole car. If I am off base with my interpretation of your comment, please accept my apologies.
Not seeing any tags….but it does look right. My 63 1/2 had the same look with a 390 block – 428 crank and top with the factory cast iron headers….did I say I like Martini’s……….odd it looks like the sellers first…
With all due respect to the author, I must add, it wasn’t drag racing so much that the R code shined, it was in stock car racing. These were too heavy for any real numbers at the strip. Ford had moderate success with the 406, but the 427 was the one that helped dominate stock car racing. The 409, while admirable in its own right, couldn’t compete with the 427, and Ford finally had a “hemi killer”. Remember, the guys brother across the alley from me had a ’64 XL with R code, to say it was a beast, would be an understatement. It was not what I would consider “user friendly”. This car was clear indication of things to come, snarling beasts right off the lot and while many today couldn’t conceive of such a thing, considering what is driven off the lot these days, it went on in every dealership. You had $3500 bucks, not an unreasonable amount for a car like this, you could have one too.
Sadly, at $90 GRAND, only the rich can enjoy it. I only hope the eventual buyer knows what they have here. A missile that doesn’t stop or turn well. An extra pair of underwear may be needed.
The ’63 R Code that appeared at Goodwood this year, seemed to handle fairly well. Granted, it was prepped for the race. But these old boats can handle the turns.
Good point, Howard! Thank you for your comment and not taking me to task too hard!
Just under 2 tons Howard.
Hit the music 🎶 🎤 🎸
” Well, I was moving down the road in my V-8 Ford
I had a shine on my boots, I had my sideburns lowered
With my New York brim and my gold tooth displayed
Nobody give me trouble ’cause they know I got it made” 😎 🎵
Ahhh, a little ZZ Top for the mind and body,
Before the fastback came out as a 63 1/2 , my older brother’s friend bought a new ’63 Galaxie 300 two door…. 406 / 385…. 4 speed… blue. for street and weekend strip. Cutout exausts.
I thought it was very cool and one Sunday we went to a drag strip about 60 miles away…. some months later a white fastback 427 showed up in our little town… it was always parked. Dunno…..
It’s not a fastback, but a thin-pillared roof,and you’re correct this is a ’63 1/2; I’m not sure if there was an R code with the older ’63 roof which was also used on the ’62’s.
I remember a time when Tasca Ford(East Providence RI) had a front line of white R Codes for sale. 1963 1/2, Back then I didn’t realize that with all the money I spent on trying to make junk fast I could have made payments on one. Maybe saved my life. Love those cars and the times they turned.
Hi Franco, not enough can be said about Bob Tasca Sr. He was like Grand Spaulding Dodge to Chrysler, or like Nickey to Chevy, when Bob Tasca Sr. talked, Ford listened. I read, his “win on Sunday, sell on Monday” got a lot of interest. I think he single handedly convinced Ford that racing, and winning was a great way to sell cars. He was the grandfather of Bob Tasca lll, the funny car driver, and I can say, of all the drivers I met, Bob Tasca was the most cordial and friendly guy you ever want to meet. Heck, I bet he would have let me sit in his funny car if I asked. He would take kids from the crowd, and put them in the drivers seat. Can you imagine how much that must have meant to that kid?
Great stuff Howard 👏 👍 And good comment Franco 🏁
I am and always have been a hard Chevy sort of a fellow, but one of my favorite cars of all time is the 63 1/2 427/425 Galaxie, and this one would be a close second. One of my sister’s boyfriends took me for a ride in his 63 1/2 427, and as a 14-year-old wanna be car freak, I darn near fainted. In my opinion, ’62 through ’70 were absolutely the golden years of high performance street sweepers. It was nearly impossible to be completely loyal to just one brand, as virtually all the manufacturer’s (including American Motors) were putting out giant killers. I grew up during the street wars of the 60s as both an observer and a participant, and those years hold some of my fondest memories.
I agree oldrodder. Growing up during the 60’s street wars was the best. I was there and also participated. Brand loyalty was always a thing but you are right, too many great offerings from all the manufactures. Even AMC was in on the act, (a nod to Howard A). It was always fun prowling the streets looking for some new cars to race. Hell, win or lose, it was just sheer fun and exciting. Didn’t matter what you drove, there was always something similar in performance to race. Miss those days but I’ve still got vivid memories of them.
I like to watch (in fact went there a few years ago) Goodwood Festival of Speed where 63 Fords compete against everything from Minis to Jaguars. Interesting that the Jag MK2’s weigh more than the Ford even while most comments say how heavy the Fords are.
These beauties got me out of drag racing. We showed up with our Olds engined ’40 Ford coupe and in rolls 4 guys in an identical car to this one. Good looking and major league fast. All 4 guys drove it and beat us 4 times.
Went back to my Olds powered Studebaker coupe and got to work on it. Finished it and never got it on the track.
I wonder why they say the paint and all the interior surfaces are original but the engine and drivetrain “appear”to be original?
You’ll want to see the data plate and also the engine numbers before dropping huge cash on this.
Could be mistaken but I think this car appeared in these pages some time in the past few years. Feel free to correct / confirm….
It looks like it was, in August 2021, at that time it was listed on eBay being auctioned and located in Rockford.
Steve R
Drove a 63 Q code 406 Triple Carb, my older brother’s, as a senior in high school. Off the line too hard to hook up, but from 30 to 100 HOLD on TIGHT it was a Beast.
Lots of If’s with this car. The number one being. IF only I had the money!
For the last 10 years of my working life I drove concrete mixers. While delivering to a ranch outside Corsicana, Texas I spotted a 63 Ford Galaxie under a lean to type barn. I asked the owner about it and he said his dad had been a mechanic at the local Ford dealership back when it was a new car. He told me it was an R code that his dad bought after being traded in. Their plan was to restore the car at some point. Who knows if it ever happened. That’s been around 15 years now and I’m not even sure if I could even find it again but it would make a nice project.
God Bless America
Looks ready to run some shine!