I think for most, the prospect of dropping the top in a vintage convertible has allure. It certainly does for me, anyway. This 1963 Ford Galaxie 500XL convertible appears to be an appealing way to do that. It was sent in by a Barn Finds reader who found it here on eBay in Sylvania, Ohio. This is a no reserve auction that has received 26 bids making the current high bid $18,100.
The 1963 Galaxie received some light refreshing from the previous year. It was available in several trims and configurations, but the convertible was the 2nd least popular option. Of the roughly half-million Galaxie 500s built for 1963, just 1 out of every 20 or so were convertibles. Apparently big car needs and convertible dreams were nearly mutually exclusive.
I probably couldn’t have picked a better color combination for this Galaxie. The chrome trim seems to disappear into the Tucson Yellow paint while the black convertible top picks up some of the black accents from the interior. The seller has recently installed Coker wide whitewall tires. While I believe the whitewall width is considerably wider than factory issue, it seems to work here – especially with fender skirts in place to partially obscure the rear tires. Everything about the exterior looks to be on point.
The interior color scheme nearly matches that of the exterior. The white vinyl seats with black carpet, dash, and accents are a good blend, allowing neither to overwhelm. All interior surfaces appear to be in very good shape. Front bucket seats are split by a full-length console.
A 352 cubic-inch V8 powers this Galaxie. A console-shifted automatic transmission sends power to the rear wheels. The seller says it “starts, runs, and drives great.” You’ll benefit from power steering and power brakes.
The seller of this 1963 Ford Galaxie 500XL Convertible describes it as: “a great looking fun summer cruiser that needs nothing to be enjoyed!” Throw in a no reserve auction to boot and you could hit the streets in this Galaxie this summer for a song. After pouring through the pictures, I can’t disagree with the seller’s description.
The whitewalls are too wide, but other than that, this is a VERY sharp cruiser!
GLWTA!! :-)
Ordinarily, I’d agree. But somehow those wide, wide whites look perfect on this car!
I have absolutely no possible use for this monstro Ford where I live. Why do I want it so much?
The fender skirts and extra wide whites need to go. Otherwise very nice ,to nice maybe?
I hate fender skirts and continental kits with a passion. To me gaudy and the skirts were just rust catchers. I took them off any cars I owned…This Galaxy is really nice. IMO if it was black or red it would bring more.
Nope. They make the car.
I could use those tires on one of my 50’s cars and buy correct ones for this. Perhaps I need to bid on this one.
That sounds like a win-win to me!
Apart from the misalignment of the chrome beading on the off side front fender, I can’t find fault with this beautiful convertible.
Many came new from factory with worse alignment. Besides, it takes one’s eye away from the bump in the rocker panel below the passenger door, which did not come from factory.
With the rear wheel opening lips being flared, the skirts don’t look right. Other than that, she is a grand old gal.
Very sharp car! Love the wide white walls and skirts on this and other large convertibles of the time.
My son has a 64 four door that we bagged the suspension and added dual exhaust and a four barrel!! I have a 65 which was the first year of the new body style and is a convertible!! This 63 would be the trifecta!!! Beautiful car!!!
I can forgive the too-wide whitewalls. Normally, that might bother me but this car is gorgeous! Great lines on this ride. For some reason, that center console looks amazing to me.
3 years too new for those whitewalls, and NOBODY back in the day put skirts on a `63 Galaxie. Take those off & it’s a gorgeous convertible.
I’d take the skirts off and put them on the shelf… Wide whites were mostly gone by 63, so I put on a set of 1.5 inches after doing some research… Outside of that this takes me back to the years of misspent youth chasing girls that drove cars like this. Reason being, I was poor as hell and did my car shopping at local junk yards looking for solid cars with blown motors.. My 60 Vette sports wide whites but they work.. Just sold a 63 C 10 that had skirts! My wife hated them but i thought they looked ok. Someone is going to get a very nice ride…
Jonny… The convertible top looks tan to me… (not black)
If it’s truly an XL, it would have came with a 390. Nice car tho. I own a 63 1/2 factory 4spd XL hardtop. Love them.
In my opinion the skirts make the car. The tires? Ya, I’d probably change them out? But who cares? At the end of the day this is a gorgeous car. If all it needs to make it perfect for you is deciding whether the skirts and tires need to stay or go is nothing. It’s analogous to someone looking at a beautiful house and Fussing over whether it should have black or white appliances.
I have no interest in these Fords, it this one is the exception to the rule, gorgeous just the way it is, I’d probably throw a set of true spokes on it to go with the wide whites, continental kit anyone? Vintage air, and nice hidden stereo, geez I got it parked in that garage in my head
Beautiful car. 352 was an option in these cars. I owned a lot of 63-64-65 Galaxie 500 XL cars five or six decades ago. Most were 352 automatic, but also 289, 390, 406 and even one with 427. They were nice cars but like every car they had some problems. I didn’t like the way Ford built their rear axle design. The wheel bearing was pressed onto the axle. I had one come off the axle which allowed the axle, wheel and brakes all slide out leaving me in an uncontrollable car. I was going uphill so the car came to a stop then started rolling back down the hill. Fortunately there were no cars behind me and a business parking lot was halfway down the hill. I managed to roll into the parking lot and come to a stop. Very dangerous situation. My then wife and three small daughters were in the car.
God bless America
By 63 white walls were just under 1 inch. I would also loose the skirts. I would rather have a darker color with the white interior. Never been a fan of the 352. All said this is still a nice car.
Lovely car, but shouldn’t the XL have wheel covers with the fake knockoffs?
How can a bid be made, and how and where may the car be seen.
Wide whites came on new cars in 1961 and switched to one inch whites for 1962. Wide whites are definitely wrong for this car but it wears them well IMO. I’ve never been a Ford guy but I’d drive this one in a heartbeat, skirts and all.
Nice…..
My dad bought a 63 1/2 brand new. Not an XL but same color. He ordered fender skirts and dual radio antennas. Had 352 also. Sharp car
I really love this car, fender skirts and all. Unfortunately medical/ hospital bills have wiped me out. My dear wife of 25 years fell victim to a disease called Sepsis. It left her minus a left leg, heart disease, dialysis, diabetes and loss of eyesight. She’s now bedridden and depends on me for everything. This is no problem for me, but it left us financially broken. So no more classic cars for me. Still, I’m highly blessed to have my darling wife with me.
God bless America
I’m courious if this is a z code car?