Whether on NASCAR tracks or NHRA drag strips, Ford’s full-sized Galaxie fastback, a mid-year “1963 1/2” release, made a name for itself and caught the attention of spectators and consumers alike. The seller of this one comes right out and announces that the 1963 1/2 Ford Galaxie 500 XL in Wallingford, Connecticut has “seen better days,” but if restoring a genuine R-code 427 four-speed Galaxie of this vintage gets your blood pumping, you may see right past the Flintstone floorboards and missing drivetrain. At least one bidder has made the leap of faith here on eBay and set the market value of this once-raging bull above $4500. Thanks to reader Bill H. for spotting this forlorn Ford.
This is the best engine bay picture provided, though clear shots of several key stampings and tags help document the R-code claim. Poke around some New England barns, garages, and fields and you’ll find a lot of rusty classics like this. Check out Performance.Ford for a look at a properly restored R-code Galaxie. The advertised rating of 425 HP seemed to be the number that auto makers of the day rarely exceeded, probably to dodge the ire of car insurance companies. Rest assured the engine made at least 425 on the dyno.
Our best view of the interior comes from this image. The small brake pedal and companion clutch make up the only good news here, as this body seems to have rusted from the ground up with no signs of stopping. It goes without saying that the best buyer either has a donor car already or plans to find one.
Adding insult to injury, a chunk of the right side is gone, perhaps from an accident that sidelined the classic some years ago. Those wheels are looking fine, though.
Push-bars front and rear imply track use and suggest this high-powered Ford became a practical Speed Appliance, a simple, brutal tool meant to go fast without polish or shine. Would you walk away from once-potent this red roller?
Two things hit me first, this was a nice Galaxie at one time and these cars are so dang expensive to restore. It’s just not worth it, even if I got the Galaxie for free.
This is one project IMO that will take the right person to do it right. Would I like to see it back on the highway – yes. Would I take it on – no.
Good to see another muscle car with a missing engine.
They’re eco friendly and of course high high dollar to buyers wanting a hot rod car..,
Not me missing the most important parts
Not me missing the most important parts. More rust than car.
It’s not a project, in the traditional sense, it’s going to be a VIN donor.
This would have been a gorgeous car when new, too bad it ended up in this condition.
Steve R
Coral reef.
If I was younger I would take on this project. Owning a “R” code Galaxie would be a dream but that what its going to be, a dream.
With only about $80,000-$100,000 in restoration costs, you too can have a $50,000 car.
Someone put some lipstick on it.
Hold my Beer !!!!!
Drive train missing,hence no R code.
Back when cars like this were considered fairly new there was a guy from the West Nyack New York area who was quite a character , Johnny Lee Johnson, he owned one, his was Red/Red, factory dual quad 427 4 speed. He street raced it quite extensively and won most times. People referred to him as “Johnny Bull$hit” cause he sure could talk up a good race or excuse. He ran it on the dragstrip quite a few time and won, the car was street driven, his only ride. This 427 Ford brings back loads of memories, I rode in it a number of times,,,,,, thanks for listing it.
I saw one like this (in MUCH better condition) sitting on a street corner in Phoenix, az about 1988 with $400 on the windshield. I waited a day ( due to my own cheapness) to offer 3 or350 but it was gone already. Told a guy back at the shop about it and he said the engine would have been worth 2500 at the time. Probably the 427 emblems would go for a few hundred on ebay now?
I can still tell you what corner it was on, oh, well
An older kid in my town ordered one from dealer a few towns away.
Was black/black “R” code factory dual quad 427 4 speed, no radio.
Before it arrived he ordered 390 flags for the fenders. I was at the gas station when he brought it home and put the 390 trappings on it and a chrome hood chain with paddle lock.
He raced everybody! No one could understand how a full body Galaxie 500 XL hardtop with bucket seats could whip every Biscayne 409 and Plymouth Wedge! Some of those were Cheaters too, but that black beauty cleaned their clocks! He kept it waxed like a mirror. Oh, it ate tires!
He told people the chain was for safety reasons, so the hood could not come open at the speeds he could go.
He pocketed a lot of cash.
I got a ride in it, ONCE :-)
“Where’s the rest of me?!?”
I bought a 1963 1/2 Ford Galaxie in 1967. Black with red interior, 289 with a three on the tree. It was a real underpowered pooch, but it was a beautiful car. A friend had a 1963 Ford Galaxie two door hardtop with a 406 and four speed. That one wasn’t underpowered!
Do understand, I was a little kid on a bicycle.
We praised guys with muscle cars.
When the 383 Satellites, 396 Chevells and 390 Fairlanes came out a couple years later, he still beat them!
By 1969 the 340 six pack Dusters and Darts, the 440 six pack Road Runners and the General Motors “A” body big blocks all came alive.
The “R” code guy met his match, quietly sold the Galaxie out of town and changed his tune to Show Cars.
BTW, there are two bids at $6000, twice what it cost New.
Oh, I believe it had NO warrantee on the drive train.
Is that correct?
In this case, R code means rust.
I was going to say it means Run. Away.
From childhood til current these 63 1/2 and 64 Galaxies always caught my attention. Just thought Ford hit it right on the money with these. This one is pretty rough, no doubt, but being a low production R code really needs to be saved. A date code 427 could be found as well as toploader. I imagine theres a nice doner car sitting in the Dakotas or Arizona or other such places where you see fields of rust free relics. Its a little out of my budget otherwise id love to take it on. Teardrop hood, some wider red steelies in the rear with piecrusts and were in business.
Too rusty for my taste, they are never the same after that far gone. I try to find them from out west or down south, or find a donor.