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Single Family Owned 1963 Ford Galaxie

It isn’t unusual to find a classic car that has belonged to the same person for an extended period. However, finding one that has been part of the same family for more than half a century is a bit rarer. That is the story behind this 1963 Ford Galaxie. It has belonged to three different members of the one family since the day that it rolled off the showroom floor. All good things must come to an end, so the family has decided that the time has come for this classic Ford to head off to a new home. It is located in Forest Lake, Minnesota, and has been listed for sale here on craigslist. The sale price for the Galaxie has been set at $4,950.

The Sandshell Beige Galaxie has been garaged for its entire life, which seems to be good news for prospective buyers. The owner makes no mention of any rust problems, and the exterior does look to be relatively clean. There are no signs of any issues in the usual trouble spots, although we don’t get any information or photos of the floors or the frame. The paint shows its age, and I believe that a repaint will probably be somewhere in this car’s near future. There is a dent in the passenger side front fender and a small one on the roof. Fixing this damage shouldn’t be an issue, and this might represent the perfect opportunity to treat the Ford to that repaint. Some of the chrome trim has been damaged at some point. It might be able to be repaired, but I suspect that the next owner will need to undertake a bit of shopping. The remaining trim should respond positively to some old-fashioned polishing, while there are no apparent problems with the glass.

The Galaxie’s interior might not be perfect, but gee, it’s not bad for a vehicle of this age. The front seat shows some wear and some odd wrinkling in the outer-edge vinyl on the driver’s side, but there are no rips or tears. The next owner might choose to replace the cover on the front seat, but I would be inclined to address the outer edge issue and then treat it to a careful clean. I think that the result might be quite surprising. The rear seat is perfect and doesn’t need to be touched. The dash looks spotless, as does the remaining trim and upholstery. Even the wheel appears to be free from visible wear and cracks. The carpet is looking tired and faded, and a new set would lift the interior enormously.

Potential buyers in 1963 faced several choices when it came to engines to slot into their shiny new Galaxie. In this case, we find a 289ci V8, which is backed by a 3-speed automatic transmission. With 195hp on tap, the Galaxie should be a spritely performer. It won’t be muscle car fast, but an 18.4-second ¼-mile ET is still nothing to be sneezed at. The Galaxie doesn’t currently run, and there are a few issues to address before it could be considered roadworthy. The owner says that there is a leak in one of the brake lines and that he hasn’t managed to replace this. He had intended to replace the lines and fit a dual master cylinder, but other matters got in the way. That’s the starting point on the road to recovery because the brakes don’t operate at all. The 289 last fired a shot in anger about 4-years-ago. The owner hasn’t attempted to coax it into life, and he feels that a fuel system flush and a carburetor rebuild might be a smart move before this is attempted. Otherwise, the plugs and wires are relatively new, and the engine bay presents nicely for a survivor of this age. It is worth noting that the owner claims that the car has a genuine 62,000 miles showing on the clock. Given the vehicle’s ownership history, there is a chance that there might be evidence available that will confirm this claim.

Finding an affordable classic project car is becoming ever more difficult, but that is what this 1963 Galaxie would seem to represent. Not only is it affordable, but returning it to its brilliant best would seem to be a relatively easy process. That has to make it a tempting proposition for anyone intent on a DIY restoration. Do we have any takers?

Comments

  1. Avatar Turbo

    Seems like a nice price point of entry into the old car hobby/addiction.

    Like 7
  2. Avatar Rex Kahrs Member

    The car has a fair amount of bling, but the overall style of the car isn’t that sexy.
    If I were selling it, I’d get it running, which shouldn’t be that difficult. Still, it’s refreshing to see a nice classic priced reasonably.

    Like 12
  3. Avatar LandYacht

    I agree with Turbo, nice car to get into the hobby with. Like the dog dish caps

    Like 6
  4. Avatar JoeNYWF64

    Is this an export car, with the driver’s side mirror being on the fender?!

    Like 1
    • Avatar Terry

      It is the optional remote control mirror.

      Like 1
    • Avatar Dewey Gill

      It could be a remote control mirror operated from the dash.

      Like 1
  5. Avatar Phlathead Phil

    Perfect example of a true “survivor.”

    And, the price is CORRECT!

    Like 12
  6. Avatar Joe Haska

    In 1963 my dad bought this exact car, I believe it was the only 2-door, he ever owned. I was in collage, but I got to drive it on special occasions, when I was home. I had talked him into buying it and he never really liked it, 2-doors and too hard to get in and out of. I would love to take this car and try to make it look as good as new, and enjoy it, just to reminded of my dad and that he never could understand my love affair wit cars.

    Like 3
  7. Avatar Pete Phillips

    A two-door sedan (with side post) body style in a top-of-the-line Galaxie 500 has to be rare.
    My grandfather bought new a 1963 Galaxie two-door sedan (not the 500), with six-cylinder engine and three-speed stick shift on the column. I did not even know that Ford made a 2-door sedan Galaxie 500.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Thos

    I had a 1963 Country Sedan but it didn’t have red valve covers and red air cleaner. Was there another engine option like maybe a 260 CI?

    Like 1
    • Avatar Cav427

      If memory serves correct there was a 6, a 260 V-8, the 289 v8, the 352 v8, the 390 v8 (2bbl and 4 bbl) and the 406 v8 4bbl and tri power…The 427 was on the way… wow, nice price, too bad shipping it would ruin the price.

      Like 2
      • Avatar Bob C.

        The 260 was available for the early 1963 full size Fords, but the 289 came out the second half of the year. Good choice there because horsepower jumped from 164 to 195. Still, it was an improvement over the 292 y block which was very outdated from the previous year. If you wanted more power, there was always the 352 or the 390.

        Like 0
      • Avatar Bob C.

        Oh, and yes. That is true. The 406 and the 427 if you wanted to beef it up more.

        Like 0
  9. Avatar Kyle Workman

    I knew a guy in our little town who bought a 1963 Ford Country Squire Station wagon with the 427 and a four speed. I loved that car. It sounded like it had solid lifters. It was stout.

    Like 0
    • Avatar ADM

      Well, they could’ve only made a few, as 1963 was the only year for the 4 speed in a wagon, except for a special order for one, in 1967, with the 345 hp 428. Can you imagine the value of that car today?

      Like 1
      • Avatar cav427

        Forgot about the 428 as an option! However I thought that came out later in ’64.

        Like 0
    • Avatar Kyle Workman

      Yeah it is a very small town in Southern West Virginia. His name was Frank Mathis. I’m sure it was a special order. I’ve never seen another one.

      Like 0
  10. Avatar HC Member

    Great 63 Galaxie survivor. Reasonably priced and a straightforward list of things to do. Bet its already sold

    Like 1
  11. Avatar Phillip Tenney

    I bought a brand new 63 tudor htp with a 4 speed and a 352 two barrel. I regreted not getting the 390 or 406 but they came out with the 63 1/2 after I bought my notchback and I hated the 352 as it was a gas hog and not fast.

    Like 0

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