When a vehicle presents as beautifully as this 1963 Ford Galaxie 500, and the seller states that it drives just as nicely, you know that you’re dealing with a car that should provide years of motoring pleasure. The Galaxie doesn’t appear to have a single weakness, because its interior is extremely tidy. The only thing I can spot that this classic needs is a new home. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder NW Iowa Kevin for spotting the Ford listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Dell Rapids, South Dakota. The seller set their price for this turnkey classic at $18,000.
Ford performed its usual update to the existing Galaxie for the 1963 model year. The changes were relatively minor, but the new exterior brightwork gave the Galaxie a fresh, clean look. This Galaxie 500 benefited from those cosmetic tweaks, and its overall presentation is very impressive. I initially thought that the paint shade might be Oxford Blue, but I believe that it might be a brighter shade that wasn’t on that year’s color palette. Whatever the truth, faulting its appearance is virtually impossible. The depth of shine is impressive, and the photos don’t reveal any visible flaws. The panels are straight, with the images suggesting the car is rust-free. The brightwork contrasts extremely well with the dark paint, sparkling in the sunlight. The Cragar wheels aren’t original, but they are period-correct for this classic.
Apart from visible wear on the wheel rim, the Galaxie’s interior is as clean as its exterior. Trimmed in Blue vinyl with contrasting piping, there is no appreciable wear. Assessing the carpet is difficult due to the image quality, but I see nothing suggesting potential problems. The dash is extremely nice, and the pad is excellent. As with the exterior, the bright trim provides a stunning contrast and is in top order. The seller installed a pair of underdash gauges to monitor the engine’s health, but I can spot no other changes.
Buyers could order a ’63 Galaxie with a six under the hood, but this car’s first owner teamed the 352ci V8 with a three-speed automatic transmission. The V8 delivered a respectable 220hp and 336 ft/lbs of torque, providing competent acceleration and excellent open-road cruising. It won’t deliver muscle-car performance, but the power and torque should satisfy most potential buyers. The good news continues: the seller states they recently replaced the carburetor, condenser, and coil. Enthusiasts seeking a turnkey classic Ford may need to look no further than this Galaxie, because the seller claims that it runs and drives well. I would like to see more detailed engine bay shots, but I can’t spot anything that causes concern.
This 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 ticks the boxes for buyers seeking an exceptionally tidy driver-grade classic. Whether on the street or at a Cars & Coffee, it can’t help but turn heads, gathering a growing tally of admiring looks. The recent mechanical work makes it a turnkey proposition, worth a closer look. It will be fascinating to discover how many Barn Finds readers would like to park this Galaxie in their driveway.
It sure ups the Wow! factor. Nice!