By 1963, Ford was trying to create a performance image for itself. The formal roofline of the Galaxie 500 didn’t fit with that aura, so Ford introduced the “Sports Hardtop” in the middle of the year. It quickly became so popular that it outsold the 1963 formal hardtop by a margin of at least 2 to 1. This ’63 ½ Galaxie has been in a barn since 2020, the last time it was driven. It looks like quite a mess, but does it run? Located in the dark in Birnamwood, Wisconsin, this project is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $10,000.
While the Sports Hardtop was introduced mid-year and is referred to as a ’63 ½ model, is that technically correct? Weren’t all of the 1963 Galaxies titled as ‘63 editions just like the 1964 ½ and 1965 Mustangs all registered as ‘65s? Whatever the case, Ford built 100,000 of the new body style with 500 badging and another 33,000 as 500XLs. The seller seems to have limited knowledge of the car, as it clearly carries 1963 styling and thus is not a 1962 ½. Nor was it rare, given the six-digit number of them produced.
We’re told the car was driven into the barn where it resides, nearly six years ago. And it has apparently sat there untouched during that time. The mileage is an indicated as 64,000, but it’s possible that it could have turned over since odometers back then only registered five significant digits. The displacement of the V8 engine isn’t divulged, but it is paired with a floor-shifted automatic transmission. Since this Ford carries bucket seats, could it be the rarer 500XL model (two-thirds fewer built)?
This is a two-tone car, with the top being white and the rest dark blue (or black?). A feature of the Sports Hardtop was the bar across the top above the rear window, giving it the look of a convertible roof. Not much else is mentioned about the condition of the vehicle, so we have to assume some rust is lurking underneath, as we don’t know how watertight its surroundings are. Once cleaned up, this Ford should look a lot better, especially the interior.
This would have been a sharp Galaxie in its day. Black/white exterior, white buckets with console and floor shift, the type of car a successful young guy would aspire to own. Alas after thirty-plus years in storage, one has to assume it needs “everything.” Maybe someone will want to take it on as a (very big) project.
Maybe this one is “rare” – as in, put it back in the barn for a couple more decades and it will be “done”.
“could it be the rarer 500XL model” As it clearly sez XL on the gas door trim, I’d say yes.
Scary looking rust on the top of the drivers front fender, which would be surprising if it were isolated to that one location. From its looks I’d believe it if they said it was driven to its current location in 1992 more than 2020. It would have been a beautiful car, at some point, but it’s hard to see it justifying the $10,000 as it currently sits. It’s one thing to post such a low effort ad if you are asking $1,000, not $10,000. Unless this was my dream car I wouldn’t waste my time persuing it.
Steve R
Love these era Galaxies, this one not so much. With that color combo, I bet it was sharp when cared for.
But thanks Russ for reminding me to pick up some PH8A’s for spring oil changes!
I am a little more familiar with 1962. I had a friend with one of these. It is a 500XL. The engine being blue tells me it is probably a 352. Gold colored would be a 390. If someone buys this for $10,000 i hope they have plenty more for restoration. The crazy part is this was a $3,000. Car back in the days.
This car is a 3k car at best today as it sits, especially with the lame ad.
I can smell that car from here.
Definitely an XL and the engine appears to be the 2-barrel, regular gas 352 with 220 gross hp. It’s clearly an FE and the 390 and 427 would have front fender badges noting the displacement. No fender badges plus FE block equals 352 in 1963(1/2).
At least one zero too many.
I owned two of these beauties… but it’s going to take some serious time and $$$ to bring it back to good condition. IMHO, the price tag is at least 50% higher than reasonable.
LOL, I offered her 2500 and she still declined to accept my offer…Good luck mamm.
Come on skirt up let’s see those quarters! Looks like it’s been there longer than 5 yrs? Not a ford guy but like this one. No actual lower body pictures? Why not? Peace
It’s a 63 1/2 NOT 62 1/2! Being the engine is blue, that’s a 352. 390’s were gold and would also have a 390 badge on the fenders. Also bucket seats and consule shift = “Xtra Lively” model… My buddy and myself both had 64’s and he switched out dashes from a 63 just to have the little lines etched in the dash of the 63’s
It would be really nice if it were restored
That was a severely rough 5 years of storage. Maybe they mean they pushed it into the barn, in 2020, AFTER it sat outside in the back yard for 20 years?
I agree with others that the dirt, etc on this car looks like more than five years’ accumulation. About the only “rarity” I see on this once beautiful XL is what appears to be a vinyl roof, taking note of the seams on the fabric (could also be some rust bubbling under there too). Most of these cars that had an accent color roof, the roof was painted steel. This may be somewhat of a rarity IF the vinyl roof is factory. I’m too old for a project of this magnitude but could be beautiful again in the right hands. Hope it finds a good home.
What most have said but it is a 500XL which got you the buckets and console with the base V/8 – a 352. Little bit or more on the high side but for that area of the states not a bad driver situation. Do the mech and clean er up….not bad at half the price.
My 500 none XL had a bench and a 390 block with all that was left of a 428. With a top loader 4sp and bench seat the facrory cast iron headers made a sweet ride….body was as found…..don’t have any pictures of my 1964 hardtop with 352/3 on the tree….
My kind of Galaxie! ‘…body as found..,’ with a pieced together FE, 4spd & a bench.
Nice!
The 352 was still a good bread and butter engine. Find a 390 or 428 and you have all the hardware to do a simple engine swap. A friend had a 631/2 390 CI and 4 gear. Very nice cruiser as a black on black ride but hot as hell in the summer.
In 1980 he paid $2750.00 for a low milage car. Lots of interior room and the trunk was great for getting extra friends into the drive-in. Not a street racer but was a ride that was very comfortable, gentleman’s car.