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Z-Code Tri-Power: 1963 Galaxie 500XL Convertible

1963 Galaxie Convertible

This isn’t just any old Galaxie convertible project. This puppy has a 390 under the hood and a four on the floor. If that weren’t awesome enough, it also has the rare dealer installed Tri-Power option! By adding three two-barrel carbs, owners were able to boost the power up over 400 ponies! Find it here on Hemmings for $8,500 and “parked” in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Looks like a worthwhile project to me!

Tri-Power 390

There’s the engine with that Tri-Power setup on top. I’d want to make sure this is the correct engine before sending any money, but it does look fun. Doesn’t it?

Top Shot

The seats appear to be in fairly good condition for a car without a roof. The car was partially disassembled when this owner purchased the car. The present owner has inventoried the parts and purchased the missing parts.  He believes that he has 100% of the convertible parts and 99.9% of the Galaxie parts. It appears that if the inventory is correct then you will have just about all the parts needed to bring this 500XL back together.

Cheers,
Robert

Comments

  1. Avatar photo Vince Habel

    The 406 rated at 405hp. What did the 390 do to get more ponies than the 406?

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  2. Avatar photo randy

    I think his price is way too low, we’ll see. What a great piece of history.

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  3. Avatar photo Rick

    The 406 tri-power offered in ’63 was 405 hp (the single 4bbl was 385 hp) and that was with 11.25 to 1 compression and solid lifters, factory cast iron headers, and dual point distributor. (in 63 1/2 the 406 was supplanted by the 427, w/ either single 4bbl or 2×4) In ’64 he Z-code solid lifter 390 was 330 hp and that was with a single 4 bbl, don’t know about 1963. Anyhow, not sure how a 390 would be over 400 ponies just because you bolted a tri-power onto it without the other performance upgrades.

    Like 1
  4. Avatar photo Jim Marshall

    This was my 63 XL convertible I restored 25 years ago. It was my favorite of all the collector cars I had. 300 horse 390 with a 4bbl.

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  5. Avatar photo Charles

    Sweet!

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  6. Avatar photo stillrunners

    looks like a good deal ” motor is okay/great”…..and a 4 speed car……and a convert….

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  7. Avatar photo James

    They are referring to the “Police Interceptor” 390 around 60-62. 390 ,solid lift cam 3 Deuces an iron headers. My dad one he put in a 64 Galaxie. He said it had about the same low end grunt as his 63 Galaxie had with a 406 “G” code but it wouldn’t pulling like the 406 from 4000 rpm on.

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  8. Avatar photo Bruce E

    I have a 69 Cougar XR7 that is foaming at the mouth for that engine & trans…

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  9. Avatar photo randy

    Hey Bruce, build you one, the parts are available. You can start looking at the FEforums. I am pretty sure edelbrock sells them new, or you could fins used parts as well.

    http://www.network54.com/Forum/75943

    Like 0

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