1963 Ford Galaxie 500

Description

Cars like this 1963 Galaxie 500 are why Ford was dominating on the NASCAR circuits. With a slick fastback roofline and a great-running 352 cubic inch V8 under the hood, these were factory muscle cars before there were muscle cars. Nicely finished in Peacock Blue with a handsome black vinyl interior, it's an upscale cruiser that can still hand out beatings on the street.

Repainted several years ago and still looking great, there's no way to make the Galaxie look bad. Ford hit the styling out of the ballpark, with crisp lines and those big, round taillights that reflected the '60s enthusiasm for the jet age. The paint went down over well-prepped sheetmetal, and even on those massive quarter panels, there's nary a ripple. The code B Peacock Blue finish has a good finish to it today, which always seems perfectly appropriate on these cars, and it makes a wonderful statement at the local cruise night where it will be warmly welcomed. All the trim (and there is a lot of it) is in excellent condition. Both bumpers appear to have been re-chromed, and the long stainless strips that frame the sides of the car are straight and bright. While the 390 badges on the front fenders do not reflect what's under the hood, it's always fun to have a little fun people while sitting at the local redlight.

A wide bench seat is a cool industrial-strength early muscle car look, and it works well in the Galaxie. Some parts of it were most likely restored when the rest of the car was refinished, but there's also plenty of originality here and the line between new and old is hard to discern. The deeply pleated seats show exceptional detailing, which is often lacking in aftermarket seat covers, and even the metal buttons in the seatbacks have been retained. This one remains almost mostly stock, with the original AM radio in the dash, although there's an upgraded AM/FM/CD stereo in a cool custom housing on the transmission tunnel, plus an upgraded A/C unit under the dash that looks quite authentic. The 3-spoke wheel fits the Galaxie's upscale personality perfectly and a pair of cup holders makes it practical for your favorite cruise night get-togethers. The trunk is highly original, with a carpet mat, full-sized spare, and a jack assembly.

As I mentioned, the engine is a torquey 352 cubic inch V8, and it makes all the right sounds and amazing power. Upgraded from a 2-barrel to a 4-barrel carburetor, it is an excellent choice for your luxury muscle. Dressed in chrome valve covers with an open-element air cleaner, it's the ideal early '60s powerplant, both muscular and refined, making the performance seem almost effortless. Beautifully tuned, it settles into an even 700 RPM idle with only a hint of the cam inside and the burbling dual exhaust offers trick cut-outs just behind the front wheels for a dash of '60s street performance. The 3-speed automatic transmission snaps through the gears, and the entire car feels robust and sturdy, as if it could take the abuse all day. The chassis is clean, wearing a coat of undercoating for noise and heat control, and it wears 15-inch Torque Thrust wheels with 215/70/14 blackwalls that look butch and stuff the wheel wells properly.

Fast with class, that's the Galaxie's motto, and this one shows you why. If you're a Ford fan, few cars can match the Galaxie's reputation. Call today!