Ford Galaxie 500, 1963
Ford Galaxie II
Ford Galaxie II•
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Chassis No.: 3N66R155281
Auction: The Eddie Vannoy Collection 2020
Auction date: June 30, 2020
Lot No.: V2
$74,250 | Sold
- Exterior: White
- Interior: Red
- R-code 427/425 HP V-8 engine
- Dual 4-barrel carburetors
- 4-speed manual transmission
- 9-inch rear end
- Heavy duty suspension
- AM radio
- Corinthian White paint
- Red vinyl bench seat interior
- 15-inch steel wheels
- Ford small-diameter hub caps
With its status as a factory R-code car with fastback roofline, this 1963 Galaxie 500 checks off two of the most important boxes for early Ford collectability. Carrying the all-important R-code 427 engine, the Galaxie’s data plate also shows that it was built at Ford’s Norfolk Assembly Plant and delivered new to the Charlotte sales district with a Corinthian White exterior, red interior, 4-speed transmission and 3.50:1 differential. At midyear 1963, Ford’s Galaxie gained a pair of NASCAR-inspired updates with the availability of the 427 FE engine and the “Sports Hardtop” body style.
In R-code form, the Thunderbird 427 High Performance V-8 produced 425 HP thanks to dual Holley 4-barrel carburetors on an aluminum intake, 11.5:1 compression ratio, a solid-lifter camshaft, dual-point distributor and free-flowing cast-iron exhaust manifolds dumping into a true dual exhaust system. For 1963, Ford’s 427 was essentially a race engine with low-riser cylinder heads, cross-bolted main bearing caps and stronger connecting rods. They were hand-built and expensive, with the dual-quad R-code adding $462 to the sticker price. Galaxies powered by the 427 were also packaged with a 4-speed transmission, 9-inch rear end, heavy-duty suspension and wider front drum brakes.
With the sleeker fastback roof, the Galaxie gained an advantage on the NASCAR high-banks while also providing a sportier look for the man on the street. This 1963 Ford 427 Galaxie 500 completed a frame-up restoration in 2015 and presents as an gorgeous factory muscle car with a bench-seat interior and painted 15-inch steel wheels with small-diameter hubcaps. As a 500 model, it is equipped with dual side moldings, a rear trim panel, back-up lights centered in the tail lights, an electric clock, deluxe armrests, front and rear ashtrays and chrome-like Mylar interior trim.
