Vehicle Description
What you're seeing here is Ford's answer to the Super Duty
Pontiacs, the industrial-strength Mopars, and the 409 Chevy. This
1963 Galaxie 500 hardtop is quite simply Ford's finest example of
the "Gentleman's Express," a car that's both elegant and as brutal
as a hammer strike. The Q-code meant 427 cubic inches, a 4-barrel
carburetor, 410 horsepower, and with an exhaust note straight out
of Valhalla, it also means that people sit up and take notice when
this machine arrives.
The Q-code 427 was a mid-year replacement for the 406, bumping
right up against the NASCAR engine displacement limit, which was
surely intentional. Bright code J Rangoon Red is this car's
original color, and that's really the only color it could possibly
be now that it's been given a serious horsepower injection. Of
course, as a national prize winner, you know they spent some extra
time block sanding the bodywork to make sure its straight, and with
that spectacular paint job this car is 100% extrovert. It just
stands out in a crowd like a heavyweight boxer at the opera. Finish
quality is excellent, with doors that fit right and great gaps all
around, all indications of a prizewinner that has only been to the
show field but never used regularly. Plenty of jewelry helps the
upscale Galaxie look the part of Ford's top-of-the-line machine,
including the streamlined fender ornaments and none-too-subtle 427
badges. And I'm still convinced that Ford had the right idea with
their taillights looking like jet exhaust, particularly on a car
that can accelerate like this one does.
The red interior is really the only choice in a bright red luxury
liner, and it has been restored with new seat covers, fresh
carpets, and a restored dash. A bench seat with a 4-speed is how it
came originally and delivers the brute-force performance in a
no-frills way that suggests the guy who originally ordered this car
had his priorities in order. The gauges cover the basics, but there
are no give-aways like a column-mounted tach or under-dash gauges,
keeping this car strictly 1963. A correct shifter (they're not
reproduced) manages the 4-speed manual gearbox and you know you're
hardcore when you spec manual steering and brakes in your street
sweeper. The original AM radio is still in the dash, but who cares
if it works? You'll never use it after you hear the exhaust note.
And yes, the trunk is truly massive, carrying its spare way up
front, but remember that it also helps plant the rear tires and
you're going to need all the help you can get in that
department.
The engine is the original 427 cubic inch mill that was rebuilt 27
miles ago (yes, twenty-seven). But this is no garden-variety 427;
no, it's been rebuilt to its original 410-horsepower spec complete
with solid lifters, fresh flat-top pistons, and that big 4-barrel
carburetor up top. The engine bay sparkles with that
highly-detailed look that only show-quality cars can offer, with
every part showing exactly the right finish, right down to the
original cast iron exhaust manifolds. Everything around the engine
is new, too, from the belts and hoses to the ignition system, and
it exhales into a rumbling dual exhaust that sounds threatening
even at idle. The 4-speed manual feeds a 9-inch rear with 3.50
gears inside, so you don't have to worry about breakage and it's
still street-friendly. The chassis is likewise detailed for show,
demonstrating only use going on and off a trailer on its way to
collecting those big awards around the country. And as the perfect
finishing touch, there are plain-Jane steelies with dog dish
hubcaps and proper 6.70-15 Firestone bias-ply blackwalls for a
truly industrial look.
Fast and brutal, this is one heck of a find for Ford fans. With it
you can intimidate lesser cars without even starting the engine,
and it's one piece of muscle that truly delivers on the promises
its looks make. Call today!