1963 FORD GALAXIE 500 2­DR “NOTCHBACK” HARDTOP
Designer: Joe Oros

Estimate: $30,000 -­ $40,000

Chassis Number: 3N63F119801
Decoded: 3=1963; N=Norfolk, VA assembly plant; 63=Galaxie 500 2­dr hardtop; F=260 cid V8
engine; 119801=19,801st 1963 Ford scheduled for assembly at the Norfolk plant
Engine: 406 cid OHV V8
3 x 2­-barrel Carburetor / 405 bhp
4-­Speed Manual Transmission
Four Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes
Mileage: 155

● From the Height of Ford’s Total Performance Era
● Bone Stock Exterior, Superb Horsepower On Board
● Low Miles of Full Rebuild

The Model: For 1963, the full­size Fords received all new sheet metal styling and were offered in four distinct trim levels. At the bottom was the base “300” series aimed for municipal fleet buyers followed by the slightly up­scale base Galaxie series. For families who wanted a lot of flash and fancy interiors, the Galaxie 500XL, but for the majority of Ford buyers, the most popular choice was the Galaxie 500. Available in a full range of body styles, a total of 49,733 of the “Notchback” formal roof hardtops were produced, and with a long list of options, having a unique model wasn’t that difficult. Ford offered a wide variety of power trains could be ordered, from a meek and mild six to a Total Performance 406 with triple carbs pumping out up to 405 HP.

The Car: From the exterior, this Corinthian White hardtop looks bone stock with only the “406” badges on the front fenders giving away what is hiding under the hood. Showing a little over 150 miles since the build was completed, the original small-­block V8 has been upgraded to the biggest engine available when the 1963 model year opened, a 406 V8, fitted with triple two-barrel carburetors, the engine sports proper linkage, cast-­iron headers and the very had to find air cleaner housing. Riding on stock 14” wheels, it has a new set of performance blackwall tires. One concession to the horsepower draw is factory power ­steering, not available in the stock hi-po package. The original gauge cluster has been fitted with all new meters, but it retains its stock AM radio in the dash. A sleeper of significant importance, this Galaxie is ready to join your collection.