390 V8 Project: 1963 Ford Galaxie 500XL
Ford added the XL series to the Galaxie 500 in 1962, perhaps to compete against the popular new Chevy Impala SS (Super Sport). To help Ford’s performance in NASCAR, a slippery fastback body style was introduced in the middle of the 1963 model year. And a hot new 427 cubic inch V8 joined the scene. This “1963½” Galaxie 500 is an XL with buckets seats and a 390 V8 under the hood. While the body looks good, the interior will need some help – and it does run off an external gas can. Located in Apache Junction, Arizona, this XL is available here on craigslist for $15,000. Another great tip from Barn Finder “numskal”.
Chevrolet delivered nearly 100,000 Impala Super Sports in 1962, so it was logical that Ford would soon follow their lead. And they did with the Galaxie 500XL (the XL allegedly meant “Extra Lively”). All sorts of engines could be ordered, with the 390 being one step away from the new, monster 427 in ‘63. We don’t know if the seller’s car is the Z-code 390 (good for 300 hp) or the P-code 390 (at 330 hp), depending on carburetion. When you ordered an XL, besides the bucket seats you also got a center console with the transmission’s shifter and an extra set of gauges. Also, the level of trim was a step up from the standard Galaxie 500.
Factory air conditioning was optional and may have been included in the build of this 1963 Ford, though the hardware under the hood seems to have taken flight. In those days, the vents were still located in a box under the dashboard rather than being integrated into the dash (that would come later). We don’t know the history of the seller’s Ford, but it hasn’t been running for several years. Except for some recent attempts that have brought it back to life with a new fuel pump, starter, and rebuilt carburetor.
The photos provided show a solid body on this XL, but the interior hasn’t faired as well, especially the front seats and the carpeting. We don’t know if the latter has deteriorated from exposure to the elements or the handiwork of some small woodland creatures. The odometer has turned over, so the automobile has at least 100,000 miles, and a Cruise-O-Matic transmission is paired with the engine. This looks like a great restoration project and would be a car seen far less than a comparable Impala SS.
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Comments
The roof of the late ’63 XL makes that body style really pop! They carried the roof through ’64 too. However, it isn’t really a fastback, since a true fastback has one continuous slant from the rear of the roof to the end of the trunk. (see 1st gen. Mustang and Barracuda). This car is nice however, and a restore of the interior would probably be well-worth it.
It was 1962 when these went into production so yes this is a fastback. I was 100% Ford nut then and they were called fastbacks and predated any other brand FB by at least a year.
The 1964 Daytona race changed my brand loyalty forever.
No, the fastback was a 63 1/2 addition.
Dad had one in black with red interior. Too bad all our pictures of it are in B&W.
I had a white, 1963 with the square looking top.
It didn’t run very fast, the fan belt squeaked upon acceleration and it guzzled gas. Of course it was a 352 cu.
It was a good car and I drove it a lot of miles.
This one needs a lot of help, but it would be pretty if it was restored.
Just my oponion!
Belt noise? Wow and this is noteworthy?
My dad bought brand new 63 1/2 427 4speed also black with red interior
“The Cadillac that’s sittin’ in the back, it isn’t me.
Oh, no, no, no, it isn’t me.
I’m more at home in my Galaxie.”
Great cars and a big improvement over the square looking things. I had a friend with an R version in black. I had a white convertible with a 390 with a 3 speed overdrive and first year am fm radio. Another guy had a 63 exactly like this one only a red interior and frame rust killed that one. It must have been awfully tough to choose between Ford and Chevrolet in 63 and 64 because both are fantastic cars.
One of my dream cars. One of my uncles had a 63 1/2 in red like this, but his had a red bench seat interior with a 3 on the tree. It was a 390 car, I don’t know which one, but it later got a 427 out of a wrecked 63. It got sold before I started driving, I was able to trace it through 3 other owners before the trail went cold.
I had a 66 500 XL. Basically the same car except black interior. Good looking ride but I would trade it in a second for this one. Partly because I really like this one better and because I was born in 63. Only thing missing is a 427 4 speed. Now “THAT” would make a nice ride.
I had a 63-1/2 in light blue back in the late 60s, darker blue interior w/289 auto. Wasn’t fast by any stretch but an awesome cruiser. Had reversed the shackles in rear to give it a nice subtle rake. Black walls w/full wheel covers just made it look cool. Bench seat in front made it perfect when taking your girl to the local make-out spot. Good memories and one of the best looking cars of any make in the period. Sadly I had to sell it when I got my draft notice.
Well, back in the 70’s when I was still a whipper snapper, I owned several of these Fords 63-65 models. I always thought the XL stood for EXTRA LUXURY,
but it doesn’t really matter. I had 289, 352, 390 and one 427, some automatic some standard 3 speed on the column and a 4 speed. They are heavy cars but long and sleek with beautiful lines. They came in numerous colors inside and out, back then you had choices, not like today when there’s only one or maybe 2 colors for interior. I had a 65 that had factory A/c man was I high steppin around my friends in that car in 1967. Living in Redding, California at the time it gets around 110 degrees in the shade in the summer time and that A/C sure was nice.
God Bless America
Vastly Overpriced given the condition.
For $15K it should run and drive on its own not a gas can!
I understand a little bit of “Fishing” when it comes to pricing however quite a few sellers have taken that concept to a whole level.
With the current shape of our economy cars that need “Completely Restored” are going to sit unsold for a longtime!
Interior will take 8K to redo, under hood needs 2K, it’s a deal for 10K
I don’t blame a man for fishing. Asking and taking are two different things. Offer what you think it’s worth, then the ball is in his court. I don’t understand what you mean by shape of the economy. The DJIA is at 39,000, and the unemployment rate is 3.7%. It looks pretty good to me.
Owner/Driver must have had a sack of nails in his or her back pocket.
As a sixteen year old I worked in a gas station and the owner had the ’64 version of this car. Beautiful maroon with twin pipes.Used to drive it to fetch parts. Only downside was the slushbox but he had the big block in it. Oh yeah that and the white interior seemed kind of dumb for a guy whose overalls always had grease in them. lol That and his Sunbeam Tiger :) He had it going on.
I had a 62 at one time but not the XL . I dont remember it having that much trim on the sides . It was a pale yellow with a white hard top. It ran really well an was fast for a bigger car. I remember the seats were really plush and comfortable so long trips were a joy. I ended up selling it to a neighbour who eventually traded it in another car. Great car . Loved it .
Long story but stick with me. In high school I had a buddy whose family had a beach house in Long Beach Island N.J. I was just 16 and he was not yet old enough to drive at 15. We went to their house for a weekend and his older sister had their 59 Olds 98 convertible. They kept it there for use while down the shore. She went to a party in that car and secretly lent it to my friend and I to cruise around and bring back to the party later on. My buddy and I picked up some girls, cruised all over the island, and kept coming across two guys in a 63 Galaxie XL 500 like this one. We ended up drag racing a couple times. Don’t remember who won. We did run into them a few hours later. They had crashed and were upside down. Never heard whether they survived or how badly they were hurt.
My buddy and I ended up running out of gas after midnight. No gas stations were open. I pushed that damn car over a mile back to the house where his sister was at the party. She told her dad it just ran out of gas at the party. I can still see his dad looking at us trying to figure out who was lying.
The Galaxie was a 390, black two door. Every time I see one that memory comes right back, even though it was 58 years ago.
i doubt anyone else will notice but looking at the engine it doesn’t look like a 390. The FE block had a pretty much flat intake that went across the whole top of the engine. That would explain the missing underhood ac hardware. I am thinking a 351?
It’s definitely and FE block. Now what is anyones guess, 332, 352, 360, 390, 410, 427, 428. Anyone that has owned these knows the @$%&%%, those heads and exhaust manifolds are.
I worked part time in a grocery store in 1964 during my soph year in college, and one of the full time guys bought one of these 63 Galaxie XL in white with white interior/blue trim. His was what was called a “427 T”, which meant Two 4-barrel carbs, and Transistorized Ignition (a big new deal in ’63). I had just bought my 1960 Starliner from another of the store guys, who had just bought the very first 64 1/2 Mustang convertible in town – an HPO 289, dark blue with a white top. My Starliner was the 360 horse 352 with a 3speed Overdrive, bright red. The store parking lot looked like a Ford dealerships dream, red, white and blue. Gas was 19 cents a gallon, and those cars ran on a mix of gasoline and testoserone.
Ours was “rust” and had tail fins. This is really taking me back!!!!!