1963 Ford Galaxie 500 Sports Hardtop

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

In the early 1960s, the horsepower race among American manufacturers became one focused on displacement, with each mill inching closer to the 7.0-liter (427 cu-in) NASCAR displacement limit. Chrysler offered a 426 cu-in Hemi V8, Pontiac a 421 cu-in Super Duty V8, and Chevrolet a 427 cu-in V8, while Ford’s largest powerplant was the 406 cu-in FE big-block. The Dearborn engineers went back to the drawing board and came back with the legendary 427 V8, available in 410 horsepower “Q-code” or 425 horsepower “R-code” specification. Topped with twin Holley 650 four-barrel carburetors, the R-code was built specifically to dominate at the highest levels of NASCAR and NHRA drag racing competition. Staying true to the “Win On Sunday, Sell On Monday” philosophy, Ford needed a sporting new model in which to offer the engine, appearing halfway through the 1963 model year as the Galaxie 500 Sports Hardtop. Rather than developing a completely new design, Ford took the wide, slab-sided silhouette of the Galaxie and gave it a fastback-style roofline for a slight aerodynamic edge at the track and the drag strip. The coveted 427 cu-in V8 would cost buyers an additional $570 on top of the Galaxie’s $2,730 base price and was installed in only 3,857 cars during the shortened 1963 model year, making them fiercely sought after today.

Jerry Ferguson, a member of the United States Navy and a co-founder of Biomet Inc., a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of musculoskeletal orthopedic implants and products, was known for his entrepreneurial drive and generosity. He was also an enthusiast of all things 1950s, from music to automobiles. Pursuing his love affair with the automobile, in 1984 Ferguson established the Classic Car Centre of Warsaw, Indiana, a company dedicated to the acquisition and restoration of mid-century American Classics. In operation until his return to Biomet in 1993, today Hagerty Marketplace is proud to offer The Ferguson Collection, comprising the long-hidden remaining inventory and personal collection of Jerry Ferguson.

Highlights

• Offered from The Ferguson Collection

• One of only 3,857 R-code Galaxie 500 Sports Hardtops produced in 1963

• 427 cu-in overhead-valve V8 topped with two 650 four-barrel carburetors, rated at 425 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque

• Borg-Warner four-speed manual transmission shifted via a floor-mounted Hurst T-Handle shifter with brake lock (with original shifter included in the sale)

• Finished in black with a black vinyl hardtop

• Original Red vinyl upholstery and white headliner

• Additional under-dash-mounted Stewart Warner gauge pack (oil pressure, oil temperature, amperes, vacuum, fuel pressure)

• Dash-mounted 9,000-rpm AutoMeter tachometer

• Radio delete

• Cast aluminum air cleaner with “427” emblem

• Cast iron headers

• Original dual four-barrel carburetor intake manifold, fuel log, and valve covers

• Trunk-mounted battery and electric fuel pump

• Chrome bumpers and trim present nicely

• Original felt window seals

• Solid body retaining its factory undercoating

• The data tag decodes as follows:

• 63B - Galaxie 500, 2-Door Hardtop

• M - Corinthian White Exterior

• 95 - Red vinyl top with Red Trim Vinyl Interior

• 18G - 18th July Production

• 11 - Boston DSO

• 9 -  4.11:1 Axle Ratio

• 5 - 4-Speed Manual-Shift Transmission

• 3 - 1963

• W - Wayne Assembly

• 66 - 500 Two-door Fastback

• R - 8-Cylinder, 427cu-in (two 4-barrel carburetors)

• This Galaxie 500 Sports Hardtop R-Code is offered with the five-digit odometer currently displaying just over 15,000 miles at the time of listing; however, the true mileage is unknown

Features

• 15-inch steel wheels with “dog dish” wheel covers

• Chrome bumpers, front and rear

• Pillarless hardtop

• Driver’s side exterior rearview mirror

• Electric clock

• Three-spoke steering wheel

• Manually operated windows

• Vent windows

• Horizontal 120 mph speedometer

• Heater

• Locking glove compartment

• Lap seatbelts

• Bench seats, front and rear

• Red loop-pile carpet

• Under rider traction bars

• Dual exhaust

Known Imperfections

• Please note that all of the lots in The Ferguson Collection are offered in non-running condition after being stored without operation in a climate-controlled facility for at least 10 years.  As a result, the lots will benefit from additional mechanical attention before being driven to address any imperfections associated with long-term storage or individual preferences. All lots are sold as is, where is.

• The trunk lid is slightly bowed on the passenger side

• Wear on top of the driver’s door panel 

• Rubber door seals are missing

Included

• Original four-speed shifter assembly included

• Spare wheel and tire

• Jack

• Ownership documents

• Partial service records

Ownership History

This Galaxie 500 Sports Hardtop R-Code is said to have been sold new in Pennsylvania and used as a race car by the original owner before continuing to race with Gleason Racing in the Midwest. The car was then owned in Tennessee and Iowa before being acquired by The Ferguson Collection in 1994.

Additional Notes

A Broad Arrow Group Consignment Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle

Contact: Donnie Gould Phone: 954.647.0779 email: donnie.gould@broadarrowgroup.com