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In early 1963 Ford introduced a fastback body styled Galaxie to improve aerodynamics for their Nascar wars with Chevrolet and Chrysler. The fastback 63 Galaxies became known as 63 ½’s. At almost the same time Ford introduced the 427 cubic inch FE block engine. These engines, especially in the dual-four R engine code variety, were much more powerful than the previous 406 cubic inch version of the FE block. R-code Galaxies immediately made a big splash in Nascar as well as on drag strips and streets across the country.
This stunningly restored R-code Galaxie 500 sports its original configuration Corinthian White exterior with red vinyl interior, 4-speed transmission and FoMoCo 15" X 5.5" Kelsey-Hayes wheels. The engine in this R-code is believed to be original; while 63 Fords didn’t have VINs stamped on their engines, the block in this car has a May 10, 1963 date code and the heads have May 8, 1963 date codes (both block and heads date codes precede the car’s build date by about six weeks). Its VIN and data plate read and decode as follows:
VIN 3D66R142290:
3 - 1963
D - Dallas Assembly Plant
66 - Galaxie 500, 2D Fastback
R - 427 CI (8V High Performance)
142290 - Unit# (42,290th Dallas '63 vehicle)
Data Plate:
Body 63B - Galaxie 500, 2-Door Fastback
Color M - Corinthian White
Trim 85 - Crush Vinyl, Red
Date 25T - Manufactured June 25, 1963
DSO 61 - Dallas Sales District
Axle 5 - 3.50:1
Trans 5 - 4-Speed Manual Shift
It would be a significant challenge to find a more correct and/or higher quality investment grade example of the classic 1963 1/2 Galaxie R-code that won drag races right off the showroom floor. This beautiful ’63 ½ R-code has spent its whole life in the Dallas area, runs like a Swiss watch (on steroids) and draws a crowd wherever it goes.
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