Rare Car Archive

Makes › Ford United States › Galaxie › Galaxie 500 Factory Lightweight (1963½) · Factory competition · 1963 Extremely Rare

Ford
Galaxie 500 Factory Lightweight (1963½)

Factory lightweight drag-racing Galaxie 500 fastbacks (fibreglass panels, aluminium bumpers, 427 R-code) built for NHRA Super Stock; the common 1963 Galaxie is not the candidate

IDENTIFICATION CARD · FORD GALAXIE 500 FACTORY LIGHTWEIGHT (1963½) 1963
No licensed photograph yet. Photographs are published only when their licence permits it.
212BuiltRegistry reported
0Chassis documentedin this archive
150SurvivingIndependently researched
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
212 Built
Years
1963
Engine
V8, R-code · 7,000 cc / 7.0 LFactory: 427 cu in · converted
Power
317 kW / 431 PSFactory: 425 hp · converted
Top speed
Not yet verified
Body
Not yet verified
Designer
Not yet verified
In this archive
Not yet verified
Surviving
150 (independently researched)

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

The 1963½ lightweight Galaxie 500 was Ford's first full factory effort with the new 427 R-code engine. SCM counts 212 built, and estimates about 150 still exist.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Model rarityExtremely Rare 212 · Built1,2
Specification rarityNot yet assessed
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityNot yet assessed
Survival rarityNot yet assessed 150 · Surviving1

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

What is countedFigureBasisStatus
Total model productionEstimate by SCM of 1963 Galaxie lightweights still existing, of 212 built 1501 Surviving examples Independently researched
Total model production1963 Galaxie factory lightweights built (Sports Car Market; same page gives 50 for 1964 and 11 for 1962) 2121,2 Factory production Registry reported

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

Ford first ordered 50 under option AS-225-39D, built on the Norfolk line and converted by Dearborn Steel Tubing. The 427 had dual four-barrels on a High-Riser manifold rated 425 hp, with an aluminium BorgWarner T10 four-speed. Hot Rod gave 3,480 lb, against 4,150 for a standard fastback. Quarter-miles of 12.07 at 118.04 mph and 12.29 at 117.3 mph are cited.

SCM data give a $4,197 list price; the 1964 profile says $4,100 for the 1963 cars.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard Galaxie 500 Factory Lightweight (1963½).

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine familyNot yet verified
Engine codeNot yet verified
LayoutV8, R-code1 Independently researched
Displacement 7,000 cc / 7.0 LFactory: 427 cu in · converted1 Independently researched
Bore 107 mmFactory: 4.23 in · converted3 Registry reportedClub lists the 427 V-8 for 1962-64 Galaxie 500 XL in general.
Stroke 96 mmFactory: 3.78 in · converted3 Registry reported
Compression ratioNot yet verified
Fuel systemTwin Holley 4-barrel carburettors on High-Riser manifold1 Independently researched
Power 317 kW / 431 PSFactory: 425 hp · converted1 Independently researched
Power atNot yet verified
TorqueNot yet verified

Transmission & drivetrain

GearboxAluminium BorgWarner T10 4-speed manual1 Independently researched
Gears41 Independently researched
Driven wheelsNot yet verified

Chassis, body & dimensions

ChassisNot yet verified
Front suspensionNot yet verified
Rear suspensionNot yet verified
BrakesPolice Interceptor brakes1 Independently researched
SteeringNot yet verified
Body constructionNot yet verified
Wheelbase 3,020 mmFactory: 119 in · converted3 Registry reportedBase Galaxie figure.
Length 5,310 mmFactory: 209 in · converted3 Registry reportedBase Galaxie figure.
WidthNot yet verified
HeightNot yet verified
Front trackNot yet verified
Rear trackNot yet verified
Kerb weight 1,580 kgFactory: 3,480 lb · converted1 Independently researchedHot Rod figure; SCM also says weight was cut by about 300 lb.
Dry weightNot yet verified

Performance

Maximum speedNot yet verified
0–100 km/hNot yet verified
Fuel tankNot yet verified

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

04Colours & options

Factory colours & interiors

Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Factory options & codes

Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

05Individual cars

Chassis register

Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Competition history

Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Auction & sale history

Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

See one in person

Museums where an example of this car can be seen.

No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

06Reference

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

Cars were Corinthian White with red interiors (all but one), with fibreglass front fenders and hood (later cars also doors and inner fender wells), aluminium bumpers, Bostrom lightweight bucket seats, heater/radio/armrest delete, no seam sealer or sound deadener, 15-inch Kelsey-Hayes wheels and a glovebox disclaimer. SCM gives the chassis number tab at the top right of the dash panel flange in the engine compartment.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
    1963 Ford Galaxie 500 Lightweight Level B Sports Car Market
    • Number Produced: 212 (1963)
    • an estimated 150 still in existence
    • 427 R-code engine
    • new 427 R-code engine
    • Twin Holley 4-bbl carbs atop a "High-Riser" manifold
    • Horsepower was rated at (wink, wink) 425
    • aluminum BorgWarner T10 4-speed manual with an R.C. Industries bellhousing
    • T10 4-speed manual
    • Police Interceptor brakes, heavy-duty suspension
    • tips the scales at just 3,480 pounds ready to drag
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  2. 2
    Sports Car Market – 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 Lightweight Level C
    • 212 1963 Galaxie factory lightweights built (Sports Car Market; same page gives 50 for 1964 and 11 for 1962)
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  3. 3
    Statistics and Specifications - Ford Galaxie 500 XL 1962-64 Level B Ford Galaxie Club of America
    • 427 / ohv V-8 | 4.23 x 3.78 in. | 410 / 425
    • 427 / ohv V-8 | 4.23 x 3.78 in.
    • Wheel base: (in.) 119.0
    • Length: (in.) 1962/3: 209.0
    Accessed 2026-11-12

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