The year was 1963 when Ford introduced their 427-cubic-inch V-8 engines. With an eye on racing, this engine blurred the lines between their race cars to their street cars and that thrust Ford into the public eye. Chevy had a winning line-up featuring big V-8’s in their Corvettes and Impalas, and Ford knew that they had to keep up the pace.
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The Ford Galaxie 500XL was their “chosen one” that was going to pick up the torch and hopefully win over the hearts of Americans who were under the spell of Chevrolet. The 63′ Galaxie 500XL features the 427/425 HP engine that was built to specifically race in Australia. While it didn’t end up in any races down under, it does feature a super rare right-hand-drive export dashboard. Ford marketing used this “race car” and on showroom floors across the country with their mantra, “race on Sunday, sell on Monday.”
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SPECS
- R-code 427/425 V-8 engine
- Block casting C3AE-015AB, heads C3AE-H, rods C3AE-C, camshaft C4AE 6250 B, exhaust manifolds
- 9481-D and C2AE-9430-B, distributor C3AF-12127-AE, balancer C4AE
- Transmission upgraded to 1964 cast iron, same as factory race cars
- 4.10 rear axle
- Letter from Lee Holman of Holman & Moody, Inc.
- Frame-off restoration
- Some aftermarket parts added during restoration
- Rare right-hand-drive export dash
- Two sets of wheels and tires
- Built to race in Australia but never raced there
- For Colorado residents of counties requiring emissions, this vehicle must be registered as a collector car
