1963 1/2 Ford Galaxie Identification

[steve fritz]

Is there a way to determine by data plate info if a vehicle is actually a 63 1/2 model vrs an earlier build 1963 model ? Did Ford have a special data plate entry for the 63 1/2 models ?
Thanks , I appreciate any info on that.
Steve

[Lanny]

Steve, does this '63 Ford have a box style roof, OR is it a fastback roof line ?
The '63 1/2 Ford had the fastback roof line, made for a faster Ford on raceday.




.

[steve fritz]

Yes this one has the fast back roof line. Did Ford only build that style in mid year of 63 ?
Does that mean it has to be a 63 1/2 ? I am going to check this car out in person right after Christmas, so I just want to do a little research on what to look for when I cn see the data plate. Owner says its a small block v8 , so I'm thinking must be a 289. Also , says it is a stick shift on the column ?
Steve

[KULTULZ]

The only way to determine what it is will be the PATENT PLATE info. That will give you enough build info to find how it was assembled. And there are other methods to use to ascertain if the car is authentic.

Will he send you a photo of the plate? He can block out the ASSEMBLY NO. SEQUENCE to protect himself.

It will (should) be a 289 and 3/S (3.03 SYNCHRO) TRANS w/shift lever on the column.

[paul2748]

Yes the fastback was the 63 1/2 model. For 1963 1/2, Ford also made the 289 HIPO Fairlane and the 260 Falcon Sprint.

[scicala]

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According to my American Car Encyclopedia, the body code on the data plate for the early two door hardtop (square roof) is 65A. The Code for the 63 1/2 fastback is 63B. I don't know what date they started building the fastbacks.
I'm pretty sure if it's a fastback, that's the difference between '63 and '63 1/2. I don't think other models were considered '63 1/2. Only the fastback. Just my opinion.

Sal

[Lanny]

I'm going to go out on a limb here (because I don't know for sure) but I'm
going to say that the '63 1/2 Fords came out very early in 1963, as Ford
wanted to use the fastbacks in Nascar, and the Daytona is in Feb, so the
teams had to have their cars prepared to race for that event.

Tiny Lund won that event in a 1963 (1/2) Ford.
I'll try to find a picture of that Ford.

OK, here's a picture of Tiny and his '63 (1/2) Ford Fastback, Daytona winner

Maybe Someone will Enlarge this pic...thx

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by Lanny

Tiny Lund won that event in a 1963 Ford. I'll try to find a picture of that Ford.
Maybe Someone will Enlarge this pic...thx

Here's the pic enlarged a little bit!




Here's that pic enlarged bigly!

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Lanny

... the '63 1/2 Fords came out very early in 1963, as Ford
wanted to use the fastbacks in Nascar, and the Daytona is in Feb, so the teams had to have their cars prepared to race for that event.

FORD really dropped the ball when they didn't continue the STARLINER ROOF into the 62 model run.

[Ford Freak]

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

FORD really dropped the ball when they didn't continue the STARLINER ROOF into the 62 model run.

Yep, they sure did! It's just another one of their strange-for-no-reason decisions that they have made in the past. Makes you wonder "what were they thinking"!

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Ford Freak

Yep, they sure did! It's just another one of their strange-for-no-reason decisions that they have made in the past. Makes you wonder "what were they thinking"!

'Ya know ...

FORD pulled out of racing towards the end of 1957.

Even though they were still involved through HOLMAN-MOODY and the shop on the left coast (cannot remember his name - embarrassing - CRS), I believe they didn't officially return until the 62 season.

EDIT - Bill Stroppe in Long Beach, California

The STAR-LIFT ROOF being an example as 62 production didn't include a fastback.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by steve fritz

Yes this one has the fast back roof line. Did Ford only build that style in mid year of 63 ? must be a 289. Also , says it is a stick shift on the column ?

Steve

The car came through with either a BOX TOP or fastback.

63 1/2 indicates a later year production feature as 1964 1/2 MUSTANG did but was actually cataloged as a 1965.

Interesting subject.

[KULTULZ]

The 1963 model was essentially unchanged save for some freshening and added trim; windshields were reshaped and a four-door hardtop 500/XL was added. A lower, fastback roof-line was added mid-year to improve looks and make the big cars more competitive on the NASCAR tracks with less drag and reduced aerodynamic lift at high speed. This 1963½ model, the industry's first official "½ year" model,[15] was called the "sports hardtop" or "fastback" (it shared this feature with the for 1963½ Falcon).[15] Galaxie buyers showed their preference as the new sports hardtop models handily outsold the "boxtop" square-roof models.

ABOVE SOURCED FROM - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_G...0%E2%80%931964

This reminds me I need to make a donation as I use WIKI a lot ...

[rotorwrench]

Ford had different numbers for not only body designs but for trim levels as well. There were only two mid year changes in the 1963 models year. These are not always in the warranty number string on the body plate. They are in the vehicle identification number stamped on the firewall pinch weld tab in the engine compartment adjacent to the right hood hinge. The body number may still have 65A or B but the 66 or 68 in the VIN will indicate a fastback model.

66 = 500 Fastback
68 = 500XL Fastback

A small block in 1963 would be the 260 CID version. The 289 came later. A 260 engine code would be code F. This is a pretty good link. Note difference between VIN and body numbers.
http://www.so-calgalaxies.com/1963

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by steve fritz

Is there a way to determine by data plate info if a vehicle is actually a 63 1/2 model vrs an earlier build 1963 model ? Did Ford have a special data plate entry for the 63 1/2 models ?

Steve

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

The only way to determine what it is will be the PATENT PLATE info. That will give you enough build info to find how it was assembled. And there are other methods to use to ascertain if the car is authentic.

Will he send you a photo of the plate? He can block out the ASSEMBLY NO. SEQUENCE to protect himself.

ATTACHED is a diagram of the 1963 PATENT PLATE -



If the seller can send you a photo of the plate, he can block out the 6 character CONSECUTIVE UNIT NO. to protect himself.

Post it here and it will be de-ciphered.

[58Yeoman]

I had a 63 1/2 Galaxy in HS, and it was a 289 3sp from the factory. It may have been a later built model, as rotorwrench's site showed that 289 V8's came later in the year. I loved that body style so much that I bought another in 2013, only it was a 390 auto. Both black, first had black/grey interior, second had red. Sold it a couple months ago, as I didn't drive it enough to warrant keeping it.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by 58Yeoman

I had a 63 1/2 Galaxy in HS, and it was a 289 3sp from the factory. It may have been a later built model, as rotorwrench's site showed that 289 V8's came later in the year. I loved that body style so much that I bought another in 2013, only it was a 390 auto. Both black, first had black/grey interior, second had red.

Sold it a couple months ago, as I didn't drive it enough to warrant keeping it.

Yes, the first SBF offered in the 63 FORD was the 260. Hardly enough to pull all that metal.

I bought a used 64 GALAXIE 500 off a FORD USED CAR LOT when I worked there. It was a 390 4/S, MAROON-BLACK INTERIOR. It turned out it had a piston slap and FORD put a new 390 short in it. Loved that car.

Then from somewhere I decided it was time to get a government job (USA 11C - HEAVY WEAPONS).

I was draft bait anyways, so why not? Have you ever noticed I ain't too brite?

[scicala]

I've even heard some early 63's were available with the 260 V8, but kind of doubt that one.

Sal

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

Ford had different numbers for not only body designs but for trim levels as well.

66 = 500 Fastback
68 = 500XL Fastback

FASTBACK is the correct nomenclature. I think SPORTS-ROOF came along about 1968 as an advertising description.

1) BODY SERIES CODE
2) BODY TYPE CODE

[paul2748]

The 289 was introduced in April of 1963. I assume that it was used in the big cars, possibly replacing the 260. The 289 also went into the Fairlane, in the 271 HP HIPO version as part of the 63 1/2 introductions. A 271 HIPO Fairlane was my first new car. Just finished college and got a good full time job. Great car.