Ford Galaxie XL 500 Fastback

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Model number: 1463

Review of the model:

The most famous Ford Galaxie is the 1963, XL 500 Fastback. That also reflects the ever increasing price those used cars get today, for maybe the first American muscle car ever produced. In those days the car was tested in wind tunnels to beat other cars in NASCAR. The test resulted in a lover roof line. The new design resulted in a smarter hardtop with flowing lines, resembles the ragtop known from convertible. The Fastback 1963 ½ was born.

Sun Star is the maker of the car in scale 1:18, so how well have they managed the job? This model is from their U.S.A. Collectible series in the mid-price range, with a lower detailing degree than the Platinum series. But let me say it now – This model car is very well made! You have to use a magnifying glass to find little things that could have been made better. If you hold the model in your hands, the first you will notice the great paintwork and a statement that the employees of Sun Star did a good job on prep work before the paint. Please take a look at the pictures, they will show the model in high res. That will normally show imperfections if such exist. The glass parts are well done too, both windows and lights. Chrome parts are shiny and give the model car a exclusive look. As usual, the interior is top-class. The black bucket seat looks like real vinyl.

Sun Star have made this Ford Galaxie 500 XL 1963 ½ in many colors. One of my favorite is the Peacock Rose Beige Blue. But this Black in Black tuxedo is the car for the real man! Try to look at the rear taillights and grille – this model car is one of my favorite 1:18

I will give this model 4 out of 6 stars  ******

Below here are pictures of the model, historical description, old brochures, technical data and a little movie clip for the real car. So please enjoy!

Ford Galaxie XL 500 Fastback 1963 1/2

The new lower roofline really suit the car

History:

1963 Ford Galaxie 500 Fastback from Hemmings Motor News

Talk about a rapid market swing. In the earliest days of the 1960s, Ford issued its compact Falcon in response to the public's request for more affordable, economical cars. As popular as the Falcon was, by 1962 Ford customers were scooping up intermediate and full-size cars as fast as the company could stamp them; Galaxie sales alone accounted for nearly 50 percent, which included the top-of-the-line XL. So how does one capitalize on such popularity? Ford's answer was simply "make it better."

The Galaxies of 1963--in particular, the Galaxie 500 and 500 XL series--have been graced with adjectives such as slick, racy and sleek, thanks to design elements that fit perfectly with the low, 209.9-inch-long body. Initially available as a two- and four-door hardtop and a convertible, each exhibited a concave grille flanked by a set of dual headlamps, along with a matching rear fascia and rocket-like circular tail lamps. Each fender had a short, stylish chromed fin closely matching the elongated hood trim. The carefully sculpted flanks were tastefully decorated with spear-like side trim running the length of the beltline, which reversed direction at the tail lamps and ran forward just above the rear wheel opening. And then there was the mid-year release of the wind-cheating Sports Hardtop, also referred to as the fastback. Designed with racing intentions, it was a massive step in eradicating Ford's formal look. As an added bonus, Ford beat Chevy in bringing the sloped roofline to market.

In the top-of-the-line XL series (Ford literature suggested XL stood for "extra luxury and extra lively"), bucket seats finished in full vinyl came standard. Also included at no charge was a full-length center console, a rocket-inspired "Command console"--or instrument panel--an array of courtesy lamps, polished trim and floor carpet extending up onto the lower door panels. Below was a 119-inch wheelbase ladder-type boxed frame utilizing a "compliance link" independent front suspension along with a pair of rear leaf springs, as well as tubular hydraulic shocks and drum brakes at all four corners.

Once Ford relented and offered its customers a V-8 engine, the horsepower struggle with Chevrolet--their primary competition--was rarely off the radar screen. There were some occasions, however, when the Blue Oval was caught unprepared, such as the 1962 model year. Ford's tri-powered, 401hp FE-series 390 of '61 was quickly outgunned: Chevrolet presented a 409 on the option chart; Pontiac had a 421; Mother Mopar offered a 413; even Buick issued a regular production "Nailhead" 401. To keep up, Ford punched out the 390 to 406 cubes that, with new internals and a fresh top end, was rated for 405hp in triple two-barrel configuration. But even that engine was obliterated by Chevy's 1963-issued dual-quad, 425hp 409; their very limited production Z11 package and its 427-cu.in. V-8 produced 430 horses (on paper).

Forced back to the drawing board, Ford released the FE-series 427 of 1963. A grossly oversquare 390, the bore and stroke measured 4.23 x 3.78 inches, and it included a solid-lifter camshaft, cast-iron crank, 11.5:1 compression ratio, a "low-rise" aluminum intake manifold and cylinder heads with 2.04/1.66-inch intake/exhaust valves. A true dual exhaust system helped it breathe. With a single four-barrel, 410hp and 476-lbs.ft. of torque (Q-code) was sent to the rear wheels; two four-barrels (as seen on our feature car) and Ford claimed 425hp--just shy of the horsepower per cubic inch plateau--and 480-lbs.ft. of torque (R-code).

As powerful as the 427 was on paper, the frumpy formal roofline of the redesigned 1963 Galaxie family it was going to be offered in wasn't aerodynamically appealing to either racers or like-minded customers. So engineers and stylists produced the midyear Fastback as part of Ford's new Total Performance series of 1963.

There were two key aspects to the slippery design of the sleek new Galaxie: The overall height had been lowered 2 inches, and a simple crease (often thought to give the hardtop the look of a convertible) at the rear of the panel allowed for a smooth transition to a gradual downward slope with a flush-mounted rear window. Wind tunnel testing confirmed that airflow over the new roof was 23 percent cleaner than the previous year. Now it was Chevy, Dodge and Plymouth who couldn't offer their customers or racers an equal.

Complementing the new engine and body, each mounted to a 119-inch wheelbase ladder-type frame with fully boxed side rails, were delightful options such as a floor-mounted four-speed and performance axle ratios; a heavy-duty front coil/rear leaf suspension system was mandated by the 427. Massive 11 x 3-inch drums were also included. Interior appointments were typical of the Galaxie line; however, the choice of a bench seat over buckets excluded buyers from the top-of-the-line, and quite plush, XL trim level.

The Fastback was a hit. During the abbreviated run, production ceased at 100,500 units, of which just 3,857 were assembled with the R-Code 427, according to the Galaxie Club of America.

The XL Fastback price was USD $3,268 now sells at actions up to USD $60,000

This article partly appeared in a issue of Hemmings Motor News by Matthew Litwin

Old brochures of the Ford Galaxie 1963

Videos of the real car from Youtube

If you have any question or comment your are free to contact me at: aeronautic@stofanet.dk

Dealers are welcome to get their models reviewed too.

Aeronautic Aug 2017 Rev. July 2018

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