1963 FORD GALAXIE 500 XL FASTBACK - BEAUTIFUL LOW MILEAGE SOCAL ORIGINAL

1963 Ford Galaxie 500 XL 2 door hardtop fastback

Description –

Up for auction is this unrestored original 50,100 mile Southern California black license plate 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 XL 2 door fastback. It has always been garaged and meticulously maintained, has the XL bucket seats and a center console and also has a mid-year, fastback roofline. The turquoise blue/green “Ming Green” paint and interior are still the factory original and so is the optional white vinyl padded top. It also still has the original black and yellow vintage California license plates that were issued to the car in '63!

This Galaxie sports an impressive list of extra cost options and accessories:

Thunderbird 390 V8
Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission
SelectAire air conditioning
Power steering
Power brakes
Power bucket seat
StudioSonic reverb with rear seat speaker
Vinyl top
Remote control fender mirror
Ford script seat belts
Spinner-wire-style wheelcovers

Mechanically, it is in fine condition. With only 50,100 original miles, it runs strong and drives beautifully. The Thunderbird 390 V8 is remarkably powerful and the Cruse-O-Matic automatic transmission shifts smoothly. The car has a smooth and comfortable ride with power and performance. The factory air conditioning blows cold, the power seat, radio and StudioSonic reverb work along with all gauges and lights; however the heater core is disconnected (a new one is included) and the clock has stopped. It still has the original owner’s manual and miscellaneous other documentation from when it was purchased along with service and maintenance records from over the years.

The interior is in exceptional original condition. The seats, door panels, headliner, dash pad, and carpet are factory original and in amazing condition. The iridescent turquoise vinyl just glows! It even has a set of original Ford script seat belts. The trunk is also original and in clean well preserved condition with the original mat, side panels, jack assembly, and factory original spare tire. The floors and entire body are rock solid and straight. The paint is about 95 percent original with only one lower side area touched up. It still has a beautiful shine and remarkable appearance for being 53 years old and metallic! There a few small flaws but overall - it just glows and is beautiful. The chrome, stainless, aluminum trim and glass are all in great shape including the factory original white vinyl top.

History –

This beautiful Galaxie was the pride and joy of Dr. George and Phyllis Carmichael of Long Beach, in Southern California. In 1963 George and Phyllis decided it was time for a new car. They were good friends with C. B. Edwards, the owner of Edwards Ford, Inc. in Dallas Texas, and he had just the car for them, sitting in the center of his showroom! The Carmichaels flew to Dallas to visit their friend, purchase this Galaxie, and drive it home on a sightseeing vacation.

The Carmichaels lived in a beautiful traditional home they built in 1953 in the Park Estates neighborhood of Long Beach, California. This is where the Galaxie was garaged, driven mostly by Phyllis – running errands to the market and shopping, or to spend afternoons and evenings at the Long Beach Yacht Club and of course, the Country Club. Over the years the Carmichaels owned several Cadillacs, which came and went, but they just couldn't part with their beloved Galaxie.

In the late 1990's, I was driving through the Park Estates neighborhood, when I spotted the Galaxie in the Carmichael's garage. That was the beginning of a several year courtship that ended in early 2002, as Phyllis had stopped driving by then and George only took the Galaxie out occasionally on Saturday mornings to golf. They were into their 90’s and decided it was time to let the Galaxie go. So, George called and said “Phyllis and I aren’t getting any younger – come and get your Galaxie!” Phyllis died a few years later and George died in March 2009 at age 101.

I have cared for and enjoyed this beautiful car for many years, as did Phyllis and George before me, but it’s now time for a new owner to have the opportunity to be able to enjoy and care for this amazing Galaxie.

This is a stunning low mileage original example of a '63 Galaxie 500 XL, one of the nicest Ford designs of the 1960’s. It has a wonderful original patina about it. It’s well optioned, blessed with an incredible color and it is in exceptional condition cosmetically and mechanically. It has always been well cared for and cherished - and it shows!

Transaction Specifics –

If you have specific questions please ask. Inspections in person are welcome. This is a 53 year old car and it is not perfect. It is being sold as-is, where-is without any warranty stated or implied. The buyer is responsible for any and all transportation costs. Please do not bid if you are not a serious buyer and do not intend to complete the purchase transaction. If you are the winning bidder, a non-refundable PayPal or wire transfer deposit of $1,000.00 is due within 24 hours. The balance will be due upon pick up of the vehicle, which should be within two weeks. Other arrangements may be negotiated if necessary. The car is for sale locally and the owner reserves the right to cancel and end the listing early. Thank you.