The Introduction of the Galaxie 500/XL

Each new year brought a bigger Galaxie as consumers demanded greater size and NASCAR racing demanded bigger engines. Midway through the 1963 model year, Ford introduced a special Galaxie with a more aerodynamic roof—officially known as the Galaxie 500/XL, but better known today as the ’63-1/2. Rumor had it that the XL stood for “Xtra Lively,” as 1963 also saw the introduction of the biggest FE big block yet, the 427.

James Hollingsworth’s Classic Purchase

James Hollingsworth was one of the consumers who ran out to showrooms to get one of these special new Fords, but he made sure the XL lived up to its purported name—he checked off the box for the R-code option, giving him the 425hp dual-quad 427 and four-speed manual transmission. In a world that had not yet seen the introduction of the Thunderbolt or the Mustang, this car was as good as Ford performance got—it was Ford’s biggest and baddest.

A Gift That Lasts a Lifetime

In 1969, Hollingsworth gave the Galaxie to his son James on his 16th birthday. We should all be so lucky, but James knew just how special the car was and never took it for granted, nor did he ever sell it. But over time he drove the car less and less, and while the Galaxie never approached bad shape, it was old and worn out. It was due for a second lease on life, but James decided he’d rather hot rod the car than restore it, and for that, he contacted Superior Autoworks in Frederica, Delaware.

Crafting a Plan for the Ultimate Galaxie

Hollingsworth spoke with Ed Denkenberger, owner of Superior Autoworks (302/335-4410), and the two devised a plan to make the car better than it ever had been. They decided on an all-out show-quality build, but one that wouldn’t betray the car’s status as a true muscle car. As such, Denkenberger and his assistant, Roger Alexander, started work by disassembling the car and building it from the ground up. The builders kept the original frame but had Bobbie Adkins in Bridgeville, Delaware, fabricate a custom front suspension crossmember so that they could use a Heidt’s Superide IFS. The Superide provided the Ford with polished stainless tubular A-arms and Aldan aluminum coilovers with chromed springs to keep the front end just high enough to stay out of the weeds. Rack-and-pinion steering from Flaming River improves handling as the 1-inch front sway bar keeps the big car level.

Suspension, Brakes, and Wheels: Making It Modern

Another concession to the Galaxie’s size is the choice of brakes—massive four-piston Alcon calipers with 13-1/2-inch Baer slotted and drilled rotors. A stainless steel dual-diaphragm booster, a Barry White master cylinder, custom stainless brake lines, an electric vacuum pump, and line lock round out the braking components. All look good, but they work hard, too. The huge brakes needed big wheels to provide clearance, and the 18×8-inch Budnik Gasser 5 wheels provide both the needed clearance and a good view of the brakes. Each wheel wears a 245/45ZR18 Dunlop SP Sport 9000 tire.

Rear Suspension and Axle Enhancements

The list of rear suspension parts is no less impressive, as the 9-inch rearend rides on polished stainless four-links from Heidt’s. As such, Superior Autoworks removed the stock leaf springs and hangers and then narrowed the rearend by 4 inches and added a Strange aluminum thirdmember, an Auburn limited-slip differential, Richmond 3.50 gears, and Moser 31-spline axles. Another set of Aldan coilovers handles bounce and rebound, and there’s a 1-inch sway bar at this end of the car as well. The rear brake components are identical to the fronts, with another pair of Alcon calipers and Baer rotors. The rear Budniks, though, are wider than the fronts, measuring 18×10 inches and fitted with wider 285/40ZR18 Dunlops. When it came time, Superior disassembled all the suspension so it could smooth and paint the frame and suspension components just as nicely as if they were quarter panels or doors.

Powering Up the R-Code Galaxie

There could be no better choice of engine for this real R-code Galaxie than the original 427, but that’s not to say the stock engine couldn’t be made better—so that’s exactly what happened. Superior Autoworks shipped the engine to Southern Automotive in McDonough, Georgia, for machining and buildup. Southern Automotive treated the block to magnafluxing, align-honing, and deck-squaring, in addition to boring the block. The new bore, when combined with the Scat 4340 forged-steel crank, produces 484 ci. The H-beam rods and 10:1 forged pistons are balanced, and inside the block, they join a custom-ground solid-lifter flat-tappet cam with 0.510/0.514 lift and 270/278 duration. The stock heads are gone, replaced by ported and polished Edelbrock Performer RPM heads featuring billet aluminum rocker arms, Manley stainless 2.19/1.73 valves, and chromoly pushrods. A medium-riser aluminum intake and the original twin Holley 590cfm carbs pump air into the engine. An MSD ignition lights the fire. The exhaust system starts with the stock manifolds, which Superior Autoworks ground smooth and treated to ceramic coating, and then flows into dual 3-inch polished stainless pipes and stainless Edelbrock mufflers. The builders estimate power at around 575 hp.

Transmission and Engine Bay Customization

The transmission is the close-ratio, four-speed Toploader big-spline NASCAR unit. On the opposite end of the engine lies an aluminum radiator with two puller and one pusher fan. The original coolant overflow tank is now chrome, as is the stock air cleaner and the ’67 Cobra pent roof valve covers. Just about everything under the hood short of the spark plugs has been polished, plated, or painted to match the rest of the car. The result is an engine that looks as good as it runs.

Exterior Customization: Subtle but Impactful

A quick glance at the exterior reveals only a few changes, but there are quite a few custom tricks in the car’s sheetmetal. Perhaps the most obvious are the third brake light and rear brake cooling ducts and exhaust cutouts that bracket the rear wheel well. But open the hood again, and you’ll see that the inner fender panels are custom and that there have been major revisions to the firewall and radiator support. Similar work to the cowl, doorjambs, hood, and rear window tray all combine to give the big Ford a smoother appearance. In other words, the changes work so well that it’s easy to assume that more is stock than is truly the case. The paint, too, is custom; once Superior Autoworks finished with the reshaping and smoothing, the crew applied a base of DuPont Hot Hues Galaxie Blue, followed by Blue Pearl and clearcoat for this unique color. The aluminum exterior trim is plated, and the bumpers are blind-mounted to clean up their appearance.

Interior Transformation: Luxurious and Modern

Changes to the interior are even more noticeable. The seats are the originals, but no Ford seat ever looked like these. Each is covered in off-white Ultraleather, and the rear seat foam is custom-cut for improved appearance and comfort. Chrome accent strips are sewn into each seat, and behind each front seat sits a small roll hoop to serve as a mounting point for the four-point harnesses. Just Dashes created the custom door panels to create a stock-style theme but in the custom colors to match the upholstery and the Hot Hues paint. More chrome strips in these door panels provide another tie-in to the seat design. The dash is now smooth and painted to match the exterior, with the speaker grille converted into a motorized pop-up gauge pod with Auto Meter carbon-fiber oil temp, fuel level, and vacuum gauges. The instrument panel contains more Auto Meter gauges.

A Show-Quality Muscle Car

The steering wheel is a Budnik Gasser X design fitted atop a CJ column, and it joins a Hurst Competition Plus shifter. The stock window cranks now act as power window switches, which is just plain cool. An Alpine in-dash stereo and graphic equalizer send sound waves through Memphis Car Audio subs, midrange, and tweeter speakers, each fitted with a speaker grille machined to match the car’s wheels. A Memphis Belle five-channel, 1,000-watt amp powers the system.

A New Lease on Life

Since completing the Galaxie, Hollingsworth is able to relive his younger days in style, cruising the fairgrounds at various Goodguys events. The Galaxie is a family heirloom that is sure to be passed down from generation to generation. And thanks to the hard work and dedication of Superior Autoworks, the Galaxie has a new lease on life.