John Ansteth
1963 Galaxie 500/XL Sports Hardtop
VIN 3J68Z180792, BODY 63C, COLOR E, TRIM 82, DATE 03G, DSO 72, AXLE 5, TRANS 5
Left click on the thumbnails below to view the full pictures:
Let's see what the VIN and production data tell us...
The VIN of 3J68Z180792 decodes as follows:
3 = model year: 1963
J = build plant: Los Angeles Assembly Plant in Pico Rivera, California
68 = Body Serial Code: Galaxie 500/XL Sports Hardtop (2-door "fastback" hardtop), bucket seats (33,870 produced during the 1963 model year)
Z = engine: Thunderbird 390 Special V-8, 390-4V, 300 hp @ 4600 rpm, 427 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm, 9.6:1 compression ratio
180792 = Consecutive Unit Number (CUN): 80,792nd Ford car scheduled to be built at the Los Angeles Assembly Plant during the 1963 model year (Job 1 was CUN 100001)
The production data decode as follows:
BODY 63C = Body Style Code: Galaxie 500/XL Sports Hardtop (2-door "fastback" hardtop), bucket seats (33,870 produced during the 1963 model year)
COLOR E = exterior paint color: Viking Blue (medium blue metallic)
TRIM 82 = interior trim color, material and front seat style: blue pleated vinyl cushions and blue vinyl bolsters, bucket seats
DATE 03G = scheduled build date: Wednesday, July 3, 1963
DSO 72 = District Sales Office: car was ordered through the San Jose, California District Sales Office
AXLE 5 = rear axle ratio and type: 3.50:1 non-locking
TRANS 5 = transmission type and shift location: 4-speed manual, console shift
Left click on the thumbnail below to read what the Buyer's Digest Of New Car Facts For 1963 had to say about the 1963 Galaxie 500/XL Sports Hardtop:
