Denny Cuddington
1963 Galaxie 500/XL Sports Hardtop
VIN 3A68Z143172, BODY 63C, COLOR M, TRIM 85, DATE 04C, DSO 22, 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 3A68Z143172 decodes as follows:
3 = model year: 1963
A = build plant: Atlanta Assembly Plant in Hapeville, Georgia
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
143172 = Consecutive Unit Number (CUN): 43,172nd Ford car scheduled to be built at the Atlanta 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 M = exterior paint color: Corinthian White (white)
TRIM 85 = interior trim color, material and front seat style: red pleated vinyl cushions and red vinyl bolsters, bucket seats
DATE 04C = scheduled build date: Monday, March 4, 1963
DSO 22 = District Sales Office: car was ordered through the Charlotte, North Carolina District Sales Office
AXLE 5 = rear axle ratio and type: 3.50:1 non-locking
TRANS 5 = transmission type and shift location: Borg-Warner T-10 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:
