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There was no shortage of replies -- and memories -- about last week's photograph of the 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 convertible.

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SH09K067AUTOS Nov. 12, 2009 -- The MKS is a full-size sedan that made its debut as a 2009 model. (SHNS photo courtesy Lincoln/Ford)

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1963 Ford Galaxie

Many readers missed the year a bit, or, in some cases, by a decade. Moreover, we had to toss out the many entries that called it a 1963 Fairlane, because beginning the year before, Ford had moved the Fairlane into its own midsize body.

Galaxie made up the top models of the standard-size Ford and was one of the last Fords to exhibit the round taillights that had been used, for the most part, since 1952.

Readers were split over whether the car shown was the Galaxie 500 or the sportier Galaxie 500 XL. There was little to differentiate the models in the rear-view photograph -- although the entire photo does show that this particular Galaxie had bucket seats, so it could be the top-of-the-line XL.)

Chosen randomly from the correct entries was the name of Gerald Byrd, of Augusta, who said:

"Another great oldie goldie. They also had a 1963 1/2 fastback version that was designated for NASCAR fame. The first car I ever drove with power brakes was a '63 Ford belonging to my uncle.

"I love those old cars and want to buy one, but you know how it is: can't fix it up, ain't got the money. That's life."

We can't offer him a Galaxie, but Mr. Byrd wins a gift from The Augusta Chronicle. Other readers identifying the vehicle included:

AIKEN: Howard Jones wrote: "It is a 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 convertible. One way to tell is that it seems that Ford tended to change the styling (especially the rear) on a yearly basis, particularly in the early-to-mid 1960s." Bob Hardt wrote: "A car from my youth, a 1963 Ford Galaxie. The full-size Ford with up to a 427 motor. Raced in the big ovals back then." Also, Dorothy Pape

AUGUSTA: Henrietta Tankersley said she used to drive a 1964 Ford. her daughter Dena Tankersley correctly identified the Ford, too. Also, Leroy Anderson; Gary Brenenborg and Grady Sports .

BEECH ISLAND: Phil Hurley wrote: "It's not the XL model; the hubcaps are not the correct style. This was the standard model, but if it is for sale -- please e-mail back. ... I owned one a very long time ago and would love to get my hands on another." Also, Jeff Tapley

CLARKS HILL, S.C.: Jerry Pittman

CUMMING, GA.: Chris Rhodes wrote: "From 1959 to 1974, the Galaxie was Ford's full-size car. Until 1971, the Galaxie's body lines and interior changed each year, with different models offered to suit changing demand. For 1963, Ford created what many collectors consider to be the most desirous Galaxie of all. ...

"Body styles for the Galaxie included two- and four-door sedans as well as the convertible. As a midyear option, Ford added a fastback version of the two-door sedan known as the 'Sports Roof' to make the Galaxie more competitive in high-speed NASCAR competition."

EVANS: Jerry Paul said: "1963 Ford Galaxie 500 XL convertible -- that's a long name for a car." P.J. Rodgers wrote: "It's the 1963 Ford Galaxie Sunliner convertible. My father had the hardtop version with a 390-cubic-inch engine. The larger 427 engine was used in NASCAR, and Ford had some success with this engine on the tracks. The giveaway was the chrome near the round rear taillight." Larry Heath wrote: "A very desirable car at the time. A fastback hardtop design was introduced in midyear as a 1963 1/2 model.  The purpose was to allow an advantage on the NASCAR tracks, and it worked very well.  The car was available with several engine options, including a 390 and a 427 with two four-barrel carbs. Either option made this auto into a true 'muscle car.' An excellent example of a time when  cars  were simpler and more enjoyable." Wayne Wilke wrote: "The first new car that I ever bought was a '67 Ford Galaxie 500 two-door hardtop 289-cubic-inch V-8.  It was an attractive car, just as the '63 that you have  shown us  is." Dale Tiroff wrote: "I always thought this was the best of the early '60s Fords."

Bill Harding sent a photo of a 1963 Galaxie and wrote: "A 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 XL was one of the many used cars I bought as a car-crazy guy in his early 20s. Sadly, mine was not a convertible but with its 300-horsepower, 390-cubic-inch V-8, vinyl bucket seats and console-mounted four-speed manual transmission, it was fun and it enabled me to become well-known to the local radar cops. ...

"During 1963 1/2, the full-size Ford with its 427 V-8 competed in the showroom, at the track and on the street with its nearly identical sibling Mercury 427, Chevy 409, Dodge and Plymouth 426, and Pontiac 421. ...

"Here's an interesting bit of trivia regarding Ford's midyear 427 (which replaced the 406). Its actual displacement was about 425 cubic inches, but since Ford wanted to be able to claim an advantage over the Dodge and Plymouth 426, the engine was called a 427.  (Twenty years later, Ford did it again with the Mustang, calling its 4.9-liter V-8 a '5.0'). ...

"One more thing: 1963 was the last year in which a plastic rear window was used in full-size Ford convertibles. In 1964, the full-size Ford (and Mercury) pioneered the use of real tempered-glass rear convertible windows."

GROVETOWN: Jay Mallory and Sandra Sheppard

HEPHZIBAH: Charlie Byrd said: "The engine was a standard 352, they had a 390 and you could also get one, if you were lucky, a NASCAR-approved 427 with two four-barrels." Jason Wright wrote: "You could order one with a 427 engine with dual carburetors that put down 425 horsepower through a four-speed manual mounted on the floor. Can you say 'burnout'?" Also, Eddie Cleaves.

JOHNSTON, S.C.: Lucille Padgett

KEYSVILLE, GA.: Glenn Widner wrote: "V-8 engines available were the 260, 352, 390 and a 406 with three two-barrel carburetors and 405 horsepower. Later that year, you could order the mighty 427 single four-barrel producing 410 horsepower, or the very limited 427 with two four-barrel carburetors with 425 listed horsepower. Good thing gas was only about 30 cent a gallon."

LINCOLNTON, GA.: Ralph L. Montigny Sr. said he had owned two of them.

MCBEAN: Robert Lamb

MARTINEZ: Cheryl and Don Cook ; she said she used to own a 1968 Galaxie 500 convertible from which she delivered the Augusta Herald in the afternoons.

Joe Tropea sent a photo of a Galaxie and wrote: "I actually owned a 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 convertible, buying and getting delivery in January 1963. Color burgundy, as shown, with the  352-cubic-inch Thunderbird V-8 at 220 horsepower with the three-speed manual column shift.  I should have gotten at least the 390 cubic-inch 300-horsepower engine to keep up with modified 1957 Chevys at that time and the Dodge Hemis.  But I was only 19 and it was my first car, and I couldn't afford anymore at that time.

"Funny thing at that time: I didn't know how to drive a standard shift car. I had to bring my friend John to drive it home (it was January with night-time temperature of below 32 degrees, and of course I put the top down, turned up the heater and my fur collar on my coat. It was great! )  and on the way, (it was about fives miles) I took over driving and managed to get it home without ruining the clutch.  The car was a show car, looking great. But it was a Fix Or Repair Daily car for the length of time I had it.  

"By the way, keeping those beautiful hubcaps on the car got very expensive. I had to park my car on city streets, and after replacing them twice put "moon caps" on, as it they were cheaper; when they went, (the car) went bare.

"But it was great to own cruising down Rockaway Boulevard, or around Astoria (Queens) or on the streets of Manhattan -- of course, with the top down. I paid $3,200. I saw one driving around Martinez a year or so ago for sale; asking price was $5,000."

MILLEN, GA.: David Thompson said: "It was one of my favorite vehicles. I always loved those cars."

NORTH AUGUSTA: Tim Davis said: " I can tell because of the round taillights." Patrick Harley wrote: "The car in your  picture is either a '63 Ford Galaxie or a 19631/2 Ford Galaxie. I happen to own a '631/2.  What happened was that Chevy was kicking butt in NASCAR wins, so halfway through the year Ford came out with the '631/2. It is referred to as a  slantback fastback. Guessing from the pic, yours is a 500 XL.  That was the deluxe model. I base that on the spinner hubcaps. Mine was purchased at Walker Ford on Broad Street by a relative. Thank you and have fun, Life's too short."

PEORIA, ARIZ.: Zenon Dewicki

WARTHEN, GA.: Kenneth Smith

WATKINSVILLE, GA.: Joe Arp

WAYNESBORO, GA.: Terry McClennon Sr.

NO CITY LISTED:  C.M. Holtzhouser