In the middle of the 1963 model year, Ford introduced a sporty new fastback body style for its successful Galaxie 500 automobiles. Because of Ford growing interest in racing, 200 of those were built as “lightweight” racers meaning some bodyweight was shed for that purpose and a powerful 427 cubic inch V8 dropped in under the hood. One of them was driven by Dick Brannan who had tremendous success – 65 wins and a record holder in the NHRA Super Stock Class. This car is a clone or replica of just that car, making it something of a 1-of-1. While the target car is tucked away in a museum in the Northeast, this one is in a garage in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and looking for a new home. It’s available here on craigslist for $65,000 OBO. Thanks for this way cool tip, Anthony M.!
We’re told that a 1963 Galaxie 500 “X-Code” car served as the donor for this completed project. That meant it left the factory with a 352 V8 and a 2-barrel carburetor. It was solid and rust-free which provided a great foundation to work from. All the car’s original floors, trunk, rockers, and quarter panels were retained. As all the “Lightweights” were the same color – Corinthian White – that’s the color this car now wears with all the hand-painted lettering to resemble Brannan’s car, the choice for this replication.
To make the car as identical as possible, this Ford now sports all the correct “Lightweight” parts: front-end sheet metal including the hood, deck lid, and bumpers, all containing less weight than regular production Galaxies had from 1963. The interior has been redone in red and uses the factory-style lightweight bucket seats like those that Dick sat on. The driver’s seat has a race harness while the passenger has a routine lap belt. The seller says the car has just 300 miles on it since the transformation took place, so it’s barely used.
Pop open the hood and you’ll find that 427 FE big-block V8 (425 hp) with side bolt mains and a compression ratio of 11.1:1. On top of the intake manifold sits the correct twin 600CFM Holley carburetors. The transmission is a 4-speed Toploader with a racing clutch. The way the performance set-up of this car reads, we assume it would hold up to Dick Brannan’s personal scrutiny. The seller says this Ford holds some of the same little secrets only Dick and his crew knew about regarding their car. Wonder what those could be?
If you were going to select a car to replicate, this would have been an excellent choice. The original car was built for drag racing and received many honors including setting 22 track records in the 1963 racing season alone. Dick and his crew were original members of Ford’s elite “Drag Team” which was sponsored by FOMOCO. The car earned the title the “Fastest Ford Alive.” Perhaps if taken out to the track, would this car come close to some of those records?
Out of 200 built,only 3,000 survive today.
1st, don’t get me wrong, I like the car, a lot, built models like this, one of my block buddies as a teen had a 63 1/2 for his 1st car, however, I’m not really sure what this is. Kind of half drag racer, half stock car, that’s still street legal. Reminds me of the “AMT 3 in 1” kits, except someone built all 3 in one car. I read, 1963 was a transition year for Ford racing with the 427. I remember most ’63 Ford race cars had a 406. Splitin’ hairs, Ford in the early 60’s dominated race tracks. We had USAC in Milwaukee, and some big ( to us) names came through driving ’63 Fords. Check this out, Joey Logano, who, if I had a favorite driver, seems about the most stable, it’s him, and Jay Leno, who is universally liked, see what it’s like to race a ’63 Ford next to a modern race car. It’s a neat clip, the car here? Looks like someone spent a lot of coin on I’m not sure what and obviously is trying to get some back appealing to all with the “3 in 1” concept.
https://www.cnbc.com/2016/12/02/nascar-star-joey-logano-tries-racing-in-a-1963-ford-galaxie.html
“AMT 3 in 1” kits. Oh yeah, pretty sure the 63 Split Window coupe AMT model I assembled was of that designation. Even came with an optional add on front end to make it a “Mako Shark” type custom.
Long ago discarded, along with my various “Weird-ohs” models” . .
Marvin Panch’s old car. Take it out of third gear, Joey!
The inboard headlights are supposed to be the air intake for the carbs and the real lightweight cars had fiberglass front fenders, hood, and trunk lid plus aluminum bumpers and lightweight glass except windshield, don’t think the hood scoop is correct should have the teardrop hood the scoop on it now was used on F250/350 trucks only reversed they were used by the Pontiac racers on their Super duty 421 Catalina’s turned around as this one is I remember many of these cars from back then still this is a very cool car just not an exact replaca
On the 64 cars had the teardrop hood. The 63 lightweights had a flat hood.Also no air intake on the inboard lights in 63.
who ever wrote this article, didnt know alot about this build the front finders and hood, truck deck are fiber glass . and must of the see sayer’s dont know either your “406” were tri power 3×2’s , and the 427’s were 11;1 compression.as is this motor, thats why they called them S/Stocks.you can tell if you lived and raced back then you would know that. this car “only as i see it is a very NICE and expense built and correct lettering down to the “T”. the tear drop hoods were mostly on the cars with the air breathers. but it sure looks nice. thanks ART..
I think I read a 5.19 rear gear lol. hang on
Sweet 1320 Ride
Nice. Sure would love to rip thru the gears one time. Good luck and happy motoring.
Cheers
GPC
Its interesting to read your confusion on this car. You look at it not knowing what exactly its supposed to be. If its described as an exact replica, where is the confusion?!? Look how many cars in the early 60’s were painted up like this. They got the correct aluminum or acid dipped pieces. If Brannon was part of the elite race team for Ford, why wouldnt he have had access to the best engine Ford could offer at the time instead of the 406. The thing i saw weird was how the cutouts were mounted. Usually you put the angles to the outside and the straights go to the exhaust. But I suppose if its meant primarily for the strip you’d want the straightest flow possible when running uncorked. Neat car in my opinion, always liked the 63.5 and 64 Galaxies. Someone will appreciate it.
NASCAR never used that induction system,or holes in the grill,I don’t think, that was a Thunderbolt drag racing feature, with no high beams and several other gee-gaws that were not for both types of racing. The 427 came out in ’63, but many already had the 406 and ran the season out. ’64 was the 1st big year I remember for the 427. Of all the USAC cars I saw, or built models of, they were all 406’s. The insides were never that fancy for a race car either, although, it was said, Dick Trickle had a cigarette lighter in his cars,, they were stripped down a lot more than this. I’d say it’s more of a tribute to Ford racing than a replica of a certain type.
I never seen one with the grill cutouts..Back in the day they took out the center headlights and run air to the carbs through them…I did my race car that way back in the day….Good looking car…
What it isn’t,, a real lightweight Galaxie.
What it is……a screaming fearsome Ford that’ll raise the hairs on your neck at wide open throttle. Nothing refined, or in control, about it. Just raw freakish power in all its glory. Hang On brother!