1963 Ford Factory Lightweight Galaxie 500

In mid 1963, Ford Motor Company ordered the construction of 200 lightweight Galaxies that were slated for the dragstrip.  Ford’s 1963 Galaxie 500 and 500XL Sports Hardtops had already proven themselves, winning the 1963 NASCAR Championship.

With their fastback profile, the 1963 Galaxy sold considerably well.  Nearly 5,000 cars were sold with the legendary 427 engine and some of those with the R-Code, dual-quad 425-horsepower version of the 427 V8.  So, to go even further, 212 of those were specially prepared for drag racing.

Ford's merchandising manager called for the construction of the 200 cars.  It included the new 427 NASCAR engine, an aluminum-case T-10 four speed, fiberglass body panels, aluminum bumpers and a stripped out interior.  All but one car were delivered new in Corinthian White with code 95 Red vinyl interiors.

The car came with Bostrum lightweight bucket seats, rubber floor mats, thin cardboard sun visors, and door panels sans  armrests.  Also, several things were deleted like the heater, radio, clock, roof cross support, courtesy lights, dome lights, sound deadening and body seam sealers.  (Basically, they were body shells with alot of horsepower..)

Along with a lightened steel frame, many body panels were replaced by fiberglass (the front fenders, inner fenders, hood and trunk lid.)  The front and rear bumpers were made from thin aluminum.  Nice and light...just don't hit anything.  Other alterations included deleted trunk spring torsion bars, hood springs, side mirrors and back-up lights.  About the only part beefed up was the heavy duty suspension and brakes.  When a car is that light, with that much motor...stopping is key!

Today, these Ford Factory Lightweights go for some huge bucks.  You can find "Tributes" (clone cars...regular Fords altered to mirror the originals), but a true original is "gold."  One original recently sold at an RM Auctions event in Arizona for $110,000.

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