1963 Ford 300 Sedan 427 Factory Racer

...I don't know what it is about me and the year 1963 for cars. For some reason, I seem to be more attracted to cars from this year than any other year cars were made. It's not even something simple like, "It was the year I was born" ('cause I was born in 1962). It's just something about the styles of the cars, the raw horsepower that was available...hell, the car I own and cherish NOW is a 1963 Ford Fairlane "Thunderbolt Tribute". There is just....something. Can't explain it...cause I don't know why myself.

But enough about my "1963 model year car fetish", if you will. Todays "AJ's Car of the Day" is just plain rare and cool. In fact, so rare...that finding info on the car for this posting was a word that rhymes with Rich. So, I'm going to do my best to stumble through this with what fragmented info I was able to muster from both little text, and some word of mouth...hoping that most of it's correct. This is what you may call...my disclaimer to avoid sounding stupid.

Today, it's a 1963 Ford 300 Sedan 427 Factory Racer. Most people know of the 1963 1/2 Factory 427 that were known for their sleek, fastback like roofline, and how they were the gateway for Ford's 427 V8 entry into NASCAR. There were about 50 "Factory Lightweights" that are famous in their own right, made specifically for tearing up the strips in Drag Racing. (They were previous AJ's Car of the Day entries, too) But....were you aware that there were a handful of Sedan 427 Factory Racers too? About 47 were made in total. They are known as "Unofficial Ford Lightweights. " When they were made, some were used for the track, while others were used by law enforcement agencies (in particular, one that has only 3 letters in their title). Ford didn't even discuss having them.

These now rare, beautiful street freaks were equipped with Ford's famous 427 cu in, 425 hp V8, sporting dual Holley 4 barrel carbs, sitting atop an aluminum manifold. They had aluminum headers and aluminum heads. A floor shifted 4 speed transmission, and a 3.50 Traction Lok , bar reinforced rear end. 15" steel wheels with poverty caps connected all this power to the pavement.

These no frills , sleeper Hot Rods were radio, and heater delete. Rubber floor mats were used in place of your standard carpeting for the interior. And there was no insulation. This car was made to do ONE thing: go fast. It wasn't created to win any beauty contest. And you probably walked right by one without even knowing it. With the exception of a 427 badge on the front fender...you'd think you walked past a plain Jane grandpa grocery getter.

Today, out of 47 produced Ford 300 Sedan 427 Factory Racers.  (Approximately, since that number may even be smaller. See, no one was really keeping an exact count), less than 10 exist today. Some say that number is closer to about only 5. If you happen to know someone who owns an original (not tribute) one of these bad boys of '63 today, shake that person's hand. Because, (in MY opinion) you have met one of the luckiest car guys (or gals) on the face of the earth. 'Nuff said...