'63-'67 ford/mercury 427 "r" cars

I have not seen a thread here dedicated to cars that came from the factory with the "R" coded dual four barrel 427 cubic inch 425 horsepower engine. There is speculation the "R" stood for Race. There were Low Risers, Medium Risers and High Risers but they were all rated at 425 horsepower. Horsefeathers! They came in full size Fords and Mercurys, Comets and Fairlanes, and Cobras that could be and were driven on the street. Today, people are still facinated with them and collectors cherish them. I will start this thread with one of the rarest, a '64 Mercury. I owned this car over 20 years ago. It was a totally original low mileage car. What do you have now or had in the past?

 

We have a W-code and I think the W stands for win... 1967 Comet Cyclone, 427-410 1 of 8 built, of the 8 only limefrost green Cyclone built, last Cyclone built. less then 16,000 original miles multi-time AACA Senior Grand National winner

My father restored this car in 1993 and it has always been local to us.

 

Thanks. The "Q" code and "W' code single four barrel factory 427 cars are welcome here too. All 427 Ford engines were high performance. Your dad has a very nice car.

Here is Cale Yarborough standing beside a "Q" code '63 427 Galaxie Fastback at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1988. Cale drove one just like it in '63.

 

I met a guy at the Woodward Dream Cruise a few years back that had a 67 R code Comet that his dad bought new. He even has all the paperwork from when they traded in their other car, the whole sales contract. It was the only car the family owned at the time, grocery getter, go to church, etc car. The cars never been restored, the paint on the front fenders is down to primer in spots from leaning on the car to adjust the valves over the years. Just a really cool ride
A buddy of mine has a 67 R code Fairlane that has less then 300 original miles on it, 1/4 mile at a time. The car was originally raced by the Ford dealer here in Waterford, WI, which closed in the late 60s or early 70s.
They blew the motor, sold the car to one of there mechanics who never put it together. The mechanic sold it to my my buddy back in the 70s and the car is now undergoing a full restoration.

 

There is at least one more 67 R Code Fairlane in Wisconsin. Can't post exactly where and no I don't own it. I will tell you that it is dark blue.

 

Frank, Do you still own the T-Bolt you had at SAAC 16?

 

No, that was 20 years ago this summer. I had just sold the '64 Merc "R" car. I think I sold the T-Bolt in '92. Here it is at SAAC 16, the show you mentioned, at Charlotte Motor Speedway, only 20 miles from my home.

 

So that make two Nightmist Blue ones.

 

My buddy recently sold a 63 Galaxy R code FBI car, no options. He still has a 67 Galaxy R code Black on Black

 

guy that had the r code 67 at woodward show I use to see alot at st ignace show.His was a capri,red one,I thought all 8 were capri's.Saw the one at BJ year or two ago.Learn stuff everyday,troublemaker,your dad's 67 is a bute,never saw that color either. in 68 I bought a 67 cyclone from a ford engineer,390,4 spd,yellow with black vineall top.Had a black interior with woodgrain dash,prettiest car I ever had.I see photo from Ford headquarters,had my 66 fairlane then at the water soaked 100 year anniversary

 

They changed the top performance codes after '62, my 406-405HP 3-deuce car is a "G" code, has a 427 in it right now, 406-385HP single 4V was a "B" code. There were a few 406-8V's late in '62 but rare, a buddy of mine has a low riser 8V intake with a mid-'62 date code he's determined to sell me LOL
The new 428-345HP 4V in '66 became the Q code at that point, Q later became the non-ram air version of the 428CJ, R code went to the ram air version, '68 hydraulic-cam low riser 427 became the W code, Cougar GTE only. Want to wind up a GTE owner? Tell him you found a W-code '68 Mustang ROFL

 

This is my 66 427 Fairlane Tribute car. It's my first car, I've had it 29 yrs. I bought it from my Great Grand-Mother who bought it new in 66 with a 6 cyl.

 

If you look to the right of the Mercury you will get a glimpse of an "R" car the FBI was after. You can barely see the door handles. It is a great story I will post when I can dig up the pictures.

 

It was probably a stripper-model Custom, not a Galaxie. My dad was NY State Police BCI, and had a '63 Custom 390 PI, which got hit and had to go to the body shop- so he drove the "pursuit" car for 3 weeks. 4-door Custom, 427-8V, HD 3spd w/OD, white & balck, with the old-style bubblegum machine on the roof. Guys at the barracks were pissed that he got to drive "the toy" home every night It went in the body shop next, as it had backfired through the carbs and had a big blister burned out of the hood paint

 

Got a 64 R Code Galaxie, in the works!

 

Eric;you really do have a Galaxie!!!!!Wait,maybe that is not yours,I don't see any of that cold white stuff on the ground!!!!! ROY.

 

Hi Roy, Yes, I really do have a Galaxie!!!
I think all the white stuff has blown to Cali!
Eric

 

SO Roy, What do you think of that white crap???? Have you driven a spooled rear end in it?? haha Eric

 

Eric;luckily NO!! I lived in Kansas for two years playing Army,so I only had snow for those two years.Your Galaxie looks great! How far along is it? ROY.

 

Well, uhm..... Truth is, the body is sideways on a rotissere, waiting to paint the underside. Chassis is done, except Earl still has my cammer, trans is done, but ask Ken how well he likes his Kee 2.54 1st gear. Might be in there again. I also have to build a bigger set of headers.
So, in closing, along way from done!
Eric
But, I was leaning on it last night, while I supported the people at Adolf Coors Company.

 

At least you were helping the economy!!!

 

Hey guys, I bought a set of FE cast iron long tube headers with the factory collectors for my 63 Galaxie convert. Is there a source to decode the numbers on them? No breaks or weld. At some point they were painted with a cast iron paint but aside from that they look brand new.

Thanks.

 

Topless, post upi your numbers, I can help.
Eric

 

Left side header is C3AE-9431-B...............9-23-3 WITH A LETTER G

Right side header is C2AE-9430-B.............9-29-3 WITH A LETTER G

Have both collectors and the heat riser works but needs a spring.

No welds or cracks and would appear to be very good to perfect.

Thanks,

 

my buddies 64 elcheapo 2dr sedan clone. It's funny to watch everyone look around to see where all that thumping is coming from when he starts it at a show. Baby blue with dog dish hubcaps. A real sleeper until you hear it run.

Everyone around here calls the short cast iron headers 406s Why don't they call the 352s which is what they first came on.

 

Because most people have no idea about the early stuff,let alone a 360HP-352!!!! ROY.

 

I got my drivers license in 1960 and was already crazy about hot cars. A guy in our neighborhood bought a new yellow '60 Ford convertible. I didn't associate big Fords with fast. He drove it around like your normal family car but one time I heard his car coming at me with the engine screaming while burning rubber. 50 years later that sound is still etched in my memory. About 30 years ago he came up in a conversation and a guy who knew him said "yeah, I wish I had his old 360 horse convertible". Now, I know I did see one when they were new.

 

Does anyone have any info or sources on the way you could option these cars out? I'm thinking specifically of stuff like the FBI car and the Comet, cars and option combos that you don't hear about having 427s in.

 

The "427" engine was available in all full size Ford body styles and were factory built in every one I believe. I have a friend who has a factory 427-410 4-speed Country Squire. I will get pictures and post here (or have him).

 

Damnit, that's the nastiest '62 Ford I've ever seen!