Hot Rods Alaska 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 427 Lightweight History

Hello everyone. I am new to this forum and am looking for racing history and other information regarding a factory built 1963 Ford Galaxie R code 427 Lightweight that was found in the early 1970's in Anchorage, Alaska. It appears the car was dag raced due to vintage "Mighty Mallory" decals on the rear quarter windows, round cutouts behind headlamps for ram air, right side cutout on inner splash shield for lighter weight aftermarket Hooker Headers, a rear window made of plexi-glass, light weight non original European style seats, and a dash mounted tachometer. Included here are pictures of this car and some of the features listed here. I feel this car was drag raced at two of the race tracks running near Anchorage and Fairbanks. People in Alaska have a history of loving Drag Racing and high performance cars. This car could have been bought and raced in the upper North West United States and brought up to Alaska, or it was bought new at John Stepp's Friendly Ford in Anchorage or any other dealer in Alaska. $I am starting in Anchorage because that is where the vehicle was purchased used. There was a vintage matchbook cover found in the glove box from the "The Surf Laundry and Cleaners". Thank You everyone for assistance - Robert (218) 251-6928 cell

 

If it's a true lightweight, it shouldn't be too hard to find that out. There were a lot of special parts used on these; glass fenders, inner fenders, hood, trunk lid, and on late production versions, glass doors, thin gauge glass (but no plexiglass), zero sound deadener/seam sealer, no hood/trunk springs, aluminum bumpers and brackets, Bostrum bucket seats, and no clock, radio, heater, dome light, or armrests. Should also have a 'no warranty' sticker on the glove box door. Ford built over 200 of these, so it's not nearly as rare as the lightweights built by GM and Chrysler.

There was two versions also; the super stock cars had high rise intakes and hood bubbles (and also had the cold air intake in the inner headlights), the stock class used low riser intakes and stock-appearing hoods, no cold air.

A lot of the parts were also available 'over the counter', so finding some but not all the parts may mean yours was a 'standard' car 'converted' by an owner.

 

I have all of the parts you mentioned including the Factory original disclaimer tag inside the glove box, special lightweight gauge steel MOD frame, RC Aluminum bell housing/scatter shield and Aluminum case Borg Warner T-10. There were several companies at the time that made plexi-glass windshields and side glass- one company was A&A Engineering. They say 212 1963 Lightweights were made mostly at the Norfolk VA plant. Finding racing history has been the hardest thing to find. High riser heads came out too late for this car - my car came with Low riser heads- no tear drop hood obviously. Thank You for you info- Robert

 

Richard Rawling's, of Gas Monkey garage, his best friend Dennis Collins, is probably the most knowledgeable guy on the show. He seems to have a knack for locating/researching/documenting, limited production and rare cars. They just had a show on a 62 Galaxie convertible that was one of only 8 produced for Ford executives. Maybe touch base with Dennis via his Collins Brothets Jeep online, and on FaceBook. I know a lot of HAMBER's don't have a good opinion of Richard, but I bet they still watch the show. Just a thought. And, I am an Alaskan by birth; Elmendorf AFB, Anchorage, Ak. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

I don't doubt that plexi windows were available to racers, but Ford didn't build the cars with them. They still needed to meet DOT standards for Ford to be able to legally sell them through their dealer network.

 

will be following this story - the internet is your friend to find guys that really know about theses cars - plus, maybe do a search on info from old drag strips in Alaka

 

The problem is time- a lot of the racers back when my car was on the drag strip are gone. I am trying though, and will keep on looking and asking. My car has history and a story to tell. Thank You for your time and consideration- Robert

 

I will try your suggestions regarding the Gas Monkey Garage and Dennis Collins. Have you heard of The Surf Laundry and Cleaners in Anchorage where this car could have been ? Anchorage was much smaller back in the early 1960's. Also, I feel my car was there when the Big Earthquake happened in 1964. There were numerous strange dents on this car - dents on roof and floor, crushed back quarter panel, and creases on both quarters in nearly the same areas on each side. Some Drag racing events were held at the Air Bases in Anchorage and Fairbanks. Thank You for your input- Robert

 

I was born there in 1951, lived there 3 years before going to another AFB. Both my parents are gone now; my oldest brother has Pick's disease-a form of dementia- so he would't remember, and my older sister who was also born there, is a well pickled alcoholic, and would't remember either. Hard to believe I'm "normal", other than my spinal issues. Does Alaska have a vehicle/owner tracking system? I know Washington State used to, but I don't think they do it for John Q. Public any longer, just LEO. Have you pulled up the seats/carpet, and looked down into the window wells (papers get dropped down all the time)? Any door service records for oil changes and such? Looks like you're in Minnesota; that's working against you with the distance and all. Good luck. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

Thank You for you input. Washington state and Oregon both do not look up old VIN numbers. Alaska may have vintage VIN information. I will check. The car has been stripped down and so far, the drive train and frame/suspension has been detailed and installed in the original MOD frame. The body has been painted and married to the frame. In the next couple months will finalize the restoration which will be a Day 2 restoration with period correct aftermarket parts that were on the car during the 60's including Hooker Headers, Mallory ignition, Traction Master traction bars, plexi-glass widows, and T-Bolt ram air. Have a great weekend- Robert

 

The only plexi glass windows that I know of were aftermarket. Ford, as far as the lightweight Galaxie, used factory Glass. Plexi glass is half the weight of glass which is weight saving when all of the plexi glass is installed. I heard the plexi glass windshield clarity was bad and not for street driving. Thank you for you input-Robert

 

Nice Galaxie. I have a Z code 4 speed car I'm doing up now.

Might want to try here:
http://www.fordmuscleforums.com/galaxie-pages/

 

Thank You for telling me about the Fordmuscleforum. Z code 4 speed cars are quit rare- cool car. -Robert

 

I have had about five of the original '63 Galaxie Lightweights over the last 30 years but it has been years since the last one. They all came with a 300 series frame, 427 low riser engine, aluminum front and rear bumpers, fiberglass hood, front fenders and deck lid, and other special items. There is a number on the firewall that will tell you what production # your car is. They all came with the same window glass as every other Galaxie. Plexiglas was used along with other lightweight parts later in the year as most of them were racing "run what you brung" match races across the nation. I was only 19 that year and witnessed some of those exciting races in the Carolinas and Georgia where many of the legends who raced them lived. And the next year it got better!. And the next year even better!!!!!!

 

To get more information, just do a google search using the phrase below.
1963 Ford Galaxie R code 427 Lightweight

I did this, and got so much information that I could not find a link that would have all the information for which you are searching. That is why I am just posting the search string.
Great find. I am a big fan of these super cars. That was the time when the full bodied super car was king.
Bob

 

Great thread. I think it's a very worthwhile project to bring that car back to what it once was. I've had an interest in the lightweight cars for a very long time but never owned one myself. I have owned 5 63 1/2s over the years and still own 3 63 1/2 XLs.

I'll be keeping an eye on your progress.

 

Call Gary Bodenstadt at Diesel Doctor in Fairbanks, a commercial repair shop owned by him and his sons. I met him about 1970 when I was in high school. At the time he was working as a mechanic at Jim Thompson Ford and running an early Mustang in a gas class with a 427 SOHC and Hilborns. If the car was raced in Alaska he probably knows who had it, if not I'll bet he knows someone that does.

 

My Lightweight is listed on the www.427galaxieregistry.com and is listed among other Lightweights with the longer DSO (District Special Oder) numbes. Only special order cars with unique builds have a longer DSO number. I own an R-Code 427 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 XL Convertible with the long DSO number. It is the only other 1963 427 Galaxie on the 427 Registry other than the Lightweights that has a Longer DSO number and I do not know what is so special on this car that it has the longer DSO number. I am assuming that it was the color which is Dark Metallic Blue. Great you were able to these cars race. Thank You for your observations and input- Robert

 

I will contact Gary at Diesel Doctor and see what he knows about my car. Great information. I have assumed my car was purchased new at John Stepp's Friendly Ford in Anchorage. What other Ford Dealers were in Anchorage during the 1960's? I know my car could have been brought to Alaska from the lower states, however, I am starting in Alaska because that is where the car was found. I know John Stepp's Friendly Ford sold high performance Ford cars including the Shelby Mustangs. Thank You for your input - Robert

 

My other car is a Dark Blue Metallic 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 XL R-Code 427 Galaxie. The Lightweight body has been painted and mated with the finished detailed frame and am currently finalizing the restoration for the June 22, 23 and 24, 2018 Minnesota Street Rod Association Back to the 50's Car Show. You sure have an interest in the 63 Ford Galaxies like myself. Thank You, Robert

 

Thank You for your input and I will search for more information on the internet regarding my lightweight- Robert

 

You might send an Email to Jim Van Cleve, Van Cleve motors in Morton, WA. They have a long history of racing Fords in the NW.

 

Understand the racers from Alaska at the time may not be in the area still, any names you can find will lead you to where they may be now. If they were racing at that level, chances are they are still involved with cars.

Check out yenko.net, the crew over there is heavily into factory race cars of all makes and members there own some of the rarest factory stuff around. I think youll get some good info.

This is a very good thread, please keep us up to date.

 

Anchorage was a very small town in the 60's. Never has been more than one Ford dealer at a time. Also, as I recall, there was a very small gas station/Ford dealership in Palmer, 40 miles away. I don't recall the name.

 

Thank You for the info- will contact Jim - Robert

 

I will find out which Ford dealership that was in Palmer in the early 1960's. Thank You for the post- Robert

 

I went to the www.yenko.net site and will connect with them- Thank You, Robert

 

The Ford dealership in Palmer back then was Hartley Motors, long out of the car business & a Honda motorcycle/atv dealership in Wasilla now.

 

There is a thread dedicated to lightweight racers right here on the HAMB I think it's called "factory lightweight cars" or close to that sorry I can't seem to find it right now.

 

Found two threads that may be of some interest to you

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/factory-lightweights.1000190/

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/63-67-ford-mercury-427-r-cars.564545/