I am Robert Larson from Brainerd, Minnesota still looking for vintage racing history and pictures of my 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 Lightweight car from Anchorage, Alaska with 427 engine, White Exterior with Red Interior with bucket seats. I believe my car was bought new at "John Stepp's Friendly Ford" or as locals called it "Stepp Brothers Ford" Anchorage, Alaska by Ward Wells of Ward Wells Photography Anchorage, Alaska. The 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 Lightweight was a Ford Factory Built drag race car with unique features including: 1) 427 Ford dual four barrel carburetor engine, 2) Fiberglass inner and outer fenders, hood, and trunk, 3) Aluminum front and rear bumpers with Aluminum bumper brackets, 4) Aluminum Borg-Warner T-10 Four Speed Transmission, 5) Special lightweight frame, 6) Bostrum Lightweight Bucket Seats, and 7) Radio, heater, clock, spare tire, interior arm rests, and sound deadener were deleted. As recollected by the original owner of Polar Dragway, Palmer, Alaska, I was told the second owner of my car was Patrick Brouilette of Anchorage, Alaska. I believe Mr Brouilette made some modifications to my car, after new, including Torched holes behind the inner headlamps for ram air, Right hand inner fiberglass splash shield has been cut for "Hooker Headers" tubes that travel outside the frame, Dash mounted tachometer, Plexi-glass rear window and "Mighty Mallory" distributor decals on the quarter windows. Being a local car, my car probably was raced at "Anchorage Dragway", and at other racing venues including "Polar Dragway", "Tannacross Drag Races" and other drag racing venues during the 1960's. There were several car clubs during the 1960's including: "The Anchorage Timing Association, Ghostriders, Swappers, Iceworms, Arctic Aces, and Demons Custom and Hot Rod Clubs" from Anchorage and "The Fairbanks Timing Association and The Arctic Sliks Custom and Hot Rod Club" from Fairbanks, Alaska. Here are three vintage posters from 1962 to 1963 - I am hoping some former or current members of these car clubs, any past owners of my car, anyone who raced against my car or anyone who knew of my car could assist me with any other information and especially photos. Included here are pictures of my car before restoration, during restoration, other 63 Lightweights and their drivers, and an original photo of a 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 427 car in a Ford Dealer showroom. Please contact Robert Larson at cell (218) 251-6928 or e-mail me at larsonrobert71@hotmail.com. THANK YOU for LOOKING !
FORD, were they afraid that it was going to mistaken for something else? This should be awesome when you're done. Please post more pics as you continue, Thanks.
My factory built lightweight will be restored as a Day 2 Restoration (as raced after new) with some aftermarket parts including: vintage correct ZC Mallory distributor with two piece cap, period correct Hooker Headers with some tubes outside of the frame, Hurst shifter, fiberglass doors, Thunderbolt ram air, and plexi-glass side and rear windows. Will post more pics in the near future- Thank You for your support- Robert
I see your lightweight ran Super stock. My heavyweight ran in A stock. There must have been a pretty significant weight savings.
I believe lightweights ran early on the A/FX Altered Factory Experimental designation due to the early production, not enough built, and significant weight savings from the lightweight components and as the racing season progressed and the numbers met NHRA approval ran SS Super Stock as they would have been identified by NHRA as Ford factory built production vehicles. The last vintage photos posted are of The Rebel from down South and Al Swensons Ford lightweight from Philadelphia, PA. My car, I believe was never sponsored or campaigned in Alaska like Al Swensons car. Here is a picture of my restored driveline-
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