In the middle of 1963, Ford ordered the construction of 200 lightweight Galaxies that were intended for the dragstrip. Ford’s 1963 Galaxie 500 and 500XL Sports Hardtops had already proven themselves, winning the 1963 NASCAR Championship.
1963 Ford Galaxie 500 Factory Lightweight
With their fastback profile, the 1963 Galaxy sold considerably well – 4,978 Galaxie were sold with the legendary 427 engine and some of those with the R-Code, dual-quad 425-horsepower version of the 427 V8. Going even further 212 of those were specially prepared for drag racing, built to factory lightweight specification, and although they looked identical to the standard car, the trunk lid, and front fenders were fiberglass, and bumpers were aluminum. Interiors were kept to a minimum and there was no sound deadening.
Now, one of just 212 factory-built lightweight Galaxies will be offered by Auctions America on March 22-24, 2013 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Fitted with the R-Code, 427 cubic inch, 425-horsepower V-8 engine and a Borg-Warner T-10 four-speed manual transmission, this particular Galaxie has per factory lightweight specifications, the front and inner fenders and trunk lid made of fiberglass, and the front / rear bumpers and brackets made of aluminum, as well as the Thunderbolt-style hood, which has been signed by legendary Ford racing drivers Dick Brannan and Phil Bonner.
The car rides on 15 x 5-1/2-inch Kelsey-Hayes steel wheels with an extra heavy-duty center spider, dog-dish hubcaps and heavy-duty brakes, shocks and leaf springs.
Inside the car has Bostrum lightweight bucket seats, Rubber floor mats, thin cardboard sun visors, floor panels with no armrests. Futhermore several components were deleted to reduce the weight’ like the heater, radio, clock, roof cross support, courtesy lights, dome lights, sound deadening and body seam sealers.
One of just 212 factory-built lightweight Galaxies built this example is fitted with the R-Code, 427 cubic inch, 425-horsepower V-8 engine and a Borg-Warner T-10 four-speed manual transmission
