The 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 Lightweight is a highly significant piece of drag racing history. Ford specially produced only 212 of these unique factory race cars. This example, car number 824, was famously campaigned by driver Dick Brannan. The vehicle is sponsored by Romy Hammes Ford. Its restoration captures the raw, powerful essence of 1960s muscle competition. It is an extremely rare machine documented with notarized letters of authenticity. This famous Lightweight is part of the Kayo Erwin Collection since 2005.
Restoration and Exterior Authenticity
The car was remarkably discovered largely intact at a 2005 event in Carlisle. Brannan sold the car originally in 1965 for $750. The vehicle has since undergone an extensive, professional restoration completed in 2007. This process returned the car to its exact as-raced configuration. It retains its original body, interior, bumpers, and unique lightweight panels. The body was stripped to bare metal and finished in correct Wimbledon White paint.
Brannan Livery and Details
The race livery is a meticulously hand-painted recreation of the Romy Hammes-Brannan 824 design. Importantly, this is not a modern vinyl decal application. This detail significantly enhances the car’s originality and appeal. The chassis and engine bay were meticulously detailed during the restoration. The car features period correct tires and steel wheels. The dashboard is autographed by both Dick Brannan and Jerry Hammes.
Lightweight Interior Specification
The 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 Lightweight interior reflects its racing purpose. It is equipped with lightweight bucket seats. The factory deleted non-essential comfort features like the radio and heater. This removal saved crucial weight for performance gains. This race-focused approach defines the interior layout. A column-mounted Sun tachometer keeps the driver informed. The Hurst shifter provides precise control of the manual gearbox.
Engine, Power, and Performance Specs
At the core of this racer is a correct 427 CI side-oiler V-8 engine. This motor was factory rated at an imposing 425 horsepower. Fuel delivery is handled by dual four-barrel carburetors. These sit atop a high rise aluminum intake manifold. The potent V-8 is paired with an aluminum-case Borg Warner four-speed transmission. The clutch mechanism is a special Brannan-developed unit. This setup was designed for quick, hard launches during drag strip competition. The car was built specifically to dominate the quarter-mile. This combination makes it a formidable machine.
Summary of the Galaxie 500 Lightweight
This 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 Lightweight is an extremely rare and historically significant muscle car. It is authenticated as the specific car campaigned by drag racing legend Dick Brannan. The vehicle boasts the correct 427/425 HP V-8 engine and a four-speed manual transmission. Its high-quality restoration returned it to authentic as-raced condition. This Galaxie 500 Lightweight is a highly collectible factory-built competition vehicle.
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Source: mecum.com
