Vehicle Description
Lot #685-1963 Ford Galaxie 427 Lightweight Drag Car- After a
successful Drag Racing season in 1962 Horn Ford of Greenville, SC
and their driver and employee, Charles Headen, ordered a
lightweight 427 Galaxie for the '63 season. They were informed by
Ford that the Lightweights were already spoken for by the larger
drag teams. However, Ford Motor Company agreed to send them an
"R-Code" 427 Galaxie and all of the Lightweight components which
were to be installed at Horn Ford Sales instead of in Detroit. All
of the original lightweight components are still in the car with
the exception of the aluminum 4-Speed transmission, and the hood
(which is included in the sale).
Charles and the '63 were very successful at the local Greer Drag
Strip, winning his first 20 races. Charles was paid "up front
money" to bring his renown to other strips in the SouthEast. Folks
around at that time say that Charles and this 427 were just
unbelievable. He held the Greer Drag Strip with a time of 11.70 at
124 MPH!
Car was restored to its original condition, color, and lettering in
Alabama in the mid-2000's. It has been in the hands of a few major
Ford collectors recently and is being offered at our Auction only
because of the owner's health condition. Much documentation,
magazine articles, and restoration photos are included with the
sale of this piece of Carolina Drag Racing history.
• 1963 Ford R-Code 427 Dealer Prepped Lightweight
• Campaigned by Horn Ford of Greenville, SC
• Driver: Charles Headen, Pit Crew: Red & Tommy Pitts
• Mechanical Camshaft
• 427 V-8, 425 factory HP
• 525 Lift
• 324 Duration
• Two-Four Barrel 600 CFM Holley Carburetors
• 4:11 Ratio Open Differential
• Aluminum Bellhousing
• Aluminum Front & Back Bumpers & Braces
• Fiberglass Hood, Trunk, Fenders & Inner Fenders
• Lightweight Bucket Seats
• "Thin" Sun Visors
• Rubber Floor Mats
• M+H Traction Master Traction Bars
• Long Cast Iron Header Style Manifolds
• Items deleted when new: Radio, Heater, Clock, Arm Rest, Trunk
Mat, Spare Tire & Hold Down, Hood & Trunk Springs
• All Sound Deadening Removed
Information here has been gleaned from former owners, and
information passed down from Charles Headen. For more information
about this rare Ford or the September 24 Auction, please call Tom
Mack at 803-351-3695.
