[Lee Stewart]

1963 427 Galaxie Lightweight

The official name was “AS 225-39D” package in Ford parlance. What it got you according to Ford's memo released February 18th 1963 was the following; 427 8V high performance low rise engine with alloy bellhousing and scattershield, Borg Warner T10 alloy case 4 speed transmission, 4.11: gear ratio with HD riveted brakes, HD suspension, dual exhaust, 300 model 63B bodystyle finished in Corinthian White exterior with red vinyl interior only, fiberglass hood, trunk lid, doors, inner fender aprons, outer front fenders, alloy front and rear bumpers and bumper brackets, Bostrum bucket seats (a cop car optional seat), special light weight beige rubber floor mats front and rear, clock delete plate, black sidewall tires 6.70 x 15.

The following items were deleted from these cars; all sound deadeners, anti rattle absorbers, insulation mats, carpets, ash trays, arm rests, trunk items including torsion bar rods, even one of the horns were shaved off. The frame is the 300 spec which was thinner gauge metal than the Galaxie chassis. All this weight shaving only saved about 375 pounds. The fiberglass doors only made it on 25 or so cars. What happened was Ford's legal team wasn't thrilled about these cars leaving dealers without their usual doors made of cement and said “no way.” Since any dealer could order these cars they had no illusions about a few of these slipping into regular traffic!