[tom406]

$19K is too cheap for a real 427 car...but is probably plenty for a 390 car fitted with a dual four setup off of a 427 car, which is a pretty common scenario.

Kevin Marti has a lot of great info on Fords..from 1967 to 1973. That is the era Ford started keeping and saving thorough computer data, of which Mr. Marti is a licensed vendor of. No comprehensive data exists for '66 and earlier.

The 427 engines were introduced during the 1963 model year, in roughly Jan '63. This was about the same time that the so called "63-1/2 fastback" body style was introduced, which used the shorter windshield of the convertible, along with a thin C pillar laid down at about a 45deg angle. Some say it was for NASCAR aerodynamic edge, others insist it was just a styling exercise that happened to race better as well. It is what it is, which is a nice looking car.

Two 427's were offered, a 410hp 427 4V engine designated by a "Q" in the fifth digit of the VIN, or a 425hp 427 8V engine designated by an "R". All 1963 427 cars were T-10 4 speeds, with no power steering or brakes, and all 427's sported cross bolted mains (with bolt heads on the side of the block above the oil pan on each side). They all had full length cast iron headers, station-wagon spec 3" front brakes, and 15" wheels when new. Even with the late introduction, over 5,000 427 Fords were produced in 1963.

There were a little over 200 factory "Lightweight" Galaxies made. They had fiberglass hoods, front fenders, deck lid, and the first 50 or so had fiberglass doors. They also had aluminum bumpers and other details such as lightweight Bostrom bucket seats, no arm rests, etc. Among the first 10 cars or so were a number of factory '62 race cars that were rebodied into '63 Lightweights. These cars were not re-serial numbered. The rest were '63 R-code VIN cars. All of the '63, non-rebodied cars were built in White with Red interiors. Teardrop scooped fiberglass hoods were released later to allow usage of the new, taller 427 hi-riser heads and intake package that was introduced in late '63. There is hard debate over whether any of the Lightweights were built and delivered with the 427 Hi Risers and teardrop hoods, but so far no concrete evidence has surfaced.

For the record, 406 4V cars were "B" coded, and 406 6V cars were "G" coded in the VINS. Production of the 406 ended with the introduction of the 427 cars, but there is some production overlap. There are a lot of "Z" coded 390 4V cars out there, and many have been made to look like 427 cars. VIN is on a tab on the firewall, and there's a hidden stamp behind the back seat, either up by the package tray or down by the floor.

Values range from $30K to $60K for most cars, depending on model, body style, and condition. Lightweights are probably $75K-125K.

Good luck!

TOM BRESKE