johnwitzke

Thanks all. One done four to go. Yes, the M&H Racemaster slicks are from Speed City

Making an accurate 1963 Ford Galaxie Lightweight There were five pre-production 1963 lightweight Galaxies produced each differed slightly 1963 Romy Hammes – Brannan Super Stock Ford Galaxie Lightweight Pre-Production #1 Kit – AMT 1/25 scale Prestige 1963 Ford Galaxie Donner Kit – AMT 1960 Ford Starliner Exterior Modifications · Remove Galaxies emblems from front fenders · Remove FORD lettering from hood · Added Pro Tech photo etch hood pins · Exterior paint single stage Model Master and polished to replicate factory paint from 1963 · Bumpers and grill painted Vallejo Metal Chrome paint to replicate the real aluminum bumpers · Decals from Slixx · Air valve stems on wheels · Bare metal foil trim Interior Modifications · MCW Resins 1963 Ford Lightweight Interior · Extensive modification of front bucket seats to replicate real Bostrom lightweight seats · Added black mat to floor in place of carpeting · Painted to replicate Code 24 beige using Ford colors Lt. Beige, Rose Beige and custom mix beige · Thin wire used to replicate chrome trim on door panels · Steering wheel and column painted black as the original · Rotunda column tach · Added cloth Headliner and dome lights Engine Compartment Modifications · Ford 427 engine with correct “THUNDERBIRD” valve covers. Production lightweights have 427 decals. The 1960 kit includes a dual 4bbl intake and carb that accurately depicts a 1963 427 low-riser · Oil breathers added to valve covers · Ignition wiring routed per actual firing order · Firewall modified to replicate actual lightweight cars · Weathered to replicate “as raced” and not restored · Accurate red Rotunda oil filter with correct decal (Whoopie Kat) Chassis and Underbody · 1960 Starliner underbody and chassis modified to fit the 1963 body · Traction Master style traction bars included in the 1960 Starliner kit · Underbody painted red oxide with body color overspray · Front control arm tips left bare metal color as the original car Finally, a very special thanks to Mr. Dick Brannan who through his guidance and the countless question that he answered, made this project possible.

Here are some additional photos

The decals are Slixx from 2005. I was able to locate a set. For a 12 year old decal set, they went on without any issues.

It has been a long haul but here is a photo of my finished Dick Brannan's 63 Ford Lightweight. The very first pre-production 1963 lightweight built, and most successful with 65 wins and 22 records

I would say yes to a off white headliner, it would be consistent to other cars.

The interior is black

Here are a couple of interior photos

Working on the lightweight firewall detail. Firewall will be weathered as will the entire engine compartment.

After this one is complete, the next couple will be another of the 5 pre production cars. A Viking Blue car and a Heritage Burgundy car

Finally painted. Single stage and polished to replicate a factory finish. Next step is to foil the trim.

Thank you Edgar. Harry, I will still post how to make the seats when I do the Gas Ronda or Bob Ford car. Right now I am under a time crunch to have this project completed for the IPMS National Convention at the end of this month. Here is my work so far on the front grill and bumper. Body color still needs to be added between the grill and the bumper and the turn signals need to be painted amber. The picture is hard to see but the bumpers have the appearance of polished aluminum not bright chrome. Also there is a license plate bracket and plate that says FORD the I will add.

Once I have Dick Brannan's car finished I plan on doing three other early pre production 63 Galaxie lightweights. The cars are, black Bob Ford driven by Len Richter and was also built in the Ford Experimental Garage, Gas Ronda's Heritage Burgundy car and Les Ritchey's Viking Blue car, both bodies built at the Los Angeles plant and delivered to Bill Stroppe. All were re bodied 1962 lightweight chassis. All of these cars had the Code 24 beige interior instead of the production lightweight red interior.

Scratch built 63 lightweight bucket seats using a heavily modified MCW buckets that are included in their 1963 Lightweight Interior kit. The first 5 preproduction lightweight Galaxies (Romy Hammas Brannon car was the first pre production car) had code 24 beige interior. The production 63 Lightweight Galaxies had red interior

Update...Removed mold lines in front and rear bumpers chrome stripped and primed with Tamyia white primer. Next will be to shoot them with Vallejo black primer then Vallejo chrome paint to simulate aluminum. Front bumper has been modified to match up to the 1960 Galaxie underbody and chassis. Same with the rear bumper. Working to get the correct stance as raced. Additionally the hood has the FORD lettering removed and primed. Basecoat to follow.

Basecoat has been applied. Clear coat will be applied this weekend

Body, hood and bumpers in primer. Tamiya white primer applies flawlessly, great stuff! A few minor flaws that will need to be sorted out before final paint. The photo doesn't show well but the side trim is very crisp. All emblems body and hood were removed as per Brannan's car. Cross flag 427 decal will be applied to the front fenders. Bumper were de chromed, and the mold lines were carefully removed. Bumpers will get a coat of acrylic Vallejo black primer then will be shot with Vallejo acrylic metal chrome paint to replicate the aluminum bumpers and trim on the real car. My plan is to carefully mask all trim and paint with Vallejo metal chrome paint.

Thanks. The traction bars are actually part of the 1960 Starliner kit. They have the appearance of the Traction Master traction bars from the 60's.

Underbody and chassis detail update. I added the rear shocks and Traction Master traction bars. Also weathering the underside. All the is left is to installs the differential, brake lines and engine

Here is an update of the dash detail

Engine and Interior update. Brannan's interior was code 24 beige. I used a mix of Ford Rose Beige, Light Beige and custom mix medium beige. The thin metal trim is break line secured with FastCap two sided clear tape and the floor I used Modelcar Garage vinyl top material also secured with FastCap tape. The engine will have the appearance of being dusty to replicate the car in raced condition, not a restored show car. I added oil breathers to the correct Thunderbird valve cover (used on Brannan's car). Additionally, a custom made Rotunda decal for the oil filter was made by WhoopieKat for me. That decal is really cool. A set of shorty type headers from an old Aurora 1/25 scale Ford 427 engine kit were installed to replicate the best I can Balanger headers. I still need to add the starter and connect the coil

Thanks for the info. Great work on your Cobra

For an accurate looking 425 HP 427 for Brannan's car I opted using the engine from the 1960 Starliner kit engine instead of the high-riser 427 from the T-Bolt kit. The 1960 kit that has the custom version has the correct looking dual 4bbl carbs along with the chrome valve covers that say "THUNDERBIRD" on them. Since Brannan's car was the very first 63 lightweight and was assembled at the Ford garage it has pieces that are not necessarily found on later lightweights (i.e. the valve covers).

As far as I know, MCW still offers the 1963 lightweight interior. The only drawback is the bucket seats need to be reworked for an accurate looking 63. The bucket seats are correct however for a 1962 lightweight.

Here are a couple of shots of the my almost finished 425 hp 427 that was in Brannan's 63 Lightweight along with an original photo.