63 Lightweight Galaxie - Romy Hammes Brannan

[johnwitzke]

In addition to the two 62 Super Stock Galaxies that I am working on, I am also working on the Romy Hammes 63 Lightweight Galaxie driven by Dick Brannan.  I am currently working on the chassis and underbody.  I am using the 1960 Starliner as a donor kit as well as a T-Bolt 427 that is modified using some engine parts such as the dual 4bbl from the Starliner kit.  Additionally I am modifying the lightweight interior.  The underbody has red oxide primer as a base with Corinthian White overspray.  The front wheel wells will need to be painted black

Edited April 30, 2017 by johnwitzke

[Bainford]

Looking great so far. I have been wanting to do a '64 Lightweight for some time now. I'll be watching this one.

[oldr-n-drt]

john..have you put the interior bucket in yet??I had to cut the front(large part only)hump out on mine..1960 chassis pan would not let interor bucket set in it right...oldr-n-drt

[johnwitzke]

Yes.  But I am not using the kit interior. I am using the MCW lightweight interior tub.  The lightweight tub give you a wider transmission hump than the tub from the original kit. The 1960 chassis pan around the transmission hump still has to be trimmed down a bit, but it will fit nicely.

  

Edited April 30, 2017 by johnwitzke

[oldr-n-drt]

john...you gonna show us how you reworked the bucket seats?? oldr-n-drt

[johnwitzke]

Yes.

[johnwitzke]

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. 

Edited May 1, 2017 by johnwitzke

[james460]

nice work so far. I'm using the same pieces to do the 63 Daytona winner. Does MCW still make the light weight interior. Looks like the interior trim is what is in the Woods car. The kit interior is the Galaxie 500 interior. I cut off the bottom of that interior and it fits nicely with the 60 hump and floor. I did need to make a new fire wall panel for the 500 interior. Great work keep the picture coming.

[johnwitzke]

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.

[johnwitzke]

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).     

Edited May 2, 2017 by johnwitzke

[DrKerry]

Looking great!!!!!!!!!!

[afx]

Great project John.  If you are looking for a header (expansion) tank the Revell Parts Pack 427 engine has nice one.  That is what I used in my 427 Cobra build.

Edited May 2, 2017 by afx

[johnwitzke]

Thanks for the info.  Great work on your Cobra

[vintagercr]

Boy, that's coming along nicely!

[bytownshaker]

Great work.. Love 60's super stocks 

[DumpyDan]

Keep it going, gonna look good

[johnwitzke]

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

  

[John Goschke]

Very cool project and really nice workmanship!  Love the early '60s Galaxies!

[MAGIC MUFFLER]

It's really looking great..!!!!

[johnwitzke]

Here is an update of the dash detail

 

Edited June 1, 2017 by johnwitzke

[Fordboy1975]

Nice!!

this is inspiring me to build a Holman & Moody 64 Galaxie.

[johnwitzke]

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

[afx]

Looks great John.  Did you make the traction bars?

[johnwitzke]

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.  

Edited June 5, 2017 by johnwitzke

[johnwitzke]

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.     

Edited June 11, 2017 by johnwitzke