1963 Chevrolet Impala SS - Junior Johnson's "Mystery Motor"

[gami8630]

This model is based on Junior Johnson's Chevrolet Impala, which achieved 9 pole positions, 7 wins, and 14 top 10 finishes in the 33 races of the 1963 Grand National Series.  
The engine installed in this Impala was the highly powerful 427 Chevrolet Mark II V8, which became known as the “Mystery Motor.”

The base kit is the 1996 reissue of AMT/ERTL's  
“1963 Chevrolet Impala SS,” a 3-in-1 kit featuring “STOCK/CUSTOM/ADVANCED CUSTOM” configurations.
While the engine is reproduced, the parts required to convert it to NASCAR specifications are not included, so various modifications will be necessary this time.  
Therefore, in addition to the base kit, I have also prepared AMT's “Chevrolet Bel Air SS Northwind A/S Racing Version,” “'66 Chevy Modified Stocker,” and “'64 Ford Galaxie Modified Stocker.”

The decals are from Mike's Decals, specifically PPP's “JR. JOHNSON/RAY FOX 1963 Impala.”

The following is an overview of this project:  

● Body modifications:  

The emblem, molding, and wipers molded into the body were removed, and a race-spec fuel port and fuel overflow pipe were added.  
In addition, the triple tail lights were removed and replaced with 4mm diameter stainless steel spacers.  
The radiator and front firewall are reused parts from the “BEL AIR SS.”

● Front grille and front/rear bumpers:  

An aluminum sheet was applied to the license plate mounting area, and headlight covers were installed.  

● Engine:  

The base kit engine is a 409CID engine, so the engine from the “66 CHEVY MODIFIED STOCKER,” which resembles the Mystery Motor in appearance, was reused.  
Plug wires were added, but no other minor modifications were made.

● Tires and Wheels:  

The tires are POLAR RIGHTS Mercury Cyclone tires, and the wheels are PPP HM-9 Holman Moody 9-inch wheels.  

● Cockpit Equipment:  

The cockpit has been replaced with a race-spec tab from the “'64 FORD GALAXIE,” and the dashboard instrument panel has been modified to a race-spec version with additional gauges.
The bucket seats use parts from a Ford Torino Cobra that I found in a junk parts box. with custom-made side supports added using plastic rods.  
The roll cage was custom-made using Evergreen rods.  

In summary, while no elaborate modifications were made, the atmosphere of Johnson's Chevrolet Impala was sufficiently recreated, so the build was completed as is.

Edited yesterday at 12:19 AM by gami8630

[Horrorshow]

Really cool build.

 

[Shark]

Excellent build up of that historic car. You amaze me being half a world away from stock car country, but the desire that you have to create these models.

[Volzfan59]

This replica is beautiful, well done! It is amazing to me how popular NASCAR is outside of the United States, especially these historic cars.

[ChrisR]

Looks great.

[bbowser]

Outstanding replica of an icon of the era.  Well done!

[presnell]

Very nice tribute to a legend!!!

[gami8630]

On 8/17/2025 at 9:48 AM, Horrorshow said:

Really cool build.

 

Thank you very much for your reply.

[gami8630]

On 8/17/2025 at 10:52 AM, Shark said:

Excellent build up of that historic car. You amaze me being half a world away from stock car country, but the desire that you have to create these models.

 

22 hours ago, Volzfan59 said:

This replica is beautiful, well done! It is amazing to me how popular NASCAR is outside of the United States, especially these historic cars.

Thank you both very much for your replies.

Many people in Japan enjoy building racing car kits, but unfortunately, I think only a very small number of people focus on Nascar kits.
For some reason, I have loved stock car racing since I was a child, so I enjoy building Nascar kits regardless of their age.
With the spread of the Internet, it has become easier to purchase kits and decals from overseas and obtain a wealth of information, making it easier to build Nascar kits than in the past.

[gami8630]

18 hours ago, ChrisR said:

Looks great.

Thank you for always replying.

[Volzfan59]

@gami8630, Have you ever came to the U.S. for a NASCAR race?

[gami8630]

13 hours ago, bbowser said:

Outstanding replica of an icon of the era.  Well done!

 

11 hours ago, presnell said:

Very nice tribute to a legend!!!

Thank you both very much for your replies.

Junior Johnson is one of the legendary figures in NASCAR history, so I had been thinking about making a kit of the car he drove for a long time.
In 1973, the movie “The Last American Hero” was released in Japan, and I saw it at the time.
Until then, big races like the Daytona 500 were occasionally broadcast on Japanese television, but after seeing this movie, I was able to feel the depth of NASCAR.

[gami8630]

10 minutes ago, Volzfan59 said:

@gami8630, Have you ever came to the U.S. for a NASCAR race?

Unfortunately, I have never been to the United States to watch a NASCAR race, but I would like to go at least once.
I am interested in superspeedways such as Daytona and Talladega, the traditional Darlington, and Bristol, the world's fastest half-track.

[Volzfan59]

As a proud Tennessean (currently living in Arkansas), I’m pretty partial to Bristol. It’s a great track to see a race, but the post race traffic is rough. At least it used to be, haven’t been in several years. Talladega is something everyone should experience once. The speeds are amazing. That said, you can’t see the whole track from most seats and like all NASCAR tracks, the cram you in like sardines. If you ever do make it over here, be sure to allow some extra days to go to a local short track. That’s where the real racing takes place now.

Edited 2 hours ago by Volzfan59