How special was 1963?

[67HEAVEN]

This sits under the hood. This is the famous (or is it infamous???) 1963 Chevy Mystery Motor. It's a completely different design from the (RPO) Z-11 (bored-out 409).

It resides in the 1963 Chevrolet (RPO) Z-33 Mark II 427 built to go run with the big dogs in NASCAR, when the S in NASCAR meant STOCK. Remember that?

Unlike the 348---409---427 (W-design), this Mark II 427 was sort of the prototype for the killer Mark IV big block we all know and love. From this flowed the 396, 402, 427, 454 and several truck variations. Although almost no parts are directly transferable, this was the beginning of real greatness. If memory serves, they were only allowed a single 4-bbl in NASCAR at the time, so they weren't running these twins at the time.

1963 Chevy Biscayne 427 Badge

"Junior" Johnson drove one of these to the fastest qualifying lap at the Daytona 500 (165.183 mph), which set a speed record that year. Yeah...he was pushing a big ol' rectangular brick through the air at 165mph...in 1963. Damn.
Mystery motor - Junior Johnson

There he is on the pole...

Once again, thanks Zora.

-

 

[67HEAVEN]

Isn't that a mean-looking set of headers? Oh, and notice the car to the right?

Yeah, let's tie this all back to Corvette....

1963, and there's a "mystery" 427 under there.

Notice the extra fuel cans? These big blocks sure are thirsty.

:seeya:

 

[buckhorn76]

those were the days alright, hall of famer junior johnson. horsepower wars and record breaking speed. and mickey thompson, if memory serves, somewhere around 400 records held. and such a tragic end for he and his wife trudy.

 

[67HEAVEN]

February 16, 1963 and there's #3 running Daytona. When the following photo first appeared, many thought he had either tapped the front end, or there was something wrong with the headlight motors.

Neither. The door motors, the headlights and the covers were all removed for weight savings. The doors were partially open to aid airflow to the special coolers mounted on the rad support.

Makes you wonder about airflow, no?

P.S. The fuel cans were sitting there on the way to post-race tech check of the car and the fuel...in case of secret stuff. Those look like truck tires on that '63.

Okay, I'm pretty much done with 1963.

 

[Shayne]

wow, impressive. my friend has an original 63 convertible, 327. not restored yet. huge steering wheel no ps or pb. tried to buy it from him ,but he wasn't ready to sell. maybe it could be my retirement purchase in a few more years.