1963 406 To 427 Transition?

[chris401]

Ford's normal mid year changes of later years are December to January and March to April. Did this apply to the 406/427 or did these engines overlap?

[BH107]

Engines definitely overlapped, and the latest 406 car that I have personally documented was a mid April built 63-1/2 Fastback 406 car, months into 427 car production.

[frnkeore]

It's my recollection that the 427 came when the 63 1/2 Fastback was introduced. That would put it in your March/April time frame, since, in those years, the new cars were introduce by the end of Sept. or the first part of Oct.

Other that what was in the pipe line, I doubt that any newly assembled 406's were built after that but, maybe special orders?

[RJP]

It is my recollection that the 427 was available to the public in mid Dec, 1962 in order for the 427 to be eligible for NASCAR and NHRA as, IIRC both bodies required a 45 day production lead time before they could be uses in competition. NHRA's Winternationals was always the 1st week of Feb. I once made the mistake of "assuming" the fast back only had the 427 [not the 406] until a friend dropped by to show me his new to him purchase, a 63 G code [406-6V] fast back...Never assume that Ford did or did not....[fill in the blank] as someone will come along and prove you wrong.

[frnkeore]

It is my recollection that the 427 was available to the public in mid Dec, 1962 in order for the 427 to be eligible for NASCAR and NHRA as, IIRC both bodies required a 45 day production lead time before they could be uses in competition. NHRA's Winternationals was always the 1st week of Feb. I once made the mistake of "assuming" the fast back only had the 427 [not the 406] until a friend dropped by to show me his new to him purchase, a 63 G code [406-6V] fast back...Never assume that Ford did or did not....[fill in the blank] as someone will come along and prove you wrong.

Yes, that could be but, "the public" might well have been the "factory, racing public" and not the general public, as in the '64 Thunder Bolt cars.

As with you, the 63 1/2, Fast back, is usually associated with the 427.

[RJP]

It is my recollection that the 427 was available to the public in mid Dec, 1962 in order for the 427 to be eligible for NASCAR and NHRA as, IIRC both bodies required a 45 day production lead time before they could be uses in competition. NHRA's Winternationals was always the 1st week of Feb. I once made the mistake of "assuming" the fast back only had the 427 [not the 406] until a friend dropped by to show me his new to him purchase, a 63 G code [406-6V] fast back...Never assume that Ford did or did not....[fill in the blank] as someone will come along and prove you wrong.

Yes, that could be but, "the public" might well have been the "factory, racing public" and not the general public, as in the '64 Thunder Bolt cars.

As with you, the 63 1/2, Fast back, is usually associated with the 427.

They were available to the general public. My neighbor bought a new 63 R code Galaxie, ordered from a local dealer in Dec of 62 with about a 4 to 5 week delivery date, Raven black with red interior, 427 8V B/W 4 speed. Stock wheels with dog dish hubcaps and that glorious sound of the solid lifter 427.

[cammerfe]

Factory 8V 427s had a sound all their own due to the close to silent mufflers, the solid lifter whirr and the vacuum sucking sound of all eight throats opening and drawing air through the cast aluminum open-perimeter air cleaner. THOSE WERE THE DAYS!!!

KS

[chris401]

Thanks