Fantasy Junction

Description

1963 Chevrolet Impala NASCAR Tribute

Identified as – 30467W120899
Exterior Color – White with NASCAR livery
Interior Color – Fawn Vinyl Driver Seat
Engine Type – 427 Dry Sump V8
Transmission – 4-Speed Manual
Current Miles – TMU
Current Owner – Purchased May 2003

General History

Building on their growing popularity with the Impala lineup, Chevrolet redesigned the all new 1963 model with fresh, linear body lines, creased roofline, and coved instrument housing on the interior. Engine choices continued with the base inline six all the way up to the 283 and 327 V8 engines. A special 427 V8 could be ordered (a variation of the venerable 409) specifically suited for drag racing and NASCAR competition. Some of these cars featured lightweight aluminum body components and prolific horsepower.

Originally constructed with many innovations still used in modern NASCAR racing, the original car was built by Ray Fox. A sophisticated machine with astonishing power via the installation of a “mystery” engine, GM built just 20 of these specialized 427 engines, seven of which were sent to Fox for his use. With Junior Johnson at the wheel, #3, grabbed the pole at Daytona at more than 163mph – a 7 mph lead over the previous record. #3 would go on to win seven more races that season, capture nine poles, and set six track records. Retired from racing in the following year largely due to GM division politics, the car departed to the NASCAR museum in Darlington where it remains today. In 2000, Johnson was reunited with the car at Goodwood Festival of Speed where he wowed spectators with his capable driving skills, further recognized in 2010 when Johnson was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

History of this Impala

Originally delivered as a production road car, this Impala has been constructed as a tribute to the Ray Fox 1963 Grand National Stocker #3 427 hp Impala driven by NASCAR legend Junior Johnson, this car has been carefully developed to reflect the vintage racing specifications of this iconic NASCAR stocker with performance enhancements and modern safety improvements. Reflecting the Holly Farms livery from the debut 1963 season, the car was constructed using period reference articles featuring detailed coverage of the original Ray Fox build of this legendary car.

The build of this car was executed approximately 20 years ago under prior ownership by racing professional Kim Hanes who has worked as a vintage race car restoration expert at both the Darlington NASCAR Museum and Floyd Garrett Muscle Car Museum, Sevierville, TN. This car was constructed based on the original history, accurate reference materials documenting the original #3 car, and access to the original car located in the NASCAR museum in Darlington. The quality construction and component selection were so convincing that both the original builder, Ray Fox and driver Junior Johnson have endorsed it with their signatures.

In 2019 the current owner commissioned racing experts at Huffaker Engineering to perform a full safety check including welding all roll bar points directly to the frame, welding all gussets and down bars, and fabricating a custom front tow hook for easy trackside loading and unloading. The radiator was removed for rod and boil, the transmission removed for tear down and inspection, and the car was scaled. The springs were pulled, rear springs replaced, ride height set, and the suspension properly set up. A complete brake job was also performed including new lining for the brake shoes, welded support gussets, and a new master cylinder. The rear sway bar bushings were replaced, oil and filter changed, and all suspension bolts replaced. Under current ownership, general mechanical servicing has been performed by an inhouse mechanic as part of a large Northern California collection of vintage race cars.

A CSRG Vehicle Logbook accompanying the car notes race participation from 2004-2017 including 2005/2006 Thunderhill, 2006/2007/2008 CSRG Charity Challenge, 2008/2009 Wine Country Classic, 2010 Rolex Monterey, and 2010/2012/2013/2015/2017 Sonoma Historics,

General Overview

Finished in the original Junior Johnson winning NASCAR livery, this Impala presents as a dynamic example of vintage performance with updated safety and mechanical features, making it ideal for vintage events and tours. The paint is smooth and glossy, showing excellent gloss and smooth coverage over the sound production Impala body. Signed by Junior Johnson on the dashboard and original builder Ray Fox on the door jamb, the livery is very well done depicting the accurate graphics of the original Holly Farms, Chevrolet, and 427 hp lettering on the hood. The vintage branded logos are vivid and colorful displaying a range of 1960s era performance suppliers and sponsors on the doors and fenders. The roof displays Junior Johnson’s name as the original driver. The exterior chrome and trim are excellent throughout. The modest Impala chrome window trim and side glass are still in place, and the exterior features unique to the Impala design are in excellent condition including the grille and blanked out headlights, original Chevrolet hood emblems, factory chrome bumpers, and center only taillights in the Impala cluster of six. The car sits on a set of Hoosier Street TD tires with black steel rims. The gold and red accents over the white paint, hood and trunk pins, protective rear glass metal straps, and hunkered down racing stance make for a great visual representation sure to gather attention at any event.

The interior has been prepared for vintage racing, reflective of the period with most production interior features removed and a single 1963 bucket seat in place, fronted by the original dashboard and accurately rendered NASCAR foam-rubber spiral steering wheel. The front seat and dashboard are original, finished in correct Impala “fawn” vinyl while the dashboard has been modified with turned aluminum flat panels, period correct SW gauges, toggle switches, and black tape-wrapped steering wheel. The prominent chrome plated Hurst 4-speed shifter is mounted on the floor and remaining interior lined void of carpet or excess trim. The interior condition is very cohesive and well prepared, reflective of the original car driven in NASCAR events in 1963. Installed for both safety and chassis strength, a properly configured tubular steel roll bar is installed and welded to key anchor points at the rear and floor of the car. A contemporary multi-point Simpson safety harness is installed for the driver with key anchor points attached to the roll bar.

Under the hood, the powerful 427 engine has been professionally prepared including a period correct gloss black air cleaner ducted to the cowl vent hovering over the massive 427 orange engine. A Holley 6R 7880 B 4bbl double pumper carburetor with mechanical secondaries feeds the potent 427 engine and exits via tuned exhaust headers A stamping is in place on the carburetor indicating work performed by V8 performance guru Tony Oddo. Attention to detail is both fresh and very tidy, capturing a nice blend of vintage appearance with the added plus of a modern oil cooler and contemporary Aviaid dry sump oil system lined in from a trunk-mounted tank. The trunk remains essentially stock with modifications fabricated for the dry sump and fuel tank.

Underneath the car, the chassis appears largely original and stock with evidence of use but still presenting dry, clean components, solid floors, and a sturdy frame. Built for vintage race events, the dual exhaust has no mufflers and exits on both sides forward of the rear wheels. The differential is fitted with a Panhard rod, differential stiffener, and heavy-duty rear springs. Front suspension springs are newer replacement units and much of the mechanical features appear to have minimal miles since the 2019 work performed at Huffaker Engineering.

The car starts easily and reliably with a raspy, uncorked, dual exhaust rumble from the potent 427 V8 engine. Driving has been limited to in and out services and positioning for photography, however the owner reports that the car runs great, pulls very strong, and has excellent driving manners. As with all cars built for racing use, we recommend a qualified shop specializing in race car preparation review this car prior to use in a competition setting.

This car has been specifically constructed for vintage racing events and is not licensed or titled for street use. The chassis number attributed to this car is not located on the driver side door jamb. This car is offered for sale on Bill of Sale using the identified chassis number 30467W120899 as reference only.

Included with this car

The car is accompanied by a car cover with a custom “1963 Chevy Impala” embroidered and zippered bag.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

Inquire About This Car

Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608