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1963 CHEVROLET 427 Mark II “Mystery Motor” Engine
An official American Manufacturers Association (AMA) ban on all factory sponsored racing activities was brought on by negative public reaction to performance cars being driven irresponsibly on the street. Despite the ban, Chevrolet engineers continued to supply independent race teams with the equipment needed to win races and keep their cars in the public eye. In 1962, General Motors engineer Dick Keinath designed an all-new engine that generated over 500 horsepower. Because it was delivered secretly to a few race teams, it became known as the “mystery motor.” Junior Johnson and Mickey Thompson were among the select few given these motors. After a race at Daytona in 1963, General Motors recalled these engines in order to demonstrate their sincerity about complying with the racing ban. But not all the engines were returned to the factory and a small number remained in private hands. It was not until 1966 that a 427 V-8 was not available to the public in a production Chevrolet.
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Thanks to The PETERSEN ARCHIVE