427 Mystery Engine

[Dog427435]

For drag racing the 1963 Chevys came with the new RPO-Z-11, the hot 427 that looked like the 409.
But the NASCAR 409 was dumped for a new engine that was not an RPO item, it was dubbed the Mk II. It was an all new everything, staggered-valve competition engine. The splayed-valve heads soon became known as the "Porcupine Heads". The engine was unique and required all new castings poured at the engine plant in Tonawanda, NY. The Mark II displaced 396 cubic inches. But due to a rule change by NASCAR in November 1962 which increased to a new limit of 7 liters the engine was redesigned to a longer stroke producing 427 cubic inches. This engine became known as the Mark IIS. The Mark IIS later became the Mark V introduced in 1965 as the 396 big block.
My father was very into NASCAR and was friends with Louis Clements, who was partners with NASCAR driver Rex White. Rex was the only driver to have a super speedway win with the 409, the Dixie 400 at Atlanta. Rex was one of four drivers in the 1963 Daytona 500 with the 427. Rex finished 14th six laps down. He ran the 427 through the World 600 finishing second. Due to Chevrolet being in and out of racing and a total lack of parts he then switched to Mercury to finish the season.
On a trip to visit the Clements imagine this 15 year old car nuts thrill to be able to go to Rex and Louis's garage to look at his cars!! The Mercury did nothing for me, it was the beat up Chevy with the mystery engine that I fell in love with. I have always been into big blocks since, love the sound of a high revving small block - but sorry no comparison!
I hate to think what happened to this car, probably short tracked to oblivion.

[b] Rex White Garage



The Car - left out, just an old race car!!



Check out the high dollar for the time tow rig




At the Track



David Pearson drove the #6 Hemi Dodge out of Cotton Owens Garage