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Junior Johnson's Legendary 1963 Chevrolet NASCAR Vehicle on Exhibit at the N.C. Museum of History
In his typical fearless and aggressive style, Junior Johnson drove his white Chevrolet Impala #3 during the 1963 NASCAR season. On Wednesday, Feb. 8, he brought that same car to the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh.
During an 11 a.m. ceremony, the legendary driver and owner shared remarks and loaned the NASCAR vehicle to the N.C. Sports Hall of Fame. After the presentation, Johnson signed autographs and spoke with visitors. The 1963 Chevy will be on exhibit in the museum lobby for an extended period.
“I am most grateful to Mr. Johnson and Reese Edwards, executive director of the N.C. Sports Hall of Fame, for their efforts in making this unique loan possible,” says Elizabeth F. Buford, director of the N.C. Museum of History.
Junior Johnson and his legendary 1963 Chevrolet. The car is on exhibit at the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh. Photo credit: N.C. Museum of History
Johnson and his crew built the car in Florida, before the 1963 Daytona 500, where he ran the fastest qualifying lap. Later that year, he won seven races and captured 10 pole positions in car #3.
Johnson, inducted into the N.C. Sports Hall of Fame in 1992, won 50 NASCAR races as a driver during his career. While he was a team owner, his cars dominated the Winston Cup circuit for years.
Today, the 74-year-old Johnson spends his time at his large farm near Hamptonville, generously sharing his legendary stories with anyone lucky enough to hear them. “I gave to racing more than I received, and I’m glad of that,” says Johnson. “I feel good about what I gave racing.”
Brief Biography: Junior Johnson
NASCAR driver and owner Robert “Junior” Johnson got his start running moonshine near his home in Wilkes County. Born in Ingle Hollow in 1931, Johnson began racing in NASCAR in the mid-1950s. He won 50 NASCAR races during his career, including a career-best 13 wins in 1965. Johnson was the first driver to win at each of the four original superspeedways: Darlington, Daytona, Charlotte and Atlanta. He took first place at the Daytona 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 in 1960.
Junior Johnson's 1963 Chevrolet in his shop in Hamptonville. Photo Credit: Reese Edwards, N.C. Sports Hall of Fame.
The legendary figure is a member of the N.C. Sports Hall of Fame, the N.C. Auto Racing Hall of Fame, the Stock Car Hall of Fame and the International Motor Sports Hall of Fame. After retiring from racing in 1966, he became a successful stock car owner and entered into other business ventures. In a 1965 Esquire magazine article, writer Tom Wolfe immortalized Johnson as “The Last American Hero.”
For more information about the N.C. Sports Hall of Fame and the N.C. Museum of History, call 919-807-7900.
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