289FIA vs 427

A Body Comparison

FIA

Contour 289FIA Profile

427

427
In spite of being visually similar to the 427, the 289FIA shares no body panels at all!
The radiator and oil cooler openings are different shapes and sizes.  The 427's brake scoops were in the front body, the 289FIA had separate scoops below the body and fresh air scooops inside the radiator opening.  We also offer a grill for the original 289 street-car look. FIA Nose427SC Nose
On the 427 body, the fender peak was moved backward, causing the headlights to be one inch lower than the earlier car.  In addition, the 427's nose opening is fully two inches lower than the 289, probably an effort to decrease nose lift at high speeds.  The chassis height on these two cars is identical!
289FIA Nose-to-nose comparison427
The front flares of the 289FIA are much more defined on the top and back edge.  In addition, the exhaust was completely under the car on the FIA but a hole was cut in the body on the 427 on the Comp cars.

flare

289FIA

flare

427 (Street version)
The rear flares of the 289FIA are blended into the area in front much more smoothly, requiring the doors of the original 289 to be reshaped. The 427 retains the original 289 door shape by making the flare less concave at the front edge. Also, the 289FIA's rear fender line is a bit "perkier." FIA rear flare427 rear flare
The roll bar of the FIA went forward next to the passenger.  The vertical legs were hidden behind the bulkhead.  The 427's went into the trunk, with legs exposed behind the seat.. FIA Roll bar427 Roll bar

289FIA

427
The trunk and rear tail-light area is flatter on the 289FIA, especially under the trunk lid edge.  The fuel filler was moved from the top of rear cowl of the 289FIA to a well on the right rear fender.  The fuel tank of the 289FIA was mounted above the rear suspension, the 427's tank was mounted in back of it. FIA rear view
Trunk dimples were required to fit the official FIA suitcase.		 427rear
The tail lights shown on this 427 car were used only on the later cars.  Early 427 cars used the same tail lights as the 289.
On the 289FIA, the hood scoop was molded in, not riveted on like the 427, and the shape is different.

The windshield angle of the 289 race cars was lower too.

FIA hood scoop

289FIA

427 hood scoop

427
The 427 dashboard layout is different, with Smiths replacing 2 5/8" Stewart Warner small gages and 3 5/8" speedometer, and Sun Tach.  The street versions of the 289 and the 427 used different dashboard layouts altogether.

Mirrors were also different.

 FIA Dash427SC Dash

Other changes:
  • The 427 used a forward-facing gearshift rather than a straight-up one.
  • None of the original FIA cars had any interior upholstery, while the 427's were sold as for street street/competition (S/C) and competition only versions.
  • The Wheel design was different.  The 427 eventually used a GT40 design that was wider than the 289FIA's wheels.
  • The 427 cars used street seats (they may have been replaced in competition, of course), while the 289FIA was only used with competition seats.
  • The original 289 and 427 chassis were completely different, as were the suspensions, but that's a whole 'nother story.
  • The 289FIA track is 1" narrower at the front, 1/2" narrower at the rear.
  • And of course the 289FIA never had a big block!

body comparison, body shape