Vehicle Description
West Coast Classics presents an exceptional and highly desirable
example of the third generation of Thunderbirds, a California state
titled and fully loaded 1963 Ford Thunderbird 2 door Hardtop with a
390 c.i. 300HP V8 engine in completely rust free condition with
factory options including front bucket seats with front console,
power steering, power brakes, original AM radio, rear skirts and
obviously the unique swing-away steering wheel and fully loaded
with factory air conditioning ($415), power windows ($106), power
drivers seat ($184), amp; tinted glass ($43)! The Thunderbird was
redesigned in 1961 with sleeker styling from its previous
'Squarebird' design that gave the bird a renown 'bullet-lie'
appearance with an all new bodyshell featuring a severely pointed
front end and the car enjoyed a smoother ride with much improved
handling and soundproofing. The interior design featured a
contoured dash that curved at its outward ends to blend in with the
door panels and the model boasted the first 'Swing-away' steering
wheel. A new engine, the 390 c.i. 6.4L V8 was standard and mated to
a three speed automatic transmission. A vinyl roofed Landau option
with simulated S bars was added to the line up in 1962 as was the
legendary Sports Roadster for convertible models. The Sports
Roadster had a special fiberglass tonneau cover for the rear seats
which gave the car the appearance of being a two seater roadster
like the original Thunderbirds from 1955-57. Newly optioned for '62
was an upgraded version of the 390 c.i. V8 named the 'M' code after
the designated M used as the engine code in the VIN number of the
very few and rare cars equipped with this upgrade. The 'M code
version of the 390 c.i. V8 was equipped with no less than three 2
barrel Holley carburetors and produced 340HP. These 'M' code V8
Thunderbirds are exceptionally rare with some reports showing only
some 200 in total being built during its production years of 1962-3
and obviously very few are left remaining on the roads today! This
particular car is a very presentable older restoration in it's
original 'Green Mist / Tropical Turquoise' factory (color code O)
color paint with its original 'Black Crinkle Leather amp; Black
Vachette Leather' bucket seats interior still in mostly completely
original condition throughout. The floor boards, trunk and all the
typical rust-prone areas are solid and rust-free - obviously an
always garaged previously California owned car. The original spare
wheel with its jack is in the trunk. The 390/300HP V8 engine is
extremely strong and powerful and this particular car drives
extremely well and must be driven to be fully appreciated. The
transmission shifts smoothly through all the gears and the
temperature always remains cool! The car has had recent mechanical
work including a rebuilt carburetor, new brake power booster amp;
master cylinder, replace drums with calipers, rotors with new
bearings, replace rear wheel cylinders, new radiator, transmission
service, new Monroe shocks, replace lower control arm bushings,
ball joints amp; outer tie rod ends, upper ball joint boots amp;
shocks, replace front suspension, replace valve cover amp; intake
manifold gaskets, new A/C compressor amp; with all service receipts
available. This is a great opportunity to own a great daily driving
and never abused example of an obviously always garaged coveted
California state rust free 1963 Ford Thunderbird 2 door Hardtop in
very fine condition throughout and an outstanding example of one of
the outstanding Ford designs of the sixties which has high repute
for both it's beautiful lines and smooth fast performance for a
luxury convertible.
