Vehicle Description
1963 Ford Thunderbird Convertible
The Thunderbird and the Corvette have a long and sorted history,
with both initially competing for the same customer space.
Eventually the Corvette went to racing, and the Thunderbird became
the boulevard king. The ultimate getaway car from the kids with a
two seat configuration (rear seat is there but covered by cowlings)
with a convertible cruiser, it became the "it" car for early 1960's
suburbia. With design queues courtesy the jet age, its bullet like
front appearance, and jet engine taillights was keying into the
upwardly mobile middle class, and growing suburbia.
Offered for sale is a 66,874 title verified miles 1963 Ford
Thunderbird convertible with a Heritage Burgundy exterior and black
vinyl interior. 1963 was the last production year of the third
generation of T-birds. Of the total production of 214,375 units
produced, only 5,913 were convertibles. Sold new in Montclair, NJ
then held since 1971 by a collector in upstate NY, our consignor
brought this mostly original and fully functional ride back to
Montclair. Having a known history is great, but lets sweeten the
pot with this car being the centerfold photo for the 1963
Thunderbird section of the Cool Classics book. Read on and prepare
yourself for Bullet Bird heaven.
Exterior
A Heritage Burgundy bullet shaped model with a black convertible
top, presents in good overall condition. Our consignor states that
the paint is original, and some areas most likely are but our
careful eyes spot multiple areas of overspray on the chrome
trimmings. The finish itself presents with scrapes and texture to
the finish, particularly at the tops of the doors but still shining
nicely. Covering the passengers is a black canvas roof with a new
plastic rear window that can disappear at the drop of a hat. The
mechanicals for this pop top are a marvel of engineering, as the
whole long expansive trunk section, and the top become involved in
the up and down operation and storage. A horizontal styling line
was added that runs from the point where the bumper and fender meet
back through the door and angled down. Small diagonal chrome bars
were added in this area on the door creating an aerodynamic "bat
mobile" look. Chrome and bright work are correct, and in nice
shape. On back the jet engine styled taillights framed with large
smoothed over bezels and another shiny bumper below. Medium white
sidewall tires wrap original wheel covers which have knockoff
hubs.
Interior
Black vinyl original to the car is seen and is in full glory, with
near nice bucket seats in front, and a bench in the back. A sleek
console makes its way to the dash, and houses the vinyl covered
console glove box, and ashtray as well as the power window toggles
within the ribbed aluminum console inlay. This horizontal ribbed
aluminum snakes its way up to the dash, and proceeds to spread out
from side to side over the dash front, and houses the heater and
air flow controls, light switches, logos and a very cool swing away
steering wheel. Above this are 2 black vinyl winglike structures
(can you say bird?) that form the padded dash top. A speaker,
radio, and 3-gauge cluster is within these swoops, and all appear
in good condition. The aluminum band continues onto the doors and
divides the plain black smooth upper panel from the padded armrest
and chrome ribbed panel below. Clean black carpet floods the floors
but does present with some fading atop the hump in front of the
rear bench.
Drivetrain
A flip of the hood and we see a clean black painted block with gold
for the valve coverings as well as the air cleaner. A 390ci V8 is
inserted into a fairly clean engine bay, with supple hoses and
wiring. On top is a single 4-barrel carburetor, and on back a
Cruise-O-Matic 3-speed automatic. The rear axle weighs in as a Ford
9-inch with 3.00 gearing.
Undercarriage
Plenty undercoating and rustproofing bathes the undercarriage,
which due to said coatings is rust free. Providing the ride are
leaf springs for the rear suspension, along with power drum brakes.
Up front are more power drum brakes are on and also independent
front suspension with coil springs are here. Power steering is
noted along with a stock style single exhaust that snakes its way
rearward ending with a newer muffler and tailpipe.
Drive-Ability
To the test track I fired this bullet bird up and shot through the
gate. Here it has nice acceleration, smooth shifting, and good
handling. This is a very cool car which makes the driver feel very
cool, especially since you can have the top down in the middle of
winter if you so desire. Nicely preserved for that Sunday drive to
plow through some fossils.
A very cool retro mid century, last year of a truly iconic
convertible, the 1963 offers an opportunity to own an immediately
recognized classic for a below market price. So why not relive that
fantasy of leading the "jet set" lifestyle, driving a "jet age"
style automobile, flying around town, turning heads while doing so.
Look up in the sky!!!...
3Y85Z151545
3-1963
Y-Wixom, MI Assy Plant
85-Thunderbird Convertible
Z-390ci V8 4bbl 300hp
151545-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY TAG
BODY 76A-Thunderbird Convertible
COLOR X-Heritage Burgundy
TRIM 56-Black Vinyl
DATE 19D-April 19th Build
DSO 15-Newark
AXLE 1-Ford 9" Convertible
TRANS 4-Cruise-O-Matic
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
