For Sale: 1963 Ford Thunderbird in Volo, Illinois

1 of 37 M-code Sports Roadsters produced in 1963! Fully restored, judged, certified and documented. The car is documented by its original build sheet and invoice. It has been certified by the Sports Roadster Society and Thunderbird Club International. It has been concourse judged and awarded 298.5 points out of 300 in the Senior class in 1999. In 2014 it was awarded concourse status. The M-code designates a high-performance tri-power engine. The Sports Roadster package included the tonneau cover over the back seat, a grab bar, special emblems and chrome wire wheels. This package was very rare in itself, now add to it the M-code high performance tri-power engine and you have one of the rarest Birds of all time. Out of the 37 made it is believed only 25 exists! That's still not to mention factory a/c among other options like leather upholstery. Production #s: 1962 1,427 roadsters, 120 were M-codes. 1963 455 roadsters, 37 were M-codes.

The '61-'63 Thunderbird is considered by many to be the most beautiful Thunderbird ever built, largely do to the aerospace design by Alex Tremulis. While sales were strong through the late '50s and early '60s purest besieged Ford with demands for the return of a two-place Thunderbird. Division chief Lee Lacocca tapped designer Bud Kaufman to develop a solution. Kaufman returned with the stunning sports roadster which built upon the Thunderbirds sweeping lines with a unique fiberglass tonneau cover extending from the trunk to behind the front seats, effectively transforming the four passenger Thunderbird to a two-seater.

EXTERIOR: Absolutely striking! The profile of this car looks like it's going 100 mph while standing still! I'm in love with the fiberglass tonneau cover that alters and accentuates the already beautiful factory body lines. The Raven Black paint is not totally perfect but looks outstanding with a smooth and highly reflective finish. I could absolutely read the print of our sales contract in it and all the chrome shines like jewelry. Looking down the side of the body it is 100% laser straight. The panels are perfectly aligned and the doors with handles integrated into the trim close like a new car. All the correct badging is in place. All the glass except the windshield is original and date codes verified by experts. It includes gorgeous Kelsey Hayes chrome wire wheels that are wrapped in reproduction GoodYear Super Cushion white wall tires. The exterior scored perfectly when judged! The retractable top is in excellent working order. When you hit the switch the trunk lid opens, a flap unfolds and the top folds into the trunk then the lid comes down and screws shut, all automatically. The tonneau cover does not interfere with the the top. If you decide to remove the tonneau to use the back seat, it very easily lifts right off. The convertible top is in excellent shape: tight as a drum and the rear window is clear.

INTERIOR: Very stylish interior with luxury features throughout. Some really cool options here including the super cool and unique swing away steering wheel! I love how the brushed aluminum trim on the dash extends into the door panels and console. Optional genuine leather upholstery too! It also includes rare air conditioning, factory AM/FM radio, working clock, power windows, power seats, and a power convertible top. The entire interior has been painstakingly refurbished to factory original condition and looks virtually new. The door panels and dash pad are in excellent condition as well as the gauges, gauge bezel, knobs, climate control, sun visors, rear view mirror, and center console. The genuine leather front bucket seats and rear bench seat are in remarkable condition and give great support. The carpeting is in phenomenal shape, and it even includes rubber Thunderbird floor mats. There is a full back seat when the tonneau is removed. The interior scored perfectly when judged!

ENGINE COMPARTMENT: Outstanding original engine bay! Extremely rare factory M code performance package with original date coded engine! This included a 390 motor making 340 hp and 430 lbs of torque with 406 heads, 10.5:1 compression, a hotter cam, high pressure oil pump, a reworked distributor an aluminum intake and of course a tri-power carb system on top. It was only fitting to give it a full dress up kit as well including an aluminum air cleaner and several chrome accents throughout the engine compartment. It is very correct down to date coded plug wires, correct belts, cloth wrapped choke tube, reproduction hoses and belts, anodized hinges etc. Correct numbered intake, carbs and alternator. Additionally, the radiator is correct and verified by experts. It's equipped with a real reproduction battery, windshield washer bag, expansion tank and more. The engine compartment scored 63.5 out of 65 possible points when judged!

TRUNK COMPARTMENT: The trunk is fully restored. All clean metal with gloss black paint and full correct liner kit fits right. All the hardware, rams, motors, wiring is in excellent shape. It has a 5th matching reproduction spare and wire wheel. The trunk scored perfectly when judged!

UNDERSIDE: This car was concourse restored and was very well preserved underneath since! The steering system appears to be rebuilt with factory components. The front suspension also looks good and has several newer parts which includes a sway bar and fresh links. The rear leaf springs look freshened up with black paint. It's equipped with power drum brakes at all four corners and the lines look replaced. The emergency brake is also hooked up. It has a full 2" dual exhaust system that is complete with crossover pipe and mufflers that are tucked neatly in their factory position. The gas tank and straps have been replaced. Looking up at the date coded and correct 390 cubic inch V8 engine everything appears proper and even includes the correct starter stamp. Additionally, the cruise-o-matic trans was unique to the M-code with a performance shift points, it is verified by its original tag. The power is transferred through a drive shaft with factory correct markings. From there it goes into the correct 9" rear end that's equipped with a heavy duty 4 pinion and a 3.00 gear ratio, the date code on the tag was also verified by experts and found to be consistent with manufacturing. The floors look solid with an undercoating that is likely original to the car. The undercarriage scored perfectly when judged!

SERVICE: Our professional team of mechanics has completed a thorough inspection on this car and replaced the fuel level sending unit, adjusted the convertible top, adjusted the driver window, replaced the power steering pump and hoses, repaired and rewired the carburetor, and replaced the valve cover gaskets. This car is ready to be enjoyed!

Don't let the opportunity slip off your fingertips! Grasp this once in a lifetime chance to own what is possibly the most concourse correct and rare 1963 Ford Thunderbird Sports Roadsters in existence!

I, Jay Grams, take pride in personally writing the descriptions for virtually every car for about the last 30 years now. A significant amount of effort goes into fact checking. What I am offering is my professional impression of the vehicle. Our salesmen are happy to assist with descriptions and making sure your questions are answered. One great suggestion is letting us do a walk around video that explains the car's condition in detail. **These cars are displayed in a museum. If interested in a particular car, make an appointment with a salesman to see that car. Without an appointment there is an admission fee to enter the showroom. If you buy a car, your admission will be...for more information please contact the seller.