Vehicle Description
1963 Ford Thunderbird Convertible
"Unmatched. Unmistakable. This is Thunderbird for 1963, a bold
thrust into tomorrow, a blend of all that makes an automobile a
proud possession in each of its four distinct personalities -
Landau, Hardtop, Convertible, Sports Roadster. Thunderbird is ours,
personally, as no other car can be. Uniquely, too, it holds your
investment as firmly as it holds your pride." From the 1963
Thunderbird brochure.
For consignment, a 1963 Ford Thunderbird convertible with a title
verified 101,446 actual miles. If a Carfax was available for '63's,
it would read "this owner drove 1,636 miles per year, less than the
average by 13,364 miles per year!". This one is equipped with a 390
and the swing away steering wheel for ease of entry.
Exterior
An incredible 22 colors were available for the 1963 Thunderbirds
and only one shade of white, Corinthian White which has nothing to
do with the leather other than their connection somehow to Greece.
Anyway, this car wears it well and with indoor lights, appears an
off white that pops in the sun. The "bullet birds" that began in
1961 streamlined the nose of the car, and other parts, placing the
headlights in a more inset position in the grille, a chrome framed
structure which becomes part of the bumper, accenting the fenders
with bold frontage. A more subtle body line is moved from the rear
quarter of the 1960, to the front fender, flowing back to
decorative trim known in today's terms as backslashes, while
shoulder line trim integrates the door handle artfully. A fender
skirt keeps things smooth in the back and the jet age influence is
alive and well with afterburner shaped tail lights under
aerodynamic fins and a broad faced chrome bumper. Our car's black
canvas top is in great condition and the large plastic rear window
is clear. Imperfections are few with uneven paint on a door's lower
corner and some bubbling on the rocker and door.
Interior
Stunning 60's design begins on the door panels that combine smooth
black vinyl, a ribbed metallic panel, vertical trim on the kick
panel, and the much touted dual lens light that "shines a courtesy
beam into the car, a red warning beam behind". Like Thunderbirds
before it, the materials and pattern continue around to the dash
and rear seats for some of the best coordinated designs of the era.
The seats themselves, buckets in front and 2+2 in back, are varying
textures of black vinyl delineated with white piping, and each
wearing a Thunderbird emblem on the back. Go from driver to jet
pilot when you hop in the front seat, grab the black plastic wheel,
and lay eyes on the gleaming symmetrical gauge cluster in your
sightline, and the wide, ribbed metal panel that waterfalls onto
the center console that is so tasty, you'll never want to leave!
The contoured dash pad meets in the middle to house the AM radio
while vent controls blend with the ribbed pattern and the entire
presentation is clean, simple, and exciting at the same time.
Thunderbird mats protect black carpet, and the trunk is like a rear
flap that opens towards the back to reveal a clean, voluminous
space for roof stowage.
Drivetrain
The nugget of gold under the hood is a 390ci V8 rated at 300
horsepower and fueled by a 4-barrel carburetor. It's "turned into a
silken flow of motion" according to the brochure, by the
Cruise-O-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission which routes power to
the Ford 9" in back with 3.00 gears. Power drum brakes are front
and rear. Of note, the engine bay is spotless and show worthy,
right down to the retro style battery.
Undercarriage
Typical surface rust on heavy metal parts, patina, and some
undercoating are the only things that veer from near new conditions
underneath. The single exhaust meets a stock style muffler behind
the rear axle, then exits via a steel pipe on the right. Suspension
consists of coil springs up front and leaf springs in the rear.
Drive-Ability
A Bomber's jacket, leather cap and goggles seem appropriate here,
but we don't have them, so a Classic Auto Mall shirt and jeans will
have to do. The cab is comfortable, and the sitting position
relaxed as we take the large steering wheel and point it West
towards the test loop. She runs right, tracking well and providing
plenty of giddyup when called upon. The chrome knobs and switches
deliver near flawless functionality with the exception of the left
rear window. All else works as intended. While Classic Auto Mall
represents that these functions were working at the time of our
test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at
the time of your purchase.
Though "baby birds" take the cake for recognition and
collectability, the "bullet birds" are climbing with some velocity
and one look at this fine example dispels any reservations about
their uniqueness. This is one cool cruiser, unmistakably
Thunderbird, and they seem to get better looking as each year
creates distance from the 60's, when cars were still feeling some
of that 50's flair with some more driver focus applied. If you've
been bird watching, put this one in your scope.
3Y85Z129309
3-1963
Y-Wixom, MI Assy Plant
85-Thunderbird Convertible
Z-390ci V8 4bbl 300hp
129309-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY PLATE
BODY 76A-Thunderbird Convertible
COLOR M-Corinthian White
TRIM 56-Black Vinyl
DATE 19M-December 19th
DSO 61-Dallas
AXLE 1-Ford 9" 3.00 Conventional
TRANS 4-Cruise O Matic
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
