Original Paint, Interior, and 30k-Mile Survivor! 1963 Ford Thunderbird
It’s ironic that the seller chose to photograph this ’63 Thunderbird parked on an upward slope, because it looks like this ‘Bird is about to take flight. What a beautiful survivor with its factory original paint, interior, and a 390 V8 that the seller claims has 30,700 original miles. I’m a Thunderbird guy and the third generation “Bullet Birds” will always be special because it was the first Thunderbird I ever rode in. It was around 1965, I was 10 and I was coming back from an out-of-town 4-H Club event. The ‘Bird was glossy black with a red interior that can only be described as mesmerizing. So was the driver. I don’t remember the pretty lady’s name or how I got selected to ride with her, but it was the best part of the day. Okay, enough reminiscing, This beautiful 1963 Ford Thunderbird Coupe is currently in Mountain View, South Carolina and is for sale here on craigslist for an asking price of $24,500. A special thanks to Jane Hathaway for spotting this fine ‘Bird and sending it our way.
The seller doesn’t share a lot of history or how long he/she has owned it after purchasing the T-Bird from the original owner. It’s being sold because the seller says “We are downsizing our home and some of my vehicles must go (no room at the new home).” Based on the photos, the car is in exceptional condition for a 60-year-old vehicle. There is no rust and the original Chalfonte Blue and Corinthian White paint looks very presentable. (I can’t recall seeing many ’63 Birds in this shade of turquoise, but it’s a beautiful color.) The chrome, trim, badging, and glass all look very good as well as the spinner wheel covers. The ‘Bird has Coker tires and although the whitewall width is a little bit wider than the ‘Birds you see in 1963 advertising, they still look good and compliment the stylish white top.
Third generation advertising described the Thunderbird’s styling as “A bold thrust into tomorrow.” Nothing says that more than the large, round “Jet Afterburner” taillights with the subtle angled fins and flat trunk (which is as clean as a whistle inside). This styling captures the fascination with jets, the space age, and the optimism of the New Frontier in the early ’60s. There was nothing else on the road that looked like this, for sure.
When the second generation Thunderbirds were introduced for 1958, it ushered in front bucket seats (and a rear seat as well). The pleasant turquoise theme is carried into the T-Bird’s cabin and although it’s not perfect, it’s in remarkable original condition for its age. The seller says there is one seam in the driver’s seat that has separated and the clock doesn’t work. The ‘Bird has an aftermarket AM/FM 6-CD Player and two speakers can be spotted on the rear deck behind the back seat that hasn’t seen many passengers the past 60 years.
Along with the new space-age styling, the other big news for Thunderbird in 1961 was a new, larger 390-cubic inch engine. These ‘Birds had quite a few horses under the hood and could go from 0-60 in 7.3 seconds. The engine bay on this ‘Bird is clean and tidy and houses the original 390 that’s paired with a Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission. The seller says, “the 390 runs perfect with no smoke or noises and the transmission shifts smoothly as new.” The brakes have been replaced along with the master cylinder and brake lines and a PerTronix ignition has been installed. So, what do you think? Ever owned, driven, or ridden in one of these iconic Bullet Birds?
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Comments
Beautiful bird
This ticks all the boxes for me. What a looker! How do they drive? This is totally outside my norm with a bunch of foreign cars in my stable, but this one is making me think.
I had owned a ‘66 with low miles like this one that drove so nice and comfortable. I have not driven a ‘63 though yet.
I learned to drive in my Mom’s ’64 T Bird. A little different than this one, but the best riding car I’ve ever ridden in!! Miss it!!🚘❤️💕
Sure looks to be a low mileage actual miles mostly original T bird of the year I was born. Like the color combination and if it’s actual miles I bet it drives like a dream. Fair asking price IMO. If money and shop space were not a problem I would be all over this one. It will probably be gone soon I bet.
When I was growing up we had a yellow 1962 Thunderbird hardtop. It replaced a 1958 T-Bird. Nice improvement and I remember people said when you got in the car the dashboard was like a 707’s cockpit. The swing away steering wheel was cool, the 390 engine was smooth and so was the ride. This turquoise Bird looks great.
✔️✔️✔️
If I were old enough to drive during this era, this would be my ride.
I thought Jane Hathaway was a MOPAR gal? Maybe a Phoenix brought her back from the dead liking T-Birds.
Argh….yes, two very obscure Nancy Culp/Beverly Hillbillies jokes, sort of.
I love this generation T-Bird and would like a 61 for my birth year.
That’s Nancy KULP, not Culp, as in the great Robert Culp.
Beautiful car with excellent styling and I’m not a Ford guy..Probably has the original brake lines , he probably ment hoses.I think if you’re a T bird guy this is a great price imo. Whomever had this car it was their baby.She’ll sell kwik.
I did have one in ’72 in tan outside and in. Just drove to work and back, but spent a lot on gas with that engine. I think the steering wheel moved sideways when you opened the door. Handy.
In 1967 I drove my 65 VW from WA to Clear Lake CA to see my girlfriend/future wife before starting college. On the way back toward I-5 I was “playing Porsche” and rolled the VW. The wrecker towed it to Williams (home of Big M). I needed a way home, and the tow shop offered to let me drive a white ’63 Bird that had been left behind by a dealer from WA because it was over heating “but it’s fixed now”. I had a strong feeling the car might have been stolen, but off I went. And it over heated all the way home. Other than that it was a great driving car. When I got home I called the very surprised dealer, 100 miles away, and told them where their car was.
My last 2 years of high school I drove a ‘62 T-Bird , blue one. My mom was quite the car girl and we always had interesting cars coming and going. Love that car, drove it constantly , even entered the car club and used it for car rallies back then. Ours had A/C , which was a real plus. Do remember one time while driving the front wheel came off the spindle. Always knew this was a special car. This one for sale looks great, no A/C would not be practical here in the Deep South.
It is not difficult to add a modern aftermarket A/C system to these cars. It would be much quieter, smaller, and efficient that the original factory system. A half century + 10 years of improvement have made most things better mechanically, electrically, and in reliability. But style and beauty can be a personal preference. Have a Great Day and RESPECT to all.
I agree about the AC system upgrade to Vintage or Classic Air, but the look of that fantastic chrome AC control panel with vent in these Birds is the nicest panel I have ever seen. I did a Vintage AC replacement in my 71 Aston Martin but kept the original AC climate panel as I did not want to disturb the overall dash look. It took my shop a little doing but they managed to incorporate the control sliders to the Vintage Air system of electronic controls.
I sold my 57 Thunderbird as it was to small for me. I love the 55 through 66 birds so two years ago I bought a 63 Partisan Green Sport Roadster with 21K miles on it. And I absolutely love it with the swing away steering wheel. I am the third of owner it has factory a/c, power windows and was converted to disc brakes which is needed for a 4200 lb. car. The 10 to 12 miles to the gallon on premium gas are not fun. But oh well.
It doesn’t mention if it has A/C
No dash vents in the middle of it, and no compressor in the under hood photo.
Car does not have AC , coils, or a Compressor. Steering wheel moves by moving gear level thru Park and column unlocks. Nice for getting in to swing it out of the way.
Very cool car but w/o the factory AC, especially w/o the chrome AC control panel, not cool enough.
It seems you have a good shop. When I update an older vehicle I always ask the owner what she/he wants. Most good shops can add most modern conveniences without causing permanent damage. Adding large screens can be difficult, but sometimes I have to explain to difficult customers that yes we can build anything
You want.
If you draw a picture of it,
on the back of a big enough check.
I try to explain to customers the costs and rewards of various modifications and just plain maintenance.
Now that is a very nice sled. I get the value of all-original, but that T-Bird could be made into something really special…
Just ask Bad Chad what he would do with this ‘Bird!
Better to look for someone parting out the original AC and the coils, blower housing , compressor and condenser. Looks and is original, versus the kit conversion.