![]() Here it has nice acceleration, smooth shifting, and good handling. To the test track I fired this bullet bird up and shot through the gate. Power steering is noted along with a stock style single exhaust that snakes its way rearward ending with a newer muffler and tailpipe. Up front are more power drum brakes are on and also independent front suspension with coil springs are here. Providing the ride are leaf springs for the rear suspension, along with power drum brakes. Plenty undercoating and rustproofing bathes the undercarriage, which due to said coatings is rust free. The rear axle weighs in as a Ford 9-inch with 3.00 gearing. ![]() On top is a single 4-barrel carburetor, and on back a Cruise-O-Matic 3-speed automatic. A 390ci V8 is inserted into a fairly clean engine bay, with supple hoses and wiring. Clean black carpet floods the floors but does present with some fading atop the hump in front of the rear bench.Ī flip of the hood and we see a clean black painted block with gold for the valve coverings as well as the air cleaner. The aluminum band continues onto the doors and divides the plain black smooth upper panel from the padded armrest and chrome ribbed panel below. A speaker, radio, and 3-gauge cluster is within these swoops, and all appear in good condition. Above this are 2 black vinyl winglike structures (can you say bird?) that form the padded dash top. 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. 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. ![]() #1963 thunderbird fullMedium white sidewall tires wrap original wheel covers which have knockoff hubs.īlack 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. On back the jet engine styled taillights framed with large smoothed over bezels and another shiny bumper below. Chrome and bright work are correct, and in nice shape. Small diagonal chrome bars were added in this area on the door creating an aerodynamic “bat mobile” look. A horizontal styling line was added that runs from the point where the bumper and fender meet back through the door and angled down. 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. Covering the passengers is a black canvas roof with a new plastic rear window that can disappear at the drop of a hat. ![]() The finish itself presents with scrapes and texture to the finish, particularly at the tops of the doors but still shining nicely. 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. Read on and prepare yourself for Bullet Bird heaven.Ī Heritage Burgundy bullet shaped model with a black convertible top, presents in good overall condition. 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. 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. Of the total production of 214,375 units produced, only 5,913 were convertibles. 1963 was the last production year of the third generation of T-birds. Offered for sale is a 66,874 title verified miles 1963 Ford Thunderbird convertible with a Heritage Burgundy exterior and black vinyl interior. 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. 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. Eventually the Corvette went to racing, and the Thunderbird became the boulevard king. The Thunderbird and the Corvette have a long and sorted history, with both initially competing for the same customer space. ![]()
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