1963 Ford Thunderbird – 390ci V8 – Automatic – Convertible – CLEAN T-BIRD

Vehicle Location: GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49548
Auction Type: Reserve
Mileage: 57311
Engine: 390ci V8
Transmission: Automatic
Exterior: Red
Interior: Red
VIN: 3Y87Z148893
Party: Dealer

1963 Ford Thunderbird Convertible

“Thunderbird… Unique in All the World” – 1963 Ford Thunderbird magazine ad headline. Offered here is a vehicle which has a slightly unique look since this Thunderbird left the factory in a different color, and with a landau top.

This Thunderbird is believed to be number 1,964 of 2,000 Limited Edition Thunderbird Landau examples created to celebrate the World Premier of the 1963 model. (Body Code 63B) The Premier took place in the Principality of Monaco.

Often called “Monaco cars” by collectors, the car offered here has been repainted red, and the Landau top has been removed. In its place, a removable top and “speedster humps” have been added. The changes were made likely to suit a previous owner’s preference.

The car’s current exterior red paint was added professionally a number of years ago, however the original Corinthian White (Code M) remains on body panels inside the engine bay and the underside of the hood.

The original white color is the shade that all “Monaco cars” were painted. The Monaco cars also featured a dark red vinyl Landau top which broke up the white on white color scheme.

This car isn’t finished in the original color scheme, but red on red with a white top is a proper color scheme for the time period that this car rolled off the assembly line.

The exterior red paint finish remains in generally very good condition with good gloss and no significant damage or evidence of overspray on other exterior surfaces, trim, or emblems.

The white faux convertible top, however, shows some discoloration and warping from age. Chrome body trim, window surrounds, bumpers, grille, and side mirrors all show bright finishes with minimal patina from age.

Factory badging includes the Thunderbird emblems on the hood and rear deck, and the iconic stylized “Thunderbird” script on the rear fenders.

Based on the Body Plate Data, it would appear that the car’s original white interior (code 83) was also converted to red, likely concurrent with the repaint.

The car’s red interior certainly looks to be a complete transfer from another Thunderbird. All trim and surfaces are correct to original-equipment standards. The interior condition is generally very good with some signs of wear, use, split seams on the seat cushions, and panel-deterioration near the door jambs.

Upholstery is red vinyl with red velour fabric inserts and Thunderbird emblems on the front seat backs. Doors (and rear cabin-walls) include woodgrain trim which is also present on the center console and across the lower face of the dashboard.

A 3-spoke, ivory-rimmed steering wheel with chrome horn ring fronts an instrument cluster featuring three large gauge openings. Instrument bezels, switchgear, and trim are chrome.

The shift lever for the Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission is mounted on the steering column. There is no radio mounted; three auxiliary engine-monitoring gauges are mounted below the dash.

The console includes the emblem identifying the car as number 1,964 of the 2,000 limited-edition models, and script-Thunderbird chrome lettering faces the front passenger.

Under the hood, the remnants of the original white paint are evident. The 390-cubic-inch Thunderbird V8 is finished in gold paint on the valve covers and air-cleaner cover above the 4-barrel carburetor.

The engine bay is clean and well-kept. Viewed from below, the chassis is clean and undamaged with more of the original white paint showing through. Newer rear shock absorbers and exhaust muffler are noted.

This ’63 Thunderbird can make its next owner a steward of a piece of Ford history – albeit a slightly modified one. Pleasure will come from open-top touring, drive-in restaurant trips, and cars-and-coffee gatherings where the car will surely be noticed… with a story to boot!

Body: 63B – Tudor Landau *(Including Ltd. Edition Principality of Monaco series, 2,000 built)
Color: M – Code 1238 Corinthian White #2
Trim: 83 – White Leather
Date: 27C – March 27th
DSO: 34 – Indianapolis
Axle: 1 – 3.00:1
Trans: 4 – 3-Speed Cruise-O-Matic

VIN decode –
3: 1963 Model Year
Y: Wixom, Michigan Production Plant
87: Tudor Landau
Z: 8-cylinder 390 cubic-inch 4-barrel,
148893: Production Numbers