These wheels were actually the most expensive option on the entire trim package, weighing in at an extra $372.30 ( a commanding $3,625.81 in 2022 dollars). Records are available for parts and service under the seller’s two-year ownership, but further history was mistakenly thrown away by the family of the original owner.In an interesting side note, the 1962 version of the Thunderbird Sports Roadster, which was the first year of this package, had offered a set of Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels to further disguise this leviathan as a sports car. The unibody’s condition underneath is detailed in the gallery below. The car’s five-digit odometer indicates 27k miles and has likely rolled over. Standard power steering reportedly works fine but whines a little when cold. Note the FoMoCo washer fluid bag. Shifting is said to be smooth through the three-speed Cruise-O-Matic transmission, which was also refurbished in 1999 along with the front suspension. The engine remains stock internally, retaining standard cylinder heads. Chrome rocker covers have replaced the gold Thunderbird-scripted originals.
Its standard four-barrel carburetor has been replaced with a remanufactured factory Tri-Power setup including three carburetors, a chromed fuel log and anti-stall dashpot inspired by Ford’s rare M-code power option. Underhood lies a 390ci FE-series V8 which was reportedly rebuilt during the 1999 refurbishment. The interior is equipped with ’60s niceties befitting a “Personal Luxury Car” such as power windows and seats, optional AM/FM radio, and “Swing-Away” wheel – a major selling point for the car’s original owner, who was pregnant at the time she bought it. Factory optional air conditioning is also present and said to be working.
The Bullet Bird’s trademark continuous color-tinted aluminum dash insert is in good shape, while chrome controls and trim shine well but show some scratches. A new cap hides the cracked original dash and the stock steering wheel is similarly covered. Both door panels are also new and are correct items for 1963 rather than the more common 1962-63 hybrid repops. Inside, front bucket and rear bench seats have recently been reupholstered in their original two-tone turquoise scheme with correct single-year silver tinsel welt separating the panels. Aftermarket wire wheels are shod in new radials and spinner caps and look similar to the Kelsey Hayes items on Sports Roadsters, but fit under standard wheel skirts. Its powered white convertible top is also present and reportedly in good shape with a clear zippered plastic window. Originally a convertible as indicated by the 85 in the VIN, the car now has a fiberglass tonneau cap added for the 89-code Sports Roadster look. Large turbine-style single taillights were shared with other Fords of the period. Badging is complete including side scripts and lid emblems with clear turquoise inserts. The seller has been unable to find notable body corrosion and no bubbling is visible in photos.īrightwork looks straight throughout including chrome wraparound bumpers, ’63-only triple side louvers and nose-to-tail stainless strips which fill double duty as door handles and vestigial fin caps. Outside, a 1999 refurbishment reportedly included a respray in the car’s original pale turquoise – the car was kept garaged afterward, and the finish is described as presentable driver quality with a handful of touched up chips. Crisp Jet Age styling looks clean overall, though some waviness is visible down the 1963-specific stepped side panels. It is sold with a clean California title. In this final year of the “Bullet Bird,” 1963 cars featured several notable styling changes over their predecessors, and the seller says this one has won awards at Southern California shows. This is factory Z-code car that the seller purchased from its 91-year-old original owner. He has since added a remanufactured Tri-Power setup replicating M-code induction on its 390ci V8, as well as reproduction upholstery and door panels. This 1963 Ford Thunderbird convertible has been modified with Sports Roadster touches like Ford Tri-Power underhood, a reproduction fiberglass tonneau cap with headrests, and wire wheels.