West Coast Classics presents an exceptional and highly desirable example of the third generation of Thunderbirds, a California state titled and fully loaded 1963 Ford Thunderbird 2 door Hardtop with a 390 c.i. 300HP V8 engine in completely rust free condition with factory options including front bucket seats with front console, power steering, power brakes, original AM radio, rear skirts and obviously the unique swing-away steering wheel and fully loaded with factory air conditioning ($415), power windows ($106), power drivers seat ($184), & tinted glass ($43)!
The Thunderbird was redesigned in 1961 with sleeker styling from its previous 'Squarebird' design that gave the bird a renown 'bullet-lie' appearance with an all new bodyshell featuring a severely pointed front end and the car enjoyed a smoother ride with much improved handling and soundproofing. The interior design featured a contoured dash that curved at its outward ends to blend in with the door panels and the model boasted the first 'Swing-away' steering wheel. A new engine, the 390 c.i. 6.4L V8 was standard and mated to a three speed automatic transmission. A vinyl roofed Landau option with simulated S bars was added to the line up in 1962 as was the legendary Sports Roadster for convertible models. The Sports Roadster had a special fiberglass tonneau cover for the rear seats which gave the car the appearance of being a two seater roadster like the original Thunderbirds from 1955-57. Newly optioned for '62 was an upgraded version of the 390 c.i. V8 named the 'M' code after the designated M used as the engine code in the VIN number of the very few and rare cars equipped with this upgrade. The 'M code version of the 390 c.i. V8 was equipped with no less than three 2 barrel Holley carburetors and produced 340HP. These 'M' code V8 Thunderbirds are exceptionally rare with some reports showing only some 200 in total being built during its production years of 1962-3 and obviously very few are left remaining on the roads today!
This particular car is a very presentable older restoration in it's original 'Green Mist / Tropical Turquoise' factory (color code O) color paint with its original 'Black Crinkle Leather & Black Vachette Leather' bucket seats interior still in mostly completely original condition throughout. The floor boards, trunk and all the typical rust-prone areas are solid and rust-free - obviously an always garaged previously California owned car. The original spare wheel with its jack is in the trunk.
The 390/300HP V8 engine is extremely strong and powerful and this particular car drives extremely well and must be driven to be fully appreciated. The transmission shifts smoothly through all the gears and the temperature always remains cool! The car has had recent mechanical work including a rebuilt carburetor, new brake power booster & master cylinder, replace drums with calipers, rotors with new bearings, replace rear wheel cylinders, new radiator, transmission service, new Monroe shocks, replace lower control arm bushings, ball joints & outer tie rod ends, upper ball joint boots & shocks, replace front suspension, replace valve cover & intake manifold gaskets, new A/C compressor & with all service receipts available.
This is a great opportunity to own a great daily driving and never abused example of an obviously always garaged coveted California state rust free 1963 Ford Thunderbird 2 door Hardtop in very fine condition throughout and an outstanding example of one of the outstanding Ford designs of the sixties which has high repute for both it's beautiful lines and smooth fast performance for a luxury convertible.
