![]() Powered by the 390ci (6.4Lt) V8 engine, it produced when new 340bhp (253.5Kw), delivered to the rear wheels via a 3 speed Cruise-O-Matic auto transmission. Presenting in the original pale Diamond Blue (Code N) with medium Silver Blue crinkle vinyl and light Silver Blue Vachette vinyl trim (Code 50). We also hold an Australian Import Approval dated the 19th November 2010.Ĭhassis number is 3Y83M100489 which on a plate inside the driver’s door frame and also stamped into scuttle behind the engine and equates to the following:-ģ 1963 Y Wixom Plant, Michigan USA 83 Thunderbird 2 Door Hardtop M 390ci Tri-carb engine 100489 Ford allocation We hold a folder of information on this vehicle including it’s original handbook. We understand only 27 coupes were built and this offering is the first and earliest one of the 27.Ī one owner car for the first 47 years of it’s life, delivered new on the 1st of May 1963 to it’s Vestal, New York owner. Not sure when the engine will be ready, but I am hoping to be able to drive the car to the March 2017 RSSVTC meeting (fingers crossed!).1963 FORD THUNDERBIRD M CODE 390 HARDTOP COUPE – 57,305 MILES SHOWINGĬonsidered to be a “Rare Bird” by the experts and particularly in Hardtop Coupe form, this is a remarkable offering. Parts are slowing going back on the car, with the rebuilt steering gear box being the first. The second photo shows the repainted valve covers and air cleaner cover in the correct 1963-only Castillian Gold. The car came out of the paint shop on January 16 the photo shows how much better it looks with body color in the right spots. Since the engine needed to be rebuilt (another story all by itself) I decided to have the appropriate areas painted while the engine was out at the machine shop. Later I learned Bullet Birds (1961-1963) are supposed to have the engine bay painted body color (with late 62’s & all 63’s having a black firewall). My car had the engine bay and underside of the hood painted black. When I bought my Bird in 2011 I didn’t realize the paint scheme was not correct. Update on restoration of 1963 Thunderbird convertible I have found a wonderful like-minded group of Thunderbird enthusiasts in the Rainier South Sound Vintage Thunderbird Club, and I encourage to you to join us in the enjoyment of all things Thunderbird! But it is a labor of love and despite all the challenges I wouldn’t trade my car for the world. Currently the engine is out for a rebuild and it is in the paint shop for the third time. Over the past 5 years I have learned (painfully!) just how many deficiencies my baby had. Yes, it blew smoke and yes, it needed a new interior-but I was in love! I figured I would just put in a new interior and then enjoy driving it around the beautiful Pacific Northwest (we moved to Federal Way in September 2012).įast forward to January 2017. It came with the 1963-only two-tone seats (medium blue and light blue) and I was hooked. The color is Diamond Blue (light blue, almost robin’s egg color) and had been repainted but seemed original and complete. I found my Bird (located in Massachusetts) on eBay and took a look at it in person. I was also pretty adamant that I didn’t want to take on another project car, but we all know about good intentions. While living in Atlanta in 2011 I started seriously looking for a convertible Bullet Bird with a light colored paint scheme and a light interior. I have always been a Ford man at heart, and have long loved the looks of the 1961-1963 Bullet Birds. Over the years I have owned and restored a wide variety of cars, among them a 1974 Triumph TR6 and a 1975 Cadillac Eldorado convertible.
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