![]() ![]() Starts easily, runs and drives wonderfully, no smoke or funny engine noises, brakes and steers as it should. ![]() Power convertible top functioning as new. ![]() Why it is this so clean…pride of ownership! This car has been lovingly maintained over the past 30 years by the same doting owner. Paint, chrome, glass, dashboard, stainless, aluminum, engine, trunk and interior. When I first saw this fabulous Thunderbird my first thoughts were how clean it was. Having undergone a ground-up restoration 30 years ago, the car presents largely as new, ready to once again set a tone. Clear illustrations show exploded views, as well as component details, plus specs on engine. This original Tucson Yellow Thunderbird Convertible is a fine example of the marque and why it was and continues to be so popular among enthusiasts and collectors alike. Ford Thunderbird Tudor Hardtop Ford Thunderbird Tudor Convertible ENGINES: 390 cubic inch V8 (4-barrel) 390 cubic inch V8 (4-barrel Low Compression Export 84 Octane) This manual is perfect for the restorer, or anyone working on a 1962 or 1963 Tbird. Under the hood, a Z-Code 390 CI V-8 engine with an automatic transmission motivates the Thunderbird down the road, passengers enjoying not only a fabulous cruise, but also power steering and power brakes. When the newly styled Thunderbirds arrived for 1961, they truly set the tone for modern, stylish and sporty cruising. This entry was posted in 1960s, Thunderbird and tagged 1960's, ford, thunderbird by admin. (Article and photos copyright Auto Museum Online) There are plenty of fine vintage automobiles available for those on a budget and these early T-Birds can be an affordable way to start your vintage car collection.Īs of this writing we see running 1963 Thunderbirds priced in a range from about $13,000 upward into the high twenties and some much more depending on overall condition, originality, mileage and exact model. Thunderbird: An Odyssey in Automotive Design by author William P. 1962 was the best year with 78,011 cars built.Īdditional Auto Museum Online articles are found on the links below… Total third generation Thunderbird production was 214,375 units. New car price was in a range of $4,500 to $5,500. The convertible model height was about an inch higher. ![]() Transmission was a three speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic.ĭimensions included a 113.0 inch wheelbase.205.0 inche overall length… 76.5 inch width and 52.5 inch height. Optional was the high performance 340 horsepower engine with three Holley two-barrel carburetors. The AM radio and a remote controlled driver’s side mirror were standard equipment.Īs mentioned above, the 63 Thunderbird came with a 390 cubic inch V8 rated at 300 horsepower. Additions to the option list included vacuum assisted door locks and an AM/FM radio. The 1963 model had minor changes from 1962. Lee Iacocca, Ford’s president at the time, knew that there were no limits to what some people could and would pay for prestige and the T-Bird gained a reputation of being above the general Ford line. Ford envisioned the Thunderbird to stand alone to some degree and appeal to those who, while attracted to the car, were not really willing to admit they would drive a Ford. The oil crisis of the early 1970’s was far into the future and there was no reason to think that size and fuel efficiency would be an issue. At the time the third generation T-Birds were designed, bigger seemed to be better. The third generation (61-63) Ford Thunderbirds featured new and much sleeker styling than the second generation cars.The car had an aerodynamic form that was easily 20 years ahead of its time. Since the 61 model had entirely new styling it was an opportune time to introduce the Swing-Away Steering Wheel. Of special significance was 1961 was the year that the Swing-Away Steering Wheel was added as a new option. The base engine for Thunderbird remained a 390 cubic inch V8 rated at 300 horsepower.ġ963 was the last year of Thunderbird’s third generation which began in 1961. Only 55 M-codes were sold with their high performance 340 horsepower engines. Of these units, 5,913 were convertibles and 455 were Sports Roadsters. Some of this was probably due to the fact that Thunderbird would have a comprehensive restyling for the upcoming 1964 model year. Ford offered their Thunderbird with the simple construction and reasonable price tag of a Ford.ġ963 was not a knockout year for the T-Bird as only 63,313 were sold, about 15,000 less units than the prior year. What the first Thunderbird highlighted was style and sophistication that used to be available only from expensive European imports like Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar. Sleek, aerodynamic design of the 1963 T-Bird. ![]()
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