1963 Ford Thunderbird

- Turquoise over Two Tone Interior
- 390 V8
- Wood Steering Wheel
- Continental Kit

(Please note: If you happen to be viewing this 1963 Ford Thunderbird 2-Door Coupe on a website other than our Garage Kept Motors site, it's possible that you've only seen some of our many photographs of the car due to third-party website limitations. To be sure you access all the more than 145 photographs, as well as a short start-up and walk-around video, please go to our main website: Garage Kept Motors.)

Thunderbird… Unique in all the world” - 1963 Ford Thunderbird magazine advertising theme

One such 1963 Thunderbird ad headlined: “How to catch a Thunderbird” went on to explain the car's many charms while explaining: “Find one that's standing still. In full flight this is a most elusive species—with a rare talent for disappearing from the view of lesser cars. It is powered by a Thunderbird 390 V-8 and equipped with a number of features that make it remarkably easy to handle, exceptionally pleasant to ride in. Although it may remind you of a sports car… it still ranks among the world's foremost luxury cars. Interiors have contoured bucket seats, a personal console, deep-foam cushioning, glove-soft upholsteries, and special Thunderbird conveniences like the Swing-Away steering wheel. A tradition of superb engineering has resulted in a constant program of refinement (a list of the changes between '62 and '63 would make a small book.) As you might expect, Thunderbird—with its exceptionally high resale value—continues to be one of the finest investments in automotive history. May we suggest that you see your Ford Dealer. He may have one in his showroom that's standing still.”

They don't write ads like that anymore. Or build cars like this, either.

Offered here in turquoise metallic and white, over the same two-color interior is an extremely well-maintained 1963 Ford Thunderbird 2-Door Coupe. The car's odometer shows 77,309 miles, or fewer than 1,350 miles-per year on average since new. Its condition shows every sign of superb owner attention to the car's care and maintenance over the years.

The turquoise exterior finish is outstanding across the entire car, from the bumper and grille painted in this color, across the expansive hood and beautifully sculpted flanks (with rear skirts), to its long rear deck. The gloss is uniform and free of fading. (For the best assessment of paint quality, be sure to inspect the close-up photographs of the sheet metal in the accompanying gallery.) In the same way, the white hardtop roof's gloss white paint is flawless. Together, the two exterior colors make a strong and appealing early-Sixties statement, and the Continental Kit spare-tire carrier (in chrome and gloss white added to the turquoise-painted rear bumper) puts an exclamation point on that statement. There is no damage to the sheet metal, no dings, dents, or scrapes. The car's cabin glass and lighting lenses are likewise clear and free of damage. All factory-mounted badging, including the Thunderbird hood emblem, similar Thunderbird emblems on the sailplanes, and script “Thunderbird” badges on the rear fenders remains in place. The chrome trim all retains an excellent, well-maintained finish, and all the original trim—headlight surrounds, hood scoop grille, full-length fender-top molding, triple “hashmarks” on the doors, cabin-glass surrounds, side mirrors, impressive taillight surrounds, and the Continental Kit—is properly in place. Majestic® radial, thin-whitewall tires mounted on stock wheels with wire-wheel-style covers and Thunderbird-emblem centers complete the period-correct look.

Inside, the turquoise-and-white combination is as stunning as it is on the car's body. Horizontal-design door trim combines the two colors—white vinyl-upholstery on top, turquoise, vertically pleated vinyl on the armrest and lower panel—with chrome trim in between. Fold-forward front bucket seats and 2-place rear bench feature smooth, white vinyl sides with vertically pleated turquoise vinyl inserts, and the same turquoise pleated-vinyl covers the rear package shelf. All upholstered surfaces show virtually no wear and absolutely no damage. The cabin (and trunk) floors are covered in turquoise carpet (with rust stains noted only in the trunk). A 3-spoke sport steering wheel with riveted wood rim and Ford-blue-ovel-logo center and brushed-metal trim frames three large chrome-trimmed gauges with chrome switchgear set on a textured-metal panel. Instrument lenses are clear and graphic markings are crisp. The chrome shift lever for the automatic transmission is mounted on the steering column. The dashboard is covered in pleated white vinyl material (with some slight separation above the gauges), and the chrome-and-textured-metal trim continues across to the cabin with a script “Thunderbird” badge facing the passenger. A Pioneer® audio head unit has replaced the factory radio above the center vent. The console sides are white-vinyl-upholstered while the top continues the textured-metal trim. A Thunderbird emblem, power-window controls and a lockable storage-armrest complete the console.

Under the hood, the 390-cubic-inch V8 (rated at 300 horsepower when new) dominates the view. An embossed-chrome air-cleaner cover and chrome valve covers (with filter cap) identify it as “High Performance.” All components appear properly mounted, and all under-hood surfaces are clean without having been overly detailed. Viewed from below, the chassis is complete, clean, and undamaged.

The Thunderbird's factory-mounted build tag remains in place.

While the more than 145 high-definition photographs and the short walk-around-and-startup video available on the GarageKeptMotors website showcase this '63 T-Bird in detail from every angle, including from below, we expect and encourage in-person inspections at our Grand Rapids, Michigan showroom. Please call to arrange an appointment in advance as our showroom is not open to the public. And feel free to get in touch anytime by phone or email if you have questions.

The second-generation Thunderbirds added style, size, and comfort to become a legitimate luxury-cruiser. These beautiful automobiles turned heads back in the day, and they still do. Especially so in this well-executed color combination. This '63 T-Bird's next owner can expect plenty of thumbs-up feedback out on the road, at weekend shows, or when the neighbors inevitably stop by for a garage visit.