Ford was particularly aggressive with the evolution of the Thunderbird, working overtime to keep their groundbreaking personal/luxury car at the front of the pack. Adding a bad seat added to sales in a big way, and every three years—like clockwork—there was a fresh T-Bird hitting the market. It remained a niche car, not a mainstream best-seller, but those lucky Thunderbird owners were treated to the best Ford had to offer. In 1961, an all-new Thunderbird debuted, a car that was longer, lower, and sleeker than the “Square Bird” it replaced and which embraced Ford’s jet-inspired styling more than perhaps anything else they would build in the ‘60s. With a great-running 390 under the hood, a long list of comfort and convenience features on the options list, and stunning good looks, these “Bullet Birds” were a hit. Today, they are the only Thunderbirds that still seem to be gaining appreciation in the market and they rarely sit around for long.

We’ve known this handsome 1963 Thunderbird convertible for many years, as it came out of a prominent local collection. Delivered new to Richmond, VA, it shortly thereafter made its way to Florida where it spent a vast majority of its life, a fact evident in the laser-straight bodywork and solid undercarriage. It has never been fully restored, although about 15 years ago it was treated to a full repaint in the current Silver Mink which looks quite handsome on the long, lean Thunderbird bodywork. It was a full trim-off job as there is no trace of the original Raven Black anywhere on the car, including door jambs, trunk, and other hard-to-reach areas. The sheetmetal underneath is excellent and as a collector vehicle for most of its life, it has not be subject to the rigors of the daily grind. The styling has aged exceptionally well, and we’re particularly fond of the long strip of chrome that runs from nose to tail, highlighting the shape of the fenders and the mini tail fins, as well as encompassing the door handles themselves. The ‘63s are easy to spot with their “hash marks” on the doors rather than the tail, and with just over 5900 built, 1963 is the lowest production year for Bullet Bird convertibles making them the most highly-sought. We believe most of the chrome and stainless trim is original and it all remains in very good condition with no issues beyond a few very minor signs of age—forgivable considering that it’s fast approaching its 60th birthday.

The black interior is correct and so beautifully finished that we suspect it has been replaced at some point. If so, the guys doing the work were experts, because it accurately replicates the original vertical stitching, silver piping, and ornate door panels of the factory work. Obviously the carpets are new and for a car that spent its life in the Florida sun, the dash pad is in remarkably good condition with no splits or warps. The wide swath of ribbed aluminum stretching across the cockpit is original and shows some minor pitting on the center console, but nothing that should concern a new owner. It’s certainly worth noting that this car is LOADED with options: A/C, power windows, dual power bucket seats, and ultra-rare power locks, which we’ve never seen before on one of these cars. It also has a fully functional set of gauges, including the clock, which ticks away reliably. A factory AM/FM radio is a rare feature in 1963, and it, too, is fully operational. And perhaps most importantly, the complex convertible top works properly, stowing the black top in a wonderful mechanical ballet. Top down, it has a sleek profile because the top is fully stowed in the trunk (at the expense of trunk space, unfortunately) and top up, it seals well in case of inclement weather. And speaking of the trunk, it is correctly outfitted with plaid mats, a full-sized spare tire, and a jack assembly stashed in the quarter panel.

The only engine available in the Bullet Birds was a 390 cubic inch V8, with the Z-code 390 in this car making a nice, round 300 horsepower. It’s plenty potent, moving the big ragtop with ease and it’s an excellent choice for a luxury convertible—smooth, silent, and effortless. The engine and transmission were rebuilt a few years ago and it runs superbly with easy starts, a muted idle, and entertaining performance on the road. Obviously this isn’t a sports car, but it’s an effortless cruiser that was surely built to hammer between Los Angeles and Las Vegas at 75 MPH. The engine is neatly detailed with a black block and gold tinwork, as it should be, and reproduction decals were used to give it a factory look. Note that the inner fenders are spotless and the usual Ford equipment like the yellow-cap ignition coil, high-mounted expansion tank for the cooling system, giant A/C compressor, and fender-mounted reservoir for the power steering pump are all intact. Look a little closer and you’ll also spot the new dual reservoir master cylinder and power brake booster for the recently installed front disc brakes. This is an engine bay you won’t mind showing off.

As I mentioned, the car has never been fully restored, so the undercarriage is original and a bit dirty, but there is no rust or rot and the structural elements are completely solid—critical on a unit-body car like the Thunderbird. The 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission was rebuilt with the engine and offers crisp shifts that don’t hesitate, and the 9-inch rear end carries 3.00 gears so this car is fantastic on the highway. Interestingly enough, dual exhaust was optional on the Thunderbird, although they did not claim any horsepower benefits. This car uses a single exhaust system with a new muffler and it is extremely quiet, both at idle and at speed, with just a distant hum audible on the road. The front suspension has been completely rebuilt with new tie rods, ball joints, sway bar bushings, drag links, and, of course, the vented disc brakes that offer a tangible improvement in braking performance. Areas of the undercarriage that are brown/orange are places where the original red oxide primer is visible through the undercoating, which was surely applied by the dealer back in 1963. There’s a bit of dirt, some surface scale on the heavy metal parts, but nothing that compromises the integrity of the car and everything is in excellent condition with signs of proper maintenance throughout its life. It is not detailed, but there are no expensive surprises in this car’s future, either, and for a car you’re going to want to drive, not worrying about a shiny undercarriage is very liberating. Replica 14-inch chrome wire wheels look great and tuck under the fender skirts properly and carry 215/75/14 whitewall radials for a proper look.

These Thunderbird represent a no-compromises way to have an old car. They look like movie stars, they are bulletproof reliable, and they’re as comfortable and capable as anything you’ll buy today. What else is there? Try it and see—it’s hard to not feel like a celebrity driving a car like this. Call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.