By 1960, Ford executives were no doubt pleased with their decision to transform the Thunderbird from a two-seater into a four-seat personal luxury car. Sales had grown year after year beginning with 1958 and – in 1961 – the third generation of the T-Bird was firmly in the showrooms. It was less boxy than before with its “bullet-nose” styling that would carry it through 1963. This example from that final styling year looks genuinely nice and is described as a “driver.” It currently calls Hayward, California home, and is available here on craigslist for $10,000. This is another great tip from local_sheriff!
One of the nifty features of the third-gen T-Birds was their new dashboard, which was curved at both ends, creating a cockpit feel. It enabled the swing-away steering wheel to become available as an option. With the car in park and the driver’s door open, the wheel moved to the side to help entry and exit. A first in 1963 was the use of variable-speed hydraulic windshield wipers which ran off the power steering pump/fluid, so at slower speeds, they worked slower and faster at quicker speeds. Ford sold 73,051 Thunderbirds in 1961, 78,011 in 1962 and 63,313 in 1963. Thanks to Classic Car History for the production figures.
As its second owner, the seller’s 1963 T-Bird is finished in what appears to be Sahara Rose. It looks good with no obvious visual flaws other than a small ding on the trunk lid and maybe a chip on the lower right quarter panel. The glass and chrome all look first-rate. We’re told there is no rust on the car, presumably due to living a charmed life on the Left Coast. Once inside the automobile, the interior looks as nice as the outside, from the seats to the door panels. We can’t be sure about the carpeting and there no shots of the headliner or inside the trunk.
At 80,000 miles, the car appears to still be mechanically sound, with what we assume is the original 390 cubic inch V8 that was rated at 300 hp with a three-speed automatic. Power steering and brakes add to the driving convenience, but there is no factory air conditioning as only the minority of new cars had it in those days. No swing-away steering column, either. Price guides show $20-30,000 or $40-50,000 for really nice copies of these cars, depending on which ones you consult. Either way, $10,000 sounds like a bargain, a really good bargain – unless there is something here we’re missing.
Say what you might, I feel, the 3rd gen T-Birds were THE most beautiful US cars ever, certainly the nicest Fords. Kind of the American XKE ( hailed as the most beautiful car of all time) While a “Gentleman’s Cruiser” was offered by all the carmakers, T-Bird defined it with these cars. Must have been a tough choice, this or a ’63 Grand Prix/Riviera. Makes our choices today look like crap. And the resident grump sez,(me) after producing beautiful cars like this, how did we ever lose our way?
Howard, IMHO sums up an answer to the question in your last sentence:
BUREAUCRACY
This is a steal for 10K. Cheap entry into classic car ownership. I would love to be cruising in this window down arm on door sill.
Had one, same color. Still have the set of four pristine spinner hubcaps.
All that’s left following the accident.
I did not know the swing-away steering column was an option on these,
thought it was standard. Learn something new every day.
Sadly, no room at the Inn for this one.
“There is no factory air conditioning as only the minority of new cars had it in those days..” – True of everyday run of the mill sedans, but by the early 60’s, luxury boats were beginning to be optioned with air on a regular basis. Look at ten ’63 T birds, I’ll bet 9 will have factory air vents in the dash, even if the compressor is gone.
It might be offered at the Covid-19 price because people are hurting out there, rents are due, food needs to be put on the table! Especially in California!
My first car was a blue 1961 T bird. Got it for $350 in 1969 and drove it all thru HS. Had to sell it to pay for college in 1971 and still miss the feeling of having one of the most prestigious automobiles of my graduating class.
I would be tempted to bite on this one if it had factory AC as the summers in Central PA have been more like Floridian temps over the past few years.
Whomever has $10K for this car should grab it quickly. This style and the 1966 model I believe still remain the best.
Add vintage air for $1500 plus install and it will fit in Central PA. In the western part where I am at we didn’ t have rain for 2 weeks and 88- 90 every day
I have to agree with Howard as to the beauty of these ‘Rocket Birds’. Sure, by `63 all US automakers had their personal luxury coupes, but nothing quite held the prestige of one of these. I was in grade school with a kid whose Mom drove a white `63 Sports Roadster cvt! All of kids ogled that car whenever she picked him up from school. No skirts–wire wheel covers with spinners–flame red leather and that tonneau cover hiding the back seats! The car was 3-4 years old THEN, but it was heaven for a car-crazy kid to see! My fave of the 3 years is the `61. For some reason, the first year of many new designs is always my favorite; I think it’s the purity of design.
The 1961 is my favorite year too. When they added those three clunky chrome ‘dominoes’ on each rear fender in 1962, it ruined the aesthetics for me.
Even without A/C, this one is tempting…condition and low miles makes this Thunderbird a good deal. Not many left in this condition that have not been over restored.
My mother had a new one in 1961. I can’t remember ever seeing one with air conditioning. I think we had the only one in town that didn’t have a swing away wheel, my father didn’t trust them. It was very slow, I recall road tests of the day reporting 19 and 20 second quarter miles. I don’t know about “Rocket Ships”, I believe these are referred to as “Motorboat Birds”. Nice boulevard ride, felt like a solid little tank.
As far as I know ,The only name these have had was bullet bird. In the early 70s I bought three at different times 58 59 and 60 and all had air, as does my 66 which I have now. No air is a killer for me!
at 10K, a 1500 dollar Aftermarket A/C unit is a no brainer…
I love the way the chrome AC control and vent is mounted in the dash, w/o it it looks barren. Also, who doesn’t want AC? I’ve owned a 63 and 65 and would only own one again with an upgraded/restomodded suspension, disc brakes and FI.
My 63 TBird doesn’t have the rear wheel covers. Was that normal, or are mine just missing ?
You mean the “fender skirts”.
Most took then off and left them off as the car looked better without them.
Sorry, yes fender skirts. The tabs are still in the fender wells. They are out there for sale. Also the aftermarket catalogs have them.So my vinyl hardtop would have had them originally?
They all came with skirts, except for the sport roadsters, because the wire wheels wouldn’t clear them. I don’t think they look good without them, something is clearly missing.
My second grade teacher had one that was red with a white ragtop , had a crush on her and the car too.
Left rear tail light is red plastic sheeting! How much to find a correct one?
I have always thought this was the best-looking generation of T-Birds. I carpooled to elementary school in 1961 with a girl whose father drove a black ’61. I remember dealing with that long, heavy door every time I got into the back seat. The art teacher at our school had two ’57 ‘Birds at that time–one was pink, and the other a pale green.