California Unmodified Rust Hole Free Project Car on 2040-cars

1963 Ford Thunderbird Coupe - California Unmodified Rust Hole Free Project Car

The car is ready for a restoration and would make a great project or parts car. I just acquired this simultaneously along with a 1962 coupe and only want to keep the 62, hence the sale of this one. It will have a clean California title with fresh plates that I should have next week. The odometer shows 14K miles but I've listed the true mileage as unknown for the title. The engine turns over but I haven't tried to get it running as it needs a new gas tank. Someone backed over something and it scrunched & punctured the tank (last photo - a new one is $200 delivered via EBay). Once running it would be worth perhaps double what I'm hoping here but I don't have the time to invest in it or the space for two.

The car has the standard 390 4bbl 300HP V8, 3 speed trans and 3.0 to 1 ratio Ford 9" read end. It came with power brakes, power steering with the optional power windows, power driver seat, AM/FM Radio and remote mirror. It also features the famous swing away steering column first optional in 1961 and then standard in 1962. As the trunk photo shows the car was originally a rare and beautiful Chestnut Metallic (v code) with the 1963 only Rose Beige interior (51 code). Someone decided white would be better several years ago and that paint job is showing it's age - chipping, scratches, slight edge surface rust etc. A wanna be artist tagged it so I applied white primer to cover his signage and previous black primer where someone had started to work on it (fender and hood).  This also to prevent any surface rust where needed.

The rear bumper is straight but in need of a re-chrome with one OK tail light cap and one that will pass but I would replace. The front bumper is bent and I don't know if it's fixable or simply in need of a replacement. While the car has dings and dents to remove, the good news is that the car is rock solid with an under carriage that clearly never saw salt and is pristine with the original factory undercoating still intact (see photos). The doors, trunk and hood open and close perfectly. It also has functional air shocks in the rear.  Finally their is no rust rot below the rear window or to the sides that is common even on California coupes, or on any other body panel for that matter.

The interior is all original, both seats and carpet. The fronts need a redo but the back seats are perfect. The dash pad is almost perfect with only two small cracks behind the dash speaker emanating out from the rear edges. An original dash in this shape is very uncommon so clearly the car was garaged. Also the stainless steel dash & door panels while dirty are PERFECT - no dings, dents or scratches which is really rare as well. Both door armrests need repair but the panels themselves are in excellent condition. All the interior parts to replicate the original material are available aftermarket or your local upholstery guy could probably do a good job as well. Lastly the glass is 100% perfect with no cracks.

This was the last year of the Bullet Bird series and the last T-Bird to have tail fins. The 63's had improvements over the 61 & 62 models IE better steering linkage, alternator v generator. They ride beautifully. In excellent condition these are fetching $14-16,000 with the values increasing so it's a good investment.  The other codes listed with the Vin are as follows: 63A  W  51  01C 71   1   4.

At the end of the auction there will be a $500.00 deposit due immediately.  I will then contact you so we can make arrangements for you to pay the outstanding balance within seven days along with picking up or arranging transport for the vehicle. The pickup location will be in San Diego - 92126.