FEATURE - 1963 Ford Thunderbird

By 1963, the Ford Thunderbird was in the third year of its third generation and had evolved into a significantly different vehicle than what had debuted almost a decade earlier. The Thunderbird had lost its sports car status, but could still be sporty, as demonstrated by the car featured.

The original Thunderbird had been launched for the 1955 model year, chiefly as a rival to Chevrolet’s Corvette, but also to offer a home-grown alternative to British and European two-seat sports cars that had been finding favour with Americans since the late 1940s.

With an all-steel body, V8 engine as standard and better level of finish than the Corvette, the first year Thunderbird outsold its GM rival by 23 to 1. You’d think Ford would be happy with that, but the bean counters at Dearborn, led by Robert McNamara, recognised that sports cars were still a niche. Expanding the Thunderbird to a four-seater would expand the market, and by association, Ford’s profits.

The second-generation Thunderbird that launched for 1958 proved the wisdom of McNamara’s decision. Sales increased by more than 75 per cent and a new market segment – the ‘personal luxury car’ – was born.

A three-year cycle for vehicle platforms like this meant the larger, second-generation Thunderbird, known as the ‘Square Bird’, would continue with only minimal changes before it was replaced for the 1961 model year. This third-generation came to be known as the ‘Bullet Bird’ for its projectile-like styling. With the “Space Race” well and truly on by this stage, ‘Rocket Bird’ would have been just as appropriate, given the pointed nose, curved flanks and jet-nozzle tail lights.

A Sporty Return – Sort Of

While the third-generation Thunderbird enjoyed success on par with the second-generation, there was still a desire for the sports car look and feel of the original T-Bird. Going back to a two-seater was out of the question, but Ford did come up with a novel way of mimicking this with the Thunderbird ‘Sports Roadster’. Introduced partway through the 1962 model year, the Sports Roadster was based on the convertible. Its key feature was a removable fibreglass tonneau (with shapely, aerodynamic humps behind the front seats) that covered the rear seats to give a two-seater look. The tonneau’s design didn’t interfere with the convertible top’s operation, but couldn’t be stored in the boot, as much of that space was filled with the top and its complex mechanism.

Keeping the sporty theme going, the 300hp (224kW) 390ci V8 that had been the Thunderbird’s standard (and only) engine since 1961 could now be optioned in 340hp (254kW) form. The additional power was achieved through a trio of two-barrel caburettors (the 300hp version used a single four-barrel carb), a revised camshaft profile, new heads and higher compression. Identified by an ‘M’ on the car’s data plate, this engine option came with a larger exhaust system, too.

Ford also introduced a ‘Landau’ option for 1962. As the Sports Roadster had been based on the Thunderbird convertible, the Landau was based on the Thunderbird hardtop, adding a vinyl-covered roof with faux landau bars as the main point of difference.  

Despite no separate figures being available for the Thunderbird Landau, it’s believed to have comfortably outsold the 1,427 units of the Thunderbird Sports Roadster in 1962. Overall hardtop production was around eight times that of the convertible in 1962 – a margin that would become even more imbalanced in the years that followed, ultimately leading to the convertible being dropped after 1966.

1963 Style

The Thunderbird that arrived for the 1963 model year was largely the same as that of the preceding two years. It used the same body, running gear, suspension and brakes as ’62, with the same model lineup, too – hardtop, convertible, Landau and Sports Roadster.

Mechanical changes were limited to an alternator replacing the generator, improved power steering and stronger front suspension mounts. The surface area for the brakes was increased, although they remained drums all round. Prioritising the Thunderbird's luxury appeal over its sporty credentials, more than 45kg of sound-deadening material was added, ensuring a quieter ride.

Styling changes included a new grille pattern, revised tail lights and new hubcaps. The ‘Thunderbird’ script badge was moved from the front guards to the rear quarter panels, with the three hash marks on the rear quarters moved up to the doors and angled to create an exhaust vent look. Above this, a crease rose from the doors and ran to the leading edge of the front guards. Inside, courtesy lights were added to the doors, seat trims were revised and new-look pedals introduced.

While Ford persisted with the 340hp V8 option and the Sports Roadster, the M-Code engine was discontinued a few months after the 1963 model Thunderbirds were introduced, while the roadster would be gone by 1964. Ford were now focussing on the Landau, partly in response to Buick’s Riviera and Pontiac’s Grand Prix, but also because it was easily outselling the Sports Roadster. The Landau’s range of vinyl top colours was expanded to broaden its appeal, with simulated walnut trim added inside.

In February, 1963, a special-edition Thunderbird Landau was released. Limited to 2,000 units, this came to be known as the “Princess Grace” Landau, as the first was gifted to Princess Grace of Monaco (nee Grace Kelly).

With buyers aware that an all-new Thunderbird was coming for 1964, reduced demand saw production of the 1963 models fall by around 20 per cent to 63,313 units (sources vary on this). The standard hardtop still accounted for the bulk of sales, at around 43,000, with Landau sales increasing, convertibles declining and Sports Roadsters in freefall.

Vern’s Bird

The Thunderbird featured comes from the collection of Vern Schuppan AM and is currently on consignment with Classic Motor Studio in South Australia.

Schuppan was something of a latecomer to international motorsport, first venturing overseas in his mid-20s after a lot of local success in karting that included three championships. In the UK, Vern raced Formula Ford, then Formula Atlantic, winning more than 60 races and the championship in the latter category in 1971. That led to multiple starts in Formula 1, Formula 2 and IndyCar, a third place in the 1981 Indy 500 and four starts in the Bathurst 1000, partnering the likes of Dick Johnson, Allan Moffat and John Harvey.

Best known for winning the 1983 24 Hours of Le Mans in a Porsche 956, Schuppan’s other great “win” was convincing friend and Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone to choose Adelaide as the venue for the first Australian Grand Prix to be held as part of the F1 World Championship.

Born and raised in South Australia, Vern’s love of cars was consummated when he saw Doug Whiteford’s Talbot-Lago T26C race at the 1955 Australian Grand Prix. Decades later, Vern would acquire that very car, adding it to a collection that has, at various stages, included a vintage Alfa Romeo 6C 1750, Ferrari 250 GT, Aston Martin DB2, Porsche 928 GTS and a Ferrari 550 Maranello.

In the midst of all this exotica, a “humble” Thunderbird may seem out of place, but it’s a model that’s close to Vern’s heart.

“Although I once owned a beautiful 1964 Thunderbird, it was always the seductive shape of the ’62 and ’63 models that captivated me,” he explained.

While in California for Monterey Car Week in 2010, Vern saw this ’63 Thunderbird hardtop consigned for auction. Finished in Diamond Blue (that looks white in some images) with Medium Silver Blue metallic vinyl interior trim and Light Silver Blue vinyl inserts, the car had been delivered to New York but spent most of its life in California. A one-owner vehicle, the Thunderbird looked pristine, while being a factory M-Code added to its appeal. However, what Vern successfully bid on that day proved to be a little less pristine!

“I started the engine to reveal sooty smoke and water spewing from the exhaust,” Vern recalled. “Luckily, I was so enamored by everything else – the originality, one owner, the colour, low mileage, the interior trim, the big triple carb 390 engine and the rarity of an M-Code car.”

According to the Vintage Thunderbird Club in the US, only 13 Thunderbird hardtops received the 340hp M-Code V8 in 1963. If correct, that makes this car very rare indeed. More examples of the Sports Roadster were produced with this engine (37) than the standard hardtop. Vern’s own research points to this Thunderbird being the first 1963 hardtop to get the M-Code option, which lines up with its very early build (#489).

While he was aware the engine needed work, Vern thought that little else would be required to get the Thunderbird back on the road. Can you see where this is going?  

Seven Year Itch

What was anticipated to be a straightforward cosmetic restoration and engine reassembly after the car’s arrival in Australia proved to be far more complex.

“Upon checking the engine oil before sending it for dismantling and reassembly, it was found to be full of sand, which triggered a comprehensive rebuild,” Vern explained. “A rebore, new pistons, regrind of the crankshaft, new bearings, head gaskets and other sundries.”

Given the engine’s condition, the three-speed automatic gearbox was also stripped and checked as a precaution, then reassembled. A new stainless steel exhaust system was fitted and the suspension (A-arms and coils up front, leaf springs at the rear) removed, bead-blasted and repainted. The engine bay and underside of the car were also repainted.

“With countless days of meticulous work and many delays, the car was not put back into service until 2017,” Vern said. Since then, the Thunderbird has been used sparingly, with the odometer now reading 57,373 miles.

As it sits with Classic Motor Studio, the car presents exceptionally well, with outstanding paint and chrome, while the interior looks like new. It should be noted that neither the radio or clock are working, but these would be relatively simple to fix.

A two-owner car, in outstanding condition and backed with extensive paperwork, the primary appeal in this Thunderbird lies in its rare M-Code engine, which Vern describes thus:

“The 390 V8 ticks over like a Swiss watch, but when the throttle is floored, she becomes a fierce tiger!”

FOR SALE

This 1963 Ford Thunderbird hardtop is available through Classic Motor Studio in Mount Barker, South Australia. With only two owners from new, this car has been in Australia – in the possession of motor racing legend Vern Schuppan – since 2010.

With a fully-rebuilt M-Code 390ci V8 and 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic auto, period features on this car include ’deluxe’ hubcaps, white stripe tyres, vent window deflectors, power seat adjustment and a ‘Swing-Away’ adjustable steering wheel.

Some instruments need repair, but the rest of the car is said to be in outstanding condition, with documentation - original owner's manual, delivery books, build sheet and more - included.

One for the collector, the asking price on this rare car is $79,900.

See the advert online at www.justcars.com.au with the ad code JACFD5336021.

For more details, contact Matt at Classic Motor Studio on 0412 052 232.