1963 · Ford · United States
1963 Ford Thunderbird: The Sports Roadster's Last, Rarest Year
The Sports Roadster's second and last year: only 455 were built.
United States · researched through 2026-09-23
This record's own overview states directly that John Gunnell writes 455 Sports Roadsters were built in 1963, making it directly the rarest year of the package, and 1,882 across 1962-63 combined; RM Sotheby's own lot description gives the same 455 figure, and the tri-carb 340-horsepower 390 remained available for the package's second and last year, this record's own dek describing 1963 plainly as "the Sports Roadster's second and last year."1,2
This record's own overview also cites a body-number table on OldRide.com giving 42,806 hardtops, 5,913 convertibles and 455 Sports Roadsters, with list prices of $4,445, $4,912 and $5,563; the Landau count is left disputed, and this record's own text notes the underlying source behind OldRide's own table is not stated, its four price figures repeated in this record's own prices section alongside a separate Over-Drive Magazine set for the same four bodies.3,4
This record's own production section carries a tertiary total of 63,313 Thunderbirds for the year, its own note explaining that OldRide's four body rows sum to the same figure but that this is not an independent statement of the total. A separate set of engine rows gives 55 M-code 340-horsepower 390s built in total, split as 37 installed in Sports Roadsters and 18 in standard hardtops and convertibles, this record's own note calling the 55-equals-37-plus-18 split a partition that names no underlying record.4,5
This record's own conflicts section carries a Landau production dispute it does not fully resolve: OldRide's own table gives 14,139 for body 87, labelled "Lancer," while Wikipedia gives 12,193; this record's own treatment note observes that OldRide's rows sum to the 63,313 total while Wikipedia's do not, favoring 14,139 arithmetically, though neither source names a record, and that the Over-Drive Magazine table independently agrees with OldRide's 14,139. This record's own prices section also notes that the Over-Drive table's own header is misprinted "1962" on what is otherwise a 1963 production table.3,4,5
This record's own options section prices the M-code engine at $242, chrome wire wheels at $343, air conditioning at $415, the Equa-Lock differential at $39, and the Swing-Away movable steering control at $25. This record's own paint table carries 18 colours, from Black to Fieldstone Tan, each with its own single-letter code drawn from the same Body Paint Color Mix Codes list.5
This record's own specifications section gives a 113.0-inch wheelbase, a 205.0-inch overall length, a 76.5-inch width, 61.0-inch front and 60.0-inch rear track, 8.00x14 four-ply tubeless tires, and a single 3.0 rear axle ratio; its own shipping-weight rows carry a small disagreement of their own, OldRide's 4,195 pounds for the convertible against the Over-Drive table's 4,205, a difference this record's own scope note flags without resolving; the Sports Roadster's own shipping weight is given as 4,395 pounds by both sources in agreement. This record's own unpublished-leads section separately flags a Volo Cars auction listing giving 37 M-code Sports Roadsters, a figure that happens to match the Over-Drive table's own Sports-Roadster M-code count exactly, though the auction listing names no record of its own, leaving the agreement between the two figures unexplained rather than treated as independent confirmation.3,5
This record's own interiors section carries 26 entries from the Automotive Mileposts interior trim page: nine crinkle-grain vinyl combinations with Vachette-grain inserts coded 50 through 59, four vinyl-and-silver-stripe-broadcloth combinations, five genuine-leather combinations coded 82 through 86, three convertible-top codes, and five Landau vinyl roof codes, A through E. Code 83, an all-White leather trim with a Dark Rose Beige instrument panel and carpeting, is stated by the page to be available only on the Limited Edition Landau, and roof code E, Rose Beige, is limited to that same model. Roof codes C and D are tied by the page to specific exterior colours rather than being open to every combination.6
Fact sheet · 1963 · United States
The numbers
1963 Ford Thunderbird — The Sports Roadster's second and last year: only 455 were built.
Coverage: Partial — researched sections are shown; missing ones are not yet sourced. Researched through 2026-09-23.
Every figure is labeled with how sure we are. Reported means a manufacturer, registry, or reference figure we cite but have not reconciled against factory records ourselves. Disputed means credible sources disagree and both are shown. Rows are separately scoped; don't add them together unless the note says they make up a total.
Key facts
Production
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thunderbird, all bodies4,5 Thunderbird · all production Tertiary figure; OldRide's four body rows sum to the same number, but that is not an independent statement of the total. | 63,313 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardtop coupe (body 83)3,4,5 Thunderbird · 2-door hardtop · all production | 42,806 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Landau hardtop (body 87)3,4 Landau · 2-door hardtop · all production 14,139 versus 12,193; see conflicts. | Unknown | built, model-year | Disputed |
| Convertible (body 85)3,4,5 Thunderbird · convertible · all production | 5,913 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Sports Roadster (body 89)1,2,3,5 Sports Roadster · convertible with tonneau · all production | 455 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| M-code 340 hp 390 V8 engines produced5 390 M-code, 340 hp · as published | 55 | built, model-year | Reported |
| M-code engines installed in Sports Roadsters5 Sports Roadster · convertible, 76B · 390 M-code, 340 hp · as published | 37 | built, model-year | Reported |
| M-code engines installed in standard hardtops and convertibles5 Thunderbird · hardtop and convertible · 390 M-code, 340 hp · as published The note gives 55 = 37 + 18 as a partition of M-code engines; it names no underlying record. | 18 | built, model-year | Reported |
Body rows are separately sourced; do not add them to test the total.
No engine (including M-code) counts for 1963 were found in an accessible source.
Over-Drive's Landau caption also mentions a mid-year Limited Edition Landau, 'often referred to as the Monaco Edition'; no count is given.
Prices when new
| Model | Price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Hardtop coupe (83)3 | $4,445 | list as tabulated by OldRide.com (underlying source not stated), 1963 model year |
| Landau hardtop (87)3 | $4,548 | list as tabulated by OldRide.com (row labelled 'Lancer'), 1963 model year |
| Convertible (85)3 | $4,912 | list as tabulated by OldRide.com, 1963 model year |
| Sports Roadster (89)3 | $5,563 | list as tabulated by OldRide.com, 1963 model year |
| Thunderbird hardtop (3Y 63A)5 | $4,445 | factory price as compiled, 1963 model year |
| Thunderbird Landau hardtop (3Y 63B)5 | $4,548 | factory price as compiled, 1963 model year |
| Thunderbird convertible (3Y 76A)5 | $4,912 | factory price as compiled, 1963 model year |
| Thunderbird Sports Roadster (3Y 76B)5 | $5,563 | factory price as compiled, 1963 model year |
Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.
Engines
| Engine | Factory rating | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| M · 390 Thunderbird Special V-8, three two-barrel carburetors1 390 cu in · 3 x 2-barrel | 340 hp (period advertised gross as reported) | optional (1962–63) | Not yet sourced |
Ratings are the manufacturer's advertised figures under the standard shown (SAE gross before 1972, SAE net after). They are not dyno results, and gross and net ratings can't be compared directly.
Options and packages
| Code | Option | Price | Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
|
340 hp 390 V8 (M-code; optional on all models)5 | $242 | Not yet sourced |
|
Wire wheels, chrome5 | $343 | Not yet sourced |
|
Air conditioning5 | $415 | Not yet sourced |
|
Equa-Lock differential5 | $39 | Not yet sourced |
|
Movable steering control (Swing Away)5 | $25 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power steering5 | $75 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power brakes5 | $43 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power windows5 | $106 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power seat, four-way, driver5 | $92 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power seat, four-way, passenger5 | $92 | Not yet sourced |
|
Leather interior5 | $106 | Not yet sourced |
|
Radio and antenna5 | $83 | Not yet sourced |
|
Radio, AM/FM5 | $113 | Not yet sourced |
|
70-amp battery (standard on convertible)5 | $8 | Not yet sourced |
|
Front seat belts5 | $23 | Not yet sourced |
|
Tinted glass5 | $43 | Not yet sourced |
|
Two-tone paint5 | $26 | Not yet sourced |
|
Undercoating5 | $14 | Not yet sourced |
|
White sidewall tires, nylon, 8.00 x 145 | $70 | Not yet sourced |
|
White sidewall tires, rayon, 8.00 x 145 | $42 | Not yet sourced |
|
Windshield washers5 | $13 | Not yet sourced |
|
Rear fender shields5 | $27 | Not yet sourced |
|
Outside mirror, each5 | $5 | Not yet sourced |
Paint
| Code | Color | Built |
|---|---|---|
A |
Black5 | Not yet sourced |
D |
Turquoise5 | Not yet sourced |
E |
Acapulco Blue5 | Not yet sourced |
G |
Silver Mink5 | Not yet sourced |
H |
Caspian Blue5 | Not yet sourced |
I |
Champagne5 | Not yet sourced |
J |
Rangoon Red5 | Not yet sourced |
K |
Chalfonte Blue5 | Not yet sourced |
L |
Sahara Rose5 | Not yet sourced |
M |
Corinthian White5 | Not yet sourced |
N |
Diamond Blue5 | Not yet sourced |
O |
Green Mist5 | Not yet sourced |
R |
Tucson Yellow5 | Not yet sourced |
S |
Cascade Green5 | Not yet sourced |
T |
Sandshell Beige5 | Not yet sourced |
U |
Deep Sea Blue5 | Not yet sourced |
W |
Rose Beige5 | Not yet sourced |
X |
Heritage Burgundy5 | Not yet sourced |
Z |
Fieldstone Tan5 | Not yet sourced |
Color names are the factory's. We don't show color swatches, because a screen color is no guide for a restoration.
Interiors
| Code | Trim | Built |
|---|---|---|
50 |
Medium Silver Blue Metallic bolsters / Light Silver Blue Metallic (Gray) inserts; crinkle-grain vinyl bolsters and Vachette-grain vinyl inserts6 | Not yet sourced |
51 |
Light Rose Beige Metallic / Light Rose Beige Metallic (monotone bolsters and inserts, darker shade on padded instrument panel, upper door trim panels, rear quarter trim panels and package tray); crinkle-grain vinyl bolsters and Vachette-grain vinyl inserts6 | Not yet sourced |
52 |
Medium Blue Metallic bolsters / Light Blue Metallic inserts; crinkle-grain vinyl bolsters and Vachette-grain vinyl inserts6 | Not yet sourced |
54 |
Light Pearl Beige / Light Pearl Beige (bolsters and inserts match, darker shade on padded instrument panel, upper door trim panels, rear quarter trim panels and package tray); crinkle-grain vinyl bolsters and Vachette-grain vinyl inserts6 | Not yet sourced |
55 |
Red / Red (monotone); crinkle-grain vinyl bolsters and Vachette-grain vinyl inserts6 | Not yet sourced |
56 |
Black / Black (monotone); crinkle-grain vinyl bolsters and Vachette-grain vinyl inserts6 | Not yet sourced |
57 |
Medium Turquoise Metallic bolsters / Light Turquoise Metallic inserts; crinkle-grain vinyl bolsters and Vachette-grain vinyl inserts6 | Not yet sourced |
58 |
Light Gold / Light Gold (monotone); crinkle-grain vinyl bolsters and Vachette-grain vinyl inserts6 | Not yet sourced |
59 |
Medium Chestnut Metallic / Medium Chestnut Metallic (monotone); crinkle-grain vinyl bolsters and Vachette-grain vinyl inserts6 | Not yet sourced |
72 |
Light Blue vinyl bolsters / Dark Blue cloth inserts; crinkle-grain vinyl bolsters and silver stripe broadcloth inserts6 | Not yet sourced |
74 |
Light Pearl Beige vinyl bolsters / Medium Beige cloth inserts; crinkle-grain vinyl bolsters and silver stripe broadcloth inserts6 | Not yet sourced |
76 |
Black vinyl bolsters / Black cloth inserts; crinkle-grain vinyl bolsters and silver stripe broadcloth inserts6 | Not yet sourced |
77 |
Light Turquoise vinyl bolsters / Medium Turquoise cloth inserts; crinkle-grain vinyl bolsters and silver stripe broadcloth inserts6 | Not yet sourced |
82 |
Light Blue Crinkle bolsters / Light Blue Vachette inserts; genuine leather bolsters and inserts6 | Not yet sourced |
83 |
White Crinkle bolsters / White Vachette inserts; genuine leather (available only on the Limited Edition Landau; padded instrument panel and carpeting Dark Rose Beige (Maroon), balance of the interior White including the steering wheel)6 | Not yet sourced |
84 |
Light Pearl Beige Crinkle bolsters / Light Pearl Beige Vachette inserts; genuine leather bolsters and inserts6 | Not yet sourced |
85 |
Red Crinkle bolsters / Red Vachette inserts; genuine leather bolsters and inserts6 | Not yet sourced |
86 |
Black Crinkle bolsters / Black Vachette inserts; genuine leather bolsters and inserts6 | Not yet sourced |
1 |
Convertible top: Black; all interior and exterior color combinations except Fieldstone Tan Metallic on Convertibles and Sandshell Beige on Sports Roadsters; satin-grained vinyl with black lining and top frame6 | Not yet sourced |
2 |
Convertible top: White; all interior and exterior color combinations; satin-grained vinyl with black lining and top frame6 | Not yet sourced |
4 |
Convertible top: Blue; available only with Blue interiors; satin-grained vinyl with black lining and top frame6 | Not yet sourced |
A |
Landau vinyl roof: Black; available with all color combinations; long-grained (Cobra grain) vinyl6 | Not yet sourced |
B |
Landau vinyl roof: White; available with all color combinations; long-grained (Cobra grain) vinyl6 | Not yet sourced |
C |
Landau vinyl roof: Brown; available with Champagne, Corinthian White, Tucson Yellow or Fieldstone Tan exterior colors; long-grained (Cobra grain) vinyl6 | Not yet sourced |
D |
Landau vinyl roof: Blue; available with Acapulco Blue, Silver Mink, Caspian Blue, Corinthian White or Diamond Blue exterior colors; long-grained (Cobra grain) vinyl6 | Not yet sourced |
E |
Landau vinyl roof: Rose Beige (Maroon); available only on the Limited Edition Landau; long-grained (Cobra grain) vinyl6 | Not yet sourced |
Specifications
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping weight, convertible3 | 4,195 lb | body 85 |
| Shipping weight, Sports Roadster3 | 4,395 lb | body 89 |
| Shipping weight, hardtop (Over-Drive)5 | 4,195 lb | 63A |
| Shipping weight, Landau (Over-Drive)5 | 4,320 lb | 63B |
| Shipping weight, convertible (Over-Drive)5 | 4,205 lb | 76A; OldRide gives 4,195 for the convertible |
| Shipping weight, Sports Roadster (Over-Drive)5 | 4,395 lb | 76B |
| Wheelbase5 | 113 in | all |
| Overall length5 | 205 in | all |
| Overall width5 | 76.5 in | all |
| Front track5 | 61 in | all |
| Rear track5 | 60 in | all |
| Tires5 | 8.00 x 14 4-ply tubeless | all |
| Rear axle5 | 3 ratio | all |
Where the sources disagree
1963 Landau production
Both shown. OldRide's rows sum to the 63,313 total and Wikipedia's do not, which favours 14,139 arithmetically, but neither names a record. The Standard Catalog of Thunderbird would settle it.
1963 Landau production: third source
- 14,1395
Over-Drive's table agrees with OldRide's 14,139 against Wikipedia's 12,193 (see the Landau conflict above). Its four body rows add to the 63,313 total, as OldRide's do; neither names a Ford record.
Identification
Read a 1963 Ford VIN
The VIN decoder runs in your browser and never sends the VIN anywhere. How the factory numbered this year's cars:
Same model year
Also in 1963
- Buick Riviera Buick's first Riviera, a four-seat personal-luxury hardtop limited to 40,000 cars, with a 401 Nailhead standard and a 340-hp 425 added in December 1962.
- Buick Wildcat The Wildcat became its own series, adding a convertible and four-door hardtop; 35,725 built.
- Chevrolet Chevy II and Nova First Nova Super Sport year in the source production table. Enthusiast-compiled production: 372,626 cars; Super Sport 42,432.
- Chevrolet Impala SS Super Sport (RPO Z03) peaks toward the 1960s high: 153,271 built, plus the Z11 427 drag package.
- Chrysler 300 letter series Hardtop-only and trimmed exclusively in Claret Red leather, the 300J carried a 390 hp short-ram 413 as its only engine; 400 were built, the smallest letter-car run.
- Dodge Dart 330/440, Polara and Max Wedge The Max Wedge grew to 426 cu in, rated at 415 or 425 hp, and a Ramchargers Dodge driven by Herman Moser won Stock at the 1963 NHRA Nationals; Ramcharger production remains unsourced.
- Ford Fairlane Hardtops and wagons joined the Fairlane line; reference-site counts give 28,268 bucket-seat Fairlane 500 Sport Coupes, beside 97,444 Fairlanes and 246,443 Fairlane 500s.
- Ford Falcon Sprint The mid-year 1963 1/2 Sprint put the Fairlane's 164 hp 260 V8 into the compact Falcon for the first time, as a hardtop and a convertible.
- Ford Galaxie The 406 opened the year and was replaced mid-year by the 427, in Q-code (410 hp, one four-barrel) and R-code (425 hp, two four-barrels) form, while a fastback Sports Hardtop was offered in the Galaxie 500 and 500 XL series.
- Mercury Marauder and S-55 The S-55 line grew to four bodies, and the mid-year fastback Marauder hardtop arrived with 390, 406 and 427 V8s available.
- Oldsmobile Starfire A squared-off roof with a concave rear window; production fell 38 percent to 25,890.
- Plymouth Savoy, Fury and Max Wedge The Super Stock engine grew to 426 cu in at 415 or 425 hp, a Stage II revision followed, and Chrysler's own four-speed arrived in May 1963; Super Stock production remains unsourced.
- Pontiac Catalina 2+2 and Super Duty Three Super Duty 421 ratings up to 410 hp, then GM's racing withdrawal ended them early in the model year.
- Pontiac Grand Prix Production more than doubled to 72,959 at an unchanged price.
- Pontiac Tempest and LeMans A V8 for the Tempest, and about a dozen Super Duty Tempests built for racing before Pontiac's January 1963 withdrawal.
- Studebaker Avanti Studebaker's fiberglass four-seat coupe went on sale with a 289 V8 and an optional $210 Paxton supercharger. It was billed on the strength of a 1962 run of Bonneville records, and 3,834 were built as 1963 models.
- Studebaker Hawk The GT Hawk could now be ordered with the Avanti's R1 and supercharged R2 engines, and a spring 1963 package created the Super Hawk. Old Cars Weekly counts 396 R1 cars among 4,009 domestic GT Hawks.
- Studebaker Lark and Super Lark Studebaker offered the Avanti's R1 and supercharged R2 engines in the compact Lark and added a Super Lark package in April. No source read gives an R2 Lark count; the estimates run from about 200 to a few hundred.