1963 ford thunderbird sports roadster diamond blue

1963 FORD THUNDERBIRD SPORTS ROADSTER DIAMOND BLUE CODE

The Z-Code produced 300hp, giving the car the potential to cover the ¼ mile in 16.7 seconds before reaching 128mph. When it was shiny and new, this Thunderbird rolled off the line outfitted with a Z-Code 390ci V8, a 3-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. The Sports Roadster is equipped with air conditioning, power windows, power seats, and a pushbutton radio in keeping with its luxury credentials. I get the impression that the overall condition is good, but potential buyers will probably want to contact the owner to source some better photos or perform an in-person inspection. The door trims and carpet present well, and what we can see of the dash and console shows promise. The seats are upholstered in black leather, and there are no significant issues or problems. However, what we can see looks quite promising. He doesn’t provide many, but at least their quality is generally pretty lousy. The owner is consistent with the photos he supplies of Thunderbird’s interior. The exterior chrome is in good order, while the glass is flawless. It is spotlessly clean, with no evidence of anything more than some very slight dustings of surface corrosion on some suspension components. The vehicle is completely rust-free, and while the panels look good, the T-Bird’s underside is incredible. It is said to operate perfectly and presents in as-new condition. The owner has recently fitted a new White power top with plenty of new hardware.

This car is fitted with a complete set, including the matching spare in the trunk. Early wheels suffered from quality control issues, but any that have lasted to the present day must be good ones. The other feature that helped the Roadster to stand out was the 48-spoke Kelsey-Hayes wire wheels. The distinctive fiberglass tonneau that was one of the hallmarks is intact, as are all of the correct badges. The paint holds an excellent shine, with no signs of any significant flaws. It is finished in Rangoon Red, and it presents superbly. This car is a later example, meaning that it carries the correct codes.

1963 FORD THUNDERBIRD SPORTS ROADSTER DIAMOND BLUE CODE

It wasn’t until December 11, 1961, that these cars received their unique “2Y89” VIN and a Body Style code of “76B.” It is those early cars that can confuse enthusiasts. The only certain way to confirm the authenticity of those early cars was to view the original Sales Invoice. Those early cars also featured a Body Style code of “76A,” which was, once again, the same as that used for the Convertible. The first 558 cars carried a VIN that commenced with the digits “2Y85,” which was the same as used on the regular Convertible. The first example rolled off the line on September 13, 1961, and this is where the confusion begins. While Ford produced 1,427 examples of the Sports Roadster, the early cars muddied the waters when it came to verifying their authenticity. However, this remains short of the reserve. It is a classic that has sparked some interest because 35 bids have pushed the price to $15,600.

The T-Bird is located in Gastonia, North Carolina, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has upgraded its V8 engine and has now decided to part with it. This 1962 Thunderbird is a genuine Sports Roadster, and its condition is above average. Verifying that the car you’re looking at is the real deal is vital unless you have no issues with throwing away good money. Consequently, it is also the one that attracts a significantly higher price in the classic market. While there is little to separate a standard Convertible from the Sports Roadster, the latter is the rarer of the pair. Take the 1962 Ford Thunderbird as an example. I can never stress enough the importance of doing your homework before committing your hard-earned cash to buying a classic car.

1963 ford thunderbird sports roadster diamond blue