Bullet Bird: 1963 Ford Thunderbird Landau Coupe – Sold?

September 17th Update – While preparing for our latest Free For All Friday feature, we confirmed the latest Craigslist ad for this ’63 Thunderbird expired recently. With no other fresh ad found, we’re assuming this Bullet Bird sold.

August 17th Update – the private seller of this highly detailed ’63 Ford Thunderbird updated their latest listing with another $500 price reduction to bring the asking price down to $19,500.  That brings this car’s asking price to $1,300 below the Hagerty Insurance #2 “Excellent” estimate.

August 2nd Update –  We confirmed the private seller of this ’63 Ford Thunderbird we first featured in June just posted a fresh listing for their Bullet Bird with the price reduced by $2,000 to $20,000.

Ford’s third-generation Thunderbird produced from 1961 through 1963 is personally my favorite as these “Bullet Birds” had very clean jet-age styling that still looks great today.  Epitomizing that in Landau Hardtop form is this highly detailed teal over cream 1963 example just listed recently on Craigslist in Forked River, New Jersey.  The current caretaker reports their Thunderbird benefitted from two restorations during its lifespan and is now offering the car for  $20,000 which is down $2,00o from their original ask of $22,000.  Comparing the revised price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms this private seller now has his Bullet Bird priced $800 below the current #2 “Excellent” estimate of $20,800. 

Ford redesigned the Thunderbird for 1961 with styling that gave the car a unique bullet-like body side appearance. A new engine, a 300 horsepower, 390 cubic inch “FE“ V8, was the lone engine initially offered in the Thunderbird and was only available with a three-speed automatic transmission.  A vinyl-roofed Landau option with simulated S-bars was added to the Thunderbird for 1962 hardtop models.

Few other changes were made to the Thunderbird for 1963 as Ford prepared to introduce a new version for 1964. A horizontal styling line was added that ran from the point where bumper and fender meet back through the door and angled down. Small diagonal chrome bars were added in this area on the door. Alternators replaced generators on all 1963 Thunderbirds.

If you’re looking for a highly detailed, thoroughly sorted early sixties Thunderbird, this two-door landau will likely be a solid candidate.  While the current caretaker has added some mild custom touches (mainly the chrome wheels) these are easily changed if desired, but you’ll need to confirm with him whether the original wheels come as part of the sale. We notice a bit loose-fitting material in the rounded corners of the reupholstered seats, but that is nit-picking.  By all appearances, this is a thoroughly sorted T-Bird ready for the next caretaker to enjoy.  Good luck with the purchase!

Here’s the seller’s description:

“1963 “bullet bird”…original #’s matching car….390 v8….teal blue with cream landau roof and matching teal and cream interior…this car has been treated to two restorations in it’s 60 year lifetime…the first was a complete restoration in 1988 when the car was 25 years old….everything was done from top to bottom…motor,trans,body,paint and interior…it is all documented and i have pictures and receipts for all work done…the body work and paint alone were at a cost of $8800-…approx 15k was spent on the first restoration…it was a quality job and it shows…paint is a 9 out of 10…motor was completely rebuilt along with transmission….car has a little over 10k miles on it since the first restoration….78k on odometer right now…in the last year the car was refreshed and the following work was done…with all receipts…motor was taken down to the block and heads…painted and everything was restored,repaired or replaced….new hoses, msd ignition,wires,plugs,filters…every ounce of fluid has been replaced..antifreeze,oil,trans,brake and differential..new sway bar bushings and links…heater box was restored and heat and defrost work perfectly..non factory a/c car….brass radiator was professionally restored by a qualified old school radiator shop, recored,cleaned and painted..undercarriage is clean and rust free… New exhaust system…custom bent and welded 2 1/2″ true dual exhaust with glass packs and slash cut chrome tips…sounds great…interior was completely redone….carpet, seats and new woodgrain vinyl..all stainless trim was polished,new window cranks and bezels, and a retro stereo with new front and rear speakers…vinyl roof was dyed and new landau bars installed…trim around front and rear windows was polished along with drip rails…trunk was sanded and sprayed with original grey trunk spatter…and is coverd by and original fitted vinyl kit…even the jack was restored…new custom chrome wheels, 5 new uniroyal tires…all new kyb shocks….4 new halogen headlights….all new weatherstripping and window felts…new door sill plates with logo…..under side of hood was painted and a brand new hood insulation kit installed…i’ve had this car up and down the parkway several times at 80 mph with no issues…many hours and many dollars have been spent on this car over the years…pictures speak for themselves…i have a clean title in my name….car is ready to be enjoyed for many years to come….call 732-232-7516”

Do you have a Bullet Bird story you’d like to share?  Comment below and let us know!