Art's 1963 Ford Thunderbird Convertible 390 With 3 Deuces Power Windows Seat Swingaway Column

1961 1962 1963 Ford Thunderbird Convertible 390 Three Deuces Power Windows Power Seat & Swingaway Steering Column Power Top

[@pjesf]

The 63 is far and away my fave year with those gorgeous turbine tail lights and the 3 hash marks on the door (I call it “The Adidas Bird”). The wrap-around interior is timeless. LOVE. THAT. CAR. 😍😍😍😍

[@khakiswag]

When I get old I want to have toys like that and be cool like Art.

[@tonyscarcare5657]

Lol! Don't we all!

[@edwardskoda2409]

@@tonyscarcare5657 One thing I forgot to mention is that Corvette never outsold the Thunderbird especially when they went to 4 seats. Ford sold 4 to 5 times more of the 4-seat square birds each year than its 2 seat predecessor.

[@tombrown1898]

That car DOES look better without the skirts! I had to chuckle when Art said, "You can have a family car or...." By no stretch of the imagination could that be a family car. Just beautiful. I was 10 when this car was new. And I remember all the Bullet Birds in Kennedy's Inaugural parade. Bob Mac Namarra saw to that

[@tonyscarcare5657]

I agree. No way I would have chosen a Corvette over one of these.

[@david-wilkerson1967]

Lincolns and Thunderbirds were built in the same factory at Wixom Mi from 1958 to 1976 for Thunderbird, Lincoln’s were built from 1958 to 2008 I think that plant was exclusive for those cars, also the Ford GT was manufactured there I believe , A lot of cool cars came out of there , there’s a KZbin video from 1962 shows the vehicles being manufactured , Really cool to watch

[@tonyscarcare5657]

I've seen that video. I knew my 89 Town Car was built there.

[@donwendling7800]

One of my all time favorites...'61-'63 Bullet Birds!

[@tonyscarcare5657]

Mine too!

[@robertmills3682]

Thank you for sharing Art and his collection with us. Such great cars, and he is so gentle and easy going. Such a joy.

[@tonyscarcare5657]

You're welcome. He is definitely one of a kind.

[@edwardskoda2409]

@@tonyscarcare5657 You are correct in that these were built along side the Lincolns in the Wixom Plant.

[@tonyscarcare5657]

@@edwardskoda2409 I thought so.

[@hrc5534]

So neat! What a great car. They really made stuff with style and artistry back then, unlike the boring junk we get now. Very enjoyable videos Tony.

[@tonyscarcare5657]

Thank you very much! I'll keep trying.

[@bentnickel7487]

I think style and artistry are still available, but cost multiples of what it cost back then. Price back then was double what the grocery getter cost, now it's quadruple the average car.

[@edwardskoda2409]

@@tonyscarcare5657 I love the Bullet Birds. That is a honey.

[@tonyscarcare5657]

@@edwardskoda2409 me too!

[@lindasaunders7835]

50 years of remembering such good times in 1963!

[@tonyscarcare5657]

Yes, for sure! Thank you very much for watching!

[@michaelhicks9735]

What a beauty. Got to love the sound of a well-tuned 390!

[@tonyscarcare5657]

That's for sure, Michael! Thanks, buddy!

[@david-wilkerson1967]

Beautiful car, I believe roadsters never had fender skirts, (at least the magazine advertisements did not )but most of the regular ones did in 61, 62, 63

[@tonyscarcare5657]

I like them on these.

[@malibuconv1968]

True Sports Roadsters did not come with Skirts. The Spinner Cap on the Kelsey Hayes wheels would hit the Skirt.

[@tonyscarcare5657]

@@malibuconv1968 I think this car needs the skirts.

[@DSP1968]

What a pretty car, nicely equipped. Thanks to you and Art for sharing it. That tonneau cover was sold over the parts counter to owners who did not have a Sports Roadster, or needed to replace a broken/damaged one. Sports Roadsters were not available in all of the standard Thunderbird colors. It sure sounds good in the video!

[@tonyscarcare5657]

Thanks, buddy!

[@jakereal3604]

That’s a good point too. I know Rangoon Red was one SR color and I believe black. Not sure what other colors off the top of my head

[@jeffsmith846]

A beautiful 63. I had a 63 convertible but it came from Detroit and I spent the first 6 weeks sandblasting and respraying the undercarriage. Had to cut off the shock mounts and replace with used. Had to replace the lower control arms as they were almost rotted out. Learned my lesson on that one to always inspect and don't believe the seller's claims of no rust. BTW 61-62 had the power window switches on the drivers door, 63 went to the console. Art is a wise man: he ran the engine at fast idle to help the alternator overcome the current being used to lower the top. The original Kelsey Hayes spoke wheels would not clear the fender skirts. Also, the biggest issue with the power tops on these is the gearbox on the flipper lid gets wear and then the flipper lid drops down slightly and puts the micro switch out of alignment. When that happens the top control switch won't open the top and you have to remove the back seat and bypass the deck lid open relay with jumpers. All I the service manual. I think the complexity of the tops on these and the Lincolns has hurt their value because the average owner or mechanic can't keep them working.

[@tonyscarcare5657]

I did figure out the power window switch thing. Yeah, the average person probably shouldn't own one unless they just have money to burn in order to pay someone if something goes wrong.

[@malibuconv1968]

The KH Wheel CAP (Spinner Cap) wouldn't clear the Skirts. The Wheels cleared with no issue.

[@tonyscarcare5657]

@malibuconv1968 good to know. Thanks!

[@brianhdueck3372]

Beautifully designed cars they were. What an era to be a car designer. Thanks for the interesting video

[@tonyscarcare5657]

You're welcome! Thank you very much for watching!

[@edwardskoda2409]

@@tonyscarcare5657 Are you guys in a warm climate year-round?

[@tonyscarcare5657]

@@edwardskoda2409 heck no. We have snow and salty roads all winter long. We can't drive our good cars in the winter.

[@edwardskoda2409]

@@tonyscarcare5657 Are you in the Rustbelt like me? I'm in Michigan but in the areas where they sand the roads, cars don't rust like in Traverse City/

[@tonyscarcare5657]

@@edwardskoda2409 yep.....Illinois. They use way too much salt.

[@AlexanderWaylon]

That’s a beautiful car.

[@tonyscarcare5657]

I totally agree with you, sir!

[@jamesburrows6226]

Wow the technology for that time is amazing. They don't build them like they used to. That is a beautiful thunderbird. Thanks for a platform for Art to display his beautiful car collection.

[@tonyscarcare5657]

You're welcome. Thank you for watching!

[@cjdesign5700]

They figured the top mech worked on 3 years of Skyliner's in 57-59 it would be fitting for Lincolns and T Birds. Art should be proud of his amazing collection. Great Man.

[@tonyscarcare5657]

Thank you very much! I think he's enjoying getting to show them off.

[@leewalker3514]

That man has some beautiful car he is blessed

[@tonyscarcare5657]

He sure does!

[@danswartwood4580]

Nice T-Bird, I like that body style.

[@tonyscarcare5657]

Thank you! I do, too.

[@davidr764]

Incredible! A marvel of engineering.

[@tonyscarcare5657]

Yeah, I bet the dealerships loved those to work on back then!

[@robertlombardi2228]

Another beautiful example of a well-kept well preserved, classic. Thanks for sharing this video with us.

[@tonyscarcare5657]

You're welcome, and thank you very much!

[@franknew9001]

This car looks and sounds great. I'll bet it can pass everything except a gas station. LOL The way the top folds into the trunk reminds me of the 1957 to 1959 Ford Skyliner.

[@tonyscarcare5657]

Yep, I'd say that top idea came from the same engineers.

[@richcoleman469]

Beautiful bird. Amazing technology for '63. I had a model then with the slide away steering wheel.

[@tonyscarcare5657]

That's awesome!

[@aaronwilliams6989]

One of my favorites.

[@tonyscarcare5657]

They surely are something!

[@ralphgedney1782]

The Thunderbird was also known as 58 - 60 Square Bird, 61 - 63 Bullet Bird, 64 - 66 Flair Bird, 67 - 71 Glamour Bird.

[@tonyscarcare5657]

Yeah, I personally did not like the 58-60, even though I believe they sold very well.

[@31847448]

The square birds were FMC first unibody cars. I love the look of the Square Birds 58-60. !

[@ralphgedney1782]

@@tonyscarcare5657 I am with you my favorite years of the Bird ar 61-66 and oddly enough I liked the 77-79 years.

[@tonyscarcare5657]

@@ralphgedney1782 I I really like the 77-79. Those sold very well, too.

[@anthonym.cardali1875]

72-76 Big Birds

[@MCML50]

Hi Tony, It vas nice to se my favorit Tbird but the one I like the most is a red 1964-66, thank you for a nice video.👍

[@tonyscarcare5657]

Thank you! You're very welcome. I may be able to do a video on your favorite one as well.

[@MCML50]

Hi again Tony, if you can find a red 64 to 66 that would be super thank you.@@tonyscarcare5657

[@tonyscarcare5657]

@MCML50 I do know where there is one, and I'm pretty sure it's for sale!

[@MCML50]

Hi again Tony, I wanted to ad some lines about your last message I did not men I wanted to buy a Tbird I just wanted to see a little video with one .@@tonyscarcare5657

[@tonyscarcare5657]

@@MCML50 I understand.

[@LlyleHunter]

To this day these were some of the most devastatingly beautiful cars ever imagined and brought to reality yet they even seem a dream when you’re standing in front of one or sitting in one. They were a dream car then and that there was this time in our lives when these dreams were real seems a fantasy now.

[@tonyscarcare5657]

Deap thoughts......however, you are correct.

[@robertgastreich9846]

I love Thunderbirds. I love the older ones better. This bird is beautiful, and still a looker. Beautiful lines and styling that no one can beat. Get up and go 309 deuce coupe. I'd like to own one.

[@tonyscarcare5657]

Yeah, this one is really something. Perfect in that color, too.

[@Jerry-up8bk]

309 ? DUH ! TRY 390 Tripower 3 carburetors!

[@sharbuck74]

Very smart men back in them days.

[@tonyscarcare5657]

For sure!

[@nhzxboi]

That car has an amazing wiring diagram too. Cool machine.

[@tonyscarcare5657]

I'm sure it does!

[@jakereal3604]

think what Art or whomever owned it prior was going for the “Sports Roadster” option. The Tonneau cover, K-H spoked rims, 3 duces , and skirt delete. If it had passenger dash grab handle I’d say it WAS a 62 SR model! Gorgeous car that was done “right”. I hope his family appreciates it and that eventually it goes to a good home after Art can’t care for it.

[@tonyscarcare5657]

I think they are aware of the importance of all the cars.

[@jakereal3604]

👍🏼👍🏼 That’s great. It amazes me what some consider just an old car. In 2000 I was still working retail Pharmacy and a customer said her mom passed and she was selling the house and her late Father had some”old big car” in the garage she needed. ‘Gone’ I said I’ll look at it. It was a 76 Fleetwood in excellent condition with about 45k miles. I asked what do you want for it? She said ehhh I really don’t know but I need it gone. She said 600$ That ok? I said “ ummm sure I’ll come after work and I brought gas battery etc. Aired up tires and drove it a few miles to my place then later sold it. It wasn’t my thing then as I only like 2 Dr personal Luxo coupes but wish I kept it

[@tonyscarcare5657]

@@jakereal3604 I love deals like that!

[@davidferguson247]

😎👍🏻 Totally Awesome T-Bird! 😀

[@tonyscarcare5657]

Thank you! It sure is!

[@KensHobbies409]

Art sure has a amazing collection of cars. On this one, I did not realize that the trunk lid worked in same fashion as the hide-a-way hardtop did. So cool! Wished I could have a collection like His, but still, yet, Jay Leno's. What a Gold Mine!! Check out My 1987 Crown Victoria where I recharged My A/C.

[@tonyscarcare5657]

Yeah, they both have very nice collections.

[@Jstme303]

Sweet car

[@tonyscarcare5657]

Thank you! And Art, thanks you!

[@kipbrown1549]

Very nice car //////////////

[@tonyscarcare5657]

Thank you! And Art, thanks you!

[@avalawler5883]

One nice car!!!

[@tonyscarcare5657]

Thanks, Mama!

[@keithmourglea3101]

I like the Thunderbird Very Cool carTony

[@tonyscarcare5657]

Me too. It's really awesome. Thank you!

[@williamadam3888]

Liked the bullet birds. Had a model of the '63, painted it dark red. It had the same tonneau cover and wire wheels.

[@tonyscarcare5657]

Thank you! They are great for sure!

[@ivanjones1804]

I would’ve kept the Skirts those were part of the best features of the Car. When those 3 years 61,62 and 63 they were the best pinnacle of the T-Bird Model years. When they designed created,built,made and manufactured those Rides back then they’ve put together a real Masterpiece of Art 🖼️, they were really true Artisans back then. They really out did themselves from 1961-1964 the Ford Galaxy Taillights and the 1961-63 Ford T-Bird Taillights resembled Afterburners of a Jet and Rocket 🚀 Propulsion don’t 4get the dominance of the Space Race was going on pretty strong 💪🏾💪🏻💪🏼💪🏽💪🏿 between the United States 🇺🇸 and the Soviet Union “Russia” back then. Like 👍🏾 I said before and I’ll say it again I’ll take an Antique,Classic and Vintage Ride that was better built,made and manufactured back in the day then the cars that are built,made and manufactured today. Sincerely Yours Truly Ivan I J🤵🏾‍♂️👨🏾👨🏾‍🦱🧔🏾‍♂️👍🏾💪🏼💪🏻💪🏽💪🏾👍🏾💪🏿

[@tonyscarcare5657]

I agree with everything you said. My dad had a 64 Galaxie, too. I believe these particular Birds need the fender skirts left on them. That was part of the "Bullet" look!

[@user-ie5pr6xx4m]

Beautiful cars

[@tonyscarcare5657]

I agree. Thank you!

[@jakereal3604]

What a cool nice elder gentleman. God bless Art! I’m just around the corner from him lol I’m 57 and before I know it I’ll be his age. I have a 66 Toronado 67 Thunderbird and a 70 Mark lll

[@tonyscarcare5657]

Those are a good collection of cars.

[@jakereal3604]

Thanks Tony! I enjoy your channel and Adam’s as well. I’ve been doing all my own repairs since I was 17 and I laugh (in my mind) and cringe lol when I hear of the rear window repair on a 67-69 tbird or 69-71 Mark iii. It’s like 1/2 the car has to be taken apart to remove the rear window modules then once those are out you’re treated to about a dozen more bolts / screws before you can get to the motor and gear. I’ve parted many Mark llls over the years so I have at least 3-4 of those special vulcanized quarter window gears in good used shape. No sure how good repros are likely China made and to say something made in China is quality part is an oxymoron ! Lol

[@tonyscarcare5657]

@jakereal3604 Oh jeez, man, I've worked on those myself, and I hope I never see another one! I can think of so many ways that would have been easier, cheaper to make, and much easier to work on. Thank you very much for watching!

[@davidrupprecht2774]

A stunning car!

[@tonyscarcare5657]

Yes, it is! Thank you, M!

[@kayeninetwo3585]

Fender skirts are common on the first four generations of Thunderbirds. I'm thinking most of these cars were sold from the dealer with them. Nevertheless, I took the fender skirts off of my '65 T-Bird. I liked them when I first got the car a few years ago, but now I think they make the car look less sporty...or maybe too formal. My car is a Landau, but I've noticed that it's more often convertibles that have the skirts removed, possibly because a convertible is more likely to have wire wheels and spinners, I guess. I think these third generation cars might be my favorite, and the '63 is the best of the third gen., mostly because they have that nice contour on the front fenders and doors, which the '61's and '62's don't have. The convertibles are spectacular in operation, but I've heard that they can be finicky, as Art insinuated. The technology is based on the old Skyliner cars of the '50's, which had retractable hard tops. Beautiful car! One of the best looking of the era. THANKS for the video!

[@tonyscarcare5657]

Thank you for watching and commenting. Here is a link to a Retractable Hard Top Convertible I talked about in Dearborn Michigan in June. 👇 kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIWbZ6Zpmrdqrcksi=3O6fHcqzc8bJhKhk

[@donalddesnoo5303]

Had 2 of them back in day i gold conv wrecked and a sedan 61+63. Still have a 66conv.

[@tonyscarcare5657]

Wow!

[@donalddesnoo5303]

@@tonyscarcare5657 thanx they. were 61+3 sorry for the error

[@tonyscarcare5657]

@donalddesnoo5303 no problem!

[@MoparDan]

It’s very interesting to me that the way the power convertible top operates on Art’s ’63 Ford Thunderbird convertible is very similar to how the convertible top operates on my ’12 Chrysler 200 convertible. My car’s rear deck opens clamshell like to store the top in the front portion of the trunk space. My car even has a hard Tonneau cover like Art’s Ford albeit mine on my car it's plastic. I sure enjoy driving my car with the top down as it reminds me of the leading actor in a lot of the old TV shows and movies driving a convertible.

[@tonyscarcare5657]

Yeah thankfully the are trying to bring back some of the older ideas on the newer vehicles.

[@aaronwilliams6989]

Reminds me of a skyliner from 1957-60.

[@tonyscarcare5657]

Yep. I have a video of a 59 Skyliner operating the top here on my channel.

[@scottlogan2971]

The paint color was Tucson Yellow - if factory. All Thunderbird's thru 1976 were built at the Wixom Assembly Plant alongside the Lincolns. The 1958 - '66 Thunderbirds were all of unibody construction and yes, the front fenders were bolted on. In 1962 & '63, the Thunderbird was available in either a Convertible or a convertible Sports Roadster model. Included in that Sports Roadster package were the tonneau cover, Kelsey Hayes wire wheels, a grab bar on the passenger side of the dashboard and special Sports Roadster emblems on the front fenders. Rear fender shields could not be used on the Sports Roadsters due to interference with the knock off hubs on the wire wires. Arts' car however is not a Sports Roadster, it is the standard convertible model. The wire wheels are aftermarket and the tonneau cover is likely a reproduction part. These cars were also available from the factory with the 3 - 2bbl carburetor set up (M code), although those are very rare. I think Art said he added the three deuce set-up along with some other engine modifications. The Corvette never outsold the Thunderbird! The pastel yellow paint on this car contrasts beautifully with the black interior and top. Air conditioning in a convertible is very unusual. 1963 is my favorite year of this series. The styling was simply stunning on these T-bird's. That convertible top mechanism is always a sight to behold in action. Thanks Tony and Art for sharing the '63 Thunderbird with us. Looking forward to seeing the '58 Impala without the "skirts'!!

[@tonyscarcare5657]

I'm just now seeing this comment. I try to keep up with all of them. Thank you very much for all the information, and thank you so much for watching and commenting. I'm restoring a 1968 Ford XL Convertible that my parents raised us in, and it is called Meadowlark Yellow with black top and interior and looks just like this as far as color combo. I'm shocked this video hasn't gotten more views. The video of removing the fender skirts off of the 58 is posted if you haven't seen it.

[@johncronin5311]

THUNDERCHICKEN!!! , so sweet. Great colr too

[@tonyscarcare5657]

Thank you! I really like the color, too.

[@Jerry-up8bk]

There's NOTHING CHICKEN ABOUT that THUNDERBIRD with the 390 tripower , bored 60 over specs and tripower Carbs!

[@tonyscarcare5657]

Yeah, it's a great one.

[@bentnickel7487]

Funny how the rounded design was so totally accepted in this 63, yet when Ford tried that oval design in the 96 Taurus people compared it to the Edsel design mistake. I think the Taurus 96 through 99 was just a little before it's time.

[@tonyscarcare5657]

Oh, I would say you're 100 percent correct.

[@jakereal3604]

I was curious as it was mentioned below what colors the 1962 sports Roadster Tbirds came in so in addition to Red and Black that I mentioned they came in: White Light Blue Beige Light Gold Silver metallic Chestnut (very unique and beautiful color)

[@tonyscarcare5657]

Thank you for letting us know! I appreciate it.

[@rightlanehog3151]

👍👍

[@tonyscarcare5657]

🙂🙂

[@leightonfarms4962]

Mint. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@tonyscarcare5657]

🙂🙂🙂🙂

[@jakereal3604]

I think what Art or whomever owned it prior was going for the “Sports Roadster” option.

[@WhittyPics]

If I had the money and a place to store them I would have a collection too. Hey, is Adam going to throw a party when he hit 100k subs?

[@WhittyPics]

We can hardly hear it run

[@tonyscarcare5657]

Adam hasn't mentioned a party. Maybe we should have one for him! Yeah, the Bird is really quiet.

[@david-wilkerson1967]

If you were to decide to throw Adam a party ,Give me a little advanced notice, and I will send him a toy tractor, not sure how much he would like having a tractor? I do think he has an appreciation for anything that has an internal combustion engine? @@tonyscarcare5657

[@Barry_Davis]

I think the ‘63 model looks better without the fender skirts.

[@tonyscarcare5657]

At least we got them off of the 58 Chevy today.

[@CowboyStag]

It’s a cool car. A favorite. But - what I recall about cars in the 60’s from Detroit …. Engine starts leaking oil around 60k. Clocks stop working - NY rust buckets in the making. Much different than this example

[@ronaldplesz7994]

Art's got the 390 ' M' code engine .only 442 1962 and 1963 Sport Roadsters have this engine 3 2 bbl carbs tri power.

[@tonyscarcare5657]

Oh wow! Thank you for letting us know. That car is so awesome.

[@hectorraigosa7149]

Should kept the skirts, just placed them in corner..

[@craigjorgensen4637]

No, the 63 TBirds always look better without skirts!

[@aaronwilliams6989]

Did you show the 78 Chrysler yet?

[@tonyscarcare5657]

Not yet, but it's coming up next. It has been filmed. Thank you, and stay tuned!

[@aaronwilliams6989]

@@tonyscarcare5657 yep

[@stevevogelman3360]

No skirts,no skirts,no skirts.

[@tonyscarcare5657]

I liked them on the Bullet Birds.

[@earlbrothertom8884]

Beautiful car's Art

[@tonyscarcare5657]

Thank you, and Art, thanks you!