Identifying your 1961–63 Thunderbird
Bullet Bird: 1961–63 Thunderbirds
1962
1963
GRILLES
The 1961 grilles have a horizontal line pattern.
Horizontal bars and squares are unique to the 1962 grille.
Vertical bars make up the 1963 grille.
HOOD ORNAMENTS
For a 1961, the nose bird and the hood scoop “V” are the two ornaments on the hood.
The 1962 Thunderbird has the same ornaments as the 1961 and 1963: a hood scoop “V” and a nose bird.
A nose bird and hood scoop “V” ornament the 1963 Thunderbird hood.
FRONT FENDER ORNAMENTS
The “Thunderbird” script is located on the front fender on a 1961.
The 1962 is another year with the “Thunderbird” script on the front fender.
The 1963 Thunderbird does not have any front fender ornaments.
SIDE ORNAMENTS
On the 1961 quarter panel are four thin horizontal bars.
Located on the quarter panel of the 1962 are three thick horizontal bars.
The door panel has three angled bars and the “Thunderbird” script is located on the quarter panel of a 1963.
HARDTOP ROOF ORNAMENTS
On 1961 hardtops are the bird emblem roof ornaments.
The 1962 Thunderbird hardtops have the same bird emblems as the 1961 and 1963 Thunderbirds.
1963 hardtops have the bird emblem roof ornaments.
LANDAU ROOF ORNAMENTS
Due to the few models of Thunderbirds, only hardtops and convertibles were available in 1961.
The 1962 Landau ornaments are Landau bars and emblems inserts.
The 1963 and 1962 Landaus have the same ornaments: emblem inserts and Landau bars.
TAIL LIGHTS
The 1961 single tail light retainer has a riveted pattern.
The 1962 Thunderbird single tail light retainer has a ripple pattern.
The single tail light retainer has a sun ray pattern on a 1963.
HUBCAPS
1961 Thunderbirds have only one style of hubcap.
There is only one hubcap style for a 1962 Thunderbird and it is the same as the 1961 T-bird.
The 1963 has two styles, one with three-pronged spinners and the other without.
1961–1963 Thunderbird VINs
The VIN, on a 1961 Thunderbird, is located on the driver’s side door jamb. The year is the first digit in the VIN.
Example: 1Y71Z100001
The first digit is a “1,” signifying a 1961 Thunderbird.
The VIN, on a 1962 Thunderbird, is located on the driver’s side door jamb. The year is the first digit in the VIN.
Example: 2Y83Z100001
The first digit is a “2,” signifying a 1962 Thunderbird.
The VIN, on a 1963 Thunderbird, is located on the driver’s side door. The year is the first digit in the VIN.
Example: 3Y83Z100001
The first digit is a “3,” signifying a 1963 Thunderbird.