By 1963, the Nation was still feeling the pain of the Assassination of President Kennedy. Rumors of a Cuban or Mafia connection to his death circulated daily. Lyndon Johnson snuck into office and remained relatively unpopular despite his few accomplishments as a leader. With the Cuban missile crisis over, American had started the year with a tone of unbridled accomplishment. Cartoon Cereals became popular with Cap't Crunch  and Frosted Flakes ('Tony the Tiger') at the top. Parents kept high on Malt Liquors... with newly introduced POWER beers like Colt .45 and Schlitz  being the most popular. How? they provided 50% more alcohol! Pepsi and Coca Cola tried to emulate Royal Crown's popular Diet Rite Cola with their own version, "Patio" Diet Cola and "Tab", but, both eventually died on the vine. Troll Dolls ( originally named Dammit Dolls) , naked little gnomes with bright colored hair,  became the RAGE as good luck charms in America. Selling at $1.98 to $5.95, they lined the pockets of it's inventor, Danish Woodcarver Thomas Dam, with plenty of "good fortune". Best albums were not "Beach Party" with Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello but, "The Days of Wine and Roses" by Andy Williams. The box office was packed due to goofy movies like Jerry Lewis and Stella Stevens in "The Nutty Professor" and "The Horror of Party Beach", while better movies like  "From Russia With Love" featuring James Bond, "Cleopatra" with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton gave us real  entertainment. Low-budget 'B' Grade Movies like "The Raven" with Boris Karloff satisfied the horror film lovers. For the gals, Federal Legislation mandated that all women receive equal pay for equal work....something they still contest ain't  happenin'. By the end of the year Jack Ruby would kill Lee Harvey Oswald and leave the World forever stumped with the lack of real answers to the Kennedy assassination. Even the Presidential Limo , which could have provided more answers on the 'third bullet theory',  was immediately dismantled and rebuilt...however, it  would drive the sales and popularity of "the suicide four-door" Lincoln Sedans through production in 1967.

Originally seen as just a gesture to please the buyers still pining for Two- Seater Thunderbirds, the 'new' version was designed by Ford's Bud Kaufman to give the new 4-seater Bird the appearance of a sleek two-seater with a very long deck. Kelsey Hayes Wire Wheels were a great option for these convertibles as they featured 'knock-off' spinners that didn't knock-off . The 1963's were not only the last of this body style but, offered a more balanced design  with center mounted hash marks on the door, door panel courtesy lights, a brand new Am/Fm Radio, and an added crease line in the front fender / door. This resulted in many people feeling that the 1963 Bird was by far the best looking "Big Bird" to date.