Wild Elegance - Watching unique cars especially those custom made from the 1960s was great, and these following custom car of 1960s have long held our attention and also arouse curiosity. Well, we saw for the first time the car known as the
1963 Ford Thunderbird Custom with a plate number of
'3RDE641' was when interacting on social media
Twitter and
Pinterest.
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| The 1963 Ford Thunderbird Custom with a plate number of '3RDE641' called Scorpion is built by George Barris back in the 1960s, and commisoned by Eddie Leon. (Picture from: CustoCarChronicle) |
From the moment you first glimpse
The Scorpion,
it’s clear this isn’t a typical Thunderbird. Its design echoes the era’s fascination with aviation, a trend sweeping across America in the 1960s.
The car stretches with a long, sleek body,
sporting a chopped top and an extended roofline that suggest both speed and elegance.
At the front,
it boldly wears a Corvette badge,
while the rear features three taillights arranged like fighter jet thrusters—an unmistakable departure from
the standard Thunderbird’s design. Every element, from the covered rear tires to the one-of-a-kind interior, screams custom craftsmanship.
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The 1963
Ford Thunderbird Custom with a plate number of '3RDE641' wearing a Corvette-badge at the front, chopped top. (Picture from: Pinterest)
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The genius behind this extraordinary car was George Barris, widely recognized as one of the most influential custom car builders of the 20th century. His talent for transforming ordinary vehicles into unforgettable works of art made him the perfect choice for a project that demanded imagination and precision. Barris’ reputation alone ensured that any car bearing his touch would stand out in the custom car world.
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| The 1963 Ford Thunderbird Custom's interior is covering by color combination of red and gold such a kind of the ancient Egyptian Pharaoh's themed. (Picture from: CustoCarChronicle) |
The vision for
this Thunderbird came from
Eddie Leon,
a furniture store owner in Los Angeles who had a passion for unique automobiles. He wanted
his 1963 Thunderbird to be more than just a car—it needed to reflect personality, creativity, and style that no standard model could offer.
Leon approached
Barris with the idea, trusting his expertise to turn
a regular Thunderbird into something truly one-of-a-kind.
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| The 1963 Ford Thunderbird Custom's science-fiction themed interior is fascinating featured with many switches, lights, and knobs successively covering every corner of the dashboard. (Picture from: CustoCarChronicle) |
Every detail of the car carries Leon’s personal signature.
His name appears prominently on badges located on the hood and dashboard, reminding viewers that this wasn’t just a custom build—it was a personal statement.
The uniqueness of the creation was so evident that it earned the nickname The Scorpion, a fitting moniker for a car that combines elegance, aggression, and a daring sense of design.
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| The 1963 Ford Thunderbird Custom with a plate number of '3RDE641' has a long body with extended roofline and a unique rear tire cover. (Picture from: CustoCarChronicle) |
Dating back to before 1968,
the Thunderbird Custom had already begun making waves in the world of custom cars. Its bold design and innovative features earned it recognition, culminating in
the prestigious Best Custom Car award at the 1968 San Mateo show. This early accolade solidified its place as one of the standout creations of the era, showcasing the imaginative craftsmanship that
George Barris and
Eddie Leon had envisioned.
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| The 1963 Ford Thunderbird Custom with a plate number of '3RDE641' is powered by a 1963 427 Ford Top Oiler or Center Oiler engine, and estimated capable of producing around 450 ponies. (Picture from: CustoCarChronicle) |
Beneath its striking exterior, the car’s performance is equally remarkable. It is powered by a 1963 427 Ford Top Oiler engine, which received a significant upgrade in 1975 with ported and polished 1966 Medium Rise heads. This setup allows the engine to deliver an estimated 450 horsepower, giving the Thunderbird Custom the perfect combination of power and style for cruising in the 1960s—and still impressing enthusiasts today.
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| The 1963 Ford Thunderbird Custom with a plate number of '3RDE641' has 3 taillights placed in a section that is made to resemble a fighter jet thruster. (Picture from: CustoCarChronicle) |
Step inside, and
the Thunderbird continues to surprise.
The interior,
themed like an ancient Egyptian pharaoh’s chamber,
dazzles with a red-and-gold color scheme.
Science-fiction enthusiasts would feel at home here:
the dash is filled with rows of switches,
knobs,
and lights,
all functional,
and rumor has it, even early voice control technology—an audacious feature for the 1970s. This is not merely a car; it’s a rolling piece of imaginative art.
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| The 1963 Ford Thunderbird Custom with a plate number of '3RDE641' should been created pre 1968, due to in that year it had won trophy for the Best Custom Car 1968 San Mateo. (Picture from: ReddIt) |
Over the decades,
The Scorpion has traveled far from its Southern California roots.
Originally part of Eddie Leon’s collection,
it eventually made its way across the globe to Adelaide,
Australia,
in the hands of a dedicated collector. Today, the car’s unique and bold aesthetic remains unmistakable, a living reminder of the daring creativity that defined 1960s custom automotive culture. Hopefully, its current owner will restore it to the full glory it deserves, preserving both its mechanical might and its unmatched style.
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| The 1963 Ford Thunderbird Custom with a plate number of '3RDE641' called Scorpion is currently in Adelaide, Australia. (Picture from: CustoCarChronicle) |
In an era when cars often blur together,
the 1963 Ford Thunderbird Custom by George Barris stands as a testament to imagination unleashed—a vehicle where every detail tells a story, every line hints at adventure, and every engine roar carries decades of automotive passion.
*** [EKA [24112022] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | HOONIVERSE | CUSTOCARCHRONICLE | THEDRIVE | WIKIPEDIA ]Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
