'63 sprint convertible

I have been looking for a good 4 speed ford to restore for some time. I found this car about 8 miles from my house. It is a 63 sprint convertible 4 speed. It is an original car, but needs full restoration. I was just wanting some ideas on the car.
As far as some of the hard to find parts, what is the best thing to do? I need a grille, and a few other small pieces. Should I look for a good parts car?
Here are some pics of it after I got it home:
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...n/Dsc02474.jpg
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q...n/Dsc02475.jpg

A good parts car is very often CHEAPER than buying the missing parts separately....


Nice 63 there bud!

Welcome to FM!



FE

Thanks.
That is what I was figuring also. I have all of the hard to find convertible parts, but some of the more standard parts I will need. When you start trying to find some of these parts that are not reproduced, the prices can add up quickly. I may go the parts car route.

I wonder how many sprint convertible 4 speed cars were built? I have heard in the high 100's, but who knows.

Here is some more info on the car:
This car was rangoon red with a red interior. Its DSO is Los Angeles. Axle code is 4, and trans code is 5. Its build date is 15B which I think is FEB 15, '62.

Get your info posted from teh door tag and we'll get it all sorted out

Where'd ya find it?

Also, what's your location?


FE

Remember that some six cyls came with a 4 speed. I don't if it affected the lug nut count or not. 4lugs= 6 cyl and 5 = 8 cyl.

disreguard

I am located in central Mississippi.
The car was sold new somewhere in the Los Angeles area. The original owners moved back to MS in the late 70's and the car has been parked since then. I bought the car from the second owner. Maybe I can track down the original owners and get the full story, and maybe the dealership name.

This is most of the trim tag info.
Warranty # 3H15F17----
Body 76b
Color J
Trim 85A
Date 15b
DSO 71
Axle 4
Trans 5
I have already decoded the info. That was done before I bought it to verify the car.
It has the tach and all sprint parts. It is a 5 lug with the 13 inch wheels.

Thanks for all of the replies,
Clint

Here's what I got from falconparts.com

[SIZE=4]Model Year = 1963
Model Series = Convertible
Engine = 260 Cu. In. V-8
Body Type = Falcon Convertible with Bucket Seats
Exterior Color = Red (Rangoon Red)
Upholstery Color = Red Crush Vinyl
Date Born = 15February 1962
Transmission = 4 Speed Manual Transmission
Axle = 3.25:1
DSO = Los Angeles
Assembly Plant = Lorain[/SIZE]

[SIZE=4]That's pretty dang neet![/SIZE]

Thanks for the decode. All of the information is correct.

The only question I have is the build date. I checked a registry of some other 63's and all of their build dates were in mid '63. Is this Feb '62 build date correct for this car, or do the decoders have a date glitch?

Are going to restore it original? Looks like you tou have a nice base there but hard to tell until you really get into it.