The early 1960s were a turning point for car design and performance, with manufacturers balancing sportiness, economy, and new engineering trends. Whether you’re a collector, restorer, or enthusiast, that year’s model lineup shows a wide mix of body styles and powertrains that still influence tastes today.
There are 22 1963 Car Models, ranging from AC Cobra (Shelby/AC) to Volkswagen Beetle. For each entry you’ll find below the core specs organized as Body style,Engine (L / hp),Production (units) so you can compare shape, power, and rarity at a glance — you’ll find below.
Which 1963 models are most sought after by collectors?
Collectors tend to favor low-production performance cars and notable limited runs, so sports and early muscle variants (like the AC Cobra and specific European limited editions) command attention; checking the Production (units) column against Engine (L / hp) helps identify rare, high-performance examples.
How should I use the Body style,Engine (L / hp),Production (units) columns to compare cars?
Use Body style to filter types (coupe, sedan, roadster), Engine (L / hp) to gauge performance potential, and Production (units) to assess rarity—together they give a practical snapshot for buying, restoring, or researching each model.
1963 Car Models
| Make and model | Body style | Engine (L / hp) | Production (units) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Impala | sedan/coupe/convertible | 5.4L V8 / 250 hp | 1,053,948 |
| Ford Falcon | sedan/coupe/wagon | 2.8L I6 / 101 hp | 452,000 |
| Ford Galaxie 500 | sedan/coupe/convertible | 6.4L V8 / 300 hp | 390,000 |
| Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray | coupe/convertible | 5.4L V8 / 250 hp | 21,513 |
| Volkswagen Beetle | sedan | 1.2L flat‑4 / 40 hp | 1,170,000 |
| Mini (Austin/Morris) | compact hatch/coupe | 0.85L I4 / 34 hp | 152,000 |
| Jaguar E‑Type (XK‑E) | coupe/convertible | 3.8L I6 / 265 hp | 7,800 |
| Porsche 356C | coupe/convertible | 1.6L flat‑4 / 95 hp | 4,062 |
| Rolls‑Royce Silver Cloud III | sedan/coupe | 6.2L I6 / 200 hp | 300 |
| Mercedes‑Benz 220SE (W111) | sedan/coupe | 2.2L I6 / 120 hp | 8,500 |
| BMW 1500 (New Class) | sedan | 1.5L I4 / 75 hp | 10,000 |
| Fiat 500 (Nuova) | micro/compact | 0.5L I2 / 18 hp | 180,000 |
| Citroën DS | sedan | 1.9L I4 / 75 hp | 25,000 |
| Renault 4 | hatch/coupe | 0.7L I4 / 26 hp | 137,000 |
| Alfa Romeo Giulia (TI) | sedan/sprint | 1.6L I4 / 92 hp | 10,000 |
| Dodge Dart | sedan/coupe/wagon | 3.7L I6 / 145 hp | 289,000 |
| Plymouth Valiant | sedan/coupe/wagon | 3.7L I6 / 130 hp | 162,000 |
| AMC Rambler American | sedan/coupe/wagon | 2.6L I6 / 120 hp | 150,000 |
| Chevrolet Corvair | sedan/convertible | 2.4L flat‑6 / 95 hp | 56,000 |
| AC Cobra (Shelby/AC) | roadster | 4.2L V8 / 260 hp | 75 |
| Toyota Corona (RT40) | sedan/wagon | 1.5L I4 / 60 hp | 60,000 |
| Datsun Bluebird (410) | sedan/wagon | 1.5L I4 / 65 hp | 40,000 |
Images and Descriptions
Chevrolet Impala
Popular across North America, the 1963 Impala was a mass-market full-size Chevy known for its roomy cabin and V8 options; 1963 styling tweaks and strong sales made it a common collector car and an American automotive icon.
Ford Falcon
Ford’s compact Falcon was sold across the U.S. and abroad; in 1963 it remained an affordable, practical compact with simple engineering, valued today by collectors for its role as a basis for early performance conversions.
Ford Galaxie 500
The Galaxie 500 was Ford’s full‑size performance and family model in the U.S.; 1963 brought updated trim and strong V8 power options, making it popular in stock car racing and with buyers wanting big-car comfort.
Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray
The 1963 Corvette introduced the split‑window coupe and fresh styling; sold primarily in North America, it became instantly collectible for its looks and performance, marking the high point of the C2’s early years.
Volkswagen Beetle
The Beetle was sold globally and remained Volkswagen’s best‑seller in 1963; simple, economical and ubiquitous, it was notable for steady worldwide production and remains a top classic for collectors and restorers.
Mini (Austin/Morris)
The original Mini was sold across Europe and export markets; in 1963 it was praised for space‑efficient design and nimble handling, a cultural icon that became increasingly sought after by collectors worldwide.
Jaguar E‑Type (XK‑E)
Offered in Europe and North America, the E‑Type’s stunning looks and performance made 1963 models highly desirable; buyers and collectors prized the early Series 1 cars for style and racing pedigree.
Porsche 356C
Available in Europe and North America, the 356C was Porsche’s reliable sports car in 1963; notable for independent suspension and improved brakes, it remains a treasured classic for handling and period charm.
Rolls‑Royce Silver Cloud III
Introduced in 1963 and sold to wealthy clients worldwide, the Silver Cloud III brought facelifted styling and updated drives; low production numbers and luxury finish make 1963 examples highly collectible.
Mercedes‑Benz 220SE (W111)
Sold across Europe and in export markets, the 220SE was a refined luxury sedan in 1963 with fuel‑injected engines and improved comfort; it’s notable to collectors for quality build and graceful styling.
BMW 1500 (New Class)
Launched a few years earlier and sold across Europe, the BMW 1500 defined the “New Class” by 1963 with modern handling and sporty ambition; it revived BMW’s fortunes and is prized by enthusiasts today.
Fiat 500 (Nuova)
A ubiquitous city car sold widely in Europe, the 1963 Fiat 500 offered ultra‑compact motoring and economical running; notable for its social impact and collectability as a charming postwar icon.
Citroën DS
Sold mainly in Europe, the DS remained famous in 1963 for its hydropneumatic suspension and futuristic design; collectors value DS models for innovation, comfort and distinct styling from the era.
Renault 4
Sold throughout Europe and former colonies, the Renault 4 was a practical, rugged small car in 1963; its versatility and prevalence make it a popular restored classic among everyday‑car collectors.
Alfa Romeo Giulia (TI)
Available in Europe, the Giulia TI mixed sporty performance with family practicality in 1963; its twin‑cam engine and brisk handling made it historically significant and sought by Alfa collectors.
Dodge Dart
A mainstream compact/ midsize from Chrysler sold across North America, the 1963 Dart offered reliable engines and comfortable interiors; its popularity then means many examples survive and interest collectors familiar with Mopar history.
Plymouth Valiant
Sold in the U.S. and export markets, the 1963 Valiant was a compact known for economy and durability; collectors now appreciate its clean lines and role in early 1960s family motoring.
AMC Rambler American
Rambler remained a value‑oriented compact in the U.S. market in 1963, offering economical motoring and sensible packaging; period buyers liked its fuel economy, and it’s now collected for classic practicality.
Chevrolet Corvair
Sold mainly in North America, the Corvair’s rear‑engine layout and unique suspension made 1963 models distinctive; controversial but technically interesting, early Corvairs attract niche collectors who appreciate their engineering.
AC Cobra (Shelby/AC)
Built in small numbers and sold to enthusiasts in the U.S. and U.K., 1963 Cobras paired lightweight British chassis with American V8s; low production and racing success make them extremely valuable to collectors.
Toyota Corona (RT40)
Sold in Japan and for export, the Corona was Toyota’s reliable mid‑sized family car in 1963; known for dependability and improving export reputation, early Coronas are of interest to classic Japanese car enthusiasts.
Datsun Bluebird (410)
Sold in Japan and growing export markets, the 1963 Bluebird offered simple, reliable transport; its role in Datsun’s expansion makes it collectible to fans of early Japanese automobiles.
