1963 Plymouth - General

The full-sized Plymouths and the smaller Valiants for 1963 were introduced October 3, 1962. A total of just 2,130 Chrysler products (all brands) were made with 426 cubic inch Wedge engines. Some were Dodges, the rest Plymouths. Early in the model year run an aluminum 225 CID slant six version was offered. It was later discontinued and replaced by the cast iron 225 CID version.

The 426 CID engine replaced all 413 CID "B" Blocks for the performance models this year. In June of 1963, Plymouth announced a new Wedge head "426-II" V-8 engine replacing the 426 models that had previously used the 413 CID heads. Versions of the new Super-Stock Wedge engine were available by special order. Cars with this engine finished first and second in U.S. Auto Club (USAC) competition. Four-speed manual transmissions were made available at about the same time. The four-speed gearbox came only with V-8s, but another choice was a floor-shifted three-speed manual unit with non-synchromesh first gear.

A complete and major restyle was what would be the first revamp for Valiant. The new version was now two inches longer. It had a wide, flat hood and a flat, square rear deck. The roof line was flatter, sharpened in profile, and more conventional than in the past. Advances in body structure, many accessories, and a new spring-staged choke were promotional highlights.

The grille had a look similar to earlier Ramblers. The upper belt feature line ran in a gentle sweep from the rear body to the front fender tip. Here it 'veed' back, and down, to the trailing edge of the front fender. In upper level models a nameplate adorned the hood of all styles. It was also found on the sides of station wagons and the new convertible. New, horizontal taillamps were part of the new look.

A return to conventional styling and a size more similar to the competition characterized Plymouth's 1963 apprach. The cars were three inches longer, an inch wider, and had a flat roofline that angled into a flatter rear deck. The front had a square look. Oval parking lamps ran vertically at each body corner. Uniform size-appearing headlamps were housed, horizontally, within bright metal surrounds on the grille, which had a fine-textured pattern with prominent horizontal segments. "Plymouth" was spelled out in block letters across the front edge of the hood, and a stand-up hood ornament was used. The body side feature line ran from the upper front fender corner, slanting just slightly downward as it moved to the rear, where it overlapped a square-shaped contour.

P. N. Buckminster was the chief executive officer of the company this year. Model year production total included 244,395 Plymouths (158,612 with V-8s) and 198,399 Valiants (all Sixes). 

Full-size model year production peaked at 258,283 units. Valiant production was a solid 225,156, for a total Plymouth production run of 483,439 -- a 143,925 increase over 1962.

Plymouth Models -

1963 VALIANT V-100 6-CYL

Standard V-100 equipment included electric wipers, turn signals, front door arm rests, cigar lighter, dual visors and horns, and five blackwall tires. The 170 CID slant six continued as base powerplant. An aluminum 225 CID version was an option for a few months, then discontinued. 

1963 VALIANT V-200 6-CYL

The higher-priced V-200 line came with all of the basic V-100 features, plus special upholstery, special trim, and DeLuxe carpeting. The convertible was a new body style introduced in this series. An extra trim feature was a thin, full-length upper beltline molding. Station wagons had roof pillar nameplates.

1963 VALIANT Signet-200 Hardtop  and Convertible 6-CYL

The Signet was Valiant's premium range, and now could be had in both a hardtop and a convertible. Extra standard equipment included bucket type front seats, backup lights, and full wheel covers. The convertible came with a manually operated top. A power top was not on the introductory accessories list, but seems to have been added during the year. Special "Signet" nameplates were attached at the front fender tips. On December 1, 1962 an optional vinyl roof became available -- the first offered on any Plymouth.

1963 FLEET SPECIAL and SAVOY 6-CYL and V-8

Savoys were identified  by the model name in script at mid-fender, otherwise they were without any stainless or chrome trim, relying instead on the indented side feature to add some break to the body sides.

Savoy standard equipment featured oil filter, turn signals, electric wipers, glove box lock, dual sun visors, and front arm rests. The wagon was no longer called "Suburban", but rather was just listed as a "station wagon". The nine-passenger wagon had the following additional equipment: a power rear window and a cargo light. Passenger cars came with two-ply tires and wagons with four-ply tires.

1963 BELVEDERE - 6-CYL and V-8

Belvedere was Plymouth's middle-priced nameplate. This model's distinctive styling included a wide, colored molding along the body side feature line with "Belvedere" in script at mid-fender, just in back of the front wheel cutout. A short molding was placed on the rear roof pillar. Three models of the Belvedere could still be ordered with the Slant Six. Other equipment included rear arm rests, front foam seats, and cigar lighter. The Belvedere wagon was merely called a "Belvedere Station wagon". The Suburban name had disappeared.

1963 FURY 6-CYL and V-8

The Fury was Plymouth's high-level offering. In standard form it came with everything found in Belvederes plus a padded dashboard, backup lamps, and electric timepiece. Trim features included a distinctive side molding with a color insert that narrowed ahead of the front door. More window frame moldings and rear deck panel beauty strips were part of the Fury trim package. Like the lesser models, "Fury" in script was set behind the front wheel cutout and "Fury" in block letters was placed on the trunk. A rectangular emblem was set into the right-hand end of the rear beauty panel.

Two Fury models still came with a Slant Six, while the available V-8s included the the 318, 361 and 383 CID blocks. The 426 CID, of course, was an option.  There were specially available options such as all-vinyl trim in hardtops, rear foam seat cushion and Six-Way power seat. Wheel covers, however, were optional.  Only two styles, the sedan and two-door hardtop, were sold with a six-cylinder as the base engine. Four-door hardtops and convertibles came with only V-8 power.

1963 SPORT FURY V-8

The Sport Fury was the premium-priced V-8 only powered Plymouth, easily identified by bright rocker panel strips. The hardtop also had three hash marks on the rear roof pillar. Standard was everything regular Furys came with,plus bucket seats, center console, wheel covers, all-vinyl upholstery, DeLuxe steering wheel, and rear foam seat cushions.

Engines -

• VALIANT V-100 and V-200 Series Engine. Inline Six. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 170 CID Bore and stroke: 3.406" x 3.125". Compression ratio: 8.2:1. Horsepower: 101 @ 4400 RPM. Torque: 155 ft lbs @ 2400 RPM. Four main bearings. Solid lifters. Carburetor: Carter BBS one-barrel Model 3675.
  
  
• VALIANT and PLYMOUTH 6-cyl. Inline Six. Overhead valves. Cast iron or aluminum block. Displacement: 225 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.406" x 4.125". Compression ratio: 8.2:1. Horsepower: 145 @ 4000 RPM. Torque: 215 ft lbs @ 2800 RPM. Four main bearings. Solid valve lifters. Carburetor: Carter Type BBS one-barrel Model 3466S.
  
  
• Plymouth Base V-8. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 318 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.906" x 3.312". Compression ratio: 9.0:1. Horsepower: 230 @ 4400 RPM. Torque: 340 ft lbs @ 2400 RPM Five main bearings. Solid valve lifters. Carburetor: Carter Type BBD two-barrel Model 3472S.
  
  
• Plymouth Optional 361 CID "Commando" V-8. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 361 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.125" x 3.375". Compression ratio: 9.0:1. Horsepower: 265 @ 4600 RPM. Torque: 380 ft lbs @ 2400 RPM Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Carburetor: Carter Type BBD two-barrel Model 3472S.
  
  
• Plymouth Optional 383 CID "Golden Commando" V-8. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 383 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.250" x 3.375". Compression ratio: 11.0:1. Horsepower: 320 @ 5200 RPM. Torque: 430 ft lbs @ 2800 RPM Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Carburetors: Carter Type AFB four-barrel Model 2913S.
  
  
• Plymouth Optional "Max Wedge" V-8. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 426 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.25" x 3.75". Compression ratio: 11.0:1. Horsepower: 370 @ 4600 RPM. Torque: 460 ft lbs @ 2800 RPM Five main bearings. Solid valve lifters. Carburetors: Carter Type AFB four-barrel Model 3447S on a compact short ram induction manifold.
  
  
• Plymouth Optional "Max Wedge" V-8. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 426 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.25" x 3.75". Compression ratio: 13.5:1. Horsepower: 375 @ 4600 RPM. Torque: 465 ft lbs @ 2800 RPM Five main bearings. Solid valve lifters. Carburetors: Carter Type AFB four-barrel Model 3447S on a compact short ram induction manifold.
  
  
• Plymouth Optional "Max Wedge" V-8. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 426 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.25" x 3.75". Compression ratio: 11.0:1. Horsepower: 415 @ 5600 RPM. Torque: 470 ft lbs @ 4400 RPM Five main bearings. Solid valve lifters. Carburetors: Two Carter Type AFB four-barrels Model 3447S on a compact short ram induction manifold.
  
  
• Plymouth Optional "Max Wedge" V-8. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 426 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.25" x 3.75". Compression ratio: 13.5:1. Horsepower: 425 @ 5600 RPM. Torque: 480 ft lbs @ 4400 RPM Five main bearings. Solid valve lifters. Carburetors: Two Carter Type AFB four-barrels Model 3447S on a compact short ram induction manifold.

Chassis - 

• Wheelbase: Valiant 106.0" Plymouth Full Size 116.0".
• Overall length:  Valiant 186.2", Wagons 186.8" Plymouth Full size 205.0", Plymouth Wagons 210.0".
• Front Tread: Valiant 55.9" Plymouth 59.4"
• Rear Tread: Valiant 55.6" Plymouth 57.5"
• Tires: Valiant 6.50 x 13, Plymouth  7.00 x 14.

VALIANT Powertrain Options -

• Three-speed manual floor shift transmission standard.
• Automatic transmission ($192)
• Six-cylinder 225 CID 145 horsepower Slant Six engine ($47)
• Six-cylinder Aluminum 225 CID 145 horsepower Slant Six engine (early $47)
• Heavy-duty 48-amp battery ($8)

PLYMOUTH Powertrain Options -

• Three-speed manual transmission was standard.
• Automatic transmission with Six ($192.).
• Four-speed manual floor shift transmission was available in mid-season.
• "Commando" V-8 361 CID 265 horsepower two-barrel engine ($60).
• "Golden Commando" V-8 383 cubic inch 330 horsepower four-barrel engine ($122).
• "Super Stock II" V-8 426 cubic inch 415 horsepower four-barrel engine
• "Super Stock II" V-8 426 cubic inch 425 horsepower four-barrel engine
• Sure-Grip positive traction rear axle ($50).

Valiant Significant Options -

• Air conditioning, dealer installation.
• Backup lights, V-100 ($11).
• Backup lights, with applique, V-200 ($14).
• Basic Group, V-100 ($102); V-200 ($105).
• Basic Radio Group, V-100 ($165); V-200 ($167).
• Custom Appearance Group, V-100 ($50); V-200 ($34).
• Day/Nite inside rear-view mirror ($4).
• DeLuxe wheel covers ($16).
• Front and rear bumper guards ($12).
• Front foam seats, except Signet ($11).
• Front seat belts ($18).
• Heater with defroster ($74).
• Left hand OSRV mirror ($5).
• Padded dash ($16).
• Power steering ($73).
• Power tailgate window ($33).
• Radio ($59).
• Roof luggage rack ($48).
• Special Signet Group, Signet-200 only ($188).
• Tinted glass, all windows ($28)
• Tinted glass, windshield only ($14).
• Two-tone paint ($16).
• Undercoating with hood pad ($13).
• Variable speed wipers ($5).
• Vinyl trim, V-200 four-door styles only ($20).
• White sidewall tires ($29).
• Windshield washer ($12).

NOTE: Due to low demand in previous years, power brakes were deleted from the options list.

Plymouth Significant Options -

• Air conditioning ($446)
• Air conditioning as part of accessory group ($375).
• All-vinyl Fury hardtop trim, standard Sport Fury ($25).
• Backup lights, standard Furys ($11).
• Basic Group, Fury ($104); others ($114).
• Basic Radio Group, Fury ($162); others ($173).
• Cigar lighter Savoy option ($4)
• Electric clock, Savoy & Belvedere option ($16)
• Foam seats, Savoy option ($11).
• Front bumper bar ($14).
• Heater and defroster, without air-conditioning ($74).
• Left hand OSRV mirror ($6).
• Light Group, nine-passenger wagon ($7); others ($12).
• Padded dash Savoy & Belvedere option ($14).
• Power brakes ($43).
• Power steering ($77).
• Power windows, Furys only ($102).
• Pushbutton radio ($59).
• Pushbutton radio, deluxe ($84).
• Rear bumper guards ($14).
• Rear foam seats, Fury ($11).
• Safety Group, Furys ($94); others ($107).
• Six-way power seat, Fury only ($95).
• Steering wheel, DeLuxe, standard Sport Fury ($11).
• Tailgate assist handles with rear wind deflector ($21).
• Tinted glass ($40)
• Tinted glass, windshield only ($22).
• Undercoating with hood pad ($14).
• Variable speed wipers ($6).
• Wheel covers, standard Sport Fury ($19).
• Windshield washer ($12).

NOTES:
Air conditioning required automatic transmission.
Fury(s) means Fury and Sport Fury.