vehicle identification

[baydvm]

I have found an older Thunderbird that I am thinking about buying to start restoring. It needs quite a bit of work, but it looks to have been a car with front discs, air, and rear defogger. The thing is, the person selling is not sure of year or any other information on the car. I think it is about a 1963 model. Is there any place to decode the vehicle? The door tag has the following information:
Body 63a
color u
trim 57
date 13e
dso 71
axle 1
trans 4

number= 5y83z165762

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Shannon

[Alan H. Tast]

Shannon:

You've found a '65 hardtop, not a '63. This is a good year because it has disc brakes (the first year to have them, actually). Many parts from '64 will interchange, especially for the interior.

Body 63a - T-bird Hardtop
color u - Patrician Green Metallic (Med. Turquoise)
trim 57 - Turquoise vinyl interior
date 13e - May 13, 1965 build date
dso 71 - Ordered through Los Angeles sales district
axle 1 - 3.00:1 rear axle ratio
trans 4 - 3-speed Cruise-O-Matic

number= 5y83z165762
5=1965;
Y=Wixom Assembly Plant (all T-birds built here '58-'67, as well as most 'Birds from '68-'76)
83=T-bird Hardtop
Z=390-4v-300hp V-8
1=check digit/place holder
65762=65,762nd 'Bird built for '65.