1963 Cadillac Hearse

Cadillac flamboyance had peaked in 1959, and the 1960s brought simpler grilles, lower fins and less chrome. Cadillac received a new C-body in 1961 that continued the trend, and all Cadillac models became powered by the same 325-horsepower 390-cubic-inch V8 engine, which was redesigned for 1963 to be lighter and stronger, while producing the same power. 1963 also brought a bulkier grille and new slab-sided outer body panels and side moldings. Standard equipment included the Hydra-Matic 4-speed automatic transmission, power steering, self-adjusting power brakes, heater, backup lights, and remote-controlled left side mirror. This 1963 Cadillac hearse at the 2004 Unique Tin Car Show in Longview, Washington, appears to be from the Superior Coach Company.

1963 Mercury Comet Convertible

Introduced in 1960 as an upscale version of the Ford Falcon, the Comet was originally designed as an Edsel, but with the demise of the short-lived marque, the Comet ended up as a Mercury. Previously available only in sedan and wagon form, Comet convertibles with power-operated tops were introduced in 1963, along with the Sportster hardtop coupe. Initially, 1963 Comets were offered with a choice of Thriftpower inline 6-cylinder engines: a 144-cubic-inch version producing 85 horsepower and a 170-cubic-inch version producing 101 horsepower. A 164-horsepower 260-cubic-inch Challenger V8 became available mid-year. 1963 would be the last year of the first-generation Comet. This example was photographed at the 2004 Clatskanie Heritage Days Car Show.

1963 Chevrolet Chevy II Nova 400 Convertible

Chevrolet's compact Chevy II was introduced in 1962 as a counterpart to Ford's Falcon, which had been easily outselling Chevrolet's air-cooled rear-engine compact Corvair since 1960. The Chevy II was a conventional front-engined car like the Falcon, and was powered by an in-line 4-cylinder or 6-cylinder engine. The Chevy II outsold the Falcon in 1963, though that would be the only time. The Chevy II's top trim level was the Nova 400, which was also available as a convertible, as seen here.

This 1963 Chevrolet Chevy II Nova 400 convertible was in the Days in the Park parade in Rainier, Oregon, in July 1996.

1963 Imperial Custom Sedan

Imperial was Chrysler's most luxurious brand from 1955 to 1975, and with Plymouth, Dodge, DeSoto and Chrysler, originally gave Chrysler a 5-brand structure like General Motors. DeSoto's last year was 1961, but Imperial hung on. Imperial's volume was always lower than competitors Cadillac and Lincoln, making them somewhat rare today. This 1963 Imperial Custom Sedan was spotted by chance parked in a residential neighborhood.

1963 was the last year for this body style, which debuted in 1961. The most interesting styling element of the 1961-1963 Imperials is the individual freestanding bullet headlights set in recessed alcoves in the fenders. This was a unique idea meant to recall the freestanding headlights of the classic cars of the 1930s, but the way the top of the fenders extends over them kind-of defeats the point and makes washing and detailing more difficult. But it gives these rare cars a special character.

The 1963 Imperials were actually a bit more restrained than the previous two years. The 1961 model featured large tailfins, which were already going out of style at that point. For 1962, the fins were cut down significantly, but cigar-shaped variations of Imperial's trademark gunsight taillights were perched on top of them. The 1963 models abandoned the gunsight theme and had more conventional taillights incorporated in the trailing edge of what remained of the tailfins.

Imperials from this era were available with an optional tire-shaped piece of trim fastened to the trunk lid, meant to recall the days when cars carried the spare tires on the back. This trim had originated as an option in 1957 and persisted until 1963, though this model is not equipped with it. In 1964 the "fake spare" motif became standard, incorporated into the shape of the trunk in a more restrained fashion, ala Lincoln's 56-57 Continental Mark II and the later Mark III that would debut in 1968.