Here’s one we don’t cover often: a 1961 Ford Galaxie Sunliner. It’s not that it’s a rare item; they just haven’t surfaced on the august webpages of Barn Finds very often. This very nice example projects an old-school vibe while being nicely equipped. Blue Springs, Missouri, is where you’ll find this cool drop top, and it’s listed here on Facebook Marketplace for $15,500. Two thumbs up to Zappenduster for this tip!
In 1961, full-size cars still ruled, especially when it came to performance. Things were changing with new compacts like Ford’s Falcon, and of course there was the personal luxury coupe known as the Thunderbird, but the big cars still did dual duty as family cars, or something a bit more. This Galaxie convertible was part of a lineup that included both two and four-door sedans as well as hardtops. There was also a specially trimmed two-door fastback called the Starliner, and a four-door station wagon that wore the Country Sedan nameplate. The Fairlane was still part of Ford’s full-size assault in ’61, albeit a lower-level model. That moniker would be bestowed upon a new intermediate-sized model for ’62. Convertibles were still popular in ’61, as our subject is one of 45K assembled that year. The seller states, “Solid floors; has had new lower quarters sometime in its life,” so that’s good to know considering what can happen to ragtop floors. The finish, chrome bits, and stainless steel trim present well, as does the fabric top. The seller notes that the top is recent and considers the body and paint to be a six out of ten. There are a few listing images of this Galaxie’s underside, and it all looks sound – there’s some noted scale, but nothing worse. The chrome-reverse wheels and baby moon hubcaps are a nod to a time when cars like this, now in second-hand possession, dotted high-school parking lots across this fair land of ours.
Inside, we’re treated to red vinyl bucket seats which look out of place in the otherwise black-hued environment. Neither interior image comes into strong focus, but from what can be spied, it appears that the door cards have been redone, the carpet has been replaced, and a sixties vintage, three-spoke aftermarket steering wheel has been added. Back to those seats, they look suspiciously like the ones found in a first-gen Camaro, and the bottom rest of the driver’s seat is finished off in matching red duct tape.
This car’s most significant feature is its 390 CI V8 engine and four-speed manual transmission. In stock form, the FE big-block belted out 300 gross HP; where it is today is unclear. The motor is certainly super clean but looks stock other than the open-element air cleaner. The seller adds, “Runs smooth and quiet and drives well.” Also noted is, “New tires, brake cylinders, master cylinder, belts, hoses, motor mounts, all new exhaust, plug wires, freeze plugs, wheel bearings, shocks. Previous owner: engine rings and bearings, new carb, and front suspension rebuilt.”
This is a nice, clean, and unassuming convertible – guaranteed to provide a fun hair-in-the-air experience. What adds to this car’s allure is its rarity today. I don’t know how many of those original 45K builds are still in existence, but they’re not encountered often in these modern times – especially with a four-speed gearbox. I imagine this one will find a new home soon; any takers out there?
Two tons of topless fun. Just like my prom date
If all is a stated and appears to be in the pictures, this looks like a fair deal.
Just correct the seats and this would make a great weekend cruiser.
Love that there is still some fin left and a 390 to move it along.
Great looking car. Priced right.
what a great deal. a 390 is a range topping motor and the 3rd pedal is the kicker 4 me.
The 410, and 406 were the bad boys at this time. And the 390 was no poke either.
The 406 was a mid-year 1962 to mid-year 63 when they came out with the 427. The 410 was a two-year 1966 and 1967 Mercury and T Bird engine and wasn’t a performance motor. and not available in the regular Ford Cars.
Equipped with aftermarket brick parking brake
I had the same accessory on my 66 Mustang.
Handed down from my brother’s 57 T Bird.
I passed it on to my neighbor for his 65 ish Bug.
Lost touch of it after that.
It was a Red S and H brick, OEM, no mortar. Manufactured in Brodgewater, Ma.
Also incorrect amber turn signals, came out in ’63(?). It’s a really nice car, plenty of “shifty” characters left. I read, not many 4 speed Sunliners left the factory. Some accounts say none, and some say 7-10 for display. Any 4 speed Sunliner was probably a dealer item, and only about 100 of those were known to exist. 4 speeds just weren’t very common in a convertible, perhaps a column shift, but no 4 speeds. It’s a beautiful car.
where I’m from there where a lot of 4 speed full size rag tops in the early 60s my sister even had one she bought new in 1962 Chevy Impala convertible 327 4 speed i turned 16 in 1961 remember it well i had a full size 1958 Impala 348 factory 3 speed stick
After visiting the ’66 Chevy post,
where the seller doesn’t talk about key things like the paperwork, I find this seller to be
very refreshing. And even if the front bucket seats aren’t correct,
at least he is very forthcoming about the car he has and the way
he presents it to us. Now, would I
pay $15K for this car, you bet your ass I would and the “Why” is
obvious– presentation, presentation, presentation! This
guy’s a motivated seller unlike the
dumbass with the Chevy sedan,
this guy has his act together– and that includes the paperwork!
And so, the only thing I wanna know from the seller would be whether or not I could fly in and
drive it home!
Jim, Thanks for finding us another turnkey entry into the fun side of the classic car hobby. Priced about right for presenting well. Buy it, drive it, enjoy it, and show it locally.
not many around like this especially with a stick. not too sure about the red seats.
What a sweetie! This size Ford Sunliner with a refreshed 390 and a 4 spd is a little beast. He’s certainly got it priced to move for what it is. Only thing I’d be motivated to do is a front disc conversion with a power booster for all that engine. Maybe Mustang bucket seats down the road.
A 61 with a four speed, seems douptful, but if it is for real all the better
yes in 1961 both ford and chevy offered a 4 speed in all their full size cars i turned 16 in 1961 remember it well
Ford didn’t have a 4 speed until the end of the model run in 61 There was only a little over a hundred came thru with the 4 speed and most, if not all went into the 375 hp and 401 hp cars. I remember because I owned one.
Neat old car. Considering the extreme rarity of even a dealer installed 4 speed, I assume that it’s an “upgrade”. I’m not able to tell if it’s been upgraded with 4 speed column, which of course would have no place for a shifter. Along with the 4 speed, buckets weren’t available until the following year. Although, curiously, they were available in a Falcon in ‘61. 🤷🏼♂️
I’d be tempted to find some more appropriate buckets, and have them upholstered to match the other upholstery. I’d have to give up the red duct tape- but hey, you can’t make an omelette without breaking some eggs. 😉
This has the bones to be a great car!
Actually in today’s market this may be the deal of the day.
I’m a Ford fanatic. However, this car, while presentable, is not what the seller should represent it as being. Yes, it is a ’61. But….the “washboards” denoting it as a Galaxie, are missing. The “Galaxie” emblem on the front fenders should read “Sunliner”. Howard A, and others are correct in calling this a Sunliner, as Ford never made a non-Galaxie convertible. All of this can be rectified by either the seller (doubtful) or the buyer (if inclined to) sourcing the parts, as the missing and corrective ones are not too hard to come by.
driver side says galaxy pass side nothing could be a new front end from a junk yard galaxy i sure a car like this has had a few fender benders
It could be a factory 4 speed. They put a few in at the end when they were preparing for the 62’s. It is also missing some trim parts the lower rear quarter panel trim and the gun sights on the front fenders. Also do we know what 390 the engine is? the 300 horse was the base with the top of the line was the 375 / 401 three carb on the high end.
Allen:
Only with a dataplate photo would we know for sure what engine it was built with. Glad you mentioned the “gunsights”, as I failed to mention it. Another reader noted the amber turn signals. He is correct, but in the interest of public safety, a lot of restorers turn to the amber replacements. No points will be deducted at an AACA judging for any safety equipment modifications, if the participant’s vehicle will be driven on public roads.
One last thing about a lot of pre-’68 Ford products: The dataplate was mostly affixed to the driver’s doors. So, if an unscrupulous dealer wanted to mis-represent it as something different, just a door change, would do it. Only would a body search for the VIN reflect the truth.
Although I love how this Ford Sunliner is set up, I doubt that it came from the factory with either its current 390 or the 4 speed. Vin plate is only way to tell. Maybe that original 292 was replaced at some point with this 390. But I still love it.
There is a body mount clip just sitting loosely with no bolt so maybe a squeak there and needs new shackle rubbers in the rear. Apart from that and needing a new front bench seat it looks alright for the money, just a cruiser but fun car.
Nice