The 1960-61 Starliner was akin to the “bubbletop” Chevies of the same era. Thin roof pillars and lots of glass. Ford only offered the Starliner for two years and it was decked out at the same level as the Galaxie 500, but with Starliner script. This 1961 fastback is a project that has already been started, at least in terms of body work. The car is said to have a later motor 351 V8, but its not installed. Interested parties can view the Ford in Ider, Alabama where it’s offered here on eBay. The bidding has reached $3,050, with the reserve’s threshold waiting to be met. Another interesting tip from our sleuth, Larry D!
Ford was looking for a full-size fastback to add to its portfolio and the Starliner name was chosen for it just as the Galaxie name was also a product of the then current space age craze. The Starliner was paired with its drop-top companion the Sunliner as part of something Ford called the Galaxie Special Series. The name Starliner wasn’t unique to Ford. Studebaker sold a car called the Starliner from 1952-54 and Lockheed had an airplane with that same name, the L-1649A. Ford’s aging 292 cubic inch V8 was standard fare in new Starliner, with the 352 and later the T-Bird 390 being available, with output as high as 375 horsepower. Production numbers for 1960 were respectable at 68,600 units, but interest dropped by more than half the next year to under 30,000 cars. That decline in sales may have prompted Ford to drop the nameplate 1962, to be replaced by the Galaxie 500 XL.
We assume this 1961 Starliner became someone’s pet project that stalled out once most or all of the body work was done. The original finish is said to have been white, but it seems to wear some sort of ivory-colored primer now. If there was any rust, presumably it has been eradicated, but there are no photos of the undercarriage, inside the trunk or under the hood to confirm that assumption. The seller says he has a lot of the chrome pieces and they appear to be inside the car, but that collection may not be complete. And what about the bumpers? Could they be in the trunk?
The interior looks as though it could to need a complete makeover, but all we can tell is that the seat covers are distressed. A lot of parts, presumably from this car, fill up much of the sitting space. The seller says it has a 351 V8, but that engine didn’t come along for several more years, so what motor was there to begin with and where is the 351 now? The same question applies to the automatic transmission this car is said to have. This car had air conditioning at some point given the under-dash hardware, but what about the pieces that would go under the hood?
We’re told that this automobile has the potential of being a $30,000 car when the project is finally completed. NADA is more optimistic, thinking the number could actually be as high as $50,000. But what will it cost to source everything that may be missing and then add to that the cost of finishing the restoration? This would be a way cool car to tool around in when whipped back into shape. But you’re going to need plenty of money and patience to get there.
Seen one yrs. back with Ford’s legendary 427 and a 4 spd. at a car show. Black with that beautiful starliner only chrome grille very impressive. Small C-pillar sets the Starliner apart from the Galaxies. Honestly don’t understand why Ford wasn’t more successful with these.
I’ve never understood either, why these didn’t sell better, they were one of the best looking cars of the 60s. I believe HP was rated up to 401 with the 390 3-2brrl. Btw, that 427 was a transplant, as that engine was not available till midyear 63. But maybe you already knew that.
IMHO the ’60 was lightyears ahead and is still a timeless design. The ’61 is quantum leap in the wrong direction; not that it is a bad design it’s just the ’60 is so much better…
I like the ’60 as well, but for my taste, the ’61 is the more attractive of the two.
I’d love to have one of each.
Yeah, I’ll give it that the ’61 is much more typical ‘Ford’ of the era. Always loved the ’60 Ford particularly the Starliner – and this comes from a GM guy… But again unlike the ’61 the ’60 doesn’t really scream FORD either, for the untrained eye it could’ve easily passed for a GM or Mopar design
The 60 and 61 coupes both have great lines. Folks who have um certainly love um. If this can be had a reasonable price and is restored/restomod with a crate motor and 5 speed manual, suspension upgrades, then it can stand the test of time/value. It’s appeal will continue if your not hung up on total authenticity
I like the 61. I think the front and rear look much better than the 60. Studebaker used the Starliner name starting in 52 for their hardtop model. The 53 made it better known.
These images stir up some ghosts for me. This was the car the ignorant junkyard employee in the late 80’s, speared with his fork lift. It was in much better shape than this, just no drivetrain. Just before he “skewered” the side to load it on a flatbed, I yelled, “STOP”!! “What”, he said. I said that’s a ’61 Starliner, don’t crush it. He said, “you want it or don’t you”? I said, I don’t but someone might. “No time”, he said, and with that, put the forks through the side. That was a tough one to watch. I have an old friend, haven’t seen in years, his 1st car was his grandfathers ’61 Starliner. As of like 25 years ago, he still had it in a garage in northern Wis. When I saw it,( late 90’s) it was sunk in the mud, but under a roof. I wonder whatever happened to that car? This one would be a great car to restore.
There was one of these in Street Freaks magazine in 1980 although it was no freak at all….until the hood was opened. Had the very rare 427 SOHC installed. What a site that was even on printed photos! Neat old Ford up there for sure! Off to work we go.
One of the cars I wished I had back. I had a 1960 Starliner 292/AT in high school. If I recall correctly I paid $275 for it and sold it with a blown AT for $150.
I dont know its that’s primer, or some odd tan paint ; looking at the door jam pic it looks slightly glossy. Either way I dont understand why you would do the body work on the car, primer it, and then start putting it back together including the glass without painting it first.
Some folks probably put the glass in before painting/re-painting a car to avoid scratching up the new paint job.
Perhaps Ford considered this a ‘fastback’, but I sure don’t.
@Steve
It sure is not a fastback. Neither was the 63 everyone calls a fastback.
The proper term is “semi” fastback.
KKW, so does that make t-tops “semi” convertibles? (wink)
Love those model names like Starliner, Galaxie, etc. Invokes optimism of a simpler time when space travel had a unique almost cosmic appeal.
Somehow today, names like “Prius” and “Model 3” fail to do the same.
It used to be simple to keep car models straight. Now with all the number and letter cars I have NO idea which ones they are (see Cadillac, for instance.).
The answer man in the early 80s for Ford Motorsports was John Vermich he still owns a Starliner with a magical 427 cammer very cool car and a nice guy very knowledgeable
According to reliable sources, the tri-power 406 wasn’t available until 1962, yet in 1980 or so, a neighbor asked this punk kid to do some painting on his elderly inlaws’ house, and in the garage was their pristine black with red interior 61 Starliner with the 406 and a 4-speed ! The car had sold the previous weekend, and was awaiting pickup, so I never had a chance at it, but it is one of this “ghost cars” that haunts my idle thoughts, wondering what exact I saw that day, and what ever became of it.
A lot of things can happen to a car in 20 years, it’s just possible somebody swapped in a 406 somewhere along the line, or maybe stuck some 406 decals on the valve covers. The 406 did not arrive until 62.
A friend,s dad bought a 1961 Starliner new in 61.Never will forget the drivetrain. 289 with 3 speed on the column with overdrive, black with red interior.
You’re probably thinking of the 292 Y-block V8 engine. The 289 small block V8 wasn’t offered until the 1963 model year.
My cousin had one new. He sold it to my brother when he shipped out with the N/Guard to V/Nam.
Then, my brother shipped out. He let my dad drive it who drove the wheels off of it.
I’m thinking it is still up on blocks?
I can still see my pop driving it away for his L.A. commute.
In that 1 year tour, my dad wore my brother’s car out. I ruined his mini bike for him from to much salt water by riding it in the surf at Pismo Beach.
Needless to say, my brother was a little pizzed off when he got home! Hahaha!!
Gee I wonder why. LOL
Well, It looks cool, but I really have more of an eye for the 1960 Galaxie. It was much more space age looking, and when my folks had one, I became a man when Carol D took my virginity on the front seat after watching “Goldfinger” at the local drive in theater (1964). Hey Carol, I hope that you are reading this.
Tom, You need to stop living in the past…and I’m sure Carol D agrees. LOL
As a rule, I don’t like Fords. Most were not very good looking, sub-par engineered, and cheaply trimmed. But every now and then Ford nailed it. The 1960 Starliner was an excellent case in point. Looking very UN-Ford, the exterior shape and trimming had exceptionally pleasing body lines and execution …. right up to the materials they used. The aluminum just looks cheap and should have been chrome. The interior design was a dull as a beige floor tile. But that exterior was amazing !
For ’61, Ford returned to the traditional Ford Styling, with the giant, oversized round tail lights and pointlessly busy front end, but it worked. There was enough fin and crispness to the overall design, that it was a good looking car. The brakes and suspension were still anemic to a fault, but it looked awesome on the road or at the curb.
I have always wanted one. Either year would do. They both have their good points. I think the 60 is the better design. But the 61 is good too. What I would not do is leave either of them stock, … and this is coming from a semi-purist who puts high value in OEM cars and dislikes most customs. Were either dropped in my shop tomorrow, much thought would be given to how to make it stop and not roll over in the corners like a beached whale. Speed is not my thing, but the old Y-blocks were impotent and sucked a lot of fuel for what little gusto they gave up.
From the outside, I’d chrome some aluminum trim that should have been done Day One, and make it look like it fell off the streets of Mayberry. But that engineering would need some serious tweaks.
Thanks for the reminder Steve, but at 73 years of age, I like many older things as well as some the new. Now don’t get upset at this, but I much prefer my 1954 Willys Jeep to those Chrysler models. OK, I admit that the Ford 289 in my Jeep is less in the past, but it runs well and gets me many cool comments. The past is not completely gone, and since Carol is my same age, I bet that she’d prefer the 1960 Galaxie over the ’61 Starliner too. Hey Carol, if you read this, lets hook up for some memories of the past.