The pages of automotive history books are littered with examples of a manufacturer introducing a new model, but its existence has been short-lived. That is the case with Ford’s Galaxie Starliner. Introduced in 1960, the company removed it from its range at the end of 1961. During that time, it sold in respectable numbers and became the company’s preferred vehicle for NASCAR competition. This 1960 model is a solid classic that would make a satisfying restoration project. It is rust-free and complete, and returning it to its former glory should be a straightforward process. Located in Rescue, California, you will find the Starliner listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set a BIN of $14,000, but he does leave the option for interested parties to make an offer. Once again, Barn Finder Larry D demonstrates how finely-tuned his classic radar is by spotting this gem for us. Thank you so much for that, Larry.
The owner claims that he spent eight years searching for a rust-free Starliner, and it looks like he’s struck gold with this Monte Carlo Red example. It isn’t perfect, but as a project car, it shows enormous potential. The paint is tired, but the panels look remarkably straight. Apart from its distinctive appearance, what struck me with this car is its lack of visible rust. The panels look exceptionally clean, with no issues in the normally prone lower extremities. Climbing under the car reveals floors and a frame that seems structurally sound and rust-free. The owner has repainted the underside but says that the original factory undercoating was intact. Returning to the exterior, the panels have only accumulated a few minor bruises and marks over the past sixty-two years. These are repairable with little effort and would not necessitate panel replacement. Most of the trim is present, but it is taped in place due to the owner beginning the restoration process. There is one piece missing, but the rest is in good condition. One of the defining features of the Starliner is its enormous expanses of glass. The roof pillars are incredibly thin and elegant, and the aerodynamic shape was the primary motivation behind Ford choosing it as its preferred model for NASCAR competition. Of course, all of that glass could be prone to damage, but in this case, it is in excellent condition.
The drivetrain combination in this Ford offers the promise of an entertaining driving experience. The engine bay is occupied by a 352ci V8, backed by a three-speed automatic transmission. The driver shouldn’t raise a sweat thanks to the original owner’s decision to order the car with power steering. It isn’t clear which version of the 352 we are looking at here, so its power output is a guess. Ford offered two options, so we could be dealing with an engine with 235hp or 300hp. Even the V8 with the more modest output figure could still provide excellent performance. Pointed at a ¼ mile, it should romp through in 17.4 seconds. If the buyer is lucky enough to discover that this is the more potent version, that number will drop to 16.4 seconds. For potential buyers, the good news just keeps rolling in. That 352 runs perfectly, and the transmission shifts smoothly. It seems that the car isn’t roadworthy, but the seller has been heading in that direction with recent work. He has replaced the power steering control valve, rear pinion seal, brakes, and shocks. He suggests that a new exhaust would be a wise investment, and I suspect that the buyer should treat the car to a full mechanical inspection before attempting any extended journeys. However, it looks like it all might be pretty straightforward, so it may not take a lot of effort to return this car to active duty.
While it may not appear the case when you look at the supplied photos, the owner says that this Starliner’s interior is complete. He also says that it will require a total restoration, which is unlikely to be a cheap undertaking. I performed an online search which I candidly admit was pretty brief. However, I did locate an interior trim kit for around $1,800. The downside is that this did not include a dash pad, which will add further to the total. When you look at the overall condition of the rest of this vehicle, I feel that it would be worth spending the money to have the interior presented at the highest possible standard. The potential is there for the rest of the car to be spotless, so why would you take a shortcut in this area? It’s also worth remembering that this represents a one-off expense in a restoration project, and installed correctly and treated with respect, the interior should present nicely for a further six decades.
The owner of this 1960 Starliner claims that it took him eight years to locate a rust-free example, but now he has decided to sell it. He doesn’t elaborate on why he has chosen to do this, but the text of his listing suggests that it may relate to his advancing years. If that’s the case, it is a sad turn of events. He discusses the rarity of the Starliner, and there is some merit to this. It wasn’t the rarest Ford to roll off the line in 1960, but out of a production total of 289,268 Galaxies for that model year, only 68,641 were the Starliner version. The Sunliner is rarer, but only the Starliner can boast a NASCAR connection. It appears that this car would suit someone dipping their toe into the waters of classic car ownership for the first time or for an enthusiast who wishes to be “hands-on” in the restoration process. If that sounds like you, perhaps it might be worth pursuing this further.
It’s a four barrel . .300HP.
Considering the market,if you want one of these,this
would be a fair deal.Of course by the time you have it
painted & finish it,you’ll have at least double that into it.
These Starliners have such clean,graceful lines to them.
Never cared for the styling of the 1960 Ford.Rear design is strange.The fins just don’t work.
Neither do the “sad eye” taillights.
The back end of this car reminds me of my first car, a 59 Chevy Biscayne. The fins are similar with the exception of them being flatter and more linear than the fins on my 59 Chevy. The back end actually looks more like the 60 Chevy. Both cars are long and wide.
Yep – kinda like a 1959 Chevy Impala – checked the prices on those lately – if you can find one ?
Ford’s answer to GM’s bubble top. A beautiful car needing a ‘warm up’!
Bubble top ?
Wide car in regards to 1960 standards. Never gave this yr. a second look, but now I’m liking it. Really doesn’t look Ford.
Wide car in regards to 1960 standards. Never gave this yr. a second look, but now I’m liking it. Really doesn’t look Ford. You had a “60” Starliner on here in January with the 4-spd. and Super Thunderbird V-8, but really rusty. Get your hands on both and make one very nice Starliner.
“BarnFinds” featured a very rusty example last month 1-4-22. with the Super Thunderbird engine, 360 h.p.,three speed O.D. If you could procure both you could make one very nice Starliner.
I walk over the top of a Yenko Camaro to get a look at this at cars & coffee .
IMHO These were beautiful cars. My Grandfather had one back in the day. His was Green. Nice, Big Inside and he could put down 25 feet of rubber without trying. For those that don’t like the fins, the 59 and 60 Chevy’s had sideways fins, I never liked those. My 60 Plymouth Sports Fury Had the stand up fins and just as much glass at this. It was a 60’s thing. I’d love to see this when it’s done. Hopefully It Get’s Done Right.
Gosh, these a super keen cars. And that’s just not my opinion. https://youtu.be/F9x8PBc1G8E
What I find comical is Leave it to Beaver used mostly Chrysler products during its run.
Thank you for that Great video link.
I’m a Chev/GM guy but I have no issues to admit the ’60 Starliner is an extremely eye-pleasing design. As hinted to above, unless you know it’s a Ford it could just as well have passed for an alternate ’60 GM design. Maybe that’s simply why I like it so much better than both the ’59 and ’61 Fords…? I somehow associate its design features with Oldsmobile of the era
There are not many of these out there available, and the cost of repair is astronomical. I hope more have been tucked away in this condition that will come to the surface. Pure artwork in motion.
My aunt had one white on blue. The first hardtop I ever road in. Definitely on my bucket list
There certainly are allot of people who like these, myself included. It is just a matter of math and how much you really want one. I think if you fall into the category of really wanting one, this could be it. However you are going to spend at least fair market value, to make that dream come true. There is no free lunch.
I like the 61 better but would take a Studebaker Starliner over either of them.
Back in 1960 I was a 10 year old kid with a serious “jones” for cars. At the time my Dad, a dyed in the wool Ford man was driving a 56 red & white sedan. One morning, he woke me up and told me that my brother (8 years my senior) had taken the 56 out for a joyride and crashed it and it burned, and the wreck had been towed to our driveway. I jumped out of bed and rushed to the window to see the smoking hulk. Instead, I saw a brand new shiny black 1960 Starliner! My mother was not pleased with the two door, but I never minded crawling into the back seat of that beautiful car! Dad kept it until it rusted away. I always wanted one of my own.
My Grandfathers 60 Galaxie
Rusted away and had to be taken to the salvage yard, in 1965!😳 Had to be parked and driven on the Chicago streets and received a lot of salt. Holes in the floorboards bigger than me.
My mother had a 1960 Country Sedan sandwiched between a 1957 and a 1963. They were all white with the 3-seat option which provided some respite for her while traveling with 3 kids. I remember her telling me that Ford’s sales in 1959 were not quite what they’d hoped so they rushed the ’60s design a little early. I don’t know if that’s true, but if you look at the progression of Ford styling from about 1953 through 1964 the 1960 models stick out like some sort of anomaly. Not to say they don’t look good, because they do. Especially the Starliners.
the Beavers father did a sales video for Ford in the fifties before he starred as Ward Cleaver it was shown to all the Ford salesmen to teach them how to sell Ford products, then his TV show was sponsored by Chrysler weird isn’t it .
1960 Starliner 3 on the tree my parents car was first car i learn how to drive .It was aqua gray .
They also make great cars for Bonneville, a guy named Carole Miller set a bunch of records with his car and still drove it on the street.