If an owner elects to place a classic car into storage, there is a right way and quite a few wrong ways to undertake the process. A dry environment away from direct exposure to UV rays is a good start while getting the weight off the suspension is not a bad policy. This 1960 Galaxie Sunliner recently emerged after thirty years in hibernation. Its previous owner followed the precautions listed, allowing the car to remain remarkably well preserved. The seller coaxed it back to life, but it needs a new owner willing to return it to active duty. The Sunliner is listed here on eBay in Mandan, North Dakota. The bidding has rocketed beyond the reserve and sits at $11,600.
If the fins craze of the late 1950s didn’t make a bold enough visual statement, the Continental Kit was there to pick up the slack. Like fins, Continental Kits came in various sizes, and some were less subtle than others. The one fitted to this Sunliner is a monster. It extends the car’s overall length significantly, bringing me to a point to ponder. I understand that a Continental Kit was as much about freeing trunk space occupied by the spare tire as it was about style. However, you would have to think that even with the vast surface area provided behind the car by the kit upon which you could potentially stand, accessing the trunk would be less practical and significantly more physically challenging. Anyway, the Continental Kit is only one part of this Galaxie’s story. The seller purchased it from an estate and was surprised by its condition. They believe its previous owner treated it to a repaint in its original shade of Corinthian White, and all they’ve done since the purchase is wash it. The paint shines nicely in the photos, leaving the possibility that a wet sand and polish could be all the exterior needs. The power top has no rips, but there are stains and marks. However, careful cleaning may eliminate the flaws without the buyer resorting to replacement. The power mechanism is inoperative and will require attention. The best news is this classic’s lack of significant rust. The panels are spotless, as are the floors and frame. The trunk pan may have some minor issues, but an in-person inspection would determine the severity. The glass in both doors is cracked, but the remaining glass and the trim look like they would respond positively to a careful clean.
If a buyer walked into their Ford dealership in 1960, they could order their Galaxie Sunliner equipped with the 223ci “Mileage Maker” six producing 145hp. It provided performance many would’ve deemed adequate, but some buyers craved more for their money. Such was the case with the original owner of this Sunliner. They opted for the Y-Code 352ci V8 that churned out 300hp. They added a three-speed automatic transmission and power steering, making it the ideal fair weather cruiser. If they pointed it at a ¼ mile, the journey would be a memory in 16.8 seconds. Keeping the pedal to the metal revealed a top speed of 121mph. If the occupants wore a wig or a rug, they’d need to ensure it was nailed down securely, or their secret would reveal itself pretty quickly! When the seller located this classic, it had spent thirty years stored on the lift. They had no trouble coaxing it back to life and confidently drove it twenty miles from the auction site to their home! It runs and drives okay but needs work before the buyer could consider it roadworthy. There is free play in the steering, a few oil and fluid leaks, and soft brakes. A thorough inspection is also warranted to ensure no perishable items are on the verge of failing. Once again, a competent new owner could complete many of the tasks in a home workshop to minimize the expense.
The Sunliner’s interior isn’t perfect, but careful planning could see the new owner return it to a presentable state without breaking the bank. The seats wear vinyl trim in red, black, and white. I can spot a couple of seam separations but no rips or tears. It would be worth consulting a competent upholsterer because they may be capable of addressing those shortcomings without the buyer facing the expense of new covers. The door trims have issues that may make them irreparable, and there is a visible crack in the dash pad. None of the problems prevent the buyer from driving and enjoying this classic, allowing them to take their time sourcing parts as affordable pieces hit the market. The seller indicates everything works, including the factory AM radio.
We’ve recently seen a few promising project cars at Barn Finds, and this 1960 Galaxie Sunliner ranks up there with the best of them. Its overall presentation and rust-free status mean the buyer could do nothing but treat it to a wet sand and polish to have it present well as an original survivor. The fact the seller revived it so easily suggests it is mechanically healthy, and whipping the interior into shape would require the deft hand of a skilled upholsterer rather than a total retrim. A competent buyer could achieve most of those tasks in a home workshop, making it an ideal candidate for a DIY project. If the new owner attacks the process with determination, they could return the Sunliner to active duty in time to enjoy what remains of the warm summer weather. That sounds tempting to me, but is it enough to motivate you to submit a bid?
These cars are so classy, a one year car and always thought they were such a good looking cars. Then came the continental phase and this one got that hideous addition. Have no idea what’s involved to remove it but, be gone and be able to enter a steep drive or get under the rear of the car with a jack. These and the starliner we’re great looking cars. The trim in the rear quarters is plenty. A healthy FE under the hood and you have a car! And skirts don’t work on a lot of cars this car is one, loose em. Just saying.
This is a beauty, but to me that Continental Kit on this Galaxie Sunliner is overkill in the styling department. I had never heard of a Sunliner model before this one and presume they all were convertibles. Great point Adam about difficulty accessing the trunk in the normal fashion. The car was certainly stored the right way though to keep the suspension in optimal shape and critters out. Personally, I would have trailered the vehicle the twenty miles rather than driving it on thirty year-old motor oil. My guess though is that the previous owner had the presence of mind to change it when storing the car.
Ford called all their convertibles SUNLINERS from the early 50s onward.
I like it just the way it is.
Always thought the ’60 Fords were good looking well designed cars. This one refutes my thoughts with the continental kit and the chrome skirts. Dump them and you have a great looking car.
As usual, the continental kit will be the elephant in the room, either you liked them or hated them. Personally, I liked them, aside from it’s unintentional rear end crash assist,( not unlike a county truck) it was the style of the time, no different than “fuzzy dice” or twin antennas and fake spotlights. It made any car look cool, cool being a relative term, of course. This one looks a bit overdone, but the car is a great example of the “new car every year” phase we went through, and in my opinion, the classiest Ford made.
30 year old motor oil is better than what you buy now
I’m pretty sure that’s not true, do you have a source?
The Society of Automotive Engineers may have issue with that statement. Having been in the auto parts business for over 50 years, there are a number of items that may not be as high of quality as those made 30 years ago but oil is definitely not one of them.
Please somebody correct me if I’m wrong but I was told by an “oil man” that no matter how old the oil, or to what purpose it had been used for, that if all the impurities that were now in the oil were removed then it would be as good as the day it was initially refined.
I worked at a service station in the late 1950’s, early ’60’s and had re-processed oil in a 55 gallon drum. We were told it was in better than brand name oil because the impurities had been filtered out and had new additives.
Perfect for tailgate parties.
These sixty galaxies are real nice. This one too, it just needs to loose some of its out of style clothing; continental kit and Skirts.
As with others here, I say the Continental kit has to go. By `60, they were passe in favor of a cleaner look. And it adds needless weight and length that makes a `60 Ford appear unbalanced overall. And yes, the skirts have to go too. Although a FoMoCo accessory in the book, these cars looked much better without them. A new top, proper set of coker whitewalls, An interior kit I know is available for `60 Galaxie cvts., and what’s not to love?
Stupid place to put a spare wheel in the middle of a dance floor.
Nice, but the magic of these cars are in the roof. Nice that it comes with a picnic table though.
I learned to drive on the family plain Jane ’60 Ford. What I remember is the the thick doors…on a hot day you could burn your arm from the elbow to the wrist on that excessive sheet metal…
I learned to drive in the family 1960 Country Squire. The 352 had a 2 barrel and did not breathe well. My buddy beat me in his family Rambler, a la “Beep Beep” but it was cavernous, great for hauling some stage sets and basketball players. It was also perfect for dates at the drive-in. I think they showed movies there too. I loved the targets on the front fenders. It looks like the original bumper is on the continental kit, so easy to restore. Ford had half-moon reflectors to go on that back bumper, couldn’t get my dad to go for them.
Our car had been owned by Hertz and they seconded it to the local Raybestos corporation to do brake lining testing, a perfect heavyweight to see how much asbestos dust they could create.
Beautiful car, worth more than that Pontiac GTO for $12995.
I Love the car, but HATE the continental kit.
Strange but true, 60 Fords came with many options. One of my brothers who was career Army in 1967 and stationed at the Sacramento Army Depot bought a 2 door hardtop model at a police auction with the interceptor engine. That thing would move, but loved gas. He was a recruiter and spent a lot of time driving on the freeways in California for the Army. He told me he hit 130 mph a few times. Anyway the car listed is a beauty that will make someone a happy motorist.
God Bless America
Seems to me that there was a rare 360 HP engine available back in ’60
Put It back in storage! Just look at that diving platform at the back.
Looks like a great place to start. When you consider what folks are selling dumpster fires for, or at least advertising them at, whatever needs to be fixed here seems to be well worth the price where it’s at.
Someone is going to get a nice project.
Why do they do something like that horrid thing on the back? Sure ruined a nice car.
24 pic and still some missing (I’d redo most there 2!). Fish eye lens never works for me either (distortion).
I’m w/those who say “Would U get rid of the fenders on a 30’s car just cuz it’s hard to reach over’n service?” , “Would you widen a ford tudor’s door just cuz it’s hard to get in?” They are what they are – true depictions of the ‘art’ (& science) of the day. Y “bas*#%dize” it to fit a modern or other scheme? Then it is not the car/truck/etc it is, it is something else. I like them down to seeing the cloth covered wires restored, the mechanical breaks etc. But…
I also like them as daily driven and “sleeper mods” don’t bother me. Style, design, is it called “art” ….. https://ourpastimes.com/what-is-the-meaning-of-industrial-arts-12338414.html
Thanks for the opportunity to “say” ~just opinion (my) anyway~
(1st time “with” Howard it seems).
Yeah , what chrlsful said ! … or did he ?
It’s sad when guys track down EVERY option that the
factory offered.Back in the day,you never saw them loaded
up like this.
ALMOST makes those ’70’s 5mph bumpers look good.