Ford released the first really hot FE in 1960 with its high-performance 360-horsepower 352, and when paired with the Starliner’s swoopy roofline, it was clear to see that Ford may have fostered some sporting intentions, perhaps in the southeastern corner of our great United States? No, this Starliner doesn’t have the big 352 (in any of its three guises for 1960), but it does have a 292 Y-Block, a snappy red and white two-tone paint job, and historical documentation going back to its first owner. The seller bought it from the original family in 2020, but it’s certainly a project and not a driver, needing rust repair, interior refurbishment, and mechanical work after years of sitting outside. It’s on eBay right now in Hattiesburg, Mississippi with no bids on a $3,900 starting price (with a $4,500 Buy It Now option). What’s this handsome hardtop worth to you?
Regardless of the work needed, it’s a very original car. The door tag tells us it was made in Chicago with a 185-horsepower 292 two barrel, a two-speed Fordomatic, and 3:10:1 gears in the back; it also still sports its original colors of Monte Carlo Red and Corinthian White. The engine will not, unfortunately, make a complete revolution (the seller thinks a valve may be stuck, which is certainly plausible). If you’ve watched enough “Will It Run?” YouTube videos, you know that a stuck valve can often be freed, resulting in a running (but smoky) old engine. Could that be the case here? It’s fun to contemplate.
The window sticker tells us that this is a lightly-equipped Starliner, with little more than a radio, heater, and automatic on the list of options. The interior is still wearing its factory clothes: Red vinyl and red nylon striped tweed fabric. Without the carpet, you can see the unfortunate reality of the situation; this car has some rust in the rockers, floors, and radiator support (with more minor rust elsewhere). The side glass is cracked, the rubber seals are rotting, and the rear wheels are locked.
But that’s the bad news, the good news is that it’s an attractive big, red Ford from an era where big Ford muscle was just starting to emerge from a few years off due to the AMA “ban” on racing (that only Ford really seemed to follow to the letter). Although this Starliner doesn’t have a heavy-hitter under the hood, there’s no reason one wouldn’t fit. Or maybe you could patch the floor, do something about the rotting upholstery, get the engine running and have fun with an uncommon beater. Over 68,000 Starliners were produced in 1960, but how many are still around? If you’re a “Blue Oval or nothing” type, maybe this will be a fun full-size for you.
Looks like a space ship. Loved these cars when I was a kid. Actually probably all the cars of this era.
She cleaned up well. My favorite big Ford. Wish I had the time and money to save this Starliner. Somebody will!
Love these with a passion.The cop car 352-360 they tested to 151 mph..the only car to beat it was the Chrysler 300 letter car of the same year 1 mph faster LOL.That aside..this and the 1961 are absolute works of art,not a line or curve out of place.
The 1960 Ford was indeed a wild design, 1st police car in Andy Griffith. I read it was the the 1st response for NASCAR in streamlining. It wasn’t overly popular, ’62-63, nothing, then gave way to the “631/2”, that was very successful. Perhaps in response to Chryslers offerings, carmakers sure had some great designers then. I read, the base price of this car was about $2700, so those options added up to about $500, the automatic was the biggie, I’m sure. A base 1960 Ford was around $2500, so a Starliner was indeed a big step up. I’m sure the Starliner had many trim options not on the bill or a base Ford.
Here’s a pile of news for ya’, a whopping 347 “viewers” and ZERO bids, for this? It’s the epitome of every Ford lovers fantasy, and in what most here would consider very savable,good price,,yet, crickets, we’re doomed folks,,,a clear indicator of the hobby.
Hattiesburg, Mississippi ain’t right around the corner.
They never are,,,
What a great eBay ad! The seller sounds knowledgeable and honest. I wish every eBay ad was this thorough.
Does not look like this is an FE engine in this car. Looks like a Y-Block
Thats what the story says it has a Yblock
Read the ad ——It states its a Y-Block
I’ve liked this era Starliner ever since seeing the black ‘61 in Hollywood Knights. This movie wasn’t great but the cars and a young Michelle Pfeiffer made it tolerable .
The lack of interest means it’s priced too high. It’s going to tak a significant investment to get this on the road.
No the price is right, it’s a Ford, it’s a 2 dr hardtop, it’s red, it will sell.
That was the era of zipper top T-Birds that ran NASCAR both as Grand National hardtops AND convertibles in their series. Foxy Ford thought they could out fox France with the Starlift hardtop in place of the ’62 boxtop Galaxie.
Our family car in my HS years was a 1960 Country Squire, but the 352 only had a 2 barrel and was choked at the top end. I loved the little gunsights on the front fenders, noticed the right one is missing on this specimen.
Our local Boulevard car show this past weekend had 2 1960 hardops! One was pretty clean, but the second looked about this tired. I couldn’t find the owners to chat them up though.
Hey, I was denied a post, I think because I used the abbreviation for TRANSMISSION (the first part)!! Here goes again. Two things.
This is a rare and desirable Ford Starliner. Not sure of the Hagerty value, but I would call it a #4 with engine questions. I think it needs a lot of just tedious work other than the engine unknowns. I would say it is actually worth the “buy it now” price. If this was the more common GM, there would be no debate.
The other thing is the Fordomatic TRANSMISSION. (wow). I have the first-year version in my garage from a 1951 Ford wood wagon. I never saw the wagon (was it the slang word for “wood” why my first post was rejected?). I feel like this is similar to watching Bevis and Butthead. Anyway, I think the Fordomatics had three speeds but normally only two were used, except for passing?
My Dad’s first new car of his life was a 1960 Ford. Four door sedan, 6 cyl, auto, AM radio, heater, and that’s about it. Black with I think a red interior. He got a couple of extra taillight lens and attached them to the indentations on the back bumper as reflectors. We had it for about 6 years until it rotted out. I remember riding in the back every weekend to go fishing in the Chesapeake Bay and buying a bushel of crabs (advertised as “STEAMED FEMALES!!”) on the way home. Of course, my Mom was the steamed female when she got the job of cleaning our catch!
One of Elwood Engle’s final designs at Ford before departing to Chrysler- this is the most beautifully designed car of the 1960’s. It is so clean, and fluid compared to the Chevys and Ponties. We see these same styling lines on the 1960 Falcon, another beauty.
I owned one of the 360 horse 352 versions of this Starliner, from late 1962 til mid 1965, this same color Red and the same interior this one has. The three speed Overdrive and a 3:50 rear end in mine worked out to 90mph at 2500 RPM. Still the best car I ever owned. If no one else steps up to this one, I may just have to find some way to convince my wife that I need a new hobby….
My Dad bought a ‘60 Ford ex patrol car for $100 about 1970. It was still white over black. Had an FE under the hood- never did know the specs- but it kept eating first gear out of a BW T85 3 speed. It was a goin’ machine!
This is a nice project car- the price is fair, but the market is really dead currently.
Drove all the way from Kitimat BC to Los Angeles California and back in a close relative of this car, the Canadian Ford Meteor in 1963. It was a four door but with the triple round lights on either side at the back. And with a car full of relatives too. I think their was six of us in there. That is the way you traveled in those days on summer holidays. I always told my Dad the steering wheel looked like it was upside down.
SOLD for $4,500.