I have a 61 Galaxie, 352 auto, 2 door. It's been sitting for years, my brother started it almost 6yrs ago before he passed. It's been sitting in the weeds for the past 5yrs, but a few days ago, my dad, my son, and me dug it out, pulled it in the shop, and we're about to start working on it. Really looking forward to it.
Watch out for rodents and sharp edges... The price of panels and metal is at all time high... Would love to help ya out with it too.. Old history.. I really do hate ferds but I got a few myself... They is some really really cumbersome sheet...
@@Conman1181 And shall we discuss the spelling of "dareisnogod"? 😆 (It IS ironic, however, that you spelled grammar correctly (-ar not -er) in your reply, but added a t to nazi...) Good luck on your resto, and don't forget to post!
@marko7843 as much WWII history, I watch and study, I should've caught that, but it's pretty funny though, I'll just leave it. Lol. I've been taking pics, and documenting progress, will eventually start posting, just not sure when.
Th '61 Galaxy Starliner and '65 Galaxie 500 2dr were the best looking years of Galaxies, IMO. I had a '68 Galaxie 500 fastback sporting a 390/FMX auto trans for a few years. Thx for the nostalgia vids.
A friend of mine long ago had a '61 - the original 352 was long gone (it was just the 2V mill), but he'd swapped in a 410 V8 and C6 auto from a '67 Monterey, and set the engine up with that 3x2 intake. The 410 was otherwise stock with a factory cam, hydraulic lifters, and so on. Very smooth and docile, but tickle the gas and it'd definitely get up an roll. It was remarkable how comfortable the car was and its ride quality. And it certainly got looks wherever it went. He painted it a gorgeous dark blue metalflake. Sharp as hell.
That FE 410 was probably the rarest of all FE engines. It was only used in Mercury cars in 1966 and 1967. Essentially it is a 390 block with a 428 crankshaft.
@@1575murray Yes. It was a very smooth and torquey mill. You had to make sure you got the proper 428-type flywheel for it, though - the engine was not balanced like a 390 as a lot of people assume.
A close friends Dad has a vintage Ford car collection. One of his cars is a Black on Black 1961 Starliner with the HiPo 390 / 3 dueces and a 4 speed on the floor. It's a total survivor car and absolutely beautiful. He also has a 1963 1/2 406 / 4 speed Galaxie that's Wimbledon white with black & white interior as well as a 1964 427 / 4 speed Galaxie that's Black on Black as well. Plus several other cars from a couple model Ts up to a 69 R code Mustang Mach 1 and a 69 Torino Cobra with a 429 Cobra Jet / 4 speed and a few others in between. Beautiful car collection. I've only ridden in the Torino Cobra . But I've seen him drive most of them over the years I've known Ronnie
Thanks for posting this. Greatly appreciated. A good friend of mine who passed away recently had one of the '61 Starliners with a 390 V8, three deuces and a 4-speed. It had that beautiful blue exterior color. It was fast and sounded awesome. I was still in high school at the time and bought myself a used '56 Ford Victoria. I believe the Starliner fastback was reminiscent of the Victoria fastback. When I got out of high school I dropped a 390 and 4-speed in my '56 Vic. The friend who owned the Starliner recommended I use the camshaft from the '61 Starliner model V8. He noted that part of the reason the V8 in his car got so much power was in the cam design. I did as he suggested. It made my car faster. He had the 3 deuces, I had a Holley 4-barrel. His car was heavier, mine was lighter. Went to nearby Interstate 271 (Cleveland) when it was new and not much traffic. Checked to make sure there were no highway patrol and then it was off to the races. I actually beat him by half a car length. One correction to your video. In the juxtaposition of the Starliner images with the space race there was no Space Shuttle at the time. That came later.
Re: your last line, I wondered at the Shuttle, but I was especially annoyed that the computer kept talking about the Starliner styling versus the standard Galaxy, but the pictures were of a '60 Starliner and a '59 Galaxy. Apples and oranges indeed.
For years I have wanted 63 1/2 ! Back in the mid to late 60s I had a friend that had a 63 1/2 with a 406 FE 4 speed , man that car was nice and left quite an impression!
My friend was 15 years old when his dad bought him a 1960 starliner. A year later he got a 61 starliner with a 390, 3 on the tree. All black with red interior, most beautiful car ever!
The 1960 Galaxie Starliner was a beautiful car- long straight lines with clean sides and a clean grille and rear valance. One of my all time favorites. The 1964 Galaxie 500 and the 1960 Starliner are the best looking of all time, in my opinion.
I totally agree, 1960 is my all time fav Ford. The first car I ever drove, “ legally “ after I got my license was my parents 1964 Galaxie 500. I turned 16 years old in 1971. Took my girlfriend to downtown Denver to celebrate my birthday. It survived several neutral drops. Idiot!!! Also got pulled over and received a warning ticket for driving with no headlights on! What a knot head! My folks also had a 1964 two door sedan custom, “no options” not even a radio I don’t know why I really loved that car. Gunmetal gray exterior, and red interior. In-line 6 and three on the tree. I still wish I had that car today! Thanks for your post and the memories. God bless. Hope this New Yea is healthy,happy, and prosperous for you and your your loved ones.
@@johnjessey6955 My parents bought a brand new leftover model year 64 Galaxie 500 4 door in October 1964- Pagoda Green with a white top. All the 65's had just come out. We had to drive back from Holyoke CO to the dealer in Hugo CO to get the radio and heater installed. Imagine a family car with no heater in Colorado. Anyway, I, as a 8 year old 3rd grader, thought that car was the most beautiful car in the world. I loved the silver gauge faces with the light green light at night.
@@timmccreery6597 They were definitely beautiful! And then my best friend Jim’s sister’s husband bought a brand new 1965 Galaxie. The first time I rode in it, I thought it was in a Cadillac! I never have been in a car that road like that. God bless.
My grandfather bought a 63 Galaxie fastback 500 in sahara rose with a white interior. It was a spectacularly beautiful car. I have always loved those and find it fascinating that the sexy roofline was because of the Starliner. I prefer the 61 over the 60, but only by a little. Love the history on the engine options. Great video.
I owned a red 1961 Ford Starliner. It had the big brakes and a 3 speed transmission. It had the gold colored 390 with three 2 barrel carbs and the big one piece air cleaner top. It was a extremely fast car. One of my classmates in high school had a red 61 Galaxy (squared off back glass) with the same engine with one 4 barrel and a 3 speed overdrive.
NoThey ran tri power on the 390 in 61? I know the M code 390 had 406 heads and a hotter cam and a higher compression engine with 3 Holley 2Vs. I own a 63 Thunderbird Sport Roadster with the 390 Z code engine. Ford did design and build some beautiful and stylish Starliners and Galaxies and Thunderbirds.
My Dad bought a 58 sration wagon with 352/300hp Police Interceptor that was a police vehicle, 3spd column shift with very high ratio rear end, that thing would wind forever in second gear, Carter AFB carb with vacuum secondary. I still have the carb 54 years later. Good memories, nice video here of rare cars by Ford.
When I was a kid, we would see 61 Starliner's fairly regularly. But 60 Starliner's were almost never seen. 60 Fords are rarely seen in general. I would sure love to get my hands on a 60 Starliner today.
As a kid, our family car was a 61 Starliner with a 3 speed on the tree and a 292 Y block. It replaced a '56 Fairlane, also a 3 speed manual with a 272 V8. I learned to drive in the Starliner and the Galaxie that replaced it. My first car was a '62 Galaxie 2dr sedan with a 3 speed sick and the 292 V8. I wish I still had the '62.
My dad ordered a 1961 Ford Fairlane Coupe with a post as it was the lightest of the models. It had a radio and a heater, vinyl bench seats and nice thin rubber floor mats. No power steering, brakes, windows or A/C. But it did have a 390-375HP motor and three on a tree as there was no 4speed available in any model at that time. It also had a 4.11 equal lock rear axle rather than the stock open 3.50. It was as sleeper. Than after the 406 motor came out, he scored a Factory 3x2 set up and a 4 speed. He designed and adapted an overdrive to the 4 speed and we put in 4.57 gears in the rear. Completely stock, white paint black wall tires. Tires were the limiting factor in the 60’s. Blowing off 427 fords & vettes and 440 dodges was a piece of cake, unless they had gears and posi.
I seen one of these with a 60's SOHC cammer engine in it several years ago at Crites Automotive. At the time i was in love with Starliners so it was a holy grail car for me, i've seen a few others but that was the coolest.
The Sock engine (a 427 SOHC) was the most powerful big block Ford ever produced. Im not counting the new supercharged GT 500 engines. Its a shame Ford did not produce but a few thousand of those and BTW, SOHC 427’s never came in a car model. You bought the engine only from Ford aka a crate engine.
The Orange Starliner in the thumbnail, has a SOHC 427 in it. It belongs to John Vermeersch. I have a poster it is featured on, called "Detroit Cruisin' Legends".
My first car was a '61 Sunliner with the 300hp 390 and 3 on the tree. I loved that car, wish I had kept it, and have been looking for one for years now
My 1st car, at 16, was the family "hand me down" 59 Galaxie 500 w/332 2v 220hp. My uncle was a car dealer and got in-trade a 61 Starliner w/390 4v 300hp that had been modified with shaved heads and a 406 cam & lifters, and I added Hedman headers & electric fuel pump. "Those Were the Days"!
Oh man! How I wish I was born before so I could have lived in the era when cars were so exciting. Cars had style and character back then. We are now stuck with crappy, sanitized and vapid junks
It was a great time to grow up in, when cars had style, and you could identify them half a mile away. Not like cookie cutter cars of today. Sure had fun working on those cars.
Glad to see this video...My brother had a white 61 Starliner 390/401 3-speed, and it hauled ass. It was a top dog in old Eugene Oregon. I had a maroon 62 Galaxie XL 390/300 auto and that Starliner would eat it up. Over the years I would hear guys talking about how fast the 401 cubic inch Starliner was and I'd say it was a 390 and the fight was on. These were the same guys who would swear 57 Chevies could be had with a factory 4-speed. Anyway my brother and a cousin built the Last of the Mohicans, a Nitro burning Vette Funny Car that held some records...
I have a 1961 Starliner. It started out with a 390 and a manual transmission, 4 speed. It was restored in the US twenty years ago, I have owned it for 15 years now. I have fitted disc brakes to the front, it has a 427 OHC engine installed now with a multi plate clutch and a modified 4 speed manual transmission. I am in New Zealand and the car is quite a rarerity over here
My Dad had a 61 Starliner with a 390 tri- power. I remember how fast it was and how well my Mother could speed shift the 3-on-the tree overdrive transmission. My first grade teacher (1964 ) wrote that she hoped I got a 61 Ford someday because I ran around the playground pretending I was one. I saw the car when I was 17; the owner was running a 427 in it. My Dad's former employees have written about it on Facebook. As a reverse mortgage loan officer working with customers from my home town, I was asked about the car and if I remembered it. They made an indelible impression and I am proud to be associated with them and that particular Ford,
Daddy had a ‘61 that started out with the 390 tri-power and then got a professional speed shop build-out. It was one of his favorite out of around 150 cars he owned.
I remember the easy way to identify the cars which is easiest... The 58 and 59s had 4 pair of oars & a tow chain in the trunk. In 61 ferd gave em a little more power and cheapened up too. Ya only got one set of oars in the trunk no tow chain either.
@@thekingsilverado3266 I detect a traitor among us!! Probably one of those Bowtie or Stude guys! Or worse yet, a Mopar fanatic! Long live the lead sleds of the early 60s, when the big wigs thought names hinting a space vehicles were cool. The post Edsel years were hard for the blue ovals team. They knew they were losing market shares to everyone else, including the soon to fail Studebaker! But, I digress. Look up Pete Robinson for more. Oh and the early 60s T-birds that weighed 6000lbs!!!!
When I met my ex-wife she was driving a Ford Galaxie. Tell you what that was the quietest car I ever rode in. I don't remember much else about it though. But that was a really nice car.
A friend and I owned a 1961 Ford fitted with the 390 "Ford Motor Company High Performance Engine" with the 3 two barrel carb setup. It was the el cheapo model without even a radio. We bought it from a school teacher whose son had convinced her to order it. When it became obvious to her that the car was too much for her, my friend and I benefitted from her willingness to sell. The car was fast for the day. We beat the hell out of it, like teenagers will, and it eventually blew up, but in the meantime we had a lot of fun with it. I know the '64 GTO is considered the start of the muscle car era, but I think this Ford was a harbinger of things to come. It sure seemed like a muscle car to me.
The GTO was the first performance car to be dubbed "Muscle Car", but the 55 Chrysler was the first muscular car as standard equipped. Some say the 53 Hudson Hornet with the 7X engine was the first, but that engine was a dealer option, not a factory option.
@@jamesbosworth4191 But what about the DeSoto or Henry J or Tucker! Now that was so far ahead of its time the Detroit auto companies rallied together to make sure it DIDN'T HAPPEN! Reminds of a certain president of that era......
@@revvyhevvy The DeSoto Adventurer was the same formula, but it came out in 56. The Henry J was by no means a performance car, it was a cheap economy car. With the optional 6, it wasn't a bad performer, but in no way was it a muscle car. The Tucker might have been, but the powers that be conspired to bring it down, AND, Preston Tucker stepped on more than a few toes, so he made some enemies, and he played fast and loose with many items of paper work.
A great body guy and fabricator can make what can't be bought. I do it all the time Just not on cars that rare or nice. This channel truly lives up to it's name.
I had a 61 starliner that I pulled from a farm field 1n 1982. (I was 21) Traded it for a running driving 1973 Chevy Vega. Damn! Wish I had that car back. The Vega rusted away in less than 2 years.
The Vega was a horrible car with a horrible engine. The Pontiac version, which had that "Iron Duke" engine was far better simply because it actually ran.
Geez, this takes me back. I'd forgotten how prevalent hub caps were in those days, rather than full wheel covers. A friend's dad had a 1964 Galaxie convertible, and I was sooooo jealous.
I had (5) relatives own various color & engine combos of '64 Galaxie 2-door fastbacks. The old southwest side of Detroit hood was loaded with '64 Fords including my buddy & I double dated in a Galaxie convertible for our prom. What a popular car line that still looks good today.
If you are able, check out a July '61 Hot Rod magazine. The winner of Superstock, in a 61 Starliner, towed out of Austin Texas, is my dad. There is a picture of him. He lined up next to a Ford sponsored 61 Srarliner... Turned a 12.92 second lap. I shared this video to him, hope to watch it with him real soon. Thank you! P.S. We dont have a copy of that rag, if one is out there, im very interested!
There was professional driver in East Tennessee by the last name of Gardner. He drag raced a new 1961 black Starliner with a 390 high performance with a 4 speed and ran mid 12's. The car was picked up a few years by some friends of mine and mechanically restored, it had extremely low miles because they were all put on 1/4 mile at a time. That thing was a terror on the streets for years!
I love the 352 three onthe tree combo,had tha set up in my '67 F250. God do i miss that truck had to let her go almost 20 years ago seemed like she got 5mpg no matter what lol
Love these cars, love this channel. Being an old guy l remember all of the cars you feature and it's so nice reading about them. I have a small collection of mostly pre 1975 exotic cars but l do have an unrestored (nice patina) 1957 Corvette that l've owned since 1978 and a 1966 Falcon convertible 289 4v with a 4-speed. For American cars l either have no loyalty or am loyal to them all meaning l have no preference for any brand just thar it's pre 1972. I am looking for something like a Starliner or bubble top Impala preferably with a manual Trans. Both of these of these models are some of the best looking cars of the early 60s
@@rarecars3336 Liked and subscribed. Just this morning l've come across some info on an early 60s (not sure of the year) ultra rare 4-speed Pontiac Grand Prix or 2+2 that's part of an estate sale. I've had some great luck with these because they usually want a buyer to take all the cars which l'm capable of doing. I'll let you know how it goes.
When I was 13yrs old an uncle of a friend I lived near bought a 61 fairlane 500 which had the 390 375hp and 3 on the tree with overdrive from Stanley Byrd who raced it out of a Ford dealership in Middletown Ohio Oscar could run consistent 13.10s in it one day Stanley drove it and run a 12.99 that was very fast in 62 and really good with 3 on the tree
I had a '60 Ford Starliner. On hyw 94 going downtown San Diego, my left front wheel decided to exit on the 28th street exit while I was in the middle lane going 65 mph. Of course the front end on that side became a slide. Morning traffic seemed to enjoy the spark show and would not let me move to the center side, as that was the only direction I could steer the car to. Eventually I got over and the car still maintained a straight line. That was the end of the line for that car. I did work on it before, had to replace the water pump and the thermostat. You had to take the entire grill off to actually get to things. What a pain it was in comparison to my mothers '50 Chevy Bel-Air. Of course the chevy was a straight 6 vs the V8 in the Starliner. The Starliner had a 4 barrel carb that I owned. One of the specific things that people did not know about those cars is that you did not really need the key in the ignition switch. You could start it with a penny by putting it in the slight slot and turning on the car. No hot wire needed to steal it.
I had a 1966 Galaxy XL 500 with 428 engine was a Stone, that did the same thing to me, the bottom ball joint fell apart while I was making a left-hand turn, luckily I did keep it out of the ditch.
A high school buddy had a 1961 Starliner, 390, 3 speed. As I recall, it had a "centrifugal clutch" that got harder to push down the faster it went. Annoying on the drag strip. He raced a '60 Chevy, 348 w/ 3 2s and 4 speed. He was 2 car lengths ahead before shifting into third gear. I still think its one of the coolest cars ever made. Exclnt post!
Some 62 starlift cars with 406 and trips. got out to the public they must be among the rarest of the rare, a class mate in Elyria Ohio had one dack around 1968 or 69.
I remember those Starliners for another reason. At our full-service filling station, we pumped the gas, cleaned the windshield, checked the oil, etc. The one thing I could not do was entirely clean the front and rear windshields, A about 64" tall I could not reach the center of either. Thanks to the fins the I did not even try the rear one. Narragansett Bay
Those cars were over 80 inches wide! The 62 was a hair narrower, as the 60 and 61 cars were actually illegal for a car. The Feds warned Ford that if they didn't slim down some, their cars would have to be licensed as buses.
I learned how to drive a 1960 Ford Galaxie and I also own a1964 galaxie. I love the two car's. They were fun to drive.❤😊. Thank you guys for the video 📸📸📸📸❤.😊
My dad had one of these back in the day.(1961). It was Blue - called it the Blue Goose. It was fast & rock solid with a good ride too. Very cool. He kept it for 5 or 6 years. I don't know if he sold it outright or traded it. Love to have it today. That was when Ford made something worth taking home unlike today. Thanks for posting some good memories. P.S. With a set of dual glass packs - it sounded fantastic. They didn't stay on very long. Mom was pissed.
Your dad had the nicest looking Starliner Ford ever made. The top of the line engine in a ‘61 Ford was the new for ‘61 390 with 401 horses (the tri power model). Was thinking by then you could get a 4 spd on the floor thou. I know in 1960 you could not get a 4 speed. In ‘62 the 406 came out then in ‘63 the 427 was introduced.
The Starliner was an absolutely beautiful car. I recall from past articles that the HIPO 352 turned some respectably quick numbers. Thanks for the video.
Had a '63 Country Squire with the 390, factory air, loaded with all the options. Of course then, my favorite car alongside, was the 63 Galaxy. Never heard much about the Starliner, but it sure influenced what I ended up falling in love with. Thanks for this.
The 1960 Galaxie Starliner was a departure from what had become iconic in all Ford models: The round taillight. This year's model had half-round taillights, opening up designers from then on to use whatever shape they wanted.
Gee I get to squawk about my 61. My second car bought in 1965 from a Ford dealer who bought it for his son in 61. 3 speed manual with overdrive converted to a Hurst T floor shift. Equa-loc rear. Supposedly a 390 configuration that the FMC maintenance manual called a police interceptor. Get this: solid lifters, Ford grand national 4bbl and cast iron exhaust snakes. Dual exhaust with glass-packs. Front springs slightly wedged. I put in an electronic ignition and Stewart Warner tach and gauges. Powershifted nothing could beat it. I ran against Vettes, 289 hypo Mustangs various GM crap and Chrysler 426 wedges (no hemis were running on the street yet). Every night I would pop the valve covers and adjust the valves, change the oil and check the lower end. It looked like it had forged aluminum rods. It could have been bored out for all I know. At 6 grand it sounded like it had been balanced and blueprinted. That sound attracted more attention than its speed. I'd run somebody and when they caught up to me at the next stop light they'd be yelling "what the hell you got in that thing". Traded it in on a 68 302 mustang road car. Yaas those were the days. I took great pride at blowing the doors off of everything around. And only got stopped once...for a warning.
Google Starlift and you will see Ford promotional pictures of a 62 Starlift. It seems like Ford was trying to make it appear to be a factory part, like the 55-57 t-bird hardtop. NASCAR banned the Starlift after it won it's first race.
@@sergeantmasson3669 did NASCAR ban the Starlift before of after it won a race. That's the question, then the politics of NASCAR picking favorites is the real answer. Like Junior Johnson being allowed to run a 409 ci engine out of a truck in a 59 Chevy in 1960. J.J. admitted in an interview.
@@samuelfreeman9518 Ford Starlift won it's first race and NASCAR banned it because it was not a factory production model. It was an add-on roof kit that was developed by Holmon-Moody for the Ford Sunliner convertible. The add-on roof kit didn't come with side windows. Another issue was the non-factory 483 CID FE engine that was not available in any other Ford model car. Ford was still angry about NASCAR banning the superchargers in 1957 even though that option was available in any model car. Bill France Sr argument was that the supercharger was an add-on kit and not a factory production setup. To this day, turbos and superchargers are not allowed in NASCAR. Neither are OHC engines since 1964.
Just discovered your channel. I'm impressed. I consider myself to be on the upper end of the knowledgeable scale when it comes to classic cars but the '58-'64 period is a little lacking so I'm always eager to learn more about this period. This video did that for me. I commend you, well done!
My buddy had a White '61 Starliner back in the day. I remember only 2 things --- the 3 Speed on the column and it's "Balls Out" performance. --------------------------------- "Power Shift Here We Go" BTW: I'm a Chevy Boy!!!
i'm glad Iclicked on this video. it answered a question I have had for at least two years. i had come across a picture of just the roof line of what i now know was a Ford Starliner. it just had the pillar of the rear window, showing the three stars(which I found beautiful, i could not remember what car might have had them, thinking it was maybe a Pontiac or Oldsmobile of the late 50s or early 60s. I am so happy that I now know it belonged to a Ford Starliner.
64' and 65' were the best 2 looking Galaxies. My brother bought a 65' in the early 70s right out of HS. 352 V8 dual exhaust. He put cragars on all four corners, with G 60x15s on the rear, running glass pack mufflers.
I had one of these In black, with red and white interior, 3 speed on the column, 390, solid lifters, aluminum intake, Holley carb, cast iron factory headers, 4:11 rear end, for a big boat, it moved pretty well. Not a world beater by any stretch, but quick and fun to drive.
An "undesirable and lame engine under the hood". Reminds me of my dad's '62 Galaxie, in which I learned to drive. It was a six with Cruise-O-Matic. It wouldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding, but it moved on its own. No peddling required. Happy days.
A neighbor of mine in 1962 bought a 1962 Galaxie with a tri-power 390 with a three speed overdrive tranny. He took me for a ride (I was thirteen) and buried the odometer in second gear overdrive. Needless to say at 75 years old I still remember that ride. At 15 I got my drivers license and within a year I had my first hot rod.
Now, look at the English scaled down version, the Ford Consul Capri.... It's a 2/3 scale version and a testament to the way both UK Ford & GM used the US cars for templates when designing cars for the UK market....
My Uncle in the mid to late 70s raced 61 starliners that had 390s, 406 and finally a really worked on 351 cleveland.. This was at Albuquerque Speedway park same place the Unsers had all raced. He won the championship several years. Later we switched to tube chassis Mopars with many different configurations of 426 Hemis. My Uncle had traveled to North Carolina with a Semi and bought 13 hemi blocks and heads and 2 Chargers Richard Petty had raced at several super speedways from Richard Petty;s father.
Two thoughts: 1. My first car was a 1960 Ford station wagon. For that reason I've always had a soft spot for the 60 grille and taillights even though they are quite different from anything Ford produced during those years. Can't argue with the superior drivetrain choices for the 61 model. 2. The final year of Edsel was 1960 and included a 2 door hardtop with the same fastback roof as the Starliner. Only 135 were produced so it's an easily overlooked model. No stars on the C-pillar.
I used to have a 1962 406 convertible with the 4-speed now I have a 62 two-door hardtop with a 390 and an automatic I love both of them what are the one of the best cars I've ever had
My father special ordered a 60 Ford Country Sedan...unfortunately, having a large family and knowing that he would be putting a lot of miles on that car he ordered it with the 200 cubic inch 6. BTW, in 1960 the Ford full-sized car was technically illegal to operate/register in many states. Many states had width restrictions on vehicle size and the 60 exceeded them. The 61 didn't have that problem. With several 50s through 60s Fords in my extended family (all wagons) my favorite is the 61, with the 65 running a virtual tie.
Had a 1960 with 292 3spd auto two tone paint. bought off my neighbor when I was 16 had 40k on it that was 52 years ago and several new cars and trucks later Still my favorite car.
In 1960 Fords' most powerful engine was the 352 HiPo which was rated at 360 horsepower . It had a compression ratio of 10:6 to 1 and a Holley 4 barrel carb. Then in 1961, Ford came out with their famous 390 in 3 different power versions, the highest being a whopping 401 horsepower with 3 2barrel Holley carbs. 61 was the last year of these beautiful cars as they came out with the XL in 62. all of the Galaxies are (I still drive one) great cars.
When I was 16 years old and a born gearhead that subscribed to Hot Rod magazine when I was 14. The neighbor girl who was older than me had a boyfriend with a brand new 1960 Ford Starliner stick shift high performance. They were getting ready to have a picnic and needed some stuff from the store. I was hanging around her house her younger brother and I were friends. Her boyfriend Bill asked me if I had a drivers license. I had just gotten it about four months ago and told yes, I did. He gave me the keys to his car and her younger brother had a list of stuff they needed from the store. I couldn't believe he was letting me take his car. We headed towards town the long way and stopped more than once to burn the tires through first gear and feel real horsepower for the first time. I was hooked. I am 80 years old today and have a 1963 corvette roadster with a 2010 corvette LS1 engine with a 4L60E trans. As I write this, I have a 1965 rust free mustang convertible that I am building a 347 cubic inch stroker motor out of a 289 block. All because of that 1960 Starliner.
I had a green & white, '59 Galaxie 4dr, 352ci and "Fordomatic" transmission. Loved the big "Rocket-Age" tail lights at night. First time you own a 1950's era American car with a big "wrap around" front screen, sometime in the first few weeks you WILL absent-mindedly slam your knee into the windscreen edge where it curves around and intrudes into the door aperture. It WILL hurt like all hell. You will NOT do it again. Because you will be forever be wary of it from that day on. Other than that, I loved that car. Few years later I was playing Double Bass in a notorious, popular local Rockabilly Rhythm'n'Blues band, and bought a blue & white 1965 Galaxie Ex-Ambulance as our "Blues Mobile" band rig to cart our instruments & selves to gigs and back. It had a mild 351 Cleveland and auto, with a straight through twin system exhaust that had no mufflers beyond a pair of "Glass Pack Hotdog Tubes" that only seemed to amplify the drag-car decibels you could hear coming a couple of miles away. Even when I tickled the loud pedal trying to drive quiet, it was a cop-magnet. Had to talk my way out of a defect notice so many times I got good at it. Without exception, ALL kids who saw it used to point and yell "Ghost Busters". Woke up in the back with a groupie chick more than once, the morning after a massive gig. Missed the old girl when she was finally moved on. Always loved the styling of the 1960 Galaxies with those muted "bat wings", compared to '59 Chevrolets, and those killer "half moon" tail lights. Especially the upmarket Starliner model.
You could buy a 1960 Ford Starliner with the HiPo 352 engine that made 360hp, with the Tri-power carbs, that made 360hp, amazing at the time. The 1960 Starliner was tested in the January 1960 issue of Motor Trend, equipped with the new 352/360hp engine, ran the 1/4 mile in 15.32 at 92.87 mph. There July 1960 issue, Motor Trend ran a second test of the Starliner with the 352/360hp engine and ran an even lower e.t. of 14.81 at 94.71.
I have a 61 Galaxie, 352 auto, 2 door. It's been sitting for years, my brother started it almost 6yrs ago before he passed. It's been sitting in the weeds for the past 5yrs, but a few days ago, my dad, my son, and me dug it out, pulled it in the shop, and we're about to start working on it. Really looking forward to it.
Watch out for rodents and sharp edges... The price of panels and metal is at all time high... Would love to help ya out with it too.. Old history.. I really do hate ferds but I got a few myself... They is some really really cumbersome sheet...
👎👎👎 "...dad, son & I", (not ME).
@@dareisnogod5711 it's not that deep, grammar natzi.
@@Conman1181 And shall we discuss the spelling of "dareisnogod"? 😆
(It IS ironic, however, that you spelled grammar correctly (-ar not -er) in your reply, but added a t to nazi...)
Good luck on your resto, and don't forget to post!
@marko7843 as much WWII history, I watch and study, I should've caught that, but it's pretty funny though, I'll just leave it. Lol. I've been taking pics, and documenting progress, will eventually start posting, just not sure when.
Th '61 Galaxy Starliner and '65 Galaxie 500 2dr were the best looking years of Galaxies, IMO. I had a '68 Galaxie 500 fastback sporting a 390/FMX auto trans for a few years.
Thx for the nostalgia vids.
A friend of mine long ago had a '61 - the original 352 was long gone (it was just the 2V mill), but he'd swapped in a 410 V8 and C6 auto from a '67 Monterey, and set the engine up with that 3x2 intake. The 410 was otherwise stock with a factory cam, hydraulic lifters, and so on. Very smooth and docile, but tickle the gas and it'd definitely get up an roll.
It was remarkable how comfortable the car was and its ride quality. And it certainly got looks wherever it went. He painted it a gorgeous dark blue metalflake. Sharp as hell.
That FE 410 was probably the rarest of all FE engines. It was only used in Mercury cars in 1966 and 1967. Essentially it is a 390 block with a 428 crankshaft.
@@1575murray Yes. It was a very smooth and torquey mill. You had to make sure you got the proper 428-type flywheel for it, though - the engine was not balanced like a 390 as a lot of people assume.
A close friends Dad has a vintage Ford car collection. One of his cars is a Black on Black 1961 Starliner with the HiPo 390 / 3 dueces and a 4 speed on the floor. It's a total survivor car and absolutely beautiful. He also has a 1963 1/2 406 / 4 speed Galaxie that's Wimbledon white with black & white interior as well as a 1964 427 / 4 speed Galaxie that's Black on Black as well. Plus several other cars from a couple model Ts up to a 69 R code Mustang Mach 1 and a 69 Torino Cobra with a 429 Cobra Jet / 4 speed and a few others in between. Beautiful car collection. I've only ridden in the Torino Cobra . But I've seen him drive most of them over the years I've known Ronnie
The 61 Starliner is gorgeous! I love it.
Thanks for posting this. Greatly appreciated. A good friend of mine who passed away recently had one of the '61 Starliners with a 390 V8, three deuces and a 4-speed. It had that beautiful blue exterior color. It was fast and sounded awesome. I was still in high school at the time and bought myself a used '56 Ford Victoria. I believe the Starliner fastback was reminiscent of the Victoria fastback. When I got out of high school I dropped a 390 and 4-speed in my '56 Vic. The friend who owned the Starliner recommended I use the camshaft from the '61 Starliner model V8. He noted that part of the reason the V8 in his car got so much power was in the cam design. I did as he suggested. It made my car faster. He had the 3 deuces, I had a Holley 4-barrel. His car was heavier, mine was lighter. Went to nearby Interstate 271 (Cleveland) when it was new and not much traffic. Checked to make sure there were no highway patrol and then it was off to the races. I actually beat him by half a car length. One correction to your video. In the juxtaposition of the Starliner images with the space race there was no Space Shuttle at the time. That came later.
I think Ford was actually calling the 390 the "Thunderbird" V8 since it was standard in the '61 T-Bird?
Re: your last line, I wondered at the Shuttle, but I was especially annoyed that the computer kept talking about the Starliner styling versus the standard Galaxy, but the pictures were of a '60 Starliner and a '59 Galaxy.
Apples and oranges indeed.
kudos, bro! You lived my fantasy
For years I have wanted 63 1/2 ! Back in the mid to late 60s I had a friend that had a 63 1/2 with a 406 FE 4 speed , man that car was nice and left quite an impression!
My uncle had a 61 Starliner and at 3 years old I fell in love with that car and I still love that body style today!
My friend was 15 years old when his dad bought him a 1960 starliner. A year later he got a 61 starliner with a 390, 3 on the tree. All black with red interior, most beautiful car ever!
The 1960 Galaxie Starliner was a beautiful car- long straight lines with clean sides and a clean grille and rear valance. One of my all time favorites. The 1964 Galaxie 500 and the 1960 Starliner are the best looking of all time, in my opinion.
Had a '60, '61 Starliner, '62, and '63 1/2. My favorite were the '61 and '63 1/2.
I totally agree, 1960 is my all time fav Ford. The first car I ever drove, “ legally “ after I got my license was my parents 1964 Galaxie 500. I turned 16 years old in 1971. Took my girlfriend to downtown Denver to celebrate my birthday. It survived several neutral drops. Idiot!!! Also got pulled over and received a warning ticket for driving with no headlights on! What a knot head! My folks also had a 1964 two door sedan custom, “no options” not even a radio I don’t know why I really loved that car. Gunmetal gray exterior, and red interior. In-line 6 and three on the tree. I still wish I had that car today! Thanks for your post and the memories. God bless. Hope this New Yea is healthy,happy, and prosperous for you and your your loved ones.
@@Ray56z Starliner was '60-'61 only. None in '62 and by '63 1/2, it was the Sportsroof models.
@@johnjessey6955 My parents bought a brand new leftover model year 64 Galaxie 500 4 door in October 1964- Pagoda Green with a white top. All the 65's had just come out. We had to drive back from Holyoke CO to the dealer in Hugo CO to get the radio and heater installed. Imagine a family car with no heater in Colorado. Anyway, I, as a 8 year old 3rd grader, thought that car was the most beautiful car in the world. I loved the silver gauge faces with the light green light at night.
@@timmccreery6597 They were definitely beautiful! And then my best friend Jim’s sister’s husband bought a brand new 1965 Galaxie. The first time I rode in it, I thought it was in a Cadillac! I never have been in a car that road like that. God bless.
Two of the most beautiful Fords ever produced.
Styled for the NASCAR wars, they are now legendary...👍🏁
The 59’s from the rear were awesome looking, the Impala’s of the same year were beyond awesome, amazing
I’m in love with them all,, Ford’s designs were simply beautiful!!
My grandfather bought a 63 Galaxie fastback 500 in sahara rose with a white interior. It was a spectacularly beautiful car. I have always loved those and find it fascinating that the sexy roofline was because of the Starliner. I prefer the 61 over the 60, but only by a little. Love the history on the engine options. Great video.
I owned a red 1961 Ford Starliner. It had the big brakes and a 3 speed transmission. It had the gold colored 390 with three 2 barrel carbs and the big one piece air cleaner top. It was a extremely fast car. One of my classmates in high school had a red 61 Galaxy (squared off back glass) with the same engine with one 4 barrel and a 3 speed overdrive.
NoThey ran tri power on the 390 in 61? I know the M code 390 had 406 heads and a hotter cam and a higher compression engine with 3 Holley 2Vs. I own a 63 Thunderbird Sport Roadster with the 390 Z code engine. Ford did design and build some beautiful and stylish Starliners and Galaxies and Thunderbirds.
Well, what happened when you two drag raced?
My Dad bought a 58 sration wagon with 352/300hp Police Interceptor that was a police vehicle, 3spd column shift with very high ratio rear end, that thing would wind forever in second gear, Carter AFB carb with vacuum secondary. I still have the carb 54 years later. Good memories, nice video here of rare cars by Ford.
The only FE engines in 58s were 332s. 352 did not yet exist during the 58 model year.
@@erichanson3961 I beg to differ as we had two 58 Fords, both with 352 engines.
Ford didn't have fe engine until 1960
FE came out for 58 in 332 and 352 sizes. @@maccole1406
@@maccole1406 my 59 had the 332 fe
When I was a kid, we would see 61 Starliner's fairly regularly. But 60 Starliner's were almost never seen. 60 Fords are rarely seen in general. I would sure love to get my hands on a 60 Starliner today.
As a kid, our family car was a 61 Starliner with a 3 speed on the tree and a 292 Y block. It replaced a '56 Fairlane, also a 3 speed manual with a 272 V8. I learned to drive in the Starliner and the Galaxie that replaced it. My first car was a '62 Galaxie 2dr sedan with a 3 speed sick and the 292 V8. I wish I still had the '62.
My dad ordered a 1961 Ford Fairlane Coupe with a post as it was the lightest of the models. It had a radio and a heater, vinyl bench seats and nice thin rubber floor mats. No power steering, brakes, windows or A/C. But it did have a 390-375HP motor and three on a tree as there was no 4speed available in any model at that time. It also had a 4.11 equal lock rear axle rather than the stock open 3.50. It was as sleeper. Than after the 406 motor came out, he scored a Factory 3x2 set up and a 4 speed. He designed and adapted an overdrive to the 4 speed and we put in 4.57 gears in the rear. Completely stock, white paint black wall tires. Tires were the limiting factor in the 60’s. Blowing off 427 fords & vettes and 440 dodges was a piece of cake, unless they had gears and posi.
4.57 gears geez, that thing had to MOVE
I seen one of these with a 60's SOHC cammer engine in it several years ago at Crites Automotive. At the time i was in love with Starliners so it was a holy grail car for me, i've seen a few others but that was the coolest.
Saw that car (or one like it) at the CHRR.
The Sock engine (a 427 SOHC) was the most powerful big block Ford ever produced. Im not counting the new supercharged GT 500 engines. Its a shame Ford did not produce but a few thousand of those and BTW, SOHC 427’s never came in a car model. You bought the engine only from Ford aka a crate engine.
The Orange Starliner in the thumbnail, has a SOHC 427 in it. It belongs to John Vermeersch. I have a poster it is featured on, called "Detroit Cruisin' Legends".
that lavender 1960 starliner is beautiful!!!
My first car was a '61 Sunliner with the 300hp 390 and 3 on the tree. I loved that car, wish I had kept it, and have been looking for one for years now
My red 1961 Starliner is at the 9:28 mark. The blue 1961 Starliner at the end of the video is the one I restored for Bonneville legend George Poteet.
My 1st car, at 16, was the family "hand me down" 59 Galaxie 500 w/332 2v 220hp. My uncle was a car dealer and got in-trade a 61 Starliner w/390 4v 300hp that had been modified with shaved heads and a 406 cam & lifters, and I added Hedman headers & electric fuel pump. "Those Were the Days"!
I was in awe of the Starliner in Wimbledon White,right before it, but that Blue one is a Thing of BEAUTY! Nice Work!!
Oh man! How I wish I was born before so I could have lived in the era when cars were so exciting. Cars had style and character back then. We are now stuck with crappy, sanitized and vapid junks
It was a great time to grow up in, when cars had style, and you could identify them half a mile away. Not like cookie cutter cars of today. Sure had fun working on those cars.
That's the best characterization of modern cars I have seen. 😂
The one year only 1960 Ford is one of their best looking, well built offerings.
Glad to see this video...My brother had a white 61 Starliner 390/401 3-speed, and it hauled ass. It was a top dog in old Eugene Oregon. I had a maroon 62 Galaxie XL 390/300 auto and that Starliner would eat it up. Over the years I would hear guys talking about how fast the 401 cubic inch Starliner was and I'd say it was a 390 and the fight was on. These were the same guys who would swear 57 Chevies could be had with a factory 4-speed. Anyway my brother and a cousin built the Last of the Mohicans, a Nitro burning Vette Funny Car that held some records...
I have a 1961 Starliner. It started out with a 390 and a manual transmission, 4 speed. It was restored in the US twenty years ago, I have owned it for 15 years now. I have fitted disc brakes to the front, it has a 427 OHC engine installed now with a multi plate clutch and a modified 4 speed manual transmission. I am in New Zealand and the car is quite a rarerity over here
Hiya my mate has got one down here in Lower Hutt with a 406.
My Dad had a 61 Starliner with a 390 tri- power. I remember how fast it was and how well my Mother could speed shift the 3-on-the tree overdrive transmission. My first grade teacher (1964 ) wrote that she hoped I got a 61 Ford someday because I ran around the playground pretending I was one. I saw the car when I was 17; the owner was running a 427 in it. My Dad's former employees have written about it on Facebook. As a reverse mortgage loan officer working with customers from my home town, I was asked about the car and if I remembered it. They made an indelible impression and I am proud to be associated with them and that particular Ford,
Daddy had a ‘61 that started out with the 390 tri-power and then got a professional speed shop build-out. It was one of his favorite out of around 150 cars he owned.
I remember the easy way to identify the cars which is easiest... The 58 and 59s had 4 pair of oars & a tow chain in the trunk. In 61 ferd gave em a little more power and cheapened up too. Ya only got one set of oars in the trunk no tow chain either.
@@thekingsilverado3266
I detect a traitor among us!! Probably one of those Bowtie or Stude guys! Or worse yet, a Mopar fanatic!
Long live the lead sleds of the early 60s, when the big wigs thought names hinting a space vehicles were cool.
The post Edsel years were hard for the blue ovals team.
They knew they were losing market shares to everyone else, including the soon to fail Studebaker!
But, I digress.
Look up Pete Robinson for more.
Oh and the early 60s
T-birds that weighed
6000lbs!!!!
I wonder if the 61 Ford 390s had different types of clutches
When I met my ex-wife she was driving a Ford Galaxie. Tell you what that was the quietest car I ever rode in. I don't remember much else about it though. But that was a really nice car.
A friend and I owned a 1961 Ford fitted with the 390 "Ford Motor Company High Performance Engine" with the 3 two barrel carb setup. It was the el cheapo model without even a radio. We bought it from a school teacher whose son had convinced her to order it. When it became obvious to her that the car was too much for her, my friend and I benefitted from her willingness to sell. The car was fast for the day. We beat the hell out of it, like teenagers will, and it eventually blew up, but in the meantime we had a lot of fun with it. I know the '64 GTO is considered the start of the muscle car era, but I think this Ford was a harbinger of things to come. It sure seemed like a muscle car to me.
The GTO was the first performance car to be dubbed "Muscle Car", but the 55 Chrysler was the first muscular car as standard equipped. Some say the 53 Hudson Hornet with the 7X engine was the first, but that engine was a dealer option, not a factory option.
@@jamesbosworth4191 But what about the DeSoto or Henry J or Tucker! Now that was so far ahead of its time the Detroit auto companies rallied together to make sure it DIDN'T HAPPEN!
Reminds of a certain president of that era......
@@revvyhevvy The DeSoto Adventurer was the same formula, but it came out in 56. The Henry J was by no means a performance car, it was a cheap economy car. With the optional 6, it wasn't a bad performer, but in no way was it a muscle car. The Tucker might have been, but the powers that be conspired to bring it down, AND, Preston Tucker stepped on more than a few toes, so he made some enemies, and he played fast and loose with many items of paper work.
A great body guy and fabricator can make what can't be bought. I do it all the time Just not on cars that rare or nice. This channel truly lives up to it's name.
I had a 61 starliner that I pulled from a farm field 1n 1982. (I was 21) Traded it for a running driving 1973 Chevy Vega. Damn! Wish I had that car back. The Vega rusted away in less than 2 years.
The Vega was a horrible car with a horrible engine. The Pontiac version, which had that "Iron Duke" engine was far better simply because it actually ran.
'61. My gramps had a '61 in the early '60s-1970s. It was badass even then.
Loved the 1961 when the came out and all those years later, still on of my favorite Fords.
Geez, this takes me back. I'd forgotten how prevalent hub caps were in those days, rather than full wheel covers. A friend's dad had a 1964 Galaxie convertible, and I was sooooo jealous.
I had (5) relatives own various color & engine combos of '64 Galaxie 2-door fastbacks. The old southwest side of Detroit hood was loaded with '64 Fords including my buddy & I double dated in a Galaxie convertible for our prom. What a popular car line that still looks good today.
I loved those old Galaxies and older cars in general. They were beautiful works of art and had so much character.
I love this stuff. I am trying to get a '59 Chevy long distance ready. Car design of that time was fabulous chrome over sensible.
I owned a 1961 Ford Starliner , red with a 406 cid. It was really fast .
If you are able, check out a July '61 Hot Rod magazine. The winner of Superstock, in a 61 Starliner, towed out of Austin Texas, is my dad. There is a picture of him. He lined up next to a Ford sponsored 61 Srarliner... Turned a 12.92 second lap.
I shared this video to him, hope to watch it with him real soon.
Thank you!
P.S. We dont have a copy of that rag, if one is out there, im very interested!
There was professional driver in East Tennessee by the last name of Gardner. He drag raced a new 1961 black Starliner with a 390 high performance with a 4 speed and ran mid 12's. The car was picked up a few years by some friends of mine and mechanically restored, it had extremely low miles because they were all put on 1/4 mile at a time. That thing was a terror on the streets for years!
As far as aesthetics go with the full-size coupes of the early 60's, I believe the '61 Impala (Bubbletop) was a work of art.
The 62 SS Impala was hard to beat in my book - beautiful cars.
Those cars are beautiful
Got a 68 with a 390 ! Love galaxies !
Galaxies are very underrated cuz they r are big, they have such great lines!
I love the 352 three onthe tree combo,had tha set up in my '67 F250. God do i miss that truck had to let her go almost 20 years ago seemed like she got 5mpg no matter what lol
Love these cars, love this channel. Being an old guy l remember all of the cars you feature and it's so nice reading about them. I have a small collection of mostly pre 1975 exotic cars but l do have an unrestored (nice patina) 1957 Corvette that l've owned since 1978 and a 1966 Falcon convertible 289 4v with a 4-speed. For American cars l either have no loyalty or am loyal to them all meaning l have no preference for any brand just thar it's pre 1972. I am looking for something like a Starliner or bubble top Impala preferably with a manual Trans. Both of these of these models are some of the best looking cars of the early 60s
Pretty awesome collection that you have there! Thanks for watching the videos!
@@rarecars3336 Liked and subscribed. Just this morning l've come across some info on an early 60s (not sure of the year) ultra rare 4-speed Pontiac Grand Prix or 2+2 that's part of an estate sale. I've had some great luck with these because they usually want a buyer to take all the cars which l'm capable of doing. I'll let you know how it goes.
When I was 13yrs old an uncle of a friend I lived near bought a 61 fairlane 500 which had the 390 375hp and 3 on the tree with overdrive from Stanley Byrd who raced it out of a Ford dealership in Middletown Ohio Oscar could run consistent 13.10s in it one day Stanley drove it and run a 12.99 that was very fast in 62 and really good with 3 on the tree
I had a '60 Ford Starliner. On hyw 94 going downtown San Diego, my left front wheel decided to exit on the 28th street exit while I was in the middle lane going 65 mph. Of course the front end on that side became a slide. Morning traffic seemed to enjoy the spark show and would not let me move to the center side, as that was the only direction I could steer the car to. Eventually I got over and the car still maintained a straight line. That was the end of the line for that car. I did work on it before, had to replace the water pump and the thermostat. You had to take the entire grill off to actually get to things. What a pain it was in comparison to my mothers '50 Chevy Bel-Air. Of course the chevy was a straight 6 vs the V8 in the Starliner. The Starliner had a 4 barrel carb that I owned. One of the specific things that people did not know about those cars is that you did not really need the key in the ignition switch. You could start it with a penny by putting it in the slight slot and turning on the car. No hot wire needed to steal it.
I had a 1966 Galaxy XL 500 with 428 engine was a Stone, that did the same thing to me, the bottom ball joint fell apart while I was making a left-hand turn, luckily I did keep it out of the ditch.
@@mylanmiller9656 That is the advantage of king pins - they can't pull out of their socket the way ball joints can.
Does that penny trick still work?
A high school buddy had a 1961 Starliner, 390, 3 speed. As I recall, it had a "centrifugal clutch" that got harder to push down the faster it went. Annoying on the drag strip. He raced a '60 Chevy, 348 w/ 3 2s and 4 speed. He was 2 car lengths ahead before shifting into third gear. I still think its one of the coolest cars ever made. Exclnt post!
Some 62 starlift cars with 406 and trips. got out to the public they must be among the rarest of the rare, a class mate in Elyria Ohio had one dack around 1968 or 69.
I remember those Starliners for another reason. At our full-service filling station, we pumped the gas, cleaned the windshield, checked the oil, etc. The one thing I could not do was entirely clean the front and rear windshields, A about 64" tall I could not reach the center of either. Thanks to the fins the I did not even try the rear one. Narragansett Bay
Those cars were over 80 inches wide! The 62 was a hair narrower, as the 60 and 61 cars were actually illegal for a car. The Feds warned Ford that if they didn't slim down some, their cars would have to be licensed as buses.
You must have had your wings clipped then or just didn't want to reach right over because there were ladies sitting in the front seat.
I learned how to drive a 1960 Ford Galaxie and I also own a1964 galaxie. I love the two car's. They were fun to drive.❤😊. Thank you guys for the video 📸📸📸📸❤.😊
My dad had one of these back in the day.(1961). It was Blue - called it the Blue Goose. It was fast & rock solid with a good ride too. Very cool. He kept it for 5 or 6 years. I don't know if he sold it outright or traded it. Love to have it today. That was when Ford made something worth taking home unlike today. Thanks for posting some good memories. P.S. With a set of dual glass packs - it sounded fantastic. They didn't stay on very long. Mom was pissed.
Great video and info. I had not a Starliner, but a Sunliner when I was 18. I drove it another 100 K miles.
Your dad had the nicest looking Starliner Ford ever made. The top of the line engine in a ‘61 Ford was the new for ‘61 390 with 401 horses (the tri power model). Was thinking by then you could get a 4 spd on the floor thou. I know in 1960 you could not get a 4 speed. In ‘62 the 406 came out then in ‘63 the 427 was introduced.
I like the 60 over the 61 the design on the 60 was flawless!🇺🇲
The Starliner was an absolutely beautiful car. I recall from past articles that the HIPO 352 turned some respectably quick numbers. Thanks for the video.
Had a '63 Country Squire with the 390, factory air, loaded with all the options.
Of course then, my favorite car alongside, was the 63 Galaxy.
Never heard much about the Starliner, but it sure influenced what I ended up falling in love with. Thanks for this.
The 61 is my one of my all time favorite cars.
Such a beautiful car
A friend in college drove one in 2000, unrestored. It sat 6 easily, 9 with a squeeze.
My father always said that was a wide car!
That was a cool kid.....along with his favorite squeeze. Happy New Year!
Goodday from Australia,
Great story absolutely loved it & to learn something new everyday.
Cheers
Louis Kats 👍
My brother had a red '60 Starliner back in '69-'70.
The 1960 Galaxie Starliner was a departure from what had become iconic in all Ford models: The round taillight. This year's model had half-round taillights, opening up designers from then on to use whatever shape they wanted.
Truely the most beautiful American car ever made.
great vid!
Thank you, glad you enjoyed!
Rode in a brand new 61 starliner 390 375 3 on the tree. It was faster than advertised. As fast as a 327 340 hp corvette.
Gee I get to squawk about my 61. My second car bought in 1965 from a Ford dealer who bought it for his son in 61. 3 speed manual with overdrive converted to a Hurst T floor shift. Equa-loc rear. Supposedly a 390 configuration that the FMC maintenance manual called a police interceptor. Get this: solid lifters, Ford grand national 4bbl and cast iron exhaust snakes. Dual exhaust with glass-packs. Front springs slightly wedged. I put in an electronic ignition and Stewart Warner tach and gauges. Powershifted nothing could beat it. I ran against Vettes, 289 hypo Mustangs various GM crap and Chrysler 426 wedges (no hemis were running on the street yet). Every night I would pop the valve covers and adjust the valves, change the oil and check the lower end. It looked like it had forged aluminum rods. It could have been bored out for all I know. At 6 grand it sounded like it had been balanced and blueprinted. That sound attracted more attention than its speed. I'd run somebody and when they caught up to me at the next stop light they'd be yelling "what the hell you got in that thing". Traded it in on a 68 302 mustang road car. Yaas those were the days. I took great pride at blowing the doors off of everything around. And only got stopped once...for a warning.
You did indeed have either the Police Interceptor or the 390 HiPo. They both had solids.
Wow that is a sick story thank you for sharing that, must have been a real fun car on the street in the day
@@rarecars3336 Sick???
That NASCAR special fastback roof for the 1962 Sunliner convertible was called the "Starlifter" roof. Very rare item today.
@johnjohnsn7633, that was an aftermarket kit and NOT a factory option.
Google Starlift and you will see Ford promotional pictures of a 62 Starlift. It seems like Ford was trying to make it appear to be a factory part, like the 55-57 t-bird hardtop. NASCAR banned the Starlift after it won it's first race.
@@samuelfreeman9518 NASCAR banned the 1962 Ford Starlift car because it was not a factory production vehicle.
@@sergeantmasson3669 did NASCAR ban the Starlift before of after it won a race. That's the question, then the politics of NASCAR picking favorites is the real answer. Like Junior Johnson being allowed to run a 409 ci engine out of a truck in a 59 Chevy in 1960. J.J. admitted in an interview.
@@samuelfreeman9518 Ford Starlift won it's first race and NASCAR banned it because it was not a factory production model. It was an add-on roof kit that was developed by Holmon-Moody for the Ford Sunliner convertible. The add-on roof kit didn't come with side windows. Another issue was the non-factory 483 CID FE engine that was not available in any other Ford model car. Ford was still angry about NASCAR banning the superchargers in 1957 even though that option was available in any model car. Bill France Sr argument was that the supercharger was an add-on kit and not a factory production setup. To this day, turbos and superchargers are not allowed in NASCAR. Neither are OHC engines since 1964.
Just discovered your channel. I'm impressed. I consider myself to be on the upper end of the knowledgeable scale when it comes to classic cars but the '58-'64 period is a little lacking so I'm always eager to learn more about this period. This video did that for me. I commend you, well done!
My buddy had a White '61 Starliner back in the day. I remember only 2 things --- the 3 Speed on the column and it's "Balls Out" performance. --------------------------------- "Power Shift Here We Go" BTW: I'm a Chevy Boy!!!
I had 2 352 vehicles. a 61 gallaxy and one in a 66 f100 pickup. I loved those beasts.
i'm glad Iclicked on this video. it answered a question I have had for at least two years. i had come across a picture of just the roof line of what i now know was a Ford Starliner. it just had the pillar of the rear window, showing the three stars(which I found beautiful, i could not remember what car might have had them, thinking it was maybe a Pontiac or Oldsmobile of the late 50s or early 60s. I am so happy that I now know it belonged to a Ford Starliner.
64' and 65' were the best 2 looking Galaxies. My brother bought a 65' in the early 70s right out of HS. 352 V8 dual exhaust. He put cragars on all four corners, with G 60x15s on the rear, running glass pack mufflers.
I like all the 60's Galaxies and the 352 can be made into a really nice street engine.
I had one of these In black, with red and white interior, 3 speed on the column, 390, solid lifters, aluminum intake, Holley carb, cast iron factory headers, 4:11 rear end, for a big boat, it moved pretty well. Not a world beater by any stretch, but quick and fun to drive.
An "undesirable and lame engine under the hood". Reminds me of my dad's '62 Galaxie, in which I learned to drive. It was a six with Cruise-O-Matic. It wouldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding, but it moved on its own. No peddling required. Happy days.
Nice looking ride. I always liked 'em.
Agreed, totally underrated cars in my opinion!
IMHO the 60 Starliner in the blue color @ 11:36 was the best looking full size Ford ever built. I picture one lowered with chrome reverse rims.
Very interesting... I never even knew about this model. 👍
Not many people do which is why a video needed to be made!
A neighbor of mine in 1962 bought a 1962 Galaxie with a tri-power 390 with a three speed overdrive tranny. He took me for a ride (I was thirteen) and buried the odometer in second gear overdrive. Needless to say at 75 years old I still remember that ride. At 15 I got my drivers license and within a year I had my first hot rod.
Now, look at the English scaled down version, the Ford Consul Capri....
It's a 2/3 scale version and a testament to the way both UK Ford & GM used the US cars for templates when designing cars for the UK market....
I have always liked the 61 starliner.
Real metal cars wirh beautiful style ✌️
The 60 through 66 were my favorites..i own a 65 fastback..
My Uncle in the mid to late 70s raced 61 starliners that had 390s, 406 and finally a really worked on 351 cleveland.. This was at Albuquerque Speedway park same place the Unsers had all raced. He won the championship several years. Later we switched to tube chassis Mopars with many different configurations of 426 Hemis. My Uncle had traveled to North Carolina with a Semi and bought 13 hemi blocks and heads and 2 Chargers Richard Petty had raced at several super speedways from Richard Petty;s father.
Two thoughts: 1. My first car was a 1960 Ford station wagon. For that reason I've always had a soft spot for the 60 grille and taillights even though they are quite different from anything Ford produced during those years. Can't argue with the superior drivetrain choices for the 61 model. 2. The final year of Edsel was 1960 and included a 2 door hardtop with the same fastback roof as the Starliner. Only 135 were produced so it's an easily overlooked model. No stars on the C-pillar.
I used to have a 1962 406 convertible with the 4-speed now I have a 62 two-door hardtop with a 390 and an automatic I love both of them what are the one of the best cars I've ever had
That special order engine was a beast.
No doubt a monster especially for 61
@@rarecars3336 And we all know what happens to monsters! They
are attacked by everyone!
My father special ordered a 60 Ford Country Sedan...unfortunately, having a large family and knowing that he would be putting a lot of miles on that car he ordered it with the 200 cubic inch 6.
BTW, in 1960 the Ford full-sized car was technically illegal to operate/register in many states. Many states had width restrictions on vehicle size and the 60 exceeded them. The 61 didn't have that problem.
With several 50s through 60s Fords in my extended family (all wagons) my favorite is the 61, with the 65 running a virtual tie.
The 352 came out in the 1958 Fairlane, not 1960. My mother had one and i learned to drive in it. That car would scoot.
Had a 1960 with 292 3spd auto two tone paint. bought off my neighbor when I was 16 had 40k on it that was 52 years ago and several new cars and trucks later Still my favorite car.
One of the first muscle cars, the ones that had a 390 with three two barrels.
In 1960 Fords' most powerful engine was the 352 HiPo which was rated at 360 horsepower . It had a compression ratio of 10:6 to 1 and a Holley 4 barrel carb. Then in 1961, Ford came out with their famous 390 in 3 different power versions, the highest being a whopping 401 horsepower with 3 2barrel Holley carbs. 61 was the last year of these beautiful cars as they came out with the XL in 62. all of the Galaxies are (I still drive one) great cars.
My Dad a lavender 61 Starliner. It was gorgeous
Such a pretty car and SO under rated in my opinion
When I was 16 years old and a born gearhead that subscribed to Hot Rod magazine when I was 14. The neighbor girl who was older than me had a boyfriend with a brand new 1960 Ford Starliner stick shift high performance. They were getting ready to have a picnic and needed some stuff from the store. I was hanging around her house her younger brother and I were friends. Her boyfriend Bill asked me if I had a drivers license. I had just gotten it about four months ago and told yes, I did. He gave me the keys to his car and her younger brother had a list of stuff they needed from the store. I couldn't believe he was letting me take his car. We headed towards town the long way and stopped more than once to burn the tires through first gear and feel real horsepower for the first time. I was hooked. I am 80 years old today and have a 1963 corvette roadster with a 2010 corvette LS1 engine with a 4L60E trans. As I write this, I have a 1965 rust free mustang convertible that I am building a 347 cubic inch stroker motor out of a 289 block. All because of that 1960 Starliner.
I had a green & white, '59 Galaxie 4dr, 352ci and "Fordomatic" transmission. Loved the big "Rocket-Age" tail lights at night. First time you own a 1950's era American car with a big "wrap around" front screen, sometime in the first few weeks you WILL absent-mindedly slam your knee into the windscreen edge where it curves around and intrudes into the door aperture. It WILL hurt like all hell. You will NOT do it again. Because you will be forever be wary of it from that day on. Other than that, I loved that car.
Few years later I was playing Double Bass in a notorious, popular local Rockabilly Rhythm'n'Blues band, and bought a blue & white 1965 Galaxie Ex-Ambulance as our "Blues Mobile" band rig to cart our instruments & selves to gigs and back. It had a mild 351 Cleveland and auto, with a straight through twin system exhaust that had no mufflers beyond a pair of "Glass Pack Hotdog Tubes" that only seemed to amplify the drag-car decibels you could hear coming a couple of miles away. Even when I tickled the loud pedal trying to drive quiet, it was a cop-magnet. Had to talk my way out of a defect notice so many times I got good at it. Without exception, ALL kids who saw it used to point and yell "Ghost Busters". Woke up in the back with a groupie chick more than once, the morning after a massive gig. Missed the old girl when she was finally moved on.
Always loved the styling of the 1960 Galaxies with those muted "bat wings", compared to '59 Chevrolets, and those killer "half moon" tail lights. Especially the upmarket Starliner model.
My first car 41 years ago was my 59 meteor wagon and still rockin a fe today !
FE Gang!
In Michigan, on a still night, you could hear them rusting.
Thank you for introducing me to the Starliner. The name I recognized; knew nothing of what it signified.
I've owned 19 Galaxies, but one of my favorites was the black, 390 1961 Starliner I had...I'd like to get it back...
Nice job!
You could buy a 1960 Ford Starliner with the HiPo 352 engine that made 360hp, with the Tri-power carbs, that made 360hp, amazing at the time. The 1960 Starliner was tested in the January 1960 issue of Motor Trend, equipped with the new 352/360hp engine, ran the 1/4 mile in 15.32 at 92.87 mph. There July 1960 issue, Motor Trend ran a second test of the Starliner with the 352/360hp engine and ran an even lower e.t. of 14.81 at 94.71.