When it comes to Fords built in the early 1960s, we mostly remember the full-sized Galaxie and Fairlane. Having debuted in 1959 in the then-new compact market, the Falcon also comes to mind. But we rarely think about the Starliner.
And that's mainly because the nameplate was short-lived. Introduced in 1960, the Starliner was discontinued in 1961, so it barely spent two model years in showrooms. But the Starliner is a pretty special car that deserves much more attention.
For starters, it looked the part thanks to a fastback-style roof with thin pillars. Sleeker than the regular Galaxie, it became the car of choice for many NASCAR teams. And it eventually prompted Ford to introduce a similar Sports Hardtop version of the Galaxie halfway through the 1963 model year.
It's also worth noting that the Starliner sat at the top of the Galaxie lineup alongside the Sunliner convertible, sporting premium appointments and unique exterior trim.
The engine lineup included V8 powerplants only. The base engine was the aging 292-cubic-inch (4.8-liter) "Y-block" V8 rated at 185 horsepower. The options list included the 352-cubic-inch (5.8-liter) "Thunderbird" V8, good for 235 or 300 horsepower.
In mid-1960, Ford introduced a Hi-Po version of the same mill with 360 horsepower on tap. 1961 saw the addition of the 390-cubic-inch (6.4-liter) Thunderbird V8 with 375 horses, and word has it a dealer option added a 3x2-barrel carburetor setup for 401 horsepower. Needless to say, the Starliner was no slouch when ordered with the right engine.
The Starliner moved 68,641 units in 1960, which was about 23% of the total Galaxie production run. In 1961, only 29,669 customers bought a Starliner before it was discontinued (Ford sold 349,665 Galaxies that year). But the nameplate wasn't discontinued due to slow sales. Ford chose to simplify the lineup and replace it with the Galaxie 500 in 1962.
Sadly, many Starliners fell into disrepair over the years, and only a tiny fraction of the nearly 100,000 units produced survived to see 2024. And those that are still around are in bad shape or stuck in junkyards and barns.
Fortunately, some still get saved. Like the rare Hi-Po version we saw emerge from storage after 50 years in 2021. The 1960 example you see here is not a prized Hi-Po rig, but it was lucky enough to get saved after sitting in a barn for a whopping 42 years.
Rescued by YouTube's "Speed Bump Garage," this Starliner is not only an authentic barn find but also a one-owner car. How did it end up in long-term storage back in 1982? Our host doesn't say, but the car is in pretty good shape. Sure, it's dusty and missing some trim, but it doesn't have significant rust issues.
The car actually ran when it was parked, but the 292-cubic-inch "Y-block" V8 decided to get stuck after so many years without a sip of gasoline. But there's more good news in this story, as our host managed to get it running again. It took a lot of work, and keeping the V8 running is still an issue, but it's an excellent start for a barn find that's been sitting for more than four decades.
It's unclear whether this Starliner will be restored or not, but it would be great to see it back on the road. Until that happens, see it coming back to life after 42 years in the video below.
Ask Ciprian about cars and he'll reveal an obsession with classics and an annoyance with modern design cues. Read his articles and you'll understand why his ideal SUV is the 1969 Chevrolet K5 Blazer. Full profile
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