Sunliner again led the top-line Galaxie group, but the Starliner was a real surprise: a pillarless semi-fastback two-door hardtop replacing 1959's highly popular square-roof version. It looked ready to race -- and did. It also sold well, though evidently not well enough to suit Ford. A conventional hardtop coupe was reinstated for 1961, and Starliner sales nose-dived; the model would not return.

All 1961 "standard" Fords (a needed new distinction with the advent of compacts) were slightly shorter and lighter, and tastefully made over with a concave grille, reshaped hood, more rounded bodysides, and a return to large round tail lamps. Ford began moving toward "Total Performance" in these years with 1960's "Interceptor 360" version of the 352 V-8, then with 1961's enlarged 390 big-block offering up to 401 bhp.

Both were very low-volume options, making them very desirable today. As are 1960-1961 Ford Galaxie Starliner & Sunliner, which are finally getting the collector notice they deserve.

 

Pluses of the 1960-1961 Ford Galaxie Starliner & Sunliner:

  • Ample club support

  • Big and spacious

  • Lush ride

  • Moving up strongly in value

  • Smooth V-8 powerteams

  • Still fairly inexpensive, but growing in popularity

  • Swoopy styling

Minuses of the 1960-1961 Ford Galaxie Starliner & Sunliner:

  • Good-condition originals not plentiful

  • Some trim and body parts scarce now

  • Still "in-betweeners" with less value appreciation potential than some earlier and later big Fords

Production of the 1960 Ford Galaxie Starliner & Sunliner:

  • Starliner hardtop coupe: 68,461

  • Sunliner convertible: 44,762

Production of the 1961 Ford Galaxie Starliner & Sunliner:

  • Starliner hardtop coupe: 29,669

  • Sunliner convertible: 44,614

Specifications of the 1960-1961 Ford Galaxie Starliner & Sunliner:
Wheelbase, inches: 119.0
Length, inches: 213.7 (1960), 209.8 (1961)
Weight, pounds: 3,617-3,791
Price, new: $2,599-$2,860 (U.S.)
 

Engines for the 1960-1961 Ford Galaxie Starliner & Sunliner:

Type

Size
 

Horsepower
 

Years
 

ohv V-8
 

292 cid
 

175/185

1960-61

ohv V-8

352 cid
 

300/360

1960-61

ohv V-8

390 cid
 

375/401

1961