Vehicle Description
Z-code 390/401 horsepower with 6V induction and solid lifter cam.
4-speed manual transmission. Very high-quality frame-off
restoration in excellent condition. Fantastic colors and highly
detailed. This is a very special car!Ford didn't seem to want to
engage in the horsepower wars in the early 1960s, but NASCAR kind
of forced them into it. For 1961, they actually offered a variety
of 390 cubic inch V8s at the top of the pecking order, offering 2-,
4-, and 6-barrel induction systems and making 300 to 401
horsepower. Opting for the 375 or 401 horsepower versions also got
you a manual transmission, heavy-duty suspension and brakes, and
special 15-inch wheels, but little else. They weren't meant for the
guy commuting to the office, they were built for combat. This
bright red 1961 Starliner hardtop is what you got when you checked
the '401' horsepower box on the order form: a gorgeous full-sized
coupe with enough blasting powder under the hood to make it one of
the meanest cars on the road in 1961. Painting it red certainly
didn't hurt, and there's really no point in trying to be subtle in
a car like this. The dynamic Starliner look is pure rocket-age
awesome, with fins, jet-exhaust taillights, and the beautiful
curving roofline that features three 'stars' on the C-pillar just
to emphasize the name. Thanks to a comprehensive restoration in the
early 2000s and exemplary care ever since, this one remains in
fantastic condition throughout with very few miles on the work. The
massive quarters are laser-straight, the doors fit beautifully and
close easily, and the brilliant red paint is a mile deep. Of
course, there's also plenty of chrome and stainless trim, all of
which was restored and remains in show-quality shape today,
including the brilliant strip of stainless that lives behind the
rear wheel arches. There's simply no angle from which this car
doesn't look fantastic.The interior is no-frills flying, but that
was the point here-frills add weight and when you're going racing,
weight is the enemy. Instead, this Galaxie carries a pair of wide
bench seats, a big steering wheel, and a proper 4-speed shifter on
the floor. The red and white upholstery is quite correct and all
the details, from the fluted foil trim on the door panels to the
'Starliner' script on the dash was accurately re-created. The
gauges cover the basics only (they assumed a racer would add his
own) and accessories include only a heater and an AM radio (the
radio is unfortunately not operational, but do you really need
it?). It's probably worth noting that this car was originally
equipped with 3-on-the-tree shifting, but late in 1961, a proper
4-speed was offered by the factory, so this car was converted
during the restoration and it looks quite correct today. The seats
and carpets are in virtually new condition, the headliner is taut,
and there's very little evidence of use since the restoration was
finished. Even the trunk is neatly outfitted with a correct mat and
a matching full-sized spare tire assembly.Early in production, the
intake manifold and carburetors were shipped in the trunk and
installed by dealers, but at some point Ford started installing
them at the factory. Ford didn't make a distinction in the VIN
regarding the 4V vs. the 6V (they were both Z-codes) and it's not
known how many people selected the 6V setup. Notably, the details
in this car are correct, including the trio of Holley 2-barrel
carburetors on an aluminum intake manifold, the oval-shaped air
cleaner, and a special progressive linkage that runs the car on the
center carb until you really lean on it. The hardware inside was
the same as the 375 horsepower 4-barrel version, including a solid
lifter cam that sounds racy, a dual point distributor,
hand-selected pistons and rods, and bigger oil passages inside the
block. Thunderbird valve covers, special '390' decals, and unique
cast iron 'headers' were part of the Hi-Po package, too. The engine
bay is beautifully detailed with correct colors and finishes
throughout, and if anything, it's probably nicer than it was in
1961-the finish on all the parts is show-quality. It's also ready
to rock, because it starts easily, idles pretty well once it's
warmed up (there's a pretty darned big cam in there), and pulls
hard out on the road. Drive gently and it's happy to inhale through
that center carb, but lean on it and you can hear those outer carbs
come online and the big hardtop just lunges forward. It's
impressive as hell for such a massive machine.As we mentioned, the
original 3-speed manual was replaced with a 4-speed during the
restoration, and it's the right choice. Gear ratios are well-chosen
and with 3.89 gears out back, it steps off the line easily and rips
through the gears with enthusiasm. Bigger drum brakes (manual only)
were part of the Hi-Po package, as was an upgraded suspension, and
you couldn't get power steering, either. You'll note that this car
wears proper red oxide primer on its floors, and all the ancillary
components are correct, from the Rotunda oil filter to the
reproduction exhaust system that has just the right tone, and all
the factory markings were accurately reproduced. Special 15-inch
Kelsey-Hayes wheels were part of the Hi-Po package, too, with these
wearing NOS (not reproduction) 7.10-15 Firestone bias-ply tires.
Yes, they're correct, but if you're planning any long-distance,
high-speed runs, a change of shoes is probably a good
idea.Documentation includes the original owner's manual and a
binder full of information on this car as well as the 6V 401
horsepower package.This is a very special car. Ford didn't keep
records on how many 6V 390 Starliners were built, but it was surely
a very small number with fewer still surviving today. Add in the
exceptional restoration, fantastic road manners, and just plain
outrageousness of the car itself, and you have a winning formula
today, just as in 1961. Take a careful look at the details, then
give us a call.Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes
personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our
inventory prior to purchase.
