Vehicle Description
Real-deal 352/360 horsepower 3-speed car. Beautiful, high-quality
restoration, very accurate. Extensive recent service. New radial
tires. Beautiful Corinthian White paint with red interior. Ford's
stunning Starliner hardtop with their top engine for 1960!The
all-new 1960 Ford Starliner was a show-stopper. From any angle,
this is a gorgeous car and unlike so many of its competitors, it
was beautiful without being outrageous. Sure, there are still some
vestigial fins, but Ford never went crazy with the tailfins like GM
and Chrysler, so the 1960 Fords looked sleek and modern when they
hit the showrooms. And since NASCAR was getting to be a big deal,
Ford knew the Starliner had to be competitive?the sleek shape made
it tough to beat! This particular Starliner is a beautiful
restoration that's highly correct, finished by a guy who sweats the
details on all his cars. If it needed something, it got it, and the
result is a beautiful Starliner with a potent motor that runs
right. During the restoration, the color was changed from red to
Corinthian White, but that's on the Ford color charts for 1960, so
no foul there. The bodywork is extremely well done, with
laser-straight panels and great gaps all around, so someone was
focused on getting it right. The chrome and stainless trim is
likewise in ready-to-show condition, including the little gunsight
ornaments atop the front fenders. The only possible demerit is a
gold 'Starliner' badge that doesn't quite fit flush, but since
they're unobtainium, you're just going to have to be careful with
it. Even the anodized panels behind the rear wheel arches are
bright and straight, a testament to the guys doing the work on this
car.The red interior is also correct for 1960, featuring wide bench
seats and cloth inserts that definitely help keep you planted in
place. The funky striped pattern looks great and is correct for the
top-of-the-line Starliner, but as a performance-oriented version,
this one is necessarily light on options. Standard gauges cover the
basics, and there's an aftermarket tachometer under the dash just
to keep an eye on the fast-revving 352 under the hood. The big
steering wheel features a chrome horn ring that's in excellent
condition and the wheel itself shows no signs of cracking or other
damage. New carpets, correct door panels, and a well-fitted
headliner make the interior feel factory fresh, and the only
notable options are a heater and an AM radio, both of which are
operational. Seat belts have been added in the name of safety, but
that's about it for modifications. The back seat looks like it has
never been used and there's a massive trunk with a correct plaid
mat and spare tire cover (there is no spare?the Hi-Po version uses
rare 15-inch wheels and they're simply not available anywhere at
any price). The top engine in 1960 was a 352 cubic inch V8 with
solid lifters, a big 4-barrel carburetor, dual exhaust, and 360
horsepower. One horsepower per cubic inch was still a big deal, and
this over-achieving engine was enough to make the Starliner one of
the faster cars of the period. Fully rebuilt to stock specs, it
runs superbly thanks to a recent tune. It isn't at all fussy or
high-strung, starting easily and idling nicely at about 1000 RPM.
That air cleaner is correct, as are the gold valve covers, and you
can always spot a Hi-Po by its exhaust manifolds, which are unique.
Fresh decals and a reproduction battery help with the OEM look, and
you'll note that little stuff like the fuel lines and fuel pump,
which are unique to the Hi-Po, are correct pieces. Ford script
hoses and proper clamps round out the engine bay that looks ready
to show. The only transmission available with the Hi-Po engine was
a 3-speed manual with a column shifter, so that's what's in this
car. Power steering was not available, nor were power brakes, so it
does take a little muscle to handle this car at parking lot speeds.
But out on the road, it just sparkles with a wide torque curve,
easy control efforts, and a wonderful V8 exhaust note that's almost
worth the price of admission all by itself. Floors are super solid,
as are the rockers, and while there's a light dusting of
undercoating in a few areas, none of it hides anything. The Ford
9-inch rear end is full of 3.50 gears, so it remains an easy
highway cruiser, and all the ancillary systems (brakes, fuel,
steering, exhaust) have been rebuilt or replaced. And it does sit
on correct 15-inch steel wheels, which were unique to the Hi-Po
cars, along with a fresh set of 7.10R15 Coker bias-look
radials.Extras include an original owner's manual, a spare radio,
and a new window regulator (sometimes the right rear handle
slips).Beautiful and fast isn't something you can say about a lot
of American cars in 1960, but the Starliner hits a lot of high
notes. With a beautiful and correct restoration, this one offers a
car that's enjoyable to drive and still might be competitive on the
show field, all with the Hi-Po mystique. A cool piece of Ford
performance history, ready to enjoy. Call today!Harwood Motors
always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections
of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.
