In this article, we will share some facts about the Ford Starliner.
Before the muscle car era began, Ford launched a full-sized hardtop in 1960. The Ford Starliner was in production for 2 years before it became extinct in 1961. Offering a wide range of features, the Starliner was a successful racing vehicle. It was driven by NASCAR legends David Pearson and Junior Johnson. The Ford Starliner was known for its aerodynamics and fastback styling. Here is what’s special about this rare Ford Starliner.
Interesting Facts about The Ford Starliner
Designing
The 2-door fastback and hardtop vehicle was a perfect luxury vehicle. The Ford Starliner had an attractive roofline. The bubble-top roofline, concave grille, and long rear gave the vehicle a luxury look. Starliner was praised for its aerodynamic designs, especially the fastback sloping. It was made of chromium with integrated headlights. Overall, it was a sleek styling which made the Starliner popular among the masses.
Was A Successful Racing Vehicle
Ford Starliner’s mad run in NASCAR racing made it iconic. It secured more than 20 wins in NASCAR. Driven by Fireball Roberts, David Pearson, and Junior Johnson, the Ford Starliner’s fame reached the next level. Apart from NASCAR, it featured in other racing events like the USAC Stock Car and Drag Racing. It also became the go-to vehicle of street races. Although the sale of the Ford Starliner didn’t match the expectations, it had a successful run in racing circuits.
FE Series’ Engines
The Ford Starliner’s engine was built around the FE Series’ models. Multiple engine options including the 292 CID Y-block V8 352 CID FE V8, 430 CID V8, and 406 cu in FE V8 were available. Starliner was a racing vehicle with top speed ranging between 120mph to 144mph. The performance was powered by RWD and 3-speed manual gearbox. Starliner featured suspension with coil springs and leaf springs. This was the main reason for its performance in NASCAR.
Comfortable Vehicle
The Ford Starliner was a comfortable vehicle for its amazing features like spacious cabin, suspension, and FE V8 engines. It had drum brakes, bucket seats, AC, and AM radio. The dashboard was equipped with gauges. It was a durable vehicle powered by its advanced suspension and Ford chassis. The longevity of Ford Starliner surprised many and this was the factor that made it a monster in NASCAR races.
It Was a Rare Vehicle
Ford Starliner was not available in multiple generations. It was just another limited-edition model between 1960 to 1961. Overall, the Ford Starliner sold more than 98k units which was huge. On the other hand, the total amount of sales didn’t meet the expectations of Ford. This is why the Starliner was not as successful as other Ford models. After 1961, the Starliner was replaced by its successor model, Galaxie 500.
Influence in Media
The impact of the Ford Starliner shocked many. After its success in NASCAR, it became an iconic model of Ford. The fastback styling and aerodynamics were the main reasons. Ford Starliner made frequent appearances in media, films, TV shows, and magazines. Starliner gained universal reach after its run in NASCAR.
A Collector Vehicle
Combining excellent performance and stylish design, the Starliner was sold for $2,800 USD. The high pricing was also one of the reasons for the commercial failure of Ford Starliner. Today, it is found only in collector markets. The restored Starliner models are priced for $60,000 USD. Some models are being sold above $100,000 USD.