In my last Pick of the Day, I mentioned how Ford hit a visual sweet spot with the 1992-1996 F-150 because it wasn’t as boxy or curvy as the truck that came before or after it, respectively. Well, it seems Ford did the same thing back in the early 1960s with one of its cars. You can find this 1961 Ford Galaxie Sunliner convertible listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in El Cajon, California. It comes with a convertible top boot and its original spare tire, jack, and lug nut wrench. The video below shows an exterior/interior tour and a road test.
The Galaxie joined the Ford lineup for 1959. As the brochure puts it, “A bright, new personality in cars, the six Galaxie models are a full ‘fine car’ 6-passenger expression of Thunderbird luxury and classic simplicity.” One of those six models was the Sunliner convertible, which had a large rear window and a ragtop that folded down to be flush with the rear deck. It certainly has presence, but I don’t consider it visually graceful.
The 1960 Sunliner is slightly rounder and sleeker, but its horizontal rear fins look a little awkward. However, it seems as if Ford was working toward something more attractive. If you ask me, the company nailed it with the ’61 model. With its quad round headlights, creased grille, diagonal tail fins, and large round Thunderbird-style taillights, it’s dynamic, but all those different shapes and directions work well together. Somehow, there’s a flow to all of it, helped by the slope of the front wheel arches, the body side moldings, rear wheel skirts, and ribbed quarter panel trim. I can’t help but look at the ’61 Sunliner and want to jump in it and go somewhere, the wind blowing through my hair the whole way there.
That urge is especially strong with the Sunliner you see here. The light blue paint brings spring to mind. It’s way too hot in Phoenix right now, but this would be a great car to drive up to the cooler temperatures of the high country, where it could be better enjoyed with its white top down.
The two-tone blue cabin looks just as lighthearted and cheery. According to the selling dealer, “The interior is complete and in great condition. Factory front and rear bench seats. Has the original gauge cluster. All the gauges are in working order, other than the fuel gauge. Still retains the original clock. Equipped with manual windows, which roll up and down without any issues.”
You could get the ’61 Starliner with the standard 223ci Mileage Maker Six with 135 horsepower or one of several V-8s. This particular car has a 390ci V-8, although it’s unclear from the listing whether it’s the 300-horsepower Thunderbird 390 Special or the 375-horse Thunderbird 390 Super that Ford offered in ’61, or a completely different 390. One thing’s for certain: the engine is paired with a three-speed manual gearbox and manual drum brakes.
It took a few years, but the Ford Galaxie Sunliner grew into its looks. This 1961 Ford Galaxie Sunliner is attractive proof of that. You can show the world just how easy on the eyes it is after you buy it for $21,950.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
