This was one great car. My family bought one, about a year old with a dealer installed AC. This was our first car with AC, didn't even have one in our S Fl. home. It's end came when a drunk Tboned my brother driving it solo. All that massive steel had him walking away from a wreck that would have killed almost anyone today in the "safe" cars.
@joesphx19 Hey, Joseph! I'm glad that you had the experience of ownership with this car...just sad that it had to end that way. Thank goodness your brother escaped injury! Tbone crashes are extremely hazardous...only now are they developing side airbags that give some measure of protection. Back in the day, the gauge of the metal helped in those collisions, I believe. Thanks! :) Jack
@taylorgpa Hey, Taylor! Yes, the 60 Ford looked least Ford-like than others of the time...those rear fins looked 59 Chevy-like! I admire the flowing style...and the hardtop Skyliner was the best! Thanks! :) Jack
@OpionatedOldMan A more squared version of these tail lights made an appearance on the 1971 Ford Glaxie 500. The entire rear of the 1971 Ford Glaxie looks like a cleaner re-interpretation of the 1960 Ford rear-end treatment.
You're absolutely right! We had the EXACT car ... with red interior. No long ornament. It did have a red, white & blue emblem on the nose. Ours was purchased new. (292 automatic)
@OpionatedOldMan I hadn't heard that claim...but such a claim would be patently false...Ford and its engineers deserve the credit here for the first one that was electrically controlled. Foreign manufacturers may have designed a hard top that folded...but I've not heard that it was electrically controlled. Thanks! :) Jack
@OpionatedOldMan The Starliner would also be on the roster the following year, 1961, with the change in tailights and grille that marked the 61. Thanks! :) Jack
@raconter1 The hideaway steel top was discontinued because it couldn't pass rollover regulations, right? There used to be a lady with a '61 Tbird, and I remember traffic would stop a watch as the top folded down into the trunk. It amazed me that for as big a car as it was, it was only a two seater...
@OpionatedOldMan As far as I know, there were never rollover regulations..it was rumored they would be enacted, and that is why convertible production stopped in the 70's..but they never materialized. Hence, convertibles restarted in the 80's..the first was the Mopar KCar. I think the reason Ford discontinued the folding metal top was the high cost, and the complexity...relays, motors, solenoids...and LOTS of wiring! Thanks! :) Jack
@OpionatedOldMan Exactly that. Introduced on the fender-skirtless "Roadster" model in '62 or '63, but could be fitted optionally on the "regular" convertible. It hid the rear seat.
very very nice...nothing nicer then an old ford dressed in black..i am not a fan of after market wheels ,but seeing they are not the large diameter wheels and actually look like 15 inch wheels..i think the car wear's them very well with the white wall's ,,,great car
@390merc65 I really like the styling of this car...particularly in hardtop form. I think you're right about the wheels..they can look right, but it takes a good eye to do it! Thanks! :) Jack
@raconter1 i also agree with you..i do like the 60/61 fords...the starliner had very nice lines with that roof design .i would not dought this car was built with some Bethlehem steel in it ...and like i said ..i am not a fan of after market wheels...i do not like the larger wheels of today , but this car gets away with the wheel/tire combo on here ,,and does it very well ,,.they look like something you could buy back in the 60's ..take care
@390merc65 Yeah....it would have been impossible to imagine a world without Bethlehem Steel, but that's exactly what we have today. It seems we are in a world that changes much quicker than we ever thought possible..things we relied on exist no more. Cars at least give us a reference back in time..and they have the virtue of familiarity...comforting amid all the change! Thanks! :) Jack
@raconter1 you are so right my man ...and today we have less manufacturing , but more population in the country today ..we need to get some back to this country ,,,and fast ...we use to be the car capitol of the world,,,not anymore,..it is sad,,and just look at Detroit today ...an old car really is at least a temporary get away from the way things are today ..
@390merc65 Essentially, a good portion of the middle class has been wiped out over the last decade..and the process is escalating. No disrespect to service jobs, but it is extremely difficult to support an individual never mind a family on those wages. The skilled manufacturing jobs have moved away...I don't know who they expect will have the money to buy their products? Sad state of affairs! Jack
@monarch1957 I'm glad it's represented in Canada....and I must say, I don't often see them here. I remember it fondly from one of my first workplaces...one of the bosses had a blue 4 door version...and he just used it to go from work to home..he had absolutely no interest in cars! A Ph.D. in biochemisty, as I remember! Thanks! :) Jack
@dodge09challenger Hey, Brian! Yes indeed..they cleaned up the styling very much...and set the scene for the full sized Ford from 60 to 64! A very nice design!
This was one great car. My family bought one, about a year old with a dealer installed AC. This was our first car with AC, didn't even have one in our S Fl. home. It's end came when a drunk Tboned my brother driving it solo. All that massive steel had him walking away from a wreck that would have killed almost anyone today in the "safe" cars.
joesphx19 3 months ago
@joesphx19 Hey, Joseph! I'm glad that you had the experience of ownership with this car...just sad that it had to end that way. Thank goodness your brother escaped injury! Tbone crashes are extremely hazardous...only now are they developing side airbags that give some measure of protection. Back in the day, the gauge of the metal helped in those collisions, I believe. Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 3 months ago
The 60 Ford was my least favorite, but you just changed my mind with this beauty. Even the non stock wheels look good on this bad boy.
taylorgpa 4 months ago
@taylorgpa Hey, Taylor! Yes, the 60 Ford looked least Ford-like than others of the time...those rear fins looked 59 Chevy-like! I admire the flowing style...and the hardtop Skyliner was the best! Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 4 months ago
The half moon tailights look Edsel inspired and made a come back on the Pinto...
OpionatedOldMan 7 months ago
@OpionatedOldMan That's a good point....hadn't thought of that! Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 7 months ago
@OpionatedOldMan A more squared version of these tail lights made an appearance on the 1971 Ford Glaxie 500. The entire rear of the 1971 Ford Glaxie looks like a cleaner re-interpretation of the 1960 Ford rear-end treatment.
dra999 6 months ago
It's funny; I don't remember the Ford emblem on the hood sideways like that, and i'm from that era...
OpionatedOldMan 9 months ago
@OpionatedOldMan I think most didn't have a chrome centerpiece..but some did..Go to the bay city motor company on line and check the example. :) Jack
raconter1 9 months ago
@OpionatedOldMan
You're absolutely right! We had the EXACT car ... with red interior. No long ornament. It did have a red, white & blue emblem on the nose. Ours was purchased new. (292 automatic)
Six5Zero 6 months ago
What is it BMW or some other brand like that is claiming to have the first fold down steel top, when it was Ford ALL ALONG?
OpionatedOldMan 11 months ago
@OpionatedOldMan I hadn't heard that claim...but such a claim would be patently false...Ford and its engineers deserve the credit here for the first one that was electrically controlled. Foreign manufacturers may have designed a hard top that folded...but I've not heard that it was electrically controlled. Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 11 months ago
@OpionatedOldMan Because it's easy to fool yuppies who weren't born and have no clue (or interest in it). ;)
Onneff69 10 months ago
Great choice of wheels; they only made this model for one year, Right?
OpionatedOldMan 11 months ago
@OpionatedOldMan The Starliner would also be on the roster the following year, 1961, with the change in tailights and grille that marked the 61. Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 11 months ago
@raconter1 The hideaway steel top was discontinued because it couldn't pass rollover regulations, right? There used to be a lady with a '61 Tbird, and I remember traffic would stop a watch as the top folded down into the trunk. It amazed me that for as big a car as it was, it was only a two seater...
OpionatedOldMan 11 months ago
@OpionatedOldMan As far as I know, there were never rollover regulations..it was rumored they would be enacted, and that is why convertible production stopped in the 70's..but they never materialized. Hence, convertibles restarted in the 80's..the first was the Mopar KCar. I think the reason Ford discontinued the folding metal top was the high cost, and the complexity...relays, motors, solenoids...and LOTS of wiring! Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 11 months ago
@OpionatedOldMan A '61 Thinderbird is not a two-seater. If it appeared so, the woman must've had a "toneu" cover (sp?) over the back seat.
Onneff69 10 months ago
@Onneff69 - From a distance, it looked like a fiberglass "boot".
OpionatedOldMan 10 months ago
@OpionatedOldMan Exactly that. Introduced on the fender-skirtless "Roadster" model in '62 or '63, but could be fitted optionally on the "regular" convertible. It hid the rear seat.
Onneff69 10 months ago
@OpionatedOldMan No! Ugly NON-ORIGINAL wheels! The original wheelcovers look far better than that crap!
southwriter 9 months ago 2
very very nice...nothing nicer then an old ford dressed in black..i am not a fan of after market wheels ,but seeing they are not the large diameter wheels and actually look like 15 inch wheels..i think the car wear's them very well with the white wall's ,,,great car
390merc65 1 year ago
@390merc65 I really like the styling of this car...particularly in hardtop form. I think you're right about the wheels..they can look right, but it takes a good eye to do it! Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 1 year ago
@raconter1 i also agree with you..i do like the 60/61 fords...the starliner had very nice lines with that roof design .i would not dought this car was built with some Bethlehem steel in it ...and like i said ..i am not a fan of after market wheels...i do not like the larger wheels of today , but this car gets away with the wheel/tire combo on here ,,and does it very well ,,.they look like something you could buy back in the 60's ..take care
390merc65 1 year ago
@390merc65 Yeah....it would have been impossible to imagine a world without Bethlehem Steel, but that's exactly what we have today. It seems we are in a world that changes much quicker than we ever thought possible..things we relied on exist no more. Cars at least give us a reference back in time..and they have the virtue of familiarity...comforting amid all the change! Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 1 year ago
@raconter1 you are so right my man ...and today we have less manufacturing , but more population in the country today ..we need to get some back to this country ,,,and fast ...we use to be the car capitol of the world,,,not anymore,..it is sad,,and just look at Detroit today ...an old car really is at least a temporary get away from the way things are today ..
390merc65 1 year ago
@390merc65 Essentially, a good portion of the middle class has been wiped out over the last decade..and the process is escalating. No disrespect to service jobs, but it is extremely difficult to support an individual never mind a family on those wages. The skilled manufacturing jobs have moved away...I don't know who they expect will have the money to buy their products? Sad state of affairs! Jack
raconter1 1 year ago
I didnt like the wheels till I saw them with the fender skirts, they suit the car I think.
1DRock37167 1 year ago
@1DRock37167 Hey, Daryl! I know...the wheels are a bit of a shocker at first view...but they do go along nicely with the car! Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 1 year ago
Nice rare classic jack. I seen one in Calgary a few years ago same model and color but had the black and red cloth interior and automatic shifter.
monarch1957 1 year ago
@monarch1957 I'm glad it's represented in Canada....and I must say, I don't often see them here. I remember it fondly from one of my first workplaces...one of the bosses had a blue 4 door version...and he just used it to go from work to home..he had absolutely no interest in cars! A Ph.D. in biochemisty, as I remember! Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 1 year ago
Nice Galaxie. I like the cleaned up styling of the 60 over the 59's.
dodge09challenger 1 year ago
@dodge09challenger Hey, Brian! Yes indeed..they cleaned up the styling very much...and set the scene for the full sized Ford from 60 to 64! A very nice design!
Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 1 year ago
wow!
MasterSnowstorm 1 year ago
@MasterSnowstorm Yeah...it's very cool! Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 1 year ago
beautiful car jack
zanjani13 1 year ago
@zanjani13 Hey, Jon! I agree! :) Jack
raconter1 1 year ago
@raconter1 thanks
zanjani13 1 year ago
Nice one, i like wheels.
knifipu 1 year ago
@knifipu Hey, Jack! The wheels fit the car pretty well..I agree! Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 1 year ago
nice car ,jack
wardawg07 1 year ago
@wardawg07 Hey, Warren! I agree...always did like the styling on these hardtops!
Thanks! :) Jack
raconter1 1 year ago