Lot # ST0070
Vehicle Highlights
- Z-Code
- Late Model Year Sunliner
- Delivered as a 401hp 390 CID V8 / 3 Deuces and Manifold Sent to the Dealer in the Trunk
- Fresh 390 CID Tri-Power "Thunderbird" V8
- Correct Header Style Cast Iron Exhausts Manifold
- 15" Kelsey-Hayes Wheels
- Borg Warner T-10 4 Speed Manual Transmission
- Chesapeake Blue Paint
- 2006 Restoration
- 3 Owners Since New
- Original Owner States Mileage Accurate at 87,932 Miles / Mileage Not Branded on Title
Z-Code
A Note From the Current Owner:
I am the third owner of this 1961 Ford Galaxie Sunliner. The car sports a Borg Warner T-10 and a 390 C.I. powerplant with three deuces, factory competition headers and factory duel point ignition. Its first owner campaigned it on the dragstrips of New Jersey https://youtu.be/pEhql3vOEfE and claimed a brief stint as an NHRA record holder. He and wife Peggy were reunited with the convertible at the Pinehurst Concours and shared the inscription in the glovebox placed at the time of their engagement. The car has been seen at shows, at rallies and on Carolina roads.
This car was ordered as a late year model (these were delivered with the triple carbs and manifold in the trunk) and had significant drag racing success in the 1960s and 70s.
Though the four-speed transmission was a very late year option, I do not believe it original to the car. The accompanying engine is said to be original and highly modified. (Fords of this era are said not to have have matching numbers.) I have not disassembled it but share the owner's letter and my summation of the information within. I found it too difficult to use as its reported 14.5/1 compression powerplant required 110 octane fuel and replaced the engine with a 390 cubic Thunderbird M-Series purchased from Dr. Bob Blake, a retired surgeon and award winning Thunderbird restorer, who was closing his business. He shared that it was a fresh build by renowned Carolina engine builder, "Jungle" Lane. I have driven it close to 1,000 miles since the installation and found the car to be fast and reliable. The second owner has shared that the car sports a 3.5 positraction rear.
The engine which accompanies the sale is thought to be original and can be picked up in Valdese, NC / 108 miles from GAA. It has an external repair of a water jacket and while it is hidden from view when the engine is in place, I found it to be ugly, suspect that it is not substantial and would have an expert do a more precise job.
Info from first owner's letter below - DOCUMENTATION PDF includes times slips, owner's letter, owner's compilation of 2006-7 restoration expenses (receipts in GAA file) and a few sentences on 1961 factory performance mods.
Ordered March 61
Held a national record in GSS/a at Island Dragway until a Tasca Ford Mustang (390) took it 2 wks later (incidentally Don Garlits set 200mph record at same event)
Bored .060 over
Flat top Forge True pistons
Dykes Step Seal Piston Rings
Chrome stainless rings
NASCAR 7000 RPM nut/ bolt connecting rods
Chrome Lunati crank
Heavy duty wrist pins
The crank was installed when it was bored
Deck heights were cut down left .001 to allow rod stretch (8500rpms!)
Head gaskets were Ford racing
Heads were cut down .1 to 550 cc which was right for Fords
Compression 14.5 to 1 (Ford advertised 10.6 to one)
Valve train is Crane
Custom high lift cam with “outrageous overlap”
Super light gutted lifters and extra long push rods
(Car never failed tech or teardown)
Better than factory original top
Mileage said to be original
1961 Ford
Sunliner
- Year
- 1961
- Make
- Ford
- Model
- Sunliner
- Doors
- 2
- Body Color
- Chesapeake Blue
- Interior Color
- Blue
- Body Style
- Convertible
Z-Code
Documentation
Vehicle Highlights
- Z-Code
- Late Model Year Sunliner
- Delivered as a 401hp 390 CID V8 / 3 Deuces and Manifold Sent to the Dealer in the Trunk
- Fresh 390 CID Tri-Power "Thunderbird" V8
- Correct Header Style Cast Iron Exhausts Manifold
- 15" Kelsey-Hayes Wheels
- Borg Warner T-10 4 Speed Manual Transmission
- Chesapeake Blue Paint
- 2006 Restoration
- 3 Owners Since New
- Original Owner States Mileage Accurate at 87,932 Miles / Mileage Not Branded on Title
A Note From the Current Owner:
I am the third owner of this 1961 Ford Galaxie Sunliner. The car sports a Borg Warner T-10 and a 390 C.I. powerplant with three deuces, factory competition headers and factory duel point ignition. Its first owner campaigned it on the dragstrips of New Jersey https://youtu.be/pEhql3vOEfE and claimed a brief stint as an NHRA record holder. He and wife Peggy were reunited with the convertible at the Pinehurst Concours and shared the inscription in the glovebox placed at the time of their engagement. The car has been seen at shows, at rallies and on Carolina roads.
This car was ordered as a late year model (these were delivered with the triple carbs and manifold in the trunk) and had significant drag racing success in the 1960s and 70s.
Though the four-speed transmission was a very late year option, I do not believe it original to the car. The accompanying engine is said to be original and highly modified. (Fords of this era are said not to have have matching numbers.) I have not disassembled it but share the owner's letter and my summation of the information within. I found it too difficult to use as its reported 14.5/1 compression powerplant required 110 octane fuel and replaced the engine with a 390 cubic Thunderbird M-Series purchased from Dr. Bob Blake, a retired surgeon and award winning Thunderbird restorer, who was closing his business. He shared that it was a fresh build by renowned Carolina engine builder, "Jungle" Lane. I have driven it close to 1,000 miles since the installation and found the car to be fast and reliable. The second owner has shared that the car sports a 3.5 positraction rear.
The engine which accompanies the sale is thought to be original and can be picked up in Valdese, NC / 108 miles from GAA. It has an external repair of a water jacket and while it is hidden from view when the engine is in place, I found it to be ugly, suspect that it is not substantial and would have an expert do a more precise job.
Info from first owner's letter below - DOCUMENTATION PDF includes times slips, owner's letter, owner's compilation of 2006-7 restoration expenses (receipts in GAA file) and a few sentences on 1961 factory performance mods.
Ordered March 61
Held a national record in GSS/a at Island Dragway until a Tasca Ford Mustang (390) took it 2 wks later (incidentally Don Garlits set 200mph record at same event)
Bored .060 over
Flat top Forge True pistons
Dykes Step Seal Piston Rings
Chrome stainless rings
NASCAR 7000 RPM nut/ bolt connecting rods
Chrome Lunati crank
Heavy duty wrist pins
The crank was installed when it was bored
Deck heights were cut down left .001 to allow rod stretch (8500rpms!)
Head gaskets were Ford racing
Heads were cut down .1 to 550 cc which was right for Fords
Compression 14.5 to 1 (Ford advertised 10.6 to one)
Valve train is Crane
Custom high lift cam with “outrageous overlap”
Super light gutted lifters and extra long push rods
(Car never failed tech or teardown)
Better than factory original top
Mileage said to be original