1961 Ford Starliner V-8: New Look, Performance
For 1961, the Ford 390 Gives Starliner up to 401 Horsepower
Mar 30, 2009
The 1960 Starliner showed how far Ford had come in the few years since its first overhead-valve V-8 and the 1961 Starliner advanced the trend in both styling and horsepower. Ford had acquired a performance reputation in its flathead V-8 days, thanks in large part to the array of aftermarket parts available for that engine. The flathead was used from 1932 through 1953 and in 1954, its OHV successor had to contend with its mystique.
Thunderbird V-8 Appears as an Option in Full-size Ford
Ford’s OHV V-8 got off to a slightly strange start, since it displaced the same 239 cubic inches as its predecessor and used the identical 7.2:1 compression ratio. The similarity ended right there, with the most obvious improvement the fact that the OHV produced 130 horsepower to the flathead’s 110. Like most of its contemporaries, the Ford V-8 would grow rapidly; after just one year, it displaced 272 cubic inches and in base form generated 162 horsepower.
Since Ford also introduced its Thunderbird in 1955, it gave the new two-seater a V-8 of its own, the 198-horsepower 292. That engine also received regular improvements and by 1956, it was a 312 with dual four-barrel carburetors and rated at 260 horsepower. Ford placed it in the full-size cars that year, entering a growing market segment that included such performers as Buick’s Century and De Soto’s Adventurer.
McCullough Supercharger Gives the 1957 Ford a Boost
Nearly every automaker was pushing performance by 1957. Their approaches ran from the compact Rambler Rebel and its 255-horsepower 327 to the fuel-injected Pontiac Bonneville’s 310-horsepower 370. At Chrysler, the 300’s hemi used dual carburetors for 375 horsepower from 392 cubic inches, while Ford decided to supercharge its 312. The result was officially rated at 300 horsepower, but in NASCAR tune, it went to 330. Either way, it was a significant improvement over the unblown 312, which was good for 270 horsepower with two four-barrels and was later upped to 285.
Such exotica was not to last, as the Automobile Manufacturers Association effectively banned promotion of performance and overt factory support disappeared. That put an end to Ford’s supercharger, but not its interest in horsepower.
Interceptor V-8 Arrives
If it wanted to remain competitive, Ford had no choice but to press on. For 1958, it introduced the 332 and 352 Interceptors, V-8s that had no connection to the earlier engines. The 352 was rated at 300 horsepower, but just two years later, that figure was up to 360. It got there with features such as dual exhausts, headers and a 10.6:1 compression ratio, but 1960 was notable for more than just engines.
1960 Ford Starliner Highlights a Radically Restyled Line
Few cars have changed so severely in one year as Ford did from 1959 to 1960. What had been a pleasant and attractive look – but one rooted in 1950s thinking with a high beltline, headlights above the grille and a certain boxiness – gave way to a much different and more modern design.
The 1960 Ford has always generated strong opinions pro and con. A smooth, low design whose length was accentuated by fins that began small at the front and became horizontal above half-moon taillights, it carried its headlights in the grille and seemed almost futuristic. The new Starliner with thin rear pillars and fastback roofline only enhanced that quality. It was a car that looked like it should be fast and while the 360-horsepower Interceptor ensured that it was, a Starliner could also be ordered with a docile 145-horsepower six.
1961 Brings Final Starliner
Ford heavily restyled its full-size cars yet again for 1961. Gone were the full-length fins and the slab-sides. Round taillights returned and while the headlights remained within the grille, the front end seemed much more conventional. The Starliner’s greenhouse survived the transition well, though, and the package went nicely with Ford’s latest engine, the 390. Variously called the Interceptor and the Thunderbird, the new V-8 in its base form was good for 300 horsepower, but climbed through several stages of tune to reach 401 horsepower with high-compression and three two-barrels.
Unfortunately, the Starliner’s run ended after only those two years, but with the 401-horsepower 390, the model didn’t exactly pass unnoticed. Its loss, though, really meant nothing more than a dropped name and roofline, as Ford continued to offer high-performance full-size models in the Galaxie series.
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