1960 Starliner build thread

I can't help you with photo's but I do want to tell you we actually got into the Convair Wind Tunnel in San Diego one night with a Starliner, a 61 Chevy and a 60 Pontiac and did some monkeying around with some wind tests. the most efficient body shape of the vehicles we evaluated the Starliner stole the show. The guy who got us in there almost lost a job he had of 20+ years and we never tried that stunt again. I did read where there were tests conducted in '64 using the Galaxie 500, Chevy Impala, Dodge Coronet and a Pontiac Catalina. Again in the article Ford's wind tunnel efficiency stood out. Good luck with this project. Just how many Starliner's have we seen recently??
Normbc9

 

Amazing work.

L

 

What you need is a nice 60 Meteor grille assembly to make it different. Always liked these better than the Ford one. Pat.

 

That would be pretty confusing... I like it.

As if finding 60 galaxie/starliner parts weren't hard enough.

 

Norm, cool story about the wind tunnel. Ford actually cared about how these winged wonders drove and did quite a bit of high-speed testing with them. The story goes that the flat fins on the Chevys cause lift, (very not good) but not the Ford's.

Fordnutz: You're right about the grill. The Meteor's is slick. I don't suppose there's a supply of them up in Moose Jaw is there? I'll go with the Ford on the rest of the trim design though...

 

60 Meteor grilles are really rare up here. Problem with them was they were made from chromed pot metal. They broke easily when hit. They are also very heavy as they are cast. I have a friend that has a mint one for sell, but not cheap. There was a cover car on Rod and Custom in the early 60's with a Meteor grille in it. Pat.

 

Carbuilder it seems to me that you see no problem with welding onto the panel that has been coated already. When you are done do you just ruff up the part that has been burnt off and recoat it or is there something I am not seeing. This is my first time using the Por 15 type product I am using.

 

Its looking good man, keep up the great work !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Barney it was ground back a little just before welding & the panel you are looking at was welded from the other side it is the exposed side so the exposed when finished weld was ground, hammered & dolly-ed.

 

That makes more sence. I never give it a thought that you where welding from the other side. Thanks

 

I just sold one to a fellow in Boston Mass. They are usually pitted. Mine was no different. Although the price was adjusted to its condition. A mint one would be $$$$$$ for sure.

 

Max is back on the final sections of this build for now.





















More to come.

 

About time I chimed in. Lately most all my spare moments have all been directed toward my daughter's high school graduation, but I have managed to get a little bit done. This marks the central point in the rebuild where parts start to go back togehter,

The frame was blasted along with all the other bits, but the camera's been tied up, so here are the latest pics, after POR and the installation of fresh brake line. Fuel line comes next and new shocks. Then off to carbuilder's to re-mate body and frame.

 

The rust mites attacked the left front toe panel so Max made a new piece.









A little more to do then back on to the chassis.

 

Can't wait to see how she turns out, such an amazing car.

 

WOWEEE!!!! Is Max his name or his ability, or both?
This thread drips talent like my first, and last, paint job.
I'm interested in the disc spindle transfer also.
I have a 60 Galaxie and a willing 76 Ranchero donor.

 

Max is the vary talented young guy that works with me in my shop.

 

Another patch had to fill some more rust mite's holes then a final grind of the welds top & bottom followed with some seam sealer.

 

Well we finished the starliner & Dave brought over the chassis & we put the body back on then sent it home with him.











Now it's up to him to finish we gave the body & paint person a real solid base to work from.

 

So... The Star is back in it's cubby hole with all the rust gone. Danny and Max did great work and were a pleasure to deal with. The next job up will be the front spindles and I'll post when I get that far for those that are interested.
Progress will probably slow for a while, while I set about getting another job to pay for it all.

 

Wow, just ran across this thread in the H-M thread and looked in. What a project. Your guy "Max" has insane metal skills. He's doing beautiful work saving your car. I've always had a soft spot for Starliners, both years. It's a little different doing a big Ford. Not a lot of NEW sheetmetal out there, is there? I've got a 63 so I'll be following this one closely. Good luck!

 

Man what a project. That's some great metal work to fix all the rust on your 60. It seems like a lot of work when there is still much better bodies available to to start with. You were lucky to find a metal man like Max and it looks like you have a good solid start now. Also I have had and add on the hamb for a building full of 60 Ford sheet metal and could have save you a lot of work. If you need any fenders,bumpers,trim, our any thing else let me know.

 

I just joined the HAMB after viewing progress on this build many times.....amazing metal work and thanks so much for taking time to document all of it!

 

Welcome to the majority

 

Was it your starliner I saw on craigslist about a month ago?

 

Very cool!

 

No, that warn't mine for sale. Mine's resting comfortably waiting for funds.
Been building some way-off-topic German cars in the mean time....

 

Great build I always liked Starliners, keep up the good work.

 

ah ok when i saw that i got worried lol

 

Bob, you stated you have '60 parts, what about '61. I have one in about the same shape as this '60.

Steve