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Projects BIGREDTODD'S 1961 STARLINER THREAD

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by BIGREDTODD, Mar 26, 2023.

  1. Not going to lie, it too a few sittings to get to this point, but the new dash is in. Wiring is connected & garnish moldings are installed at the base of the windshield (not shown). I am currently in the middle of reinstalling the heater controls, as well as new dash bezels, knobs, cables, etc. But more to come on that soon
    20251016_115320.jpg

    20251016_115229.jpg


    I hope this video posts, because there has been no better feeling than seeing this:
     
    Last edited: Apr 14, 2026 at 6:16 AM
  2. When I ordered mine, they had just started to reproduce the pads for the 1960-62 Galaxie. They said that black was the color they molded them in, and that was all they offered. I thought that they would offer to color it, but not the case (at that point, at least). The photos online showed a white dash pad, so not really sure what the deal is. Was not a big deal, at the end of the day...
     
  3. rod1
    Joined: Jan 18, 2009
    Posts: 1,661

    rod1
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    What an extremely cool car .Call me late to the party. Sorry to hear about your backsteps.You are doing this car justice ,what an interior.
     
    Last edited: Apr 14, 2026 at 6:47 AM
  4. TerrytheK
    Joined: Sep 12, 2004
    Posts: 1,713

    TerrytheK
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Late to the party too but well worth the time spent to read. Love the car, the story and all the work you've done. Thanks for posting!
     
    rod1 and chryslerfan55 like this.
  5. Oneball
    Joined: Jul 30, 2023
    Posts: 1,723

    Oneball
    Member

    Looking fab. Interestingly your right hand blinker light is in a better position than my Merc which is at the far corner of the panel. At least thats my excuse for constantly leaving it on.
     
    RMR&C and chryslerfan55 like this.
  6. I had mentioned that this was a "real" hi-po car, and was special ordered by my uncle. Many people put all the "Z" code (5th digit of the VIN) cars into the hi-po category, which is false. "Z" = 390 engine, of which there were 3 choices. Lots of other identifiers that I won't go into, because I don't need to. when I took the interior apart, I had found remnants of the build sheet in the rear seat springs. Much of it had turned to dust, but it had a readable VIN & the info that I already knew. WELL, somehow a second build sheet was in the glove box when I emptied everything out. Somehow, mice had not made there way into nesting there.

    Had to share it, because I never imagined I would ever find something in this nice of shape:
    20251008_131106.jpg

    Yes, it came with a clock and a radio originally, but I decided to delete them both with factory pieces...more on that later.
     
  7. When it comes to Fords, there are typically a lot of NOS parts available, as well as a fair amount of good quality reproductions. For the dash, I was able to source NOS temp gauge, fuel gauge, speedometer, light switch (actually bought 3 different ones), ignition switch, and radio delete. I was also able to find a total of 7 windshield wiper dash nuts (chrome trim). I'll explain that soon, but stumbling onto them saved my ***, as far as the dash jewelry goes.
    37743525-1104-4c0c-846c-2e6c98b0a908.jpg

    Screenshot_20260414_190123_eBay.jpg

    Screenshot_20260414_190115_eBay.jpg

    I was also able to find a better heater control ***embly with more well-preserved plastic trim and characters.

    From the repop world I was able to source knobs, a cigarette lighter body/element, and ignition switch dash nut (chrome trim). I ad to re-use the parking brake cable, vent cable
     
  8. Jeff Norwell
    Joined: Aug 20, 2003
    Posts: 15,384

    Jeff Norwell
    MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    This thread is still like have dessert for dinner!
     
    porkshop and rod1 like this.
  9. porkshop likes this.
  10. Jeff Norwell
    Joined: Aug 20, 2003
    Posts: 15,384

    Jeff Norwell
    MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    I had a set and Not sure if I have another Todd... they won't be NOS.. but I will look.... The one set I gave to Flat Top Bob who had a friend buy the 57 Ranchero of Art Chrisman.
    At any rate. I will go have a look in a few days.... I remember the FOMOCO set and the aftermarket set were identical... except the logo on the Ford set was not on the aftermarket set.

    Back then... it wasn't a big deal for a dealership to use that stuff... they did it a lot.
     
    BIGREDTODD and porkshop like this.
  11. Outside rear-view mirrors weren't federally required at the time so unless the dealer ordered them, they didn't come with them. And they didn't come installed even when they did, so where they were positioned on the car depended on where the dealer put them. But more than a few dealers bought less-expensive aftermarket mirrors or offered 'DeLuxe' options.
     
  12. Hotrod1959
    Joined: Nov 3, 2007
    Posts: 852

    Hotrod1959
    Member

    Wow! Awesome find.
     

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