These days, a lot of the motoring public sees an automobile as a disposable appliance to be cast away and replaced as soon as it’s out of warranty or off-lease. A select handful of people are on the opposite end of the spectrum, clinging to their cars for years or even decades. How about a family that’s kept a 1961 Ford for six decades?
The Pick of the Day is a 1961 Ford Galaxie Sunliner listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by its original owner in Sacramento, California. The seller has finally decided to part ways with this Sunliner after 60 years of ownership.
“We are the original owners of a classic 1961 Ford Galaxie Sunliner convertible,” the listing explains. “The vehicle is original and has always been garaged inside our Northern California home to keep it rust-free. Our treasured 1961 Sunliner convertible has only 21,000 miles on the new engine.”
The Galaxie name launched in 1959 and was initially used to identify a trim level of the full-size Fairlane 500 model. Ford was among various automakers during that era that had an apparent obsession with space and sky, rolling out model names like Skyliner, Sunliner, and Starliner.
The Galaxie was offered by Ford in the early 1960s as a sedan, hardtop and convertible with powerplants ranging from a 223cid inline-six to a 427cid V8. By 1961, the body had been toned down in the rear to nearly eliminate tailfins, though not quite, and the Galaxie was phased out in the mid-1970s as the LTD nameplate took over the reins as Ford’s full-sized model.
This Starlight Blue convertible came outfitted with a 352cid V8 and a three-speed Cruise-O-Matic transmission. The seller provides an itemized list of maintenance items carried out over the years, including a transmission overhaul, a replacement fuel pump, and work to the power steering system as well as the braking system.
The Ford carries a lifetime warranty on its muffler from Midas. There aren’t many cars of this age still carrying a warranty of any type!
“We have exercised this vehicle regularly and have only driven it 7,000 miles in the last 33 years. Now we are looking for a buyer to provide a new home to celebrate the vehicle’s 60th birthday,” the listing says.
The seller is asking $34,500 for this clean, rust-free, one-owner Ford convertible.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
Darn it ! Every time a vehicle comes up that I would seriously love to own, It’s when I don’t have the funds ! Story of my life.
I wish I had $20,000 cash.
I think that would buy it.
I have a 61 Galaxie Sunliner with a 390 engine, color Monticarlo red. In the family since 85. Insured for a value of $82,000. Love it
If they would like to gift it to me for my 60th Birthday, there is still time. Think they would consider adoption?