Tom Hopkins
1961 Galaxie Starliner
VIN 1A53X156950, BODY 63A, COLOR J, TRIM 30, DATE 31E, TRANS 4, AXLE 6
Tom says: This car is what I would call a "resto-rod". It is a 390-401 hp clone. This is the three-2V induction setup that some folks say got Ford started in the muscle car arena. The car looks pretty much like an original, but has an exterior paint and interior trim combination that was never offered from the factory. I am now driving the car with American Mags, having replaced the steel rims and dog dish hubcaps. The drivetrain is a T5 5-speed manual transmission (great on the highway!) with a 4.11:1 Detroit Locker rear gear. I've owned the car for 5 years now, and while I purchased it pretty much like it is, the previous owner wouldn't realize how much I've really done to it.
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Let's see what the VIN and production data tell us...
The VIN of 1A53X156950 decodes as follows:
1 = model year: 1961
A = build plant: Atlanta Assembly Plant in Hapeville, Georgia
53 = Body Serial Code: Galaxie Starliner (2-door hardtop), bench seats (29,669 produced during the 1961 model year)
X = engine: Thunderbird 352 Special V-8, 352-2V, 220 hp @ 4400 rpm, 336 lb-ft @ 2400 rpm, 8.9:1 compression ratio
156950 = Consecutive Unit Number (CUN): 56,950th Ford car scheduled to be built at the Atlanta Assembly Plant during the 1961 model year (Job 1 was CUN 100001)
The production data decode as follows:
BODY 63A = Body Style Code: Galaxie Starliner (2-door hardtop), bench seats (29,669 produced during the 1961 model year)
COLOR J = exterior paint color: Montecarlo Red (red)
TRIM 30 = interior trim color, material and front seat style: black "Shimmer" pattern Nylon cloth cushion inserts and white pearl "Morocco" pattern vinyl cushions, bolsters and back, bench seat
DATE 31E = scheduled build date: Wednesday, May 31, 1961
TRANS 4 = transmission type and shift location: Cruise-O-Matic 3-speed automatic, column shift
AXLE 6 = rear axle ratio and type: 3.00:1 non-locking
Left click on the thumbnail below to read what the Buyer's Digest Of New Car Facts For '61 had to say about the 1961 Galaxie Starliner:
1962 Galaxie 500 Sunliner #1
VIN 2W65Z100012, BODY 76A, COLOR T, TRIM 34, DATE 11H, DSO blank, AXLE 1, TRANS 4
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Let's see what the VIN and production data tell us...
The VIN of 2W65Z100012 decodes as follows:
2 = model year: 1962
W = build plant: Wayne Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan
65 = Body Serial Code: Galaxie 500 Sunliner (2-door convertible), bench seats (42,646 produced during the 1962 model year)
Z = engine: 390-4V Special V-8, 300 hp @ 4600 rpm, 427 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm, 9.6:1 compression ratio
100012 = Consecutive Unit Number (CUN): 12th Ford car scheduled to be built at the Wayne Assembly Plant during the 1962 model year (Job 1 was CUN 100001)
The production data decode as follows:
BODY 76A = Body Style Code: Galaxie 500 Sunliner (2-door convertible), bench seats (42,646 produced during the 1962 model year)
COLOR T = exterior paint color: Sandshell Beige (beige)
TRIM 34 = interior trim color, material and front seat style: beige "Crush" pattern vinyl cushions, bolsters and back, bench seat
DATE 11H = scheduled build date: Friday, August 11, 1961
DSO blank = District Sales Office: car was ordered through the ? District Sales Office
AXLE 1 = rear axle ratio and type: 3.00:1 non-locking
TRANS 4 = transmission type and shift location: Cruise-O-Matic 3-speed automatic, column shift
Left click on the thumbnail below to read what the Buyer's Digest Of New Car Facts For 1962 had to say about the 1962 Galaxie 500 Sunliner:
This car is Registry Number 5 in the 1962 Ford Galaxie Registry.
1962 Galaxie 500 Sunliner #2
VIN 2G65W210395, BODY 76A, COLOR A, TRIM 35, DATE 10V, DSO 43, AXLE 1, TRANS 4
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Let's see what the VIN and production data tell us...
The VIN of 2G65W210395 decodes as follows:
2 = model year: 1962
G = build plant: Chicago Assembly Plant in Chicago, Illinois
65 = Body Serial Code: Galaxie 500 Sunliner (2-door convertible), bench seats (42,646 produced during the 1962 model year)
W = engine: 292-2V Thunderbird V-8, 170 hp @ 4200 rpm, 279 lb-ft @ 2200 rpm, 8.8:1 compression ratio
210395 = Consecutive Unit Number (CUN): 110,395th Ford car scheduled to be built at the Chicago Assembly Plant during the 1962 model year (Job 1 was CUN 100001)
The production data decode as follows:
BODY 76A = Body Style Code: Galaxie 500 Sunliner (2-door convertible), bench seats (42,646 produced during the 1962 model year)
COLOR A = exterior paint color: Raven Black (black)
TRIM 35 = interior trim color, material and front seat style: red "Crush" pattern vinyl cushions, bolsters and back, bench seat
DATE 10V = scheduled build date: Friday, August 10, 1962
DSO 43 = District Sales Office: car was ordered through the Rockford, Illinois District Sales Office
AXLE 1 = rear axle ratio and type: 3.00:1 non-locking
TRANS 4 = transmission type and shift location: Cruise-O-Matic 3-speed automatic, column shift
Left click on the thumbnail below to read what the Buyer's Digest Of New Car Facts For 1962 had to say about the 1962 Galaxie 500 Sunliner:
This car is Registry Number 41 in the 1962 Ford Galaxie Registry.