Ford Starliner Parts & Accessories

Ford Starliner Parts & Accessories

The Ford Starliner was a fastback two-door hardtop variant of the full-size Galaxie 500 lineup, produced from 1960 through 1961 with a distinctive roofline that offered less aerodynamic drag than the conventional square hardtop and was specifically chosen by Ford and Holman Moody for NASCAR superspeedway competition. The Starliner's sloped roofline gave factory-backed NASCAR cars a meaningful aerodynamic advantage on the high banks of Daytona and Talladega, and cars prepared by Holman and Moody with 390 FE V8 engines were among the dominant full-size Fords of the 1960-1961 NASCAR seasons. Only about 29,000 Starliners were produced across the two model years, making them relatively rare compared to other Galaxie 500 hardtops and convertibles. This collection provides the engine, suspension, and brake components that support Starliner restorations and performance builds.

Popular Upgrades

Starliner builds most commonly address the 352 and 390 FE engines with Edelbrock FE Performer intake manifolds, Holley 650 to 750 cfm carburetors, and Doug Thorley or Hooker Competition FE headers that are specific to the full-size Ford engine bay. Front disc brake conversion kits from Classic Performance Products or Master Power Brakes are a critical safety upgrade for a car that may be driven on modern roads at speeds consistent with its aerodynamic capabilities. Front coilover conversion kits from RideTech and rear anti-roll bar upgrades complete the performance chassis setup for drivers who want to honor the Starliner's NASCAR heritage in modern event driving.

Performance and Handling

The Starliner uses the full-size Ford body-on-frame chassis with a coil-spring independent front suspension and a rear leaf-spring live axle, sharing this layout with the Galaxie 500 hardtop but with the more aerodynamically efficient roofline that made it the choice for superspeedway competition. Tubular upper control arm kits from Heidt's Supride or Fatman Fabrications improve front geometry precision and reduce dive under braking on performance-oriented Starliners. The Ford 9-inch rear axle fitted to 390-equipped Starliners is fully supported by the aftermarket for gear ratio changes, limited-slip differentials, and high-strength axle shafts that can handle drag strip launches.

Why was the Ford Starliner chosen for NASCAR racing?

The Starliner's fastback roofline reduced the aerodynamic drag coefficient compared to the conventional square hardtop Galaxie 500, providing a meaningful top-speed advantage on the long straightaways and high banks of Daytona and Talladega superspeedways. Holman and Moody, Ford's factory-backed racing team, recognized this advantage and prepared Starliner-bodied cars specifically for superspeedway events while using the square hardtop for shorter tracks where aerodynamics mattered less. The 1960 and 1961 NASCAR seasons saw Starliner-based cars contend strongly at superspeedways, cementing the nameplate's performance identity.

What FE engines were available in the Starliner?

The 1960 Starliner was available with the 292 and 352 cubic-inch FE V8 engines, and the 1961 model added the high-performance 390 FE in various carburetion configurations including the Police Interceptor single four-barrel and the Thunderbird Super High Performance dual four-barrel setup. The 390 with dual four-barrel carburetors was the most powerful factory engine option and is the focus of most Starliner performance build programs today. Aftermarket Holman Moody-style high-rise intake manifolds and period-correct Holley double-pumper carburetors are available from FE specialty suppliers for Starliner builds that want to replicate the factory race configuration.

Why These Parts Fit Right

Parts in this collection are cataloged to the specific 1960 to 1961 Starliner platform and FE engine family, distinguishing the 352 and 390 FE applications and the full-size Ford chassis components that are unique to or shared with the Galaxie 500. Fitment notes cover disc brake conversion compatibility with the factory front suspension geometry. Fast shipping keeps your Starliner restoration or performance build on schedule.

Explore our exhaust systems for FE big-block headers and manifold options, browse suspension components for full-size Ford coilover conversion and front end rebuild hardware, and check our air intake systems for FE Performer and Holley intake manifold upgrades.