 |
1961 Ford 390 Starliner |
|
1961 Ford 390 Starliner |
| As
detailed elsewhere, Ford
entered the high performance market
in earnest in 1960 in defiance of the AMA ban with the 360 hp 352
Interceptor. This one could hit 60 mph in 7.1 seconds and reach 150 mph
according to Motor Trend magazine, although it was a bit unruly for
everyday use. Ford upped the ante for the 1961 models with the debut of the FE
series 390 engine, aka the Thunderbird 390 Super V8, rated at 375 horsepower with a single four barrel and
401 horsepower with the dealer installed version sporting three two barrels. This engine was directed at
Chevy's weak and overrated new 409 and the Pontiac Super Duty 389.
Other than these three, no manufacturer had a ready to race Nascar engine
due to the AMA racing ban. Chrysler had the ram injected 413, but they
only offered it in the 300. Therefore, on the track, it was the 409
versus the 390 versus the 389. Results varied, with all 3 getting their
share of the trophy stickers.
The 390 was introduced in the fall of 1960 for 1961 models and carried a 375 hp rating with a single four barrel carburetor and solid lifters. This isn't out of line considering that the 352 Special produced more than one horsepower per cubic inch with basically the same equipment. It was, in fact, probably underrated. A 330 hp police interceptor version of the 390 was offered for law enforcement, although it could also be ordered by the public.
In 1961, just prior to the inaugural NHRA Winternationals held in Pomona California, a tri power dealer option version was introduced with a 401 hp rating. When the Winternationals concluded in February of 1961, it came down to a 409 Chevy and a 390 Galaxie. The Ford did well, but lost a close race in the final round. Dyno Don Nicholson picked up the win. However, this doesn't really tell the whole story. Galaxies and Starliners were 150-200 lbs heavier than Chevy's Bel Airs and Biscaynes. In addition, the only transmission you could get then was a column mounted 3 speed. The Chevys had less weight to pull and the advantage of a 4 speed. In spite of the 390's disadvantages, Ford posted best times of 13.33 @ 106.16 mph compared to 13.20 @ 108 mph for the Chevys. Due to the late introduction and the low production numbers of the 1961 409, some 115 cars, most of which went to professional racers, the average Chevy owner had to order his car with the 348 cubic inch engine that carried an overrated 350 hp rating. These cars got crushed by the 390 on the street.
The October issue of Car Craft dubbed the 390 / 401 to be Detroit's hottest street engine and published a tune up guide that included headers, ignition, and valve lash. The quarter mile times for this 3 speed car with a 4.29 rear and open headers were 13.31 @ 105.96, 13.24 @ 107.18, and 13.34 @ 106.84. Consider that this was 1961 and tell me Ford didn't have something here! 390s won a variety of NHRA Divisional, Record and Bonus Points drags in 1961. The August issue of Hot Rod shows a 390 eliminating a 409 and going on to win the Super Stock title at a Hobbs, New Mexico South Central divisional meet. Also, in the July 1962 issue of Hot Rod, Vern Jones took his Starliner to a Super Stock win over Arnie "The Farmer" Beswick's "Passionate Poncho" Super Duty Pontiac in a large Southeast Regional and National Record meet that drew all the top professionals.
Jones turned 13.41 @ 106 mph for his win and also won the overall Stock Eliminator position as well. At the Indy Nationals, the biggest meet of the year, a 390 Starliner campaigned by Ed Martin Ford and driven by Don Turner came away with a win in a new class called Optional Super/Stock Automatic. Due to the aerodynamic and lighter body style, most 390 high performance engines were ordered in Starliners, which are pictured in the gallery. The Starliner was introduced as a 1960 model and was discontinued after the 1961 run. 29,669 Starliners were sold at a base price of $2713.00. 68,461 were sold in 1960. 375 hp @ 6000 rpm and 427 ft-lbs @
3400 rpm
|
