Larry Grice
1961 Galaxie Starliner
VIN 1F53Z232770, BODY 63A, COLOR A, TRIM 30, DATE 02E, TRANS 2, AXLE blank
Left click on the thumbnails below to view the full pictures:
Let's see what the VIN and production data tell us...
The VIN of 1F53Z232770 decodes as follows:
1 = model year: 1961
F = build plant: Dearborn Assembly Plant in Dearborn, Michigan
53 = Body Serial Code: Galaxie Starliner (2-door hardtop), bench seats (29,669 produced during the 1961 model year)
Z = engine: Thunderbird 390 Special V-8, 390-4V, 300 hp @ 4600 rpm, 427 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm, 9.6:1 compression ratio
232770 = Consecutive Unit Number (CUN): 132,770th Ford car scheduled to be built at the Dearborn 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 A = exterior paint color: Raven Black (black)
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 02E = scheduled build date: Tuesday, May 2, 1961
TRANS 2 = transmission type and shift location: 3-speed manual with overdrive, column shift
AXLE blank = rear axle ratio and type: unknown
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:
Saturday, August 15, 2009 was a very special day for club member Larry Grice. During the 15th Annual Woodward Dream Cruise, and only a short walk from the Galaxies parked at the Royal Oak Ford Body Shop to the Kroger parking lot on the southwest corner of Woodward Avenue and West 13 Mile Road, Larry got down on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend Vicky Leader!
Their first date had been on that exact spot in the parking lot exactly 3 years earlier during the week leading up to the 2006 Woodward Dream Cruise. Congratulations Larry & Vicky, and here's to many happy miles together!
