Finalist
Owner Bob Lambert and photographer Larry O'Connell are longtime Ford fans. They would sneak into Southern California's Galpin Ford dealership's back lot to see the new models roll in. They were there to see the new Starliner come in, and both fell in love with it. They each bought 1960 models, but that was only the beginning for Bob. He has owned a dozen early Fords since then, but always wanted a '61 Starliner. His day finally came. The car was for sale as a result of a divorce. The previous owner had put a lot of time into it, but halted the progress when he found out he would have to sell it. Once Bob had it home, it was up and running in a couple of months. It needed a tune-up and some other details. "I love taking it out on the freeway at night and listening to the Tri-Power open up," Bob says.
| 1961 FORD STARLINER |
| Car owner: | Bob Lambert; Newhall, CA |
| Photographer: | Larry O’Connell; Placerita Canyon, CA |
| Camera: | Sony Cyber-Shot 5.0 |
| Photo location: | Placerita Canyon, CA |
| Engine: | 390ci Ford |
| Cylinder heads: | 427 Ford low-rise |
| Camshaft: | Edelbrock |
| Intake: | factory tri-power |
| Carb/induction: | three Holley two-barrels |
| Transmission: | Ford top-loader |
| Rearend model & gearing: | 9-inch Ford, 3.50 gears |
| Suspension/brakes: | replacement Ford parts |
| | with heavy-duty sway bars, |
| | front disc, police interceptor drums rear |
| Wheels: | American Racing Torq-Thrust |
| Peak hp: | factory-rated at 401 hp |
| Built by: | owner |
| Years of ownership: | 3 years |
| Total invested: | $25,000 |
Finalist
It's pretty safe to say this will probably be the longest relationship owner John Ramm will ever have. He purchased this car the day after Valentine's Day, 1969. How romantic! The initial price was a small fraction of what he has into it today. That day back in 1969, the car was signed over to his name for a mere $850. Obviously, the extra $74,000 wasn't just maintenance. Nearly 40 years of experimenting with new parts has certainly racked up the bills. He has tried different engines, intakes, carburetors, transmissions, rearends, suspension components, and much more. He is pretty sure that this current set of parts is going to be the last, but he mentioned for us not to quote him on that. High-school friend John Hegg brought his big-boy camera out to enter this calendar-clean Impala in our photo contest. The photos came out crystal clear, despite the tripod being victim to a hit-and-run in the university parking lot.
| 1961 CHEVROLET IMPALA |
| Car owner: | John Ramm; Oak Park, IL |
| Photographer: | John G. Hegg; Forest Park, IL |
| Camera: | Canon 40D, 28-135 lens |
| Photo location: | industrial district of Forest Park, IL |
| Engine: | GMPP 502ci big-block Chevy |
| Cylinder heads: | GMPP aluminum |
| Camshaft: | GMPP hydraulic roller |
| Intake: | GMPP Jet-coated aluminum |
| Carb/induction: | Holley |
| Transmission: | Tremec TKO-600 5-speed |
| Rearend model & gearing: | Ford 9-inch, |
| | 4.47 gears, Detroit locker |
| Suspension/brakes: | cut front coil springs |
| | Art Morrison ladder barswith coilovers, |
| | rear; four-wheel disc brakes |
| Wheels: | American Racing 15-inch Torq-Thrusts |
| Tires: | Goodyear Eagle GTII |
| Peak hp: | 502 hp |
| Years of ownership: | 39 years |
| Total invested: | $75,000 |