willievt wrote:

Hi everyone! I am very close to pulling the trigger on a 61 Sunliner. The body is SUPER straight, rust free... I only hesitate because of one major issue... there is no engine, transmission or interior. I am young (33) and have done cars before (69 Mustang, 59 Ranchero, 67 Ranchero), but all of those began as complete cars and I was just restoring components. This is something else. 

My biggest issue is: what elements from other years of Galaxie will work in the 61's interior? For example, can the back seat of a 62 Starliner fit into the back of the 61? Can I take the Rear Armrests from a 64? Same for the front seat and door panels?

I am not trying to build a numbers matching concourse car. I want a fun, clean ride I can cruise around in with my lady. New upholstery is obvious and easy for me, but if someone were to look inside and say "those are the wrong door panels" I wouldn't care as long as they fit. So again if it fits, it ships.. and '61 Sunliner Specific parts are hard to find so I am not picky.

Other Question: I have done my homework here on what engines I can use, and I know about the Fox Mustang motor mounts for a Windsor block (thanks Daze!), but what about transmission? Can about any transmission clear the tunnel? (AOD, TKR, T5z, C4, 4 speed top-loader etc.) or will I be at the mercy of a period matching Cruise-o-matic? (again, I did see Daze's write up on the T5, but If I go with a 428 (and I have found one...) this won't be an option..)

PS I know anything is possible with enough elbow grease, but Ideally I want something that is easier to achieve alone, outside of a shop and won't cost me an outrageous amount. Example, is a 351 Cleveland with a C6 an easy install? Or a 428 with a 4speed top loader? 302 with a c4? What will cause the least amount of head ache?

Thanks everyone!

I went to look at the car today (the snow had finally melted enough to get to it. It was a bit rougher than I was expec

Hi everyone! I am very close to pulling the trigger on a 61 Sunliner. The body is SUPER straight, rust free... I only hesitate because of one major issue... there is no engine, transmission or interior. I am young (33) and have done cars before (69 Mustang, 59 Ranchero, 67 Ranchero), but all of those began as complete cars and I was just restoring components. This is something else. 

My biggest issue is: what elements from other years of Galaxie will work in the 61's interior? For example, can the back seat of a 62 Starliner fit into the back of the 61? Can I take the Rear Armrests from a 64? Same for the front seat and door panels?

I am not trying to build a numbers matching concourse car. I want a fun, clean ride I can cruise around in with my lady. New upholstery is obvious and easy for me, but if someone were to look inside and say "those are the wrong door panels" I wouldn't care as long as they fit. So again if it fits, it ships.. and '61 Sunliner Specific parts are hard to find so I am not picky.

Other Question: I have done my homework here on what engines I can use, and I know about the Fox Mustang motor mounts for a Windsor block (thanks Daze!), but what about transmission? Can about any transmission clear the tunnel? (AOD, TKR, T5z, C4, 4 speed top-loader etc.) or will I be at the mercy of a period matching Cruise-o-matic? (again, I did see Daze's write up on the T5, but If I go with a 428 (and I have found one...) this won't be an option..)

PS I know anything is possible with enough elbow grease, but Ideally I want something that is easier to achieve alone, outside of a shop and won't cost me an outrageous amount. Example, is a 351 Cleveland with a C6 an easy install? Or a 428 with a 4speed top loader? 302 with a c4? What will cause the least amount of head ache?

Thanks everyone!