How can you go wrong with a name like “Starfire”? Oldsmobile apparently thought it was a winner as they used it on three different series spanning the years, non contiguously, between 1954 and 1980. Today, we’re going to take a look at a 1962 example from the second iteration that was offered between 1961 and 1966. Located in Carmichael, California, and available, here on craigslist for $6,500 is this Starfire two-door hardtop. Thanks to numskal(?) for this discovery!
When the Starfire made its comeback in ’61, it was offered as a convertible body style only, but by ’62, a two-door hardtop graced the sales brochure as well. And there is no mistaking the Fisher Body, creased convertible top look of this Starfire, it was used across the GM line-up by every division, except Cadillac, through model year 1964. The Starfire was the harbinger of the personal luxury coupe, a body style and trim level that was front and center by the ’70s. At this point, the Starfire was all about power, bucket seats, a center console, and many other, what would normally be considered extra cost features, as standard equipment. While only 1,500 Starfires found homes in ’61, things in ’62, thanks to the addition of the hardtop model, rocketed off to a total of 41K copies in total – 34K hardtops with the remainder being drop-tops.
One of the most distinctive features of the Starfire is its unique trim which separates it from the Dynamic 88 and Super 88 models, and this example appears to still be in possession of all of it. While the finish is flat and the wheel covers are missing, the rest of the exterior, including the bumpers, presents well. The body looks straight with its biggest malady being horizontal surface burn-through and the resulting light coat of rust. There are some signs of rust “cover-up” that indicates an attempt to paint over the problem. There are no images of the underside but it would be beneficial to get a glimpse of anything that may be brewing there.
If you’re going to have a car with a name like “Starfire” you’ll need rocket power to attain lift off and that’s what we have here in the form of a 345 gross HP, 394 CI “Rocket” V8. This Starfire may need more than a fuse to get launched, the seller is vague regarding its operating prowess as he states, “SWEET STARFIRE, CAN BE A GREAT DRIVER AS IS…“. That would make one think that this Olds is a runner. There is what looks like a recent battery in place so if interest around this Starfire abounds, a further inquiry will be necessary. Gear changing is handled by a Hydramatic automatic gearbox.
The interior is supposed to be leather but there is only this one, awkward image included and it’s not very revealing. The carpet and driver’s side door card look fine, but the driver’s bucket seat is showing signs of split upholstery. It’s the same story with the instrument panel, from a distance it looks OK, but a close-up would be a lot more helpful. There is supposed to be an ornate center console in place, we’ll have to assume that it’s still there.
The seller’s listing covers a couple of different bases as he states that he’ll consider a trade for a ’69 Camaro in “junk” condition, or a 1967 Chevelle, a 1968 Camaro, 1955-1957 Chevrolets, project Oldsmobiles or Pontiacs/Firebirds. He also mentions that he has three more ’62 Starfires for sale, with one being a convertible, if this one isn’t of interest. Sticking to the case at hand, this car appears to be a good project base but the paucity of listing detail is going to require a lot more inquiry, I would imagine, to move things forward. So what do you think, does anyone have a junky ’69 Camaro they’d like to ditch?
I’m not usually an Olds guy, but I have always liked the 61-62 body style of the Starfire. The 394 gave you good torque, and the interiors were done right, in my humble opinion. I’m from Sacramento and they’ve had these up for sale for a while, so I imagine there’s a lot of work to be done.
These are great cars. The Starfire was the first production car to come with bucket seats and a floor shifted automatic with full console ( a very cool one at that.) Factory A/C a big plus on these.
The carpet is none original nor is it NOS.
Starfires came with very distinct carpets with built in mats with chrome strips both front and rear.
Looking at where it appears to have been stored, a very thorough underside inspection is warranted.
I had one and the transmission went bad. Worse tranny ever installed in a car, was nicknamed the slim jim tranny. Could not be repaired. Several shops I went to wouldn’t ever touch it. But still a beautiful car.
That’s the #1 issue with these cars, Olds would team up with Pontiac to justify the development costs of the Roto-Hydramatic. They were found in GPs/Cats and Olds fullsizers ’61-’64 except Jetstar 88. Since this was the only auto offered behind the 394 and the transmission tunnel was intended to house the Slim Jim only, upgrading to a TH gen tranny is not a walk in the park project.
It’s really sad because many, many Oldses of that vintage were probably junked due to premature transmission failure only , decades before anyone thought they’d become ‘vintage’. And those cars were probably far better than what enthusiasts are left with to restore today…
I also had a ’62 Super 88 and blew the trans after a severe night of laying burners. I had it rebuilt (pump) but I seem to remember it was pretty expensive. I learned my lesson not to mess with those after putting 3 different boneyard replacements in my 63 Grand Prix, all which failed shortly after installation. Might be we didn’t know what we were doing at 16 years old, too
Don’t blame 16yo you, seems neither GM then nor enthusiasts today have a clear idea how to remedy the issues of the Roto-Problematic. Guess which is on top on the Hagerty site
https://www.hagerty.com/media/maintenance-and-tech/6-of-the-worst-automatic-transmissions-ever/
I spoke with the owner of a ’63 GP with the factory 421/Roto this summer and he claimed ZERO issues with the transmission after 20year ownership. One of those sunshine stories apparently
Wow, and I thought the 61-62 years only Buick Dual-Path transmission was a nightmare! Good to know 👍
As a 16 or old in the early 80’s all I wanted was a 1963 Pontiac Grand Prix, but my dad told me enough nightmare stories about that”Slim Jim” transmission
Once upon a time in a far away land(Tacoma,Washington) I owned a 62 Starfire. It was white with red interior. By the time I got fire breathing star it was tired, but still breathing. I paid the seller $150.00 and drove it home. It was rust free, nice paint and beautiful interior. I was a young stud in those long gone days, mechanically inclined, so even though the engine and transmission were sluggish and brakes were iffy, I began work on the drivetrain immediately. In those wonderful old days an engine rebuild kit could be purchased for around $200.00 and the transmission could be rebuilt for $150.00 if I pulled and reinstalled it. Eventually, I had the nine year old Starfire running like new. I drove it for a few months before selling to an army Colonel from Ft. Lewis at a nice profit.
It was a fairie tale time, when a person could buy these old rust free northwest cars for very little money, do some mechanical repairs and have a very nice star to fly the Universe in, or more realistically cruise the boulevard in.
God bless America
I hate to be a bearer of hard to swallow news, but todays youth will never appreciate or experience the days gone by like you and I have. The times are a changing and not for the betterment of society.
God Bless America!!
These cars are beautiful! All of that chrome, and that nice interior! Imagine how great it would look restored! That would be quite a project though unfortunately.
Here is a great commercial for a 62 Starfire starring Florence Henderson, a.k.a. Mrs. Brady, who is “sitting behind the wheel of an Oldsmobile”. Ha!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSJ78FY07RU
Very cool video, S. Thanks for the share.
These were one of if not the coolest cars on the road in 61 and 62. It was also Olds most expensive model by far. One drive and it was readily apparent as to why.
My family had a silver over oxblood one back in the day and she was something spectacular in her day, and beyond. The dark red interior was absolutely stunning in its beauty.
1961 Starfire production was 7,600 (one source says 7,800) not 1,500. Wikipedia is not a reliable source of old-car info.
That makes sense. When I had mine (1972 ish) I noticed a few others around town. They couldn’t have been that rare
The dirty engine bay is missing and hiding a few chrome items: air cleaner, valve covers, road draft tube, oil filler cap. Not actually chrome, but a highly polished metal, although t hff e road draft tube was actually chrome. I had a 61 and a 62 back in the early 70’s, they performed pretty well when you dumped it in Super at about 45 mph. The Hydromatic trans would let you burn the tires, and it bogged down on the upshift to second, but 45 to a 100 they really could move
I disagree about today’s youth. My 17 year old son owns 2 cars a 89 volkswagen Cabrolet and a 82 Honda civic. Both are fixer uppers. But particularly the Honda. He’s put a new top and clutch in the VW and has rebuilt the Carb and installed new tie rods in the Honda.