Through most of the 1960s, the Starfire was Oldsmobile’s version of a full-size performance car. It was powered by a factory-tweaked V8 engine and sported leather-trimmed bucket seats with a console and floor shift. This 1964 edition has spent much of its life in a private collection and museum, which explains the low odometer reading of under 23,000 miles. Located in Emmett, Idaho, this beautiful survivor-quality automobile is available here on craigslist for $26,500. Thanks for the cool tip, CCFisher!
After a limited run in the 1950s, the Starfire returned from 1961-66 as a full-size personal luxury automobile much like the Pontiac Grand Prix. They were only available in two body styles, a 2-door hardtop, and a convertible. The ’63 were already restyled, so the ‘64s were little changed except they were a little longer and a little lighter in weight. Sales dropped more than a third that year, largely because Oldsmobile added the Jetstar, a more budget-minded version of the Starfire that chipped away at demand for the senior car. 13,753 coupes like the seller’s auto were produced in 1964.
Under the hood of this Oldsmobile resides its original 394 cubic-inch “Ultra High Compression” Rocket V8 that had an impressive output of 345 hp. A Hydra-Matic transmission was standard along with power steering and brakes. Front seat belts finally moved over from the options list in 1964. This car has received some recent upgrades like a new carburetor, master cylinder/power booster for the brakes, tires, and exhaust pipes. As you might expect, the Starfire starts, runs, and drives extremely well.
The bodywork, chrome, and glass are in excellent condition and the black paint was professionally redone earlier, while the blue interior is 100% original and tidy. An aftermarket stereo with satellite radio is tucked away in the glovebox and a spare set of wheel covers (not the wire variety on the car) are resting in the trunk. The seller has more cars than time and that’s the reason for letting this one go. He/she provides a copy of a J.D. Power report that indicates the value of the car should exceed the asking price. This looks like a great turnkey automobile for Cars & Coffee and like events.
Wonder how many of these they made in black. Never seen one before.
Wow,what a beauty if I had the bucks I would buy it in a second:-)
The Jetstar had a smaller engine and was fairly plain..but the 394 in the Starfire had some serious sh#t and git. These were nice-looking cars too.
Yes and no – you’ve got it somewhat mixed up as there wasn’t just one Jetstar but two!
The Jetstar88 was kind of an entry-level fullsize Olds with the 330 and smaller brakes sourced from the A-body F-85 parts bin. Available in 4door HT+post, 2dht (with typical GM ’64 ‘convertible roof’) + ‘vert. It was also the only fullsize Olds for ’64 that could be spec’d with a 4spd manual…!
The Jetstar1 on the other hand was a trimmed down Starfire but still with the 345hp 394 and square roofline shared with Starfire + GP. If one compares the Starfire to a GTX then the Jetstar1 was its Roadrunner sibling – just about everything that came standard on the Starfire were cost-more options on the Jetstar1 except the engine. Base transmission on the Jetstar1 was a 3spd manual on the column and it must’ve been a stout unit to survive behind that torquey 394. Only available as 2dht
The Jetstar 1 had the same 394 as the Starfire, and the same body. The Jetstar was a different body and smaller engine.
Swoon.
Wow, stunning!
Love the low miles, and not a classic you see. Also like the exterior black paint, with the contrasting blue interior with bucket seats, and the tachometer on the console! Super clean engine bay as well. Checks off a lot of boxes, except no A/C.
It’s just over the hill (highway 16) in Emmett, just minutes from me in Boise, Idaho.
Great find!
If I had garage, or shop space, I would take a serious short trip to see it in person. Too bad the seller is not interested in trades.
The Jetstars have the same drivetrain as the Cutlasses.
That would have been the 325 engine if memory serves, and most were 2 and 4 door sedans.
The engine in the Jetstar 88 was a 330 cu in. It also had the Cutlass/F85 brakes. It had some go but had virtually no whoa. My Dad owned one and many times I got the brakes to fade to non-existent with some “spirited” driving.
God damn this is nice.
Why GD? I’ve never read other members comment like you have. Please:
RULES: No profanity, politics, or personal attacks.
It’s not like there’s any kids on here LOL.
Sorry billy. It comes with sailing.
My dad’s cousin had one new, his parents bought it for him for graduation pops said. It was maroon with a white top. He had it a year or so and wrecked it racing. Pops said it really moved, but not as good as Pops tripower, four spd Goat.
This is probably THE Starfire to buy if one is in the market for one. For a Starfire this example is somehow ‘lowly’ optioned since they were well equipped from the factory already. Amongst the few options that could be added to ‘load’ a Starfire were AC, power windows/vents, power seat and powered trunk lock.
This specimen is either a later production or its missing its high beam lamps’ ‘tribar’ trim that was part of the Starfire package in its first months. IMHO the ’64 Starfire is such a forgotten gentleman’s muscle car that deserves a lot more recognition
if this car has a “slim jim’ transmission,,its a big problem,,,
Yup, it has the Roto Hydramatic… I’ve also heard/read all those horror stories about it and came to fear it to the point that I ended up passing on a ’64 Dynamic wagon simply due to my fear for potential issues.
With that said I’ve since then spoken with a couple owners of cars equipped with this transmission that both have owned their cars for several years + have never experienced any issues with their Slim Jims. While those (sadly) appear to be in minority there seems to be units that for some unknown reason just seem to work… so one might be lucky!
In high school my band-geek friend’s Dad had a 64 Olds wagon that we took on several band trips. (1972). It was a cool car with cold AC, red inside and out. I particularly remember the transmission though. It would get up to 15 or 20. mph then seem to drop down to high gear. I had no experience with a GM automatic and thought that it was really strange the way that it shifted compared to Ford automatics. Maybe it had the slim Jim. I do know that it had a lot of miles on it, probably 150,000
Beautiful. And not a 69 Camaro.
Awesome looking car! I’ve never seen a 64 Oldsmobile before, at least not in person. Two of my favourite years for the Oldsmobile are 1962 and 1964. If I bought a car this nice, I’d pay close to $20,000, if only to save enough for inspection and other things.
Certainly a nice example of a ’64. But.
Compare to a ’61 and ’62. In (only) my opinion, each year is less desirable than what came before. The ’61 is over the top with trim, leather, and design features. It was only available as a convertible. The ’62 added a hard top.
After that, the style and features were dialed back each year, and became more conventional. You could certainly argue that the later cars had “cleaner” styling. But not as special.
Amen…
If Lincoln had made the Mark III in ’64, this would be it!
Owned one of these back in the late 60’s early 70’s before the gas crunch. Put a lot of miles one it. One thing you had to look out for was the upper “A” frame bushings. They were notorious for slipping off the bushings in a turn and crushing the fuel pumps and causing a fire. Also the rear 4 link bushings would wear due to the large amount of torque being set against rear end and twisting them. When it got hard to feed it, I traded it for a new Grand Torino Squire wagon with a 302. Loved that wagon.
Personally, like the look of the longer ’66 Starfire.
https://bestcarmagz.net/makes/Oldsmobile/Starfire/1966-Oldsmobile-Starfire
Starfires killed by the Toronado.
The Jetstar 1 had the same 394 as the Starfire, and the same body. The Jetstar was a different body and smaller engine.
Your kidding me right??? DONK !!!! it, this thing would look like a beast with 30’s on it.
“65” year before the first Toro, had the rear quarter exhaust dumps.
For the curious, there is a ’62 Starfire with 394 for $11k up in Bend, Oregon that looks nice. Check it out below. I’m a bit disturbed by the ‘minor’ rust issues mentioned and the interior pics with snow on the glass though. What do you think?
https://bend.craigslist.org/cto/d/bend-1962-olds-starfire/7434896989.html
Though I prefer the ’64 Olds IMHO that ’62 appears to be a decent find. They don’t have that much of a following so you might even be able to negotiate on the price. Note that its headliner is dropping but the rest of the interior appears to only require some elbow grease.
Definately an Olds worthy a closer inspection 👍
Good link, Matt! For more than half the price and it looks like it has been babied. Even with over 100,000 miles it would be worth it IMO. Very clean and easy to maintain or repair when needed.
I have a 64 starfire convertible in Tacoma WA that I’ll be putting up for sale soon.
@Richard Ziesmer – please consider having it featured on the site rather than posting in the comments: https://barnfinds.com/sell/