Oldsmobile was an early “in” with a luxury coupe segment courtesy of the new for 1961 Starfire. It was not the first time that the Starfire name had been in Olds’ line-up as it initially appeared in 1954 as the moniker for the 98 in convertible form. Discontinued after 1957, the name reappeared in ’61 in both two-door hardtop and convertible form. And found here, in Kingsport, Tennessee, is a second-year example in the form of a 1962 Starfire convertible. It is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $10,000, zero bids tendered as of this writing.
Oldsmobile, as usually was the case, had the bases covered with their 1962 line-up. There was the top of the line Ninety-Eight, the mid-tier Super Eighty-Eight, the more pedestrian Dynamic Eighty-Eight, the compact F-85, and the aforementioned Starfire. The Starfire coupe and convertible were the forerunners of the personal luxury coupe segment and it was the Toronado’s introduction in ’66 that spelled the end for the Starfire model.
This 1962 example is listed as a twenty-six-year barn-bound find and is one of approximately 7,000 built that year. The seller claims that the body and trim are in fair condition but it is “a solid car needing a little TLC”. It would seem that it has been stored in a top-down mode which is generally not the best way to long-term park a convertible. I suggest that because the top boot is in place and looks like it has been for some time. Speaking of the top, there is no reference to it in the listing so it may or may not be useable – and generally, leaving one folded down for twenty-six years does it no favors. The very extensive “Starfire” stainless trim is intact and very presentable – good to know as a lot of it would probably be expensive and difficult to source if it were missing. Actually, the black lacquer finish may be salvageable, hard to say for sure with all of the dust covering the exterior surfaces. The Oldsmobile sales brochure for ’62 does not list fender skirts as an option so they may be an aftermarket accessory.
The interior image looks like it was photographed under a flashlight, it gives one the feeling that this car is about to get boosted. The interior is in semi-reasonable shape as the leather upholstery is filthy and mold-covered – but it doesn’t appear to be split or torn. According to research, the Starfire was the first full-sized domestic car to feature a center console with a gear selector. Other notable features include the console-mounted tachometer and power window switches. The interior really needs a serious cleaning to determine what’s what. As with the exterior, the seller rates the interior as being in “fair condition”.
Rocket Power is under the hood in the form of a 345 gross HP, 394 CI V8 engine. The seller does not indicate if this Olds is a runner, the likelihood probably isn’t too good. As usual, the concern is over the possibility of seizure and very stale fuel. From what can be seen via the “Midnight Auto Parts Acquisition” lighting shows a very together engine compartment so hopefully, it can be awoken easily. The sole transmission available in the Starfire was the 4-S Hydramatic automatic gearbox. Of note, though typical, this Starfire convertible is not air-conditioned. Even upscale models like Oldsmobiles, from this era, were frequently sans A/C in their convertible offerings.
This Starfire appears to be complete and it is, undoubtedly, a very desirable model but there many unknowns to consider. And as usual, it starts with the engine. Beyond that, a thorough inspection, top to bottom, would be in order. Nice originality here but are there too many unknowns to give this Starfire serious consideration?
As stated, a whole lot of unknowns. On the flip side, these are absolutely incredible automobiles and this one looks like there is a possibility (albeit slight) that it would clean up very nicely with a little elbow grease using the proper products.
This one deserves a closer look for sure.
The starfire was a design that was way ahead of its time. Sure would be cool to see how nice this one really is. Good luck and stay safe!
Cheers
GPC
There was a Starfire convertible in 1961 as well.
Further research tells me you are correct Bill! Article corrected.
Thx,
JO
Quote: “the name reappeared in ’61 in both two-door hardtop and convertible form.”
Nope. No hardtop in ’61.The Starfire was convertible-only that year. Need for further-further research indicated.
Also, I wouldn’t call these an early entry for the segment. More like a belated GM response to the 4-seat Thunderbird, followed by the GP, Wildcat and Riv.
This car looks to be original and all the parts are there!! I’d offer $8000 as is for it just because it’s got a lot of unknowns as far as rust and why it was parked there in the first place!! Over all a great car when done!!!
If it had been exposed to road salt rust would be easily visible in many places. $10K is about the max for a car that looks like all it needs is a dose of TLC to restore it to Sunday dinner and ice cream service. Just don’t forget that the Ultra High Compression 394 is going to require octane booster to run on today’s pump gas.
not only that its going to require zink added to the oil every oil change if you want to save the flat tappet camshaft be a nice home for a warmed over 455 olds engine and leave the ls chev for a chev someplace
Mobile 1. 15_50 still has zinc
While I’m not the biggest fan of the ‘car-inside-car’ front treatment I still think it’s a massive space cruiser from a time when everything Olds was rocket inspired. Believe it or not; those bodyside aluminum panels are being reproduced – apart from those bits GOOD LUCK locating model specific items!
With that said it does indeed look to be a fairly good example, IMO just not a 10k vehicle in current state.That 394 was reckoned as a killer engine back in its day. Imagine its interior in clean condition, that’s one impressive cockpit! As Tim points out this could probably be low-balled – it’s not a vehicle for everyone’s liking and a difficult model to restore so I don’t think there’ll be any bids at this level
Transmission would be the Roto Hydramatic here.
These are great cars, and don’t sell for the big bucks. Need a close inspection of this one, you can easily put more into the car than it’s worth.
There was a 64 factory 4 speed car at the Oldsmobile show in Lansing a couple of years ago.
Yes; it’s my understanding Olds would use the Roto in ’62-’64 fullsizers contrary to this write-up stating the 4S Hydramatic. That’s quite surprising considering the 394 was regarded as a torque monster while the Roto a weak transmission.
I have the original ’64 Olds fullsize sales brochure in my collection and just like with Pontiac they’re not giving away much details on excactly WHAT kind of slush box they’re offering – only that it’s a ‘Hydramatic’. As a new car buyer I’d be really upset to bring home a torquey 394 Olds for then to find out it’s coupled to the weak Roto Hydramatic!
A 3spd manual was base transmission in the cheaper fullsize Oldses, however ONLY model of these available with a 4spd manual in ’64 was… the budget Jetstar88 with the 330! Even the Jetstar1 (which in reality is a budget Starfire) came with the 3spd stick however only optional tranny for Jetstar1 was the Roto… IMHO Olds missed the boat here as a 4spd Jetstar1/ Starfire with the 440ft/lbs 394 would’ve made true muscle cars!
Note the attached, far right, from the ’62 Oldsmobile Starfire sales brochure.
JO
While Olds (and Pontiac) introduced this transmission in ’61(my bad) its name in the ’62 catalog is misleading. Olds would call it:
’61: Hydra-Matic with Accel-A-Rotor Action
’62: 4S Hydra-Matic (S meaning stage)
’63: Hydra-Matic
’64: Hydra-Matic with Accel-A-Rotor
While these are all fancy names we’re still talking about the same transmission – Roto-Hydramatic, Slim-Jim, Roto-Problematic and it’s a 4stage 3spd (!) transmission without regular converter. It was designed to be a lighter,cheaper, less complex and more compact unit to replace the aging 4spd Dual Coupling Hydramatic. Sadly it was also a lot less reliable unit than the old 4spd – it’s my belief that the premature issues with the Rotos is THE prime reason so few early 60s Olds fullsizers have survived
Completely agree on the slim Jim being a reason why so few early 60s Oldsmobiles are left, sadly.
As an added bonus, the 394 doesn’t easily meet up to any torque converter. Swapping in a TH350/400, 700R4, etc is a bigger project on a 394 than any other 60s GM V8.
My father had a 62 hardtop. I was pretty young but I thought they dropped the 4 spd auto in 62 for a 3 spd. I remember ther being a mile between 1st and 2nd. He bought it from the original owner so second might have been gone.
Silver blue with blue interior. I loved that car. I was 10 or 12.😊
Yes Tom, there is about a mile between 1st and 2nd in the Rotohydramatic. 2nd was full lockup, too- so that 1-2 shift often came with a shudder, and that’s when the trans was working correctly!
I once owned a 62 Starfire hardtop. It was a very nice car. They are one year for many parts making them expensive restoration projects. Body parts and trim items are hard to come by, ergo high dollar. When finished though it’s a very attractive car, and likely would be the only one at any show or get together. The starting price of $10 G’s puts it at a no return project. You must be a lover of these cars to get in at that price.
God bless America
My sister’s first husband had this exact car when they were dating. (1967/68) Can’t see the top on this one but his was white. Black exterior, red interior and white top.
Great car.
This ’62 is really growing on me. I love these taillights and rear-end much better than the ’61. I’ve been digging around and these ’62 sure are rare to say the least. I did find a nice one on hemmings for 32k with rebuilt motor… I’m sure you could hit that number pretty fast once you are out the door with this one.
These Starfires are quite a rare breed, and are great looking cars, especially the convertibles. You could even say a little futuristic in the day. But, this one seems to have everything there, and in pretty good shape. The way I look at it, this car will be pretty low cost to get it going. Hopefully someone will restore it to its luster and beauty. I have too many vehicles right now to take this one on. But I would if I could.
Agree with all above – it’s a sure looker for 1962 – the best of them in my opinion – high on price for the pictures fer sure…..like was said a lower bid price might get it moved.
Hmmm, green mold on the deck lid and the seats….
I remember these cars from the GM “stick some stainless steel on the side with bucket seats and a console” answer to the T-Bird craze. Wildcats and Bonnevilles got the stainless treatment, Grand Prix just the buckets and console. They even stuck a stainless band on the Jetfire. I thought the 61’s were better looking, even though their rear end looked like the front end of a motorboat Thunderbird.
What a coincidence . . .
I just finished watching a great series of B&W Oldsmobile factory TV commercials on the 61, 62, & 63 Olds, plus a 15 minute color one featuring a red Cutlass with the “Fluid Injection” aluminum engine.
These are all available on YouTube for free, just google them.
In high school back in the 1980’s, a pretty little blond I knew had a father who loved these cars. He owned 2 of them & was restoring both of them. I made the mistake of asking which one is the parts car lol. My fault!
They were wealthy, my family was not. Needless to say, I never had a chance with her….