Oldsmobile resurrected the Starfire nameplate in 1975 and applied it to a badge-engineered version of the Chevy Monza subcompact. Available only as a 2-door hatchback, the car was modestly peppy with the Firenza option that brought a small V8 and a Rallye suspension. The seller’s Firenza is from 1979 and looks to have been baking outdoors for a good bit of its life. It will require a total restoration whose cost will likely far exceed any future resale value. The auto may be had for as little as $500 as that’s the opening bid here on eBay which is yet to have been cast.
The Starfire was largely a carbon copy of the Chevy Monza, Pontiac Sunbird, and Buick Skyhawk, and the front-end treatment was about the only way to really tell them apart (I had a 1980 Sunbird for a few years). When it was introduced, it would be the smallest car bearing the Oldsmobile name to use a 4-cylinder engine since the Model 43 in 1922. The body style is said to have a resemblance to the Ferrari 365 GTC/4, although I consider that a bit of a stretch. These rear-wheel drive cars would be built through 1980 to be replaced by front-wheel drive autos in 1982.
Beginning in 1977, you could get a Starfire with Chevy’s 305 cubic inch V8. And the following year, the Firenza package was introduced which included a special suspension, front air dam, rear spoiler, flared wheel openings, sport wheels, and special paint and trim. Across its six model years, more than 125,000 Starfire subcompacts were built with no information as to how many of those would have been Firenza’s like the seller’s car.
It’s hard to believe looking at this Starfire that it’s mostly rust-free, according to the seller. But very few portions of the body don’t have some sort of damage. There are multiple dents and dings, and the fender flares are sun damaged and deformed as is the rear spoiler. So, the body shop is going to have fun whipping this car back into shape. Then, there’s the interior which is nothing short of a mess. Items are either cracked, damaged, or missing.
It’s hard to tell what’s happening with the V8 and automatic transmission as the cable to pop open the hood isn’t functioning. The indicated mileage is 64,000 which would normally mean there would be life left. But since the car has been left to the whims of Mother Nature for an undetermined period, the condition of the powertrain must be considered a crapshoot. Even transporting this Oldsmobile will be a challenge as all the tires are flat and may not hold air. Is this a car you would try to restore, use for parts, or take a pass on?
God – that mid-70s chintzy interior plastic. It degraded just by looking at it…
“Top grade imitation plastic”
As GM left a fart
The oddmobile from Oldsmobile
Spiderfarm, Spiderfarm
Roll that sucker back in the barn.
Spend your bread, every bit
Finish up with a piece of…
LOOKOUT! Don’t buy the Spiderfaaaaarm….
What’s going on with the rear panel? I can’t tell if it’s rusted steel, broken plastic, or both.
The Firenza package did not include the V8. It was a separate option.
I’m not sure if there was a 4-speed automatic available from GM in the ’70s
I’ve come across minty ones, and they are a beautiful site to see, going down the road. Nice sound from the 305 too.
Terrible car and so far away from what the Starfire was in the early sixties. GM just name grabbing, and then sales were dropping in the Olds division. Wonder why?
I worked at an Olds dealer in this time period. Since I was low guy on the team I had the privilege of tuning up all the V8 Firenza’s because nobody else wanted to. It really wasn’t any worse than putting plugs in my 68 Cougar 390 and I got pretty good at it. The 4 speed models would bark 2nd gear.
Putting a V8 in a subcompact Vega body was a bright ray of sunshine at a time when all
American manufacturers were doing their best to eliminate larger engines, adding radial tires, using lower axle ratios and tuning their products to advertise better miles per gallon. The pony cars were available so enthusiasts still preferred their trusty Mustang Ii 302, Camaro and Firebird favorites. A larger Caprice only had a V6, 305 or 350 so a 305 Starfire was a big deal. However, 44 model years of time and the elements have not been kind to this Oldsmobile. Definitely a pass as the cost of restoration would exceed its fair market value.
Definitely a Good Bye, good riddance and don’t let the door hit in the behind on the way out.
These things were heaps brand new. One of the worst cars Olds ever made !
No i never have strong feelings about anything. lol
My cousin had a Monza Spyder with the 305 V-8. He said it was the worst car he ever owned, when it came changing the plugs. Had to hoist the engine to get to the back plugs. GM engineering at it’s finest.
I think it needs to be saved because the rest are gone.