While it’s hard to deny its economy car roots, it’s still possible to appreciate just how rarely we see models like this Oldsmobile Starfire pop up for sale. It seems like there’s a wide array of badge engineered cars that didn’t sell nearly as well as the main product line, such as the case with the Starfire’s twin, the Chevrolet Monza. Today, you can still find Monzas for sale on major classifieds sites but Starfires like this are a rare find. This one is equipped with the 305 V8, automatic transmission, and air conditioning. While it won’t ever be very collectible, I’m guessing you’ll be the only one at the show with a second-gen Starfire. Find it here on eBay with one bid to $1,200 and no reserve.
The 305 was an optional upgrade, with the Iron Duke four-cylinder and Buick 231 V6 the other engines in the lineup. As far as which member of the family you liked better, the Monza seemed to have the sportier undertones while the Olds was the mature shopper’s choice if you were looking for an American-made hatchback in the late 70s. The top photo shows that the California weather may have kept rust at bay (and subsequently allowed this oddball to survive well past its expiration date) but that the sun has still caused trim to fade and likely become quite brittle. The paint looks like it’s a bit thin in places but clean overall.
The interior is better than expected, and even looks a tad luxurious (by the standards of the day for an economy car.) The fake wood trim still presents well, and although there’s a visible split in the passenger-side bucket seat, the upholstery itself still looks somewhat healthy and not dry and cracking. The door panels appear to be missing some trim, like the door handle on the driver’s side, but the surface of the panel (and the dash) still clean up nicely. Overall, I don’t think this would be a hard cabin to restore, and certainly one you can live with for the time being – especially if the air conditioning is still working. The factory radio is missing.
Paint work looks evenly dull down both sides of the car, and the paint seems to match under-hood as well. While it’s impossible to say if a car is truly-accident free, this Starfire looks to have survived without a major collision in its past. The seller does not say much about the maintenance history of the 305, but if it’s still running well as he claims, someone had to be taking care of it all these years. The mileage is listed as 105,000, which seems commensurate with the condition. If you’re looking for a car that’s more of a novelty item than a street machine, this running, driving – and cheap – Oldsmobile Starfire could be worth a look.
Theres one main reason why more Monzas were sold compared to Starfires ,Sunbirds , and Skyhawks – the price ! Since most were the same car except for header panels and taillights, it made sense to buy the cheapest model. This one , being an Olds and having a V8 , was probably was one of the higher priced models.
Gotta love the jacket draped over the driver’s seat. No doubt a Mensa member.
Put there to frame the missing arm rest.
I know what Mensa is…explain the comment?
It is an ironic statement meant to convey that the “Mensa” member fooled no one, we all know the seat is torn under the jacket.
I had one of these, a ’75, in 1986 or ’87. It had a very interesting option: a sensor that was connected wirelessly to my bank account. Whenever my bank balance hit $500, something would inevitably break that cost $600.
I have a child who can determine, without looking, the exact amount of cash I have and voice a request for that amount.
Wow! One bid to $1,200.00.Seller better take that and call it a day, cause I don’t see it garnering much more than that.
Nice find, Jeff, especially with the V8. Not sure I’ve seen a Starfire or Sunbird with the V8 before. I put 130k miles on a ’76 Skyhawk with the 231 and a five-speed. Sold it with 250,000k and two subsequent owners ran it up to at least 350k on original motor. Loved that car. I thought about building it up, V8 swap, etc. but ultimately bought a Mustang LX 5.0 instead, which turned out to be even more faithful; I drove it to work today some 32 years later. Still it would be interesting to build up a small-block H-body. Many drivers have never seen one! Thanks for the memories.
I never knew a V8 was offered in these.
You need to study the history of all H-Body cars, my friend.
Definitely remember the Monza with the V8, sold more Monzas than these cause everyone knows Chevys are just the ultimate driving experience, geesh.
This really would make quite the sleeper.
The Monza and its brethren were originally designed for GM’s Wankel rotary engine. (I have a period “Popular Science” magazine featuring that on the cover.) Fortunately when GM cancelled the rotary they had more replacement engines to choose from than AMC did with the Pacer, including the V6 that AMC acquired with Jeep and subsequently sold back to the General.
I ordered a 78 Starfire with the 305 & 4 speed. Had the 2 barrel intake & carb removed & 4 barrel installed along with Cat removed. It would slap Dab Fly! Burn rubber in 3 gears & bark em in 4th. Would give most anything to have it back today. Have had Porsche’s, Vettes, 240z’s, SS 396 Camaro Convertible, Saabs, & a Fiat 124 Spider now & that Black Starfire was undoubtedly the funnest & my favorite car of my life. Tommy
How many left? Well, this and maybe one other,,,they were poor cars, a Vega on Steroids, kind of. I never knew they had the 305 either, but they did offer it for ’77 on. Poor choice. My ex-wife had a ’77 Monza, 305. Fun car, power to pass, for sure, but not much else. I’m not sure the V6 was any better, just better suited for the car, the V8 was too much. It wallowed in the turns, rusted instantly, poor brakes, hard to work on, lousy gas mileage and forget about it in the snow. I certainly wouldn’t want another.
I had a 1978 Pontiac sunbird formula with the 305 v-8 most fun car I have ever owned. Don’t know how fast it ever got up to for the speedo only went to 85.
I would perer the Buick v6 over this 305lump! I would love to update the V6 with an eaton M90 supercharger that was used on these 3800 engines in the 90ties.
If it absolutely has to be a v8 lets atleast keep it kinda period with a Buick aluminum v8, might be easier to source a whole engine from GB as they made lots of them there.
During this era, the Buick had a terrible oiling system and most ended up with rods knocking or a broken crankshaft. At least the 305 has the oil pump where it belongs and no lubrication issues.
If youre building one now that shouldnt be a problem as the brits had everything in this engine maasaged out over the last 5 decades- its their universal 350 swap
I believe there is a story about these particular H body models and the V8 option, that the rear set of plugs are not reachable to be changed and require the motor to be elevated to reach them. I have always heard that story, but in never owned one – never quite took it as fact. It wouldn’t surprise me – but I am sure someone out there can put this one to rest.
I’ve never had to “raise the engine” to change all the plugs. You just have to be a good mechanic
You are thinking of the Mustang II with a V8 engine as that car definitely had to have the engine jacked up to change the rearmost spark plugs. Makes you wonder how many owners were charged the labor but really only ever got 6 plugs changed?
If I were buying one of these h-body hatchbacks I would want a 1st year model. In 1975 when the 1st hatchbacks hit the market they had a neat, imported car-flavored instrument cluster. Then late 75 the mini-Malibu Town Coupe arrived with its cheaper looking instrument cluster that wound up standard in 76 on h-bodies.
And as the owner of a Vega…yes, these cars had traction problems if one rear wheel ever left dry pavement.
Yes I knew a guy who had the V8 option and claimed the engine had to be raised to reach one of the rear plugs; cant remember which side. Mine had the 231 V6 that shook like hell.
My best friend in high school bought a new 1978 canary yellow Sunbird fastback with the 231 in it . It wasn’t a tire smoker ,but that thing would get up and go off the line ! I wasn’t a big fan of the looks at the time , but they have grown on me over the years ; unfortunetly here in New England they had a short life span
You didn’t have to raise the engine to change pass side rear plug, you just had to have tiny hands.
I had a 77 when new. Light green white interior v/6 5 speed. The little car was very nice .It got decent mileage ran strong cheap to operate and never had an ounce of problems. I only added the 1/4 glass louvers to it. I sold it to buy a monza that had the imsa wide 1/4 panels and red white and blue paint. After I got the money the monza guy backed out. I would love to have one with the v/8
My friend had the Buick Skyhawk version of this with a 231 and a standard shift. We ran the heck out of that car for several years. They were sporty enough for the time period.
Had a 77 SkyHawk, pulled the 3.8 and put in a mild 350 and a TH400. Was a fun car.
I have a73 Vega here in Melbourne hopefully this might be coming here to.
To Jeff Lavery, I do not mean to be to critical but in your commentary using the word FAKE. It sounds and looks a little like misuse of the English language. The most commentary on various subjects use the word, FAUX, Like it is a faux fur Etc. Just saying.
Had both the Buick and the Monza – The Buick was the V6, and the Monza a 305. The V6 was not anywhere near as good as it got in the later turbo versions, but was decent enough in such a light car. The 305 on the other hand was stupid fun in the Monza.. Though it was super tight in that engine compartment; the factory repair manual even said you had to unbolt the engine mount and lift it just to get to some of the spark plugs. Hence why many shadetree mechanics removed the inner fender guards.
Hmm this was local to me on CL for $900 obo, and the owners sounded desperate to dump it before they moved. If I didn’t have 3 projects already I was tempted to offer cash, clean it up and sell it. This flipper didn’t even bother to tidy up and take new pics, but they probably made almost a grand. At least someone got it!
Is this car still for sale I can’t find it on eBay