The “Starfire” nameplate was formally introduced by Oldsmobile in 1954, and despite substantial recycling through the years, the model name remained associated with the division’s best offerings through the 1960s. The first Starfire was a convertible concept car off the pen of Harley Earl, differentiated from its brethren at Motorama in 1953 by four seats instead of two. One year later, a production car could be found in showrooms. By 1966, the “Starfire” nameplate was in its third iteration. It remained on a full-sized platform, occupying the “personal luxury coupe” niche, until the 1970s. Here on eBay is a very nice example of the last of Oldsmobile’s full-sized Starfires, bid to $9220 with a $21,500 buy-it-now price. This car is located in Hanson, Massachusetts, and we have Curvette to thank for the tip!
Powered by Oldmobile’s 425 cu. in. V8 good for 375 hp, the Starfire didn’t quite match the division’s leader – the Toronado at 385 hp. This particular engine – along with its column-shift, three-speed TH350 automatic – has been replaced, so this is not a numbers-matching car. In addition to the drivetrain, numerous components have been replaced or rebuilt under the seller’s ownership, including the rear axle seals, torque converter, power steering pump, steering box, and so on. That said, the torque converter seal is leaking! Didn’t install a new one when the converter was replaced, dang! On the other hand, a host of new parts are included with the sale: master cylinder, oil pan, and brake components, among others.
De rigueur for a “personal luxury coupe” were power-assisted seats, windows, air conditioning, and, in this case, a power trunk lid. That said, the Starfire’s feature list was downgraded in ’66 – the upholstery was no longer leather, and several previously standard items were moved to the option list. Though this example is not equipped with bucket seats, the vinyl is clean both front and, of course, rear. Kudos to the seller for providing several photos of the instrument panel. The top surface of the dash is slightly warped, and a few blemishes are present, but overall, not much to complain about here.
Aside from cannibalizing its own sales with the Toronado, Olds was also competing with Pontiac’s Grand Prix. While the Starfire adhered to the outdated 1950s tendency to fill every void with trim, the Grand Prix was almost severely devoid of ornamentation, synching with the modern design aesthetic. Both cars utilized the newly popular reverse-curve backlight, but buyers liked it better on the Grand Prix, where the trim was so unobtrusive. For so many reasons, Starfire sales sank out of sight during 1966. The nameplate reappeared in 1975 as a four-cylinder, badge-engineered Monza – a far cry from today’s powerful and stylish coupe. I wouldn’t be sorry to show up with this ’66 at a local show; what do you think?
What I think is what you think but the rear end needs to be “unjacked” to properly display what this car really is. Fast but not a street rod.
I agree ^^^, mags and raised back don’t always enhance a vintage cars appearance, These came with a wire wheel wheel cover that looked more like what the car was designed for, easily fixed. Kind of funny, looking at “images” of these cars, it was difficult to even find one that was original.
In1966 Starfire’s went from top of the line Oldsmobile to a sporty looking coupe that no longer had top end standard equipment highlights but options from a list. Gone was most of the luxury equipment. Word around the campfire was because of the new Toronado, destined to take its place at the top of the Olds line. If you want a Starfire, the 65 is the one to have in my opinion. In 66 if you added all the luxury equipment to the unit you were in Toronado price territory.
I never met a mid 60’s GM full size model I didn’t like. And this Starfire is no exception. I’m 100 percent in agreement with Bobhess and Howard, this car needs to be “unjacked” in the rear. It would look way better. That rear seat speaker is the same as the one in our ’70 Ninety Eight growimg up. Another great write up Michelle. And Curvette just seems to be on a roll here finding some great cars too. That 425 Big Block Olds and THM 400 will provide a lot of fun effortless cruising for sure.
ad said a th350 trans in it now.
Michelle, I always enjoy your write-ups as they are quite detailed and well presented. However, I am confused here by your comment that the third generation continued into the 70s. I grew up in the 60s in an Olds family and I am sure that the Starfire in the form that is being discussed here was discontinued after the 1966 model year. The nameplate reapprered in 1975 on the H body compact but never again on a full size vehicle.
THE TRANS SHOULD BE A TURBO 400………………
Love it!
it’s neat. i had a 65 Starfire and loved the look of it. the mag wheels, white letter tires and the pumped-up look all need to go. it should have a correct set of w/w tires and wheels. i see 1/2 the a/c is gone as well. not a 20k car like this.
I cannot imagine a Starfire with no AC even in the cold north lands. Also the trans would have been a 400 not a 350.
This is a good looking ride but it is not a good example.
Wow. My uncle had this exact same car back in the day! Except his had the red interior with bucket seats and console. He even put mag wheels on it in the mid-1970s like pretty much everybody else did., LOL! Brings back some memories, especially as he just passed away a few weeks ago.
These are very rare because they only built about 13k ’66s. So Olds canceled the nameplate and created the Delta 88 Custom. They dusted off the Starfire name plate for the 1975 Olds version of the Chevy Monza, which was basically a Chevy Vega. It died for good after the 1980 model year.
Actually, GM’s “switch-pitch” ST (Super Turbine) 400 automatic transmission was the precursor to the Turbo 400. This was a beast of a “hole shot” trans. Olds & Buick utilized it thru 1967 in their full-size vehicles. For 1967 it was equipped w/ the largest valve body pump which made ST400 are real force to be reckoned with!
As much as I love Cragar S/S’s I agree that this car would look better with the wire wheels and a set of thin w/w’s, as well as taking the high school parking lot tilt off the rear end. The lack of a AC compressor bothers me, and if they didn’t replace the TC seal, what else didnt they do correctly? I like it but not at the number they are looking at GLWTA
Very nice Olds Starfire!! Flagship car at one time.
I’m with everyone else here, lose the Cragars & please drop the back end. Put back the a/c too. Looks like it has an AM-FM radio besides the other power options.
If the guy didn’t do the seal, I’m wondering about his other work.
Not a bad car overall.
I have a restored, concours quality ‘61, white on red, and the 394/330 will fry the tires (plural!) from a rolling start and a lot less than full throttle. Amazing torque. That really gets the attention of the brat in the next lane who hasn’t yet figured out how to turn off the traction control in his V6 Mustang…
My uncle had one of these many years ago but his was a factory 4 speed.
I see that the A.C. has been hacked off . No telling what else has been ” modified ” . But for fellows such as myself . This car is a hard pass because of it .
Ended at $10,512.
Reserve Not Met.
13 bids.