Becoming a separate model within Oldsmobile in 1961, the Starfire never came with four doors. Did you “Two doors too many!” folks hear that? This 1965 Oldsmobile Starfire Coupe is a car that most of us can agree with and it appears to be in pretty nice condition. The seller has it listed here on eBay in Clarkston, Michigan and they have a buy-it-now price of $8,000, or you can make an offer.
The first-generation Starfire was made from 1961 to 1966, and the 1965 model year showed some fairly significant changes. They were duking it out with a couple of GM siblings, the Chevrolet Impala SS and Buick Wildcat, but also with a couple of Ford products – the Mercury S-55 and Ford Galaxie 500 XL – and also the Chrysler 300. It would be hard for me to choose a car from that mix, I like them all.
Buyers could get both a two-door coupe and a two-door convertible in 1965, but the convertible would go away the following year. This is a fairly big car at just over 18 feet but they were known for being spirited performers despite the two-ton weight. The Starfire was known as “The Flagship of Oldsmobile’s sports car fleet” according to the 1965 brochure. Hagerty is at $5,300 for a #4 fair-condition car and $16,200 for a #3 good car, just as a general reference.
Leather bucket seats are a luxurious touch as is the center console with tach. This one is similar to the vast majority of Starfires of this era in having a three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic and T-handle gear selector. Buyers could also get a Hurst Muncie M20 four-speed manual in 1965 but it’s very rare to find a car with that feature today. Most of the photos are closeups so it’s hard to tell the condition of things, but from what we see, it sure looks like a nice weekend project car to enjoy and keep tinkering with it.
This is Oldsmobile’s 425-cu.in. OHV V8 and it was factory-rated at 370 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque with its 10.5-to-1 compression ratio and four-barrel carb. Be prepared to fill the tank with premium gas, but it’ll be worth it. The seller lists quite a few things that have been completed and a few that still need to be completed, including a new heater core. Have any of you owned a ’65 or ’66 Starfire?
This is one nice Olds. I have to admit that Pontiacs from this era are my favortie, however i Like Oldsmobiles a lot from this era too. Iy looks like there may be a couple trim pieces missing. Part of the Eight Eight script on the trunk is missing. Ive never seen a full size Olds from this era with a stick, I have only seen a couple of photos. But what a blast it must have been to run that 425 big block through the gears!!! At least this one doesnt have the Slim Jim automatic but a THM 400, which has proven itself tobe a sturdy and reliable transmission if taken care of properly. Hope it goes to a good home
Why Would A Starfire Model Have Any 88 Model Emblems On It ? There Two Distinctly Different Models.
That’s a solid deal. Nothing to not like.
Such a good looking car as were so many from GM at this time. Interesting to me that a low volume model would have it’s own roofline. Never owned a Starfire but my ’66 Delta was a great car to drive.
The family car was a 66 Starfire. The 66 styling was a little nicer than 65 altho
ugh those taillights on the 65 we’re hard to beat.
425 ran strong up to 6 grand. 0 to 60 in first at 6.7 sec.
I don’t recall ever seeing a 65 Starfire. The thin side molding is a departure from much more impressive trim from previous Starfires. My choice for 65 would be a Bonneville. One of the most beautiful ever. This 65 shows styling which was refined for 66. My first car was a red 66 Dynamic 88 convert with 425 and interior almost exactly like this, but without console. For Oldsmobile aficionados, this definitely is a bon marche!
The side trim molding is aftermarket. The ’65 Starfire did not have anything on the side except for the diecast trim down low.
And needs to go! I hope its not that crap that was popular 30 years ago with the pop riveted on aluminum strip with the rubber or vinyl insert.
There weren’t many around as I recall in the early seventies . They are a nice road car with a smooth ride but like the Grandprix they will consume a lot of premium fuel . It would still be a good showcar at Cars & Coffee ! They surely don’t make ’em like that anymore . Happy Motoring !
Hey, Rick,
First thing I saw was that stupid molding. Even if it was offered, it goes too far to the front . Should end behind the wheel opening, unless the installer didn’t want any leftovers hanging on a nail in his garage.🙄
As far as the rusty bumpers and surface corrosion, I’d want to see pics of the underside. In my opinion, every seller should include these. First place I look is there when I’m scoping out a car.
Leather seats look in good shape in this car.
Interesting and rare car.
Well Jon , once again great minds travel the same roads. 👍 Just returned from lunch with friends for my 77th. Conversation included having an ORANGE Julius while deciding if we might visit ORANGE a TAN. Unanimous decision was definitely against, NOT wanting to MAR a Lago!😄 😁 🤣 But we are considering 🤔 GOLD sneakers. As always LOL!
To reply to the orange comment below, I was able to follow this one Rick, by my upside down GPS & a blank map.
By the way, did you lunch with an orangutan? OH PLEASE!!🙄
Jon, come on! I would never Mar a Luncho with the ORANGE a TAN! Wouldn’t even let it COMB OVER to the table! 🤮.
Rusty Bumpers? Wasn’t she an Exotic dancer? 💃. If I recall correctly she was convicted of assault on her long time boyfriend Rusty Zipper! 🙄. Sorry, I just can’t help myself!
The most unique thing about the 65 starfire is the exhaust comes out the side of the quarter panel. Always loved the 65. I have 65 delta( first year for the delta) 4 speed car. It is a complete builder but very rare!
And needs to go! I hope its not that crap that was popular 30 years ago with the pop riveted on aluminum strip with the rubber or vinyl insert.
I can’t help but think the rear taillights look like a 68 and 69 road runner.
I owned a ’65 Starfire, my 2nd car, given to me by a great aunt. It was the first car in which I got up to 120mph. The engine supposedly had been tweaked to produce around 400hp. I had a lot of fun with it, and ended up trading it for a low milage 1975 Pontiac Firebird in 1977. I have since wished that I had kept it instead of trading it. I think I got $500 for it in trade for the Firebird.
I owned a ’66 Starfire in high school . Fast and comfortable. Great people hauler on Friday nights!
First thing rip that cheesy molding strip off the sides they don’t belong there and takes away from the beauty.
Couldn’t agree more. That is the only thing I would change on this nice Olds.
My uncle had a 66 Starfire with a 4 speed. That three foot long Muncie had a factory GM shifter. I don’t know what Scotty means by “a Hurst 4 speed”.
ACZ, I saw this on the Wiki page for the Starfire, specifically under the 1965 model year: “Added to the option list for the first time on Starfires and other B-body cars was a four-speed manual transmission with Hurst shifter that was rarely ordered.”
Although, they also list a Muncie M20 four-speed manual for 1965 only. I believe you’re right, Volo Car Museum lists a ’65 with a “correct Muncie 4-speed”. Thanks for catching that! Wiki is wrong (again)(as am I)…
Scotty, we all learn by listening to others.
I owned a 63 Starfire with the 394 ci…. I was 16 and boy did I have a time with that one. Quick, heavy and rode like a dream. I paid $300 for it in 1972. Put a rebuild kit in the four barrel quadjet and drove that Olds for several years. Not good on gas, but it was only .34 cents a gallon back then in my home town.
There was never a Quadrajet on a 394. I think you mean the old Rochester 4 Jet.
I had a 65 starfish. Probably around 1975. That thing never did run right. Constantly adjusting the points. Premium Gas… now they tell me!! Lol
Buyer beware…this could be a “piggyback” ad. The “seller’s” description is almost bot like on the wording and or a someone with limited grammar. Just doesn’t seem right..plus this is a bond queen from the looks of it. Right quarter behind the wheel…that chunk is 1/4″ thick.
Rather have one unmolested with rust holes I can see. This one is covered in cookie batter.
Auction update: apparently, this Starfire sold on February 27th for some unknown price as it’s marked as sold.