Another day, another Starfire. I just recently posted how we so very rarely see these Chevy Monza siblings come up for sale, and now here’s another example in even better condition than the one we just shared. This car hails from Washington State, the hotbed of oddball survivors that have survived there at a far higher rate than elsewhere in the country. Though this example isn’t as high of a spec as the V8 car from California, it’s arguably in better shape with claimed-genuine mileage of just 59,082. Find it here on eBay in a no reserve auction with bids to $2,700 at the moment, and now residing in New Milford, Connecticut.
I can tell you that given this Oldsmobile is in my neck of the woods, if I saw it on the road, I’d likely have to pull a U-turn and chase the owner down. Cars like this simply don’t exist anymore, not even in the off-the-grid junkyards I frequent. I know of one yard that has a few Monzas of this vintage, and if they have a Starfire derivative, I haven’t found it yet. The body on this car looks incredibly clean, with no obvious damage and surprisingly good luster on the black trim. Taillight lenses and the decor strip in between show no signs of obvious damage, and all glass looks clear and crack-free. The seller claims the paint is original with a few dings.
The interior is practically time-warp, even better than the low mileage would suggest. The red carpets and matching bucket seats appear to be in great condition with no visible soiling or tears. Fake wood trim around the shifter still presents nicely and adds an upscale touch that I’m sure car shoppers in the middle 70s appreciated. The door panels and dash show no issues, and the car’s residences in Washington State and now Connecticut practically ensure the dash top will never show any cracks. The Starfire is equipped with air conditioning, power steering, power brakes, tilt wheel, and a factory AM/FM radio. That’s a loaded car.
While the original owner checked numerous boxes when ordering their Starfire, they didn’t go for the top-shelf engine offering, choosing instead to stick with the conservative 231 cu in V6 paired to an automatic transmission. The seller claims it drives well with no odd sounds or smoke, and that it’s riding on factory wheels with new tires. As the listing states, you likely won’t see yourself or going when driving a vintage Starfire, and though it’s not particularly exotic or muscular, there’s satisfaction that comes from knowing you’re driving one of the best remaining examples. I suspect bidding will clear $3K, but not by a huge amount.
Nice! But those wheels, UGH! I’d need to change them (a set like the ones on the other Starfire would be better) and then I’d cruise happily along. IIRC, it MIGHT be a little easier to change the rear plugs on this V-6 than it would be on the V-8. GLWTA! :-)
In’75 the V6 was the only engine offered in the Starfire and Skyhawk. Monza offered the Vega four and the weak 262 V8 but no V6. All three plus the Sunbird got more choices later.
http://oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Oldsmobile/1975%20Oldsmobile/1975%20Oldsmobile%20Starfire%20Folder/1975%20Oldsmobile%20Starfire-04.html
The Buick Skyhawk never got any other engine but the Buick 231 V6. Chevrolet, Pontiac, and Oldsmobile did receive a V8 in later years, and Chevrolet was the only H-body available with the Chevrolet 350. Pontiac and Oldsmobile has to make due with the Chevrolet 305
231 even fire Buick V6 is the IDEAL engine for this car of the options available at the time. Not too nose heavy, and not so much power as to be wasted by not being able to use it at the rear axle. Today I’d be tempted to drop in a 4.3L V6.
It’s still a Vega under a wrapper, but a good one.
I had a 1976 Starfire GT with the 231 and a 4-speed. For the times it was a pretty good looking car, but the engine was fairly lumpy. The odd-fire V6 was used until mid-1977 when it was converted to even-fire. I still don’t understand the advantages of one system over the other but I do know that I didn’t like the motor much. I bought a used 1st gen Rx7 after that and the rotary instantly became one of my favorite cars of all time.
Unfortunately it’s still a Vega underneath. I lived in Michigan at the time and watched helplessly as the doors rusted out. I also got to deal with the infamous Firestone 500 steel radials that managed to twist the treads into a reasonable imitation of a Mobius strip.
Despite all that the Starfire was the first (and probably last) new car I ever bought and I would have another. My girlfriend at the time had a 1980 Monza notchback with the iron duke motor that lasted until she bought her first Caravan in 1984. We were married by then and she sold the Monza to her sister in law who promptly totalled it.
Wouldn’t this just SUCK to actually drive today? Think about it. It’s got absolutely nothing except age.
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I barely looked twice at the other Starfire. This one caught my eye though. I can’t believe how well that red interior has held up. Even the fake wood still looks good. For $3k this would make a fun ride to the car show and you could park it there to boot.
There were a bunch of these around when I was in high school in the early 80s. They were a staple of 16th birthday cars. Two of my female friends received used ones for 16th birthday presents.
Failure point on all of them was the door pull. It had one small bolt and the pull would somehow always pull out of the plastic armrest/pull. I worked in dads parts department and I remember ordering the armrest/door pulls for Audrey’s sunbird.
These were basic cars for sure. My buddy owned a 79 mustang. It was equally basic. Back then these were commuter cars or inexpensive wheels for young folks. They were much nicer than a chevette. But I do agree with weasel. A 1990 Honda Accord would be far more advanced to drive.
Can one imagine the shock one would have at walking in a dealer wanting to trade that 62 Starfire in on a new one? Oldsmobile/GM was loosing their way long before this.
The seller of this car had it listed last July for $6,800 which we thought was big money for this car despite the great condition. Its clear everyone else agreed as he’s still trying to sell it.
I had an 80 Monza with a 3.8 in it and an automatic I drove the car A LOT for my job it kind of sucked on ice but I drove it for 100k miles and all in all it was a good car for what it was!
I “customized” mine with a culvert marker on icy road in MI with tired tires…. I bought it new back then and later went back to school with it as my commuter. Stick was problematic with too frequent clutch and clutch cable problems. Door hinges had troubles too…. Oh and the catalytic converter stank like a skunk…. Other that that… It was my first brand new car!!
In 1981 I bought a used 1980 Starfire GT with few miles on it. Dark blue with white stripes. Thought it was one of the best looking cars at the time. We put a lot of miles on it before trading it for a 92 Grand Prix. Last time I saw it was several years ago and it looked terrible.
Sold for $4,016. Someone got a very clean, rare little car.
A friend (Mike) in high school had a 75 similar to this one but his was a classy medium charcoal color and had the 4-speed. The red interior on his seemed a little more opulent so I guess there was a better trim level than the one this white car sports.
Mike’s Starfire was really a very nice car to drive in the late 70s and I wouldn’t mind reliving the past if this was a 4-speed example.
SOLD for $4,016.
Not bad for a great condition nostalgic ride.