Between 1961-65, the Starfire would be Oldsmobile’s entry into the personal luxury space. In an unusual move, the 1961 edition would only be offered as a convertible, although a hardtop was added the next year. This beautiful ’61 with a red body and interior and a white top looks to be in great condition, either as an original or a restoration. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, the car is available here on craigslist for $18,000. Thanks, rex m, for the tip on this one!
In its day, the 1960s Starfire was the highest-priced car that you could buy from Oldsmobile. It shared most of its sheet metal with other full-sized Olds models, but the Starfire wore unique trim and luxurious interiors. Just a convertible as first, two body styles were built between 1962-65 and the convertible was dropped in 1966 as the Starfire moved over to make room for the new front-wheel-drive Toronado. 7,604 Starfire drop-tops were produced in 1961.
This Starfire was powered by a 394 cubic inch V8 that should produce 330 hp. The seller doesn’t mention the mechanical condition of the car, but given its physical condition, one would think it does its job properly at just under 82,000 miles. Changing the gears is handled by an automatic transmission with a floor-mounted shifter. Oldsmobile took advantage of the public’s interest in the space-age movement at the time, so the name of both the car and the engine (Rocket V8) followed those lines.
From the photos provided, there seem to be no issues with the body, paint, or convertible top, including the brushed aluminum side panels. The matching interior is equally clean and inviting and the car comes with a lot of comfort items like power steering and brakes and electric windows and driver’s seat. Both Hagerty’s and NADA list the resale value of an automobile like this at potentially several times the seller’s asking price, so we hope our eyes don’t deceive us and this truly is the bargain of the week.
So I’ve been to Phoenix a bunch, and it’s hard to believe those pictures are in Phoenix.
I have tried to contact the day it went on craigslist no response SCAM!!!!!!!!!!!!
This car is (was) located at Gateway Classic Cars Scottsdale (even thought the physical address is Phoenix). I’ve seen it. It is what you would call a 50 foot car. Very solid for the money.
What does the blue business sign say in the background of the lead photo? Maybe that will give a clue as to the car’s whereabouts.
Sounds like this guy won this in a poker game and just wants to sell it and make some more money. does he have the title? Etc.??
If that is the actual asking price, this Olds is a bargain indeed. It’s in great condition in and out and the buckets with console looks really sharp. Overall, a very sharp drop-top. I can’t believe this will last long at that price.
Those seats were leather originally.
I think that is a mesquite tree in the side photo, but your right it is awfully green. Beautiful car by the way, you don’t want a convertible in Phoenix. From December to the first of March, you should be ok, but after that no way. The sun is so brutal its hard to imagine until you experience it. Yeah, its a dry heat, but so is an oven.
A beautiful car, appearing nicely restored. Only ‘nit’ I can find to pick is the carpet, which is missing the original metal ‘framing’ in the footwells. Other than that, I love it. The price is unreal. Wish I had the dough.
This “looks” too good to be true. Possibly a scam? I’d like to know.
Possibly pictures of a different car? They look too nice to belong to an $18k collector car.
I have much love for Starfires though I find the ’64 to be the best looking. Just gotta love this specimen, there are so many hard to find pieces on this model and they all seem to be in such good condition. Unless you attend an Oldsmobile only event; expect to have the only one at just about any car show!
Bargain? Well, ask yourself how much early 60s GM ‘vert top-of-the-heap model you can find elsewhere for the same $… 😏
I would be very cautious of a scammer in this listing. Reminds me of all those 1963 and 64 corvettes for sale for $35,000. by scammers. This is a $50,000 and up vehicle
The price is too good to be true, and there aren’t nearly enough pics and description to go with a car like that. I mean, people do stupid things on craigslist, but this one does not seem right.
You guys are very right; here it is in Illinois:
https://www.mcecars.com/vehicles/670/1961-oldsmobile-starfire-convertible
l_s, I couldn’t find a date when that sale went through in Illinois or when that was originally posted as sold–could you? I agree it appears too good to be true!
I can assure you this ad is real. I am the representative for the owner who is a Nigerian prince who understandably wishes to remain anonymous. His royal highness is only selling the car because he must raise cash due to the unanticipated cancellation of the Keystone pipeline, in which he is a major investor. Therefore he is selling his vast automobile collection at below market prices. Send your payment to me as a bank cashier check and the prince will expeditiously ship you the car at no additional cost :-)
Como?
As his representative to his royal highness, can you tell him to kiss my royal a__?
LMAO! Who knows?!?! Recalling a very nice looking Starfire Coupe deteriorating on a vacant lot in Florida during the early to mid ’70s when I lived in the area. Always wondered why it was parked there and what could have been wrong with it? a two tone silver/graphite with a black interior as I recall.
😂😂
I’ll fax the check…
My check is on the way. 😜🤪
In the 60s, if you looked at all the gorgeous and performance-oriented cars Olds was building, it is hard to believe the brand would slowly deteriorate in the next three decades and finally die in anonymity.
Just as with the red 77 Z/28 that Russ wrote up yesterday, seller says that the price includes overnight next day shipping to your door upon receipt of full payment.
Unbelievable how much of this continues to go on.
Whoo-wee, is this a sharp one, or what? Got parade written all over it. Do they still have parades? The ’61 and ’62 Olds’s were the nicest of cars, especially Starfires. ’63 and up kind of switched to the “old man” status, of which there was a much greater demand. Just looking at it, it needs no explanation. We never saw Starfires, or CONVERTIBLE Starfires, for that matter, most all were 4 door everyday cars or wagons. I couldn’t care less if the ad is real or not, it’s just nice to see a beautiful car like this.
Canonsburg, PA (home of Yenko Chevrolet) is having their 4th of July parade.
Beautiful car! The only question is it really what it appears to be and said it should be gone in minutes.
Russ, you need to save this ad for next April 1st.
No a/c, I’m out. I do believe this is the same car as in the Illinois ad. If anyone is willing to send this scammer money, I can always use a few thousand. You know ocean front property in Arizona.
God bless America
I am working on an OCEAN VIEW LUXURY Condo project in Kanas as this written. Reservations cash, negotiable securities or collector cars with an appraised value to cover the deposit.
Timeshares still available?
The way the ad reads, just touting stats and nothing else, it a ver obviously sign that this is indeed, a SCAM
In AZ we do not have front license plates.
1st pic all cars have a front plate.
scam….run!
I’ve got a 1962 Olds Starfire for sale, I’ve listed it on Chicago Craigslist for $11,000 Did I list it too cheap?
Unless and until someone is able to talk with the seller, and then see the car in person, calling this a scam this early seems inappropriate.
Russ: Once it is evident that a listing is fraudulent, why doesn’t BF pull the listing from their site? I can understand educational value of reading people’s comments on this, but can’t understand why BF would want to be complicit in giving additional exposure to a scammer’s listing.
When it’s so obvious it might be a scam, the writer should verify it’s authenticity before publishing the ad on BF. Same with the red Z28 the other day.