What a sad case this rare 1979 Oldsmobile Starfire GT has become. This is a rare car – perhaps not super desirable, but rare – and it even still runs and drives. But years of neglect if not outright abuse have left it a shadow of its former self, and likely destined to become a parts car unless a very ambitious caretaker steps in. It’s powered by the 3.8L Buick V6 paired to an automatic transmission that runs and drives well, but bad bodywork and floor rot limit its chances at revival. Find it here on eBay with a Buy-It-Now of just $1,200 and located in Holley, New York.
The original Starfire was not like this car at all, which was born out of the rush to produce more fuel-efficient models. Cars like the Starfire and its many corporate twins (including the Monza, Pontiac Sunbird, and Buick Skyhawk) are prime evidence of how much GM has struggled to build a competitive small car over the years, as these compact offerings didn’t leave much in the way of a good impression. The H-bodies emitted styling that was akin to the Ferrari Daytona of the same era (at least in profile) but that was where any resemblance to a sporting car fell short, even if V8 power was an option for a spell.
The seller of this Starfire is right to point out that it looks quite complete with loads of good parts for anyone keeping one of these on the road (seems unlikely, but you never know). Except for the driver’s seat, everything else looks usable, and that’s despite being a light color interior. The carpets aren’t stained and the door panels are clean. The seller notes that the extent of the rust in the floors, rockers, and doors negates any value in bringing this one back to life, and it’s a shame considering the condition inside. To me, this screams of being a car that was looked after but unfortunately driven every day through the worst conditions upstate New York can offer.
The optional V6 was the best engine choice available by the time the 1979 models hit, as it was phased out at the end of ’79 along with the manual transmission option. The 3.8L six-cylinder engine is a good compromise between the departed eight-cylinder and the standard Iron Duke, which was just as enthralling in this application as it was when it popped up in the Fiero. Overall, even with the rarity and healthy drivetrain factored in, this Starfire isn’t worth restoring, but we’re glad someone is at least giving the good parts a chance to live on in another car as opposed to going straight to the scrapyard.
When I started reading this post, I thought that this would be a neat project for not much money. Then I read about the rust and realizedw e are looking at a parts car.
After looking at the seller’s other items, I think that we are dealing with a junkyard owner here.
I had a 1976 Starfire GT. Bought it in 1979 with 35k miles on it. At 120k i traded it in on a brand new 1983 Chevy Blazer. They gave me $500 for it in trade. It was so rusted the doors were tied shut and I had to climb out the window to enter and exit. What a pos car! Worst ever.
Lucky you on the five hunert
So you put 85k miles in 4 years on a rust bucket and sold it, running I presume with 120k miles. There’s a reason cars had 5 digit odometers back in the day, they werent expected to last longer than that. Sounds like you got your moneys worth.
Yes I observe it’s called a Starfire. Still IMHO this model has absolutely nothing in common with the top-of-the-heap 60s Starfires and I’d almost go as far as claiming this model brings shame to the Starfire nameplate.
Something like Fallen Jetstar 0 would probably suit better. Same goes for FWD Pontiacs carrying the LeMans and Bonneville nameplates and FWD Impalas
Starfire sounds like a great unicorn name.
Always been a fan of the H-body platform but never pulled the trigger on one because of rust issues. Down here in the south they are in better shape than the north.
Always been a fan of the H-body platform but never pulled the trigger on one because of rust issues. Down here in the south they are in better shape than the north.
How are “Imploded Blackhole” for a name?
We two neighbors with Chevy Monzas back in the day. Monza landau “notchback” coupe and a yellow fastback with a v-8. Other compacts of note on the street were: vw bug, Dodge Omni 4dr, Pinto, Mercury Lynx, Mercury Capri.
The GM H was an imposing IMSA contender.
Ugly then, uglier now.
I’m stuck on “The carpets aren’t stained and the door panels are clean.” And “this screams of being a car that was looked after…”
If this is something you think is unstained, clean, and looked after maybe we’re using different vocabularies.
In my language, this car was neglected, beaten to death, and wrenched on by a ham-fisted mechanic: look at that rat’s nest of wiring in the engine bay, and I can only imagine what’s fallen down the open carb.
Amen Mr. Flowerpot Head! Are we not men? The De-volution was quite apparent with this fine example.
A parts car for the two people looking for Starfire parts.😂😂
Who’s the other guy?
Wonder what the oil consumption is with the big open hole in the left rocker cover.
Olds built over 20,000 H-body Starfires in the 1979 model year. That’s not exactly “super rare”. The fact that only a few of these Vega-based vehicles have avoided rusting into the ground is a survival rate problem, not rarity.
not a cheb guy but – a hatch (seek wagons instead) short WB, & durable 3800 motor?auto is good fora daily. Y not?
Too molested? Yeah, owner had no shame. Get some slippery seat covers, ck for safety’n break downs – drive.
I always liked the styling on the H-bodies. All of the clones had something unique but still looked good. Unfortunately they suffered from some of the worst mechanical & engineering quality that GM could offer in the 70s and 80s. Hopefully this one finds a home and the new owner distributes the usable parts throughout the H-body community.
If it had a title, this looks like something I’d buy when I was 17, take to Earl Scheib (who would paint any car for $135, or less earlier). Then, with its new “Competition Orange” paint, I’d drive it for a while and then sell it to some other kid.
My first car in 1986 was a 1980 Starfire. Got me through two years of high school and 1st year of college before I traded in in on a 1986 Pontiac 6000 STE. To be honest I always enjoyed the sporty look of my Starfire including the 2+2 seating and I thought it stood out from the boxy 1980s cars. Strangely I have always wanted to find another 1980 Starfire to have for solely for “nostalgia” sake. But this is not one even I would consider.
I had a 1976 Buick Skyhawk, 3.8 with a four speed. It was a fun car to drive. It rotted where the clutch cable was attached to the fire wall.