The owner of this 1962 Oldsmobile Starfire found the car hiding in California. A life spent in drier climes has allowed the vehicle to remain rust-free. That could make it an ideal project car for anyone who wishes to undertake a restoration but doesn’t find the idea of cutting and welding to be particularly attractive. The owner needs space, so he has listed the Starfire for sale here on eBay. It is located in Brush Prairie, Washington, and the bidding has sailed past the reserve and currently sits at $4,538. Once again, Barn Finder Larry D has had his radar working well, so thank you so much for referring this wonderful classic to us, Larry.
The owner points out that the paint colors that the Starfire wears aren’t original. By carefully examining the supplied photos, I’ve concluded that the Olds rolled off the line finished in Cirrus Blue. The buyer will undoubtedly perform a cosmetic refresh at some point, which would be the perfect opportunity to strip what is there and return the car to its former glory. When we start looking at unrestored project cars of this age, we must inevitably face the difficult question about rust problems. That is one area where this Starfire comes into its own. The seller purchased the vehicle about 2-years-ago. It had spent its life in California, and that has allowed it to remain rust-free. The owner’s decision to place the car on the market has been a wise one. When he brought it to Washington, he was keeping it in a dry and warm garage. However, he has recently bought a convertible, and parking that classic in the garage has left this Starfire out in the cold. The owner has kept it covered, but you would have to wonder how long it would’ve sat before rust became an issue. That makes this a breath of fresh air because this is a seller who hasn’t dug in his heels to retain a project car until it has deteriorated beyond the point of no return. That is a situation that we often see here at Barn Finds, making this a pleasant change. The exterior trim is generally in good order, while the same is true of the glass. The overall condition means that it could be driven and enjoyed as-is, although I suspect that the buyer will want to tidy it up as a priority.
The interior of the Starfire is a mixed bag, and it shows a few of the hallmarks of a car that has spent years exposed to harsh UV rays. On the positive side of the ledger, the Blue leather upholstery on the seats looks pretty good. A deep clean and the application of a quality conditioner should have them presenting exceptionally well. The carpet seems okay, but this is an area that will require a clean to determine whether it stays or goes. From there, things take a downturn. The door trims and dash show some deterioration, while the pad has more splits and cracks than I would care to count. The buyer will probably have a long shopping list of parts by the time they have thoroughly inspected the interior, but the potential is there to look stunning once restored. Life inside the Starfire would be pretty pleasant because it does come with plenty of luxury features. These include air conditioning, power windows, a power driver’s seat, a console with a factory tachometer, and a pushbutton AM radio. That might not seem that impressive by today’s standards, but it looked quite flash in 1962.
At 4,334lbs, the Starfire is no lightweight. That means that it requires a decent engine if it is going to perform respectably. Oldsmobile delivered on that front. Lifting the hood reveals a 394ci V8 that would’ve produced 345hp in its prime. The rest of the drivetrain includes a 3-speed Hydramatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. The journey down the ¼ mile would’ve taken around 16.5 seconds, and while there are plenty of modern cars that can blow that time 10-foot in the air, the figure stacks up nicely for a car from this era that carries that sort of weight. The owner has recently installed an aluminum radiator, but the original is sitting in the trunk. He also recently bolted on a fresh fuel pump, but once again, the original is included. The Olds runs and drives, but it isn’t clear whether it is roadworthy. It hasn’t had much use recently, so the buyer might choose to have the Starfire inspected before attempting any extended journeys.
The thought of undertaking a project build can be daunting for some people, especially if it includes tackling rust problems. That is where cars like this 1962 Oldsmobile Starfire fit into the equation. The buyer could choose to drive it untouched during the remaining warmer weather, but performing a cosmetic refresh would be a great way to fill the time during winter. Is that a prospect that is tempting enough for you to consider submitting a bid?
A friend’s aunt had a white one new in’61, I was 11 and all these years later that car still sticks in my mind. This one will be nice when it’s done.
Interesting car and a worthy project. It may even be rust-free. However it seems a stretch to assume it “spent its life in California” given what can be seen here.
First, the seller says only that he bought the car from California, not that it was sold new there and never left the state.
Second, the white CA license plates with a 7 prefix date from 2013-17. And given the F after the 7 this would be in the earlier part of the run. In California, plates stay with the car when resold (in most cases) so a 1962 model typically would still have 1960s black plates if a California car from new. It may in fact be such a car but more info is needed to determine that conclusively.
You could fit an elephant in the boot!,
Nice cruiser. Can be better to have something not so mainstream, for a talking point with your peers at a car show.
I recall replacing a fuel pump on a Super 88, 394, in the dead of winter as it was parked on the street. That was not something I would want to repeat
I once owned a 62 Starfire in white with red interior. It was wore out mechanically when I bought it for $125.00 but it ran, stopped and the body and interior were excellent. Ofcourse that was back about 1971. Previous owner had put reversed chrome wheels all around with baby moons. That’s what people were doing at that time. I drove it awhile, then put it up for sale for $350.00, it left my hands fairly quickly.
I’d like to get my hands on this one but just can’t do it at this time.
God bless America
Looking at the photos on eb there appears to be the front corner of another 62 peeking out. I wonder if this car had specific parts that were much better than or missing from his and to get them he just bought the whole car…
Didnt some oc these have aluminum v8s in them?Wonder if it was to offset wiegt of car.My friend Ross Converse of Converse Conversions Waterville Maine put them into Datsun 5-10s.Screamers.
Olds F85s used the aluminum block Buick motor with Olds heads.
I like.
These have always been on my wish list. My mom drove a ’62 Dynamic 88 and that sucker would fly down the road. She liked to drive fast and would frequently peg the speedometer, which was one of the most fun of the early ’60s. It was a colored line which advanced across the numbers, changing from green to amber to red. When my mother was on the highway it was always in the red, occasionally bouncing at the far end.