UPDATE 01/01/2024: The New Year has hardly begun, and we are confronted with a classic that, on the face of it, appears to be a relist following a non-paying buyer. We previously saw this 1964 Oldsmobile Starfire in November via an eBay listing, which suggests it sold for $13,900. However, it is now offered here on Craigslist for $16,000. The price increase would be an interesting approach if it were the same seller, but I don’t believe it is. The Olds has relocated from Abington, Massachusetts, to Buckeye, Arizona, since we last saw it. That suggests this might now be in the hands of a flipper. No other details have changed, with this Starfire looking as stunning as ever. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Rocco B. for spotting this returning classic.
11/05/2023: There was once a joke within certain sectors of our community that believed that the “Olds” in Oldsmobile reflected that many potential buyers were heading into the autumn years of their lives. This attitude ignored the fact that Oldsmobile broke new engineering ground with the original Toronado and produced such muscle classics as the 442. This 1964 Starfire is a perfect example of the company’s lateral thinking. The V8 under the hood churns out plenty of ponies, but it is surrounded by a package that is a genuine Grand Tourer. It isn’t perfect, but it is ideal for an enthusiast seeking a driver-grade classic.
The Starfire name first appeared on a 1953 Oldsmobile concept car before assuming the mantle as the luxury Convertible derivative of the 98 from 1954 until 1957. The badge achieved standalone model status in 1961, with the First Generation vehicles remaining on sale until 1966. Our feature car rolled off the line in 1964 finished in Holiday Red. The seller admits it is an older restoration, but it may have been three decades since it received that attention. They recently buffed the car and performed a paint correction, and this Olds now presents well for those seeking a driver-grade classic. There are minor chips and marks, but the rich shine makes many easy to overlook. However, the first shot in this article reveals significant paint peeling on the driver’s side front fender. That appears to be the worst cosmetic issue, and it is unclear why it has impacted a single isolated spot. Rectification should be easy and inexpensive, and the vehicle’s overall presentation makes the idea worthwhile. The panels are as straight as an arrow, while the comprehensive exterior and underside shots confirm this Starfire is rust-free. The glass appears crystal clear, and there are no noticeable trim or chrome defects. The Olds rolls on its original steel wheels, with spotless hubcaps and narrow whitewalls.
With a curb weight of 4,343 lbs, the ’64 Starfire is slightly on the heavy side. However, Oldsmobile bolted a drivetrain combination beneath this car that offered owners an effortless driving experience. Power is provided by a 394ci V8. Shifting duties fall to a three-speed Hydramatic transmission, with power assistance for the steering and brakes standard inclusions in 1964. The V8 produces 345hp and 440 ft/lbs of torque, launching the Starfire through the ¼-mile in 16.4 seconds. If the driver was brave enough to keep the pedal to the metal, they were rewarded with a top speed of 126mph. The seller assures us this car is a turnkey proposition for its new owner. It recently received a transmission rebuild, a carburetor rebuild, a complete service, and new tires. The rear springs are new, with fresh shocks on all corners. The V8 roars into life the moment the key is turned, and this beauty runs and drives perfectly. It is a classic where the new owner won’t need to spend a dime on its mechanical components.
If this Starfire has a genuine highlight, that honor may fall to its interior. It is trimmed in basic Black, with the seatcovers luxurious leather. The overall presentation is impressive, with only some slight rub marks on a couple of bright trim pieces and a missing driver’s side kick panel preventing perfection. A set of speakers mounted in the rear parcel tray suggests a stereo is hidden somewhere, but it isn’t referenced in the previously mentioned YouTube video. The seller believes the carpet is a newer replacement, but the remaining upholstery and trim are original. There is no wear or other issues that would cause the new owner shame. Its condition is neat, tidy, and above-average for its age. All 1964 Starfires feature bucket seats and a console with a floor shifter. This car adds a factory tach and functioning AM/FM radio to the list.
This 1964 Oldsmobile Starfire isn’t perfect, but the BIN figure reflects that. However, it is a solid and tidy driver with no pressing needs. The new owner could choose to preserve this classic, although performing a cosmetic restoration would be a productive way to kill time during the upcoming colder months. That would ensure it presents perfectly when it rolls out of the workshop for some summertime fun. I can’t think of anything negative in that scenario. Can you?
Talk about a swift turnpike cruiser from the good Dr Olds 🩺 🏁
Too big for me. I like the Cutlass or 442. This car will need three parking spaces at Walmart.
Learn to park in the back of the lot with the rest of the gearheads. Lol obviously you’ve never driven a first generation cutlass. I think you’ll find it’s inches different not feet.
I would use 4
Great price for a great Olds!! This Olds is a fun car to cruise in. No problem smoking the tires! 😂 I would not mine having this one at all. it’s just getting harder to find parts. . Example I am looking for a 63 Dodge 440 dash with all the gauges. I use to be able to take a item apart and fix it. But something are beyond repair. So I hope everything is working here in this Olds. That motor is a brute. I remember so Olds guys back then call this motor a small 455. So I wish good luck to the seller and next owner.. 🐻🇺🇸
I have a ’64 Jetstar I which is a very similar car…engine, transmission, suspension, buckets, console, tach, etc. It is an absolute blast to drive and gets rubber-necking/thumbs-up from other drivers. The controversial Slim Jim hydramatic transmission is a hoot and the exhaust note from the 394 is music! These are a lot of car for the money for sure!
If you didn’t notice cars from the early-mid 60s, you were clearly a nerd. ( that is a billionaire today) For the rest of us that adored cars, this was Oldsmobiles version of the ’64 Wildcat a few posts back. Can you imagine the choices then? While the authors 1st paragraph was true later on, and I heard that too, the name seemed “old”. However, not in ’64, Oldsmobiles were a highly respected brand, a long standing argument, Buick or Olds on the way to a Caddy, but I still say, it went Chevy, Pontiac, Buick, Olds, Caddy,,at least in my family, and the old man was pretty typical. My dad had a ’63 98, and a ’65 98, 4 doors, and you know how when a kid, you think dads car was the best? Me and my brother always hoped he’d come home with a Starfire, but nope, another 98 4 door. Still, it was close enough. Like the Wildcat, or all these beautiful cars, the glitz of buying a Starfire, and what they became in their later years, is gone. This is just another really cool old car, but may lose the meaning of these cars. They just weren’t there. What a nice find, and the Wildcat too, if it looked like this.
My dad had two 65 98 olds and I had the 64 starfire mine was light blue and had white leather interior and it was fast I also had a 64 cutlass with a 425 in it that was a bad boy navy blue and light blue interior
$12.000
The was a poor mans hot rod Olds in 64 the Jetstar 1, not as fancy as the starfire but still copl and fast. I had a ride in one as kid, cool ride in those days!
A friend of mine has a 64 Jetstar I with the 394. If he gets around to it, it’ll be a really nice car. Now in primer, it was a medium blue with white interior. Must’ve been gorgeous in it’s day.
Beautiful red Starfire. But lack of power windows is a negative.
first one i have seen without power windows,i have owned many and always thought p/w were standard
Power windows were standard on the Starfire convertible, optional on the coupe per the ’64 brochure.
After fighting the power windows in my 67 Lincoln for years, I would welcome crank ones!
That’s ‘cuz it’s a Ford. GM p windows are pretty much trouble-free as long as the tracks get lubed.
This is a low option car. Not many boxes were checked when it was ordered. Problem with that is that donor cars are pretty scarce if you want to upgrade it.
Righto and no a/c
GM had so much going on that cars like the Thunderbird and Chrysler’s 300 didn’t require an immediate response. When they did we got cars like this along with the Grand Prix, Riviera and Wildcat. More would follow. GM was at the top of their game before bean counting and bad management brought it all down. Beautiful car in the right color. Smitten.
I love my 63 GP, a mix of performance and luxury, and its a 4speed…
Yes please
My dad was a Starfire fan . I actually got my drivers license in an Olds Starfire ! They were nice driving cars with lots of power and this one looks pretty clean for the price.
I would like to own this one, nice car and lots of memories.
Got my license in a 64 Super 88.
Absolutely stunning automobile! And it may not be perfect, but from what I see, if she runs as good as she looks, 14 grand is a great deal for this one imo… After all, how many of these do you see rolling around these days? I’m 55 and I’ve never seen one on the road! But danged if I wouldn’t be tickled pink to ease around in this beautiful piece of history!
It’s beautiful. My mom had a 65 Olds Delta 88 in navy blue and lighter blue interior. She sold it and bought a 65 Wildcat Convertible that was my favorite car it had the 425 cu in 445 torque. This car is very similar to the 64 Wildcat. I’ve never seen this model. I like it more than the 64 Wildcat.
465 Ft Lbs torque.
But no air conditioning!
Surprisingly light on options for a Starfire. No A/C, no power accessories, no tilt wheel, and so on. I had assumed power windows were standard on Starfire, so I consulted a brochure. Nope. Standard on the Starfire convertible only, even though the convertible illustrated in the brochure has crank windows.
The pipe in the back is not centered! Very nice car, but I’ll pass
Thanks for sharing this. My mom had a 64 yellow black interior. She loved thst car. Thanks for the memories of a simpler time.
Check YouTube Orphan Car Garage for original listing where it sold 2 months ago and were asking 13900. They are even using his original pictures with the license plates blocked out. Strange can’t make much money with shipping involved, maybe something we don’t know???
Indeed. I’m from Orphan Car Garage. I sold this car recently to the gentleman selling it now. I have nothing against someone trying to make a few bucks. More power to him. It’s a free market and I wish him luck. Just wish he had taken the time to take his own pictures and write his own description. Oh well, maybe I should feel honored. In the end, just more proof to buy from me at Orphan Car Garage. I strive to keep em affordable. What happens from there is anyone’s guess….
I never learned to like the automatic transmissions in these. They are awful for stop & go city driving. “Slim Jim” I think is the nickname for them.
Sounds a bit off on price, hell you can’t get a top paint job for 16K. You would need to see this one in person……nice car.
1963 Starfire was a nicer style with the silver trim
They lost the Starfire look in 64 when they left off ( cheapened)? the trim on the car. Big deal, silver between the taillights?
This just looks like an everyday Olds coupe imo. I’ll take a 63 all day long.
These Starfires are not well loved, and don’t bring much money. $16K is too much for this old sled. Pass on the ’64 and shop for a ’65-’66. You will be MUCH happier !