Star Survivor! 1978 Oldsmobile Starfire GT

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General Motors created the Oldsmobile Starfire (and the Chevrolet Monza, Pontiac Sunbird and Buick Skyhawk) H-bodies out of the ill-fated Vega. With much sportier looks and the Buick V6 for power, this Starfire GT is a survivor looking for a new owner. It’s for sale here on eBay where bidding is starting at only $3,300. If you are the winning buyer you can choose to drive it home from Peoria, Arizona.

Featuring a useful hatchback as well as sporty looks, the H-bodies were relatively popular. 17,321 Starfires were produced in 1978 according to h-body.org and this one has only been on the road for 49,701 miles.

The underside of the car looks great as well.

Even the interior looks nice, but the seller warns us the headliner is sagging and neither the air conditioning nor the fuel gauge are functional.

Underhood we see the Buick-sourced 231 cubic inch V6, which has had some work done including a new water pump, hoses, belts, fluids, fuel pump, motor mounts, rear main seal and valve cover gaskets. The usual GM 3-speed automatic is attached. I think this could really be a nice car with some detailing and a little work. You probably won’t have $5,000 in the car when you are done and you will have a near-unique 1970’s car. Think about it; when was the last time you saw one?

Auctions Ending Soon

Comments

  1. rmward194Member
    • Steve R

      The description shows why it’s still for sale. It needs a lot of work for the asking price.

      Steve R

      Like 3
      • Bill W

        Like what? It sold for 3300. Jan 2019

        Like 0
  2. LT1 Mike

    Cool car, they were usually used and abused. Once a common sight, this one is sure to turn some heads. Nice color combination for the interior also, good luck to the new owner.

    Like 9
  3. stillrunners

    Cool nice save….can we LS whatever and go for some Mustang’s ?

    Like 2
  4. Max

    Not my choice for a classic collector but Regardless its an original survivor from the 70s !

    Like 4
  5. Bill Shields

    Also a repeat from March 2016.
    What’s the story guys?
    Three times??

    Like 7
    • Jamie Palmer Jamie PalmerAuthor

      What’s wrong with calling attention to it again if it’s a neat find?

      Like 18
      • AF

        boooooh!!!!!!!!

        Like 1
    • Santo Lumby Sheilds

      Billy is not the same color as your dad’s caddy and has it only been 3 times.

      Like 2
    • Duaney

      It looks like a proper E-Bay auction, the seller must have not had any luck before.

      Like 0
      • JC

        The starting bid is too high, no one is bidding on it.

        Like 0
      • Bill W

        sold for 3300 thru Ebay Jan 2019

        Like 0
  6. Kiwi Glen

    Just add 5 leaf blowers in the back to create a super charged version (roadkill did this with the Chevy monza version v8)

    Like 5
  7. Max

    As noted before its my kind of classic but to the new buyer Please keep it Original and Not molest/hot rod it there already thousands of molested/hot rodded classic in the world !! just my opinion

    Like 10
  8. James Martin

    Ah, would have been better with v8 not a big fan of the rod knocker

    Like 1
  9. Rock On
  10. John

    Seller is open to offers. I think $2500 – $2800 is about right.

    Like 2
  11. JC

    I don’t care for sellers that whine and complain about offers, how rare their car is, how you won’t find another one like it, i’ll keep it if I don’t get close to what I want for it… blah, blah, blah… the paint is subpar, the interior if you look close is fair at best… there’s apparently an issue with the brakes… the heat and AC dont work, its got some kind of jerry rigged fuel pump (modified to external), the exhaust system is shot, the car probably spews pollution with the EGR valve removed, the V6 actually decreases the value by 10% and that supposed 49k miles would need to be proven that its not 149k (doubt they’d go 249k) nothing special here… somebody offered him $725 for it… sounds about right. Always remember, something you sell is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it.

    Like 1
    • Bill W

      The only one spewing pollution is you. I was the one who sold this car for $3300.00 in Jan 2019. The mileage was 49K as proven thru documents I had from the grandson of the org owner, and the tech who did the work to get her back on the road after about 12 years said he was sure the mileage was original as he used to work on H bodies in the 1970’s . The paint is orginal and very nice as all the white stripes/decals are there. Brakes are cheap, she still stopped well just was going to need replacement soon.. The video shows the clean exhaust she had, and if you knew anythig about cars a disabled EGR does not make a dirty exhaust. Do not need heat in Arizona and I did not drive in summer as the sun would fade the paint. Yes it was worth 3300. as thats what she sold for, jealous?

      Like 0
      • Tommy

        Neat Car. Had a new ’77 & a ’78 Olds Starfire GT. Both were V-8’s & the 78 was 4 Speed. Made just 3 slight changes & it was a little beast. Put 4 Barrel on, removed the Cat Converter, & Goodyear GT Radials. Loved both those cars. Drove completely different one being an automatic. I would have thrilled to get your car for $3300. Right color, Right motor, & Right tranny for a true Sleeper. Never was beat in my 4 Speed. 8 track tape deck too. Wish I would have seen it & it would have sold for at least $3400. T

        Like 0
  12. Mark

    Never a fan of these cars but there are now appreciable features I dig about this car these V6’s could always get out of their own ways I can see myself proudly driving this well preserved fossil of American automotive evolution.

    Like 0
    • Miguel

      For this one there a re a lot of cars out there that are a pleasure to drive.

      These have never been that.

      Like 0
      • Bill W

        She was a pleasure to drive, everywhere I went I had the only one, including car shows and at shows She got more attention than a lot of nice 1960’s cars. She was fun and sporty. I only sold her because I got what I wanted 3300.00 in cash and needed the money for a very special gift

        Like 0
  13. Wrong Way

    It looks to me like it’s a start to a nice little commuter too me! Like any used car I have ever bought in my life, I always figured at least another $1000.00 for unseen things! With that being said, I would get them down some on the price of this one! It’s not a classic, nor a antique! I just see potential in fixing it on up, and use it till the wheels rotted off!

    Like 0
  14. Bob Jones

    Wow. Up here in upstate NY, I bet it’s been 20 years since I’ve seen an H-body on the road. And they used to he everywhere back in the day. Would be a buyer all day at $3-4K-ish, but no way I’m driving it home from Arizona!

    Like 0
  15. Brandon

    I bought this beautiful car. She is garage kept with cover on since i have owned it she has rarely been driven.

    Like 1
    • Jamie Palmer jamieAuthor

      Congratulations, Brandon! Be sure and post some pictures with you and the car!!!

      Like 0
    • Mark W Zembal

      I am so happy that she went to a person who kept her original. I was scared she was going to be chopped up like so many. Thanks for taking care of her

      Like 0
  16. Brandon Lankster

    Its so hard to find a car thats not all cut up. She is staying original as long as I own her I will post pictures of her

    Like 0

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