The term “affordable daily driver” can mean many things to different people, but it may be a good one to describe this 1964 Oldsmobile Starfire. The seller refers to it as dependable, suggesting that this relatively rare classic is ready to hit the road for a spot of motoring pleasure. Located in Hempstead, Texas, you will find the Olds listed for sale here on Craigslist. The owner has set the sales price at $12,500, and when we assess its overall condition and current needs, it seems to allow it to fall into the affordable category.
Finished in Jade Mist, this Oldsmobile presents quite nicely. Its horizontal surfaces like the roof, hood, and trunk lid wear a heavy coating of dust, so it is impossible to determine the state of the paint in those areas. However, the remaining surfaces look pretty good, exhibiting a healthy shine. There are no apparent flaws or problems, and the same appears true of the steel that hides beneath. There are no dings or dents and no evidence of rust. If the Starfire has spent its life in Texas, that may have allowed it to remain rust-free. The lack of anything beyond dry surface corrosion across other areas of the car seems pretty encouraging. The exterior trim presents acceptably for a survivor, although some deterioration on the front bumper suggests that it might benefit from a trip to the platers. The wire wheel covers show no signs of physical damage, although the buyer may decide to undertake the time-consuming task of polishing them to return them to their best. The tinted glass appears flawless, so this Starfire shows promise for potential buyers at first glance.
If you walked into an Oldsmobile dealership in 1964 intent on driving away in a shiny new Starfire, you had no choice when it came to the question of drivetrain configuration. What you received for your money was a 394ci V8, a three-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. Oldsmobile would eventually offer a four-speed manual option, but this first appeared in the 1965 model year. With 345hp on tap, this V8 made the 4,343lb Starfire a relatively spritely performer. A ¼-mile ET of 16.4 seconds is hardly muscle car territory, but it still stacked up well for a car with luxury aspirations. For potential buyers, the news appears positive with this Olds. Apart from the dry surface corrosion, the engine bay presents relatively well. The engine looks clean, and it doesn’t flatter to deceive. The owner indicates that the Starfire runs and drives well and would make a dependable daily driver that he would drive anywhere. This car could fulfill your needs for those determined to fly in and drive home.
While the Texas climate is excellent for preserving classic steel, it can wreak havoc on upholstery and soft trim. This Starfire hasn’t suffered unduly, although it does have a few weak points. It is missing its front kick panels, and the leather seat upholstery is dry and beginning to split. This is where the buyer might need to swallow hard and break out their wallet to return the interior to its former glory. Finding replacement seatcovers is not easy, although a couple of companies retain the patterns and materials to supply new items on a made-to-order basis. It won’t be cheap, with the average price of around $1,500 per set. However, with new seat upholstery and a set of kick panels, this interior will be heading towards looking its best once again. The carpet would benefit from a deep clean, but the dash, pad, console, and remaining upholstered surface look pretty respectable. In keeping with its luxury leanings, this classic features ice-cold air conditioning, power windows, a power driver’s seat, a remote driver’s mirror, a tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio.
Tough competition within its market segment massively impacted 1964 Starfire sales. In 1962, Oldsmobile sold 41,988 examples across both body derivatives. By 1964, that figure had plummeted to 16,163 cars. Of those, 13,753 were the Hardtop version. You won’t come across a ’64 Starfire on our roads every day, but this one seems to be a nicely preserved survivor. Its rust-free status and sound mechanical health mean it is ready to hit the road immediately. If the buyer is willing to splash some cash on its interior, they could reap the benefits in the future. When they do appear on the market, it isn’t uncommon for a 1964 Starfire Hardtop to sell for figures beyond $25,000. When you consider the owner’s asking price and what it might cost to whip the interior into shape, it could be money well spent. It is a point to ponder.
Being retired, I’m fairly limited when it comes to an “affordable daily driver.” While I like the constant run of popular models like Mustangs, Chevelles and Super Bees seen here on Barnfinds, restored or nice original examples are way beyond what I can afford. I find myself drawn to cars like this 1964 Olds Starfire because to me, it’s affordable and a classic car not usually seen. I like the oddballs, especially full-size cars like this Olds. Up here in the Northeast, cars like this are pretty scarce, as is my particular car, a 1972 Ford Galaxie 500. I’d love to have this one as it’s a car I can afford, and I can enjoy driving it immediately and pick away at its needs over time. GLWTS!
I’m confused. A Dodge Charger shows up on the link and no 64 Olds shows up on the search in the Houston area.
I searched on the Hempstead, Tx area of CL and no 64 Olds showed up either. I wonder if the ad was pulled?
Same here in Ohio, Matt.
Hmmm…
2 years earlier it was a special car that you could tell was a Starfire,by 1964 it looked the same as the cheaper Jetstar other than faux scoops on the side.That’s why sales plummeted.
IMO it’s unfair to put ’62 Starfire production up against ’64 and claim the ’64 appeared to resemble just another Jetstar – because the Jetstars Olds introduced for ’64 were two very different models.
The Jetstar88 was an entry level fullsize not even near the glamour of Starfire. The closest competition to the Starfire came from their very own new Jetstar1 – in practice a Starfire for those on a budget but still with the 345hp 394 base engine and Starfire’s roofline. Jetstar1 sold almost as many copies as Starfire this year – 16.084. Take into account that Jetstar1 production ‘should’ be included with Starfire sales it’s not that bad of a # for a last year appearance for this B-body style
Like Matt in L.A. this ride is a no-show on the supposed Craigslisting.
How to view/bid/appraise?
It appears this car also has power vent windows. The other window controls are on the console.
I’d like to check this car out but the link takes you to a 1973 charger. Any help?
This was my least favorite Starfire. My first choice is 63 or 66.
1964s had the old four-speed hydramatic; the three-speed turbo wasn’t offered until 1965.
Nope. Olds dropped the by then aging 4spd Hydramatic after the ’60 model year. The only available automatic in ’61-’64 B-body Oldsmobile (except ’64 Jetstar88) was the newly developed 3spd RotoHydramatic shared with Pontiac Catalina+GP
How pathetic to find a ’73 Charger in a Craigslist ad for a ’64 Olds Starfire!
Who thought that white letter tires fit a car like this? WRONG!!!
I guess I’ll just comment on the Charger. At $24,500, it is very overpriced even with a 440.
I guess the Olds sold, Barn finds should do a story on the Charger. The 440 looks clean like it might have been rebuilt recently and I want to know if the “ram-air” type hood and air cleaner were available from the factory. Plus seeing a pistol-grip 4-speed is always a treat. The seller states that it’s a daily driver so this might be a fair asking price.
There are no “classic” Oldsmobiles…….why perpetrate the myth?
Winesmith you are right. The term classic is over used. Only a few Lincolns and Packards are classics after WW2.
Apparently, car magazines and websites have a different definition of classic.
Here is a recent article I was reading at the same time that I saw your comment:
https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/classic-cars/a39095719/are-these-the-greatest-classic-cars-ever/?source=nl
A classic car here in the States usually means the high-end cars of the late 1920s and the 1930s. Packard, Peerless, Pierce-Arrow, Lincoln, Cadillac and maybe a few more. The list PRA4SNW posted a link about is more of a Classic High-Performance list. From an Englishman’s point of view. Car enthusiasts from other countries will have different opinions or definitions on what a “classic” car is.
Yep, and all colas are “Coke” and all denims, “Levis”.
Just uninformed laziness. But then, today, what does it matter?
Thanks for the dialog.