Well, at first glance it looks like the Star and the Fire have gone out of this 1962 Oldsmobile. It’s rough around the edges and looks like it has spent a lot of outdoor time in top-down mode. Regardless, a ’62 Starfire convertible, one of approximately 7K produced, was a substantial car in its day and is a desirable collectible, worthy of restoration, today. The trick, however, is starting out with the right example and that may not necessarily be the case with this Santa Paula, California resident. Let’s look it over and make a determination. This seemingly full-time, top-down convertible is available, here on craigslist for $9,500.
In reality, the “Starfire” name was a once-and-future application as it had been appended to certain Oldsmobile 98 models in the mid-fifties and then returned as a sub-compact in the mid-70s. Most, however, will recall the ’61-’66 version as it was the “sporty” Oldsmobile, born at a time before the A-body 442 occupied that role. Based on the Dynamic 88 model, the Starfire was initially offered in convertible form only; a two-door hardtop was added to the line-up in ’62.
The listing states, “Restore or use all the Convertible parts for an Impala. Convertible rack and all other Convertible parts are in great condition“. I’m not sure what to make from that statement, it sounds like the top is not operable and some acquired parts will be necessary – likely the folding fabric part is one of those items. While the floors and trunk are said to be solid there is rust-through in the quarters and obvious surface rust in a lot of other places. Starfires are known for their extensive stainless steel trim and this Olds appears to still be wearing all of it.
Claimed to “Run and Stop” this Starfire is powered by a 345 gross HP 394 CI, V8 engine backed up by a Hydramatic automatic transmission. My assumption is that the valve covers are non-original but the “Ultra High Compression” (10.5:1) air cleaner dates to day one. Of note is a replacement power brake booster and master cylinder.
My guess is that the interior is the result of parking this car, for some length of time, with the top down – I don’t know how else an interior could get that trashed. Bucket seats and a center console are always a great find in an old full-size domestic passenger car – and it’s all there but the seats, door panels, dash pad, etc. will need a redo (though I wouldn’t do it until the top gets fixed). The Oldsmobile brochure states that the seats are “leather-appointed” and not vinyl so that could be an expensive undertaking if the next owner wants to stay with original materials. Built into the center stack is a standard tachometer but I’m not sure what the orb is that’s attached to the console right in front of it – a vacuum gauge maybe? Judging from the interior’s condition, I’m surprised that the floors are claimed to still be solid.
So, $9,500? Seems a bit steep considering this Starfire’s condition but maybe there’s some room for negotiation. This one’s a nice find but maybe not the soundest example. What do you think, is this Olds Starfire worth a project undertaking or would it be better to keep looking?
I think those are the original valve covers. Stamped steel, ribbed. Chrome on 98s and Starfires, painted on 88s.
I imagine hunting parts for this model car will become the next owners full time job lol. Redoing the interior in leather alone can’t be very cheap. I am pleased to see that it still has its original engine though!
I’d love to see it restored, but he’s asking a lot for it. They’re very nice cars, though, I hope it finds a good home.
I don’t really understand this price evolution.
You have this beater parked behind the garage for 15 years…it’s not going anywhere, and with the top gone, the interior is decomposing. So it’s a junker and you don’t care, right?
And then one day the owner just gets it in his mind that the thing is worth $10k and starts advertising it…in all its rotted-vinyl glory.
Wasn’t there a BIT if interim thought? Like, hey, prices are going up now…maybe this might be worth a couple thousand. Maybe I should push it inside, or throw a tarp over it, or – perish the thought – locate a used top, ya think?
But apparently these sellers, or POs before a flip, just thought of it as trash…and then one day, magically, they become worth what a new economy car sells for.
EXACTLY… I been saying it for years. Why these crazy prices? Especially for junk. But i guess people figured out most have more money than brains.
Mentioned VC’s appear to be Buick actually, maybe ,or not. My GF one of these as first car,a 4dr sdn. in 69. $100 car. It would fly, really quick for an old bomb. Great beach car. Brings an old memory or two.
Not a chance. Two completely different engines.
Had the hardtop version of this car in
’71. Same color too. Mine had the 394 with 3 deuces on top. And man,
was that thing fast! My future BIL was driving mine and had it up to 140
after the linkage for the carbs got stuck wide open going down route 66!
The problem was fixed after I replaced the vacuum line that worked
the carb linkage and after that wild ride, I sold it to a kid I knew in school
for $750. Sure wish I had it today!
Valve covers appear to be correct for a Starfire. It’s the price that’s questionable. Financially, it makes no sense to restore this car as you would be so far underwater you’d need a non-imploding submersible to see daylight again.
I had a 62 Oldsmobile Starfire Hard top. Mine was red. I love that car, It drove very well and looked very classy. How could an 18 year old kid afford a car like that. (Grandpa gave it to me) Would love to have this one but the price is to high, And repairs puts it far out of my reach. I hope someone does restore it ,, And post it with updated pictures
Those are original valve covers . These were a beautiful looking and driving car back in the day ! Such a shame to see one in this condition I hope some brings this car back to its original beautiful condition
Back in the day (mid-sixties), I often drove my boss’s ’62 Starfire–great car, scarily fast. This one, though, is literally a wreck, certainly not worth the asking price. I struggle to understand how someone could allow what was once, by every measure, an exceptional car to fall into disrepair.
One’s life circumstances cannot be known. We all, I’m sure, rue the condition many cars find themselves in (several of my own collection of 14 fall into this category). Without knowing the circumstances, empathy rather than contempt should be the first consideration, in my opinion. What’s that line…judge not lest ye be judged.
It might be more practical to just get it running, put some new seats/covers in it and clear coat it and enjoy it like that. A restoration would be a large and pricey undertaking. Be nice if someone who can do most of the work themselves takes it on and brings it back to it’s original beauty.
I love this car (and all of the Pontiacs/Olds/Buicks from 59-64. The Starfire (61-63) are some of my buddy’s and my favorites. If it wasn’t 3000 miles away…or rather, if it was in my neck of the woods, I’d be making an (realistic) offer.
Trailer hitch? Ugh.
I had a 64 98 Sport Coupe, a far classier car. It was all black.
The only draw back was the Slim Jim automatic.
A good thing to have for those who want to park too close to you hahaha, it stops them hitting your bumper :)
Every car I have ever owned had a hitch. If it didn’t come with one, I installed one. Religiously. Nova with a flip nose air ride and 383 stroker, Firebird, even a Corvair (that was a trick to mount). You name it, it MUST have a hitch. Even my VW R32. I get laughed at. Superior, judgmental, rolling of the eyes…. I get all of it. Until they break down and I’m the only one with a dolly and a hitch on my car that can get them home. (It’s happened more times than I can count) Or when I can take the garbage to the dump (in style) and do not have to borrow the neighbors truck or trash my spotless trunk. Or how I explain to them that the FREE pallet wood I’m towing behind me cuts over $1500 a year in my heating costs, and that’s one of the ways I can afford to have the nice car they are making fun of. Then suddenly I’m not so stupid. I can go to Lowes (again – in style) and still bring home deck planks and 4×8 sheets of plywood without having to own a second vehicle and a monthly payment. It’s how I can afford that outrageously expensive lumber, BTW. Tomorrow I’m going to pick up 12ft sections of metal roofing to repair my garage roof. So much money saved by owning a simple trailer instead of a yard full of vehicles… AND I still get to have something nice that I can take to a car show. Remove the hitch from the receiver…. and collect my trophy. What use is a car if you cant use it? I’ll put a hitch on a Ferrari if I ever decide to own one. Incidentally, I just happened to put a hitch on my daughter’s Golf this morning so she can move her stuff without renting a U-haul. She get’s it….. I’ll let them all shake their heads at me. Why? Because I have a nice car with a hitch and they don’t. Jealousy and pride have no pretty side in my book. I roll the way I decide – me – and I don’t care what anyone else thinks or says about it. So – I put a hitch on it and respectfully go about my business…… in style… and pocket all the cash I save. If I decide to buy this Starfire (I wouldn’t pay more than $5k for this one) I’ll make sure the hitch stays.
And yes, it keeps showoffs desperate for attention (usually the same ones criticizing your use of a hitch) from parking their 2003 rusted-out Taurus wagon to close to your perfectly restored chrome bumper.
Nice rant :-). Love it.
Nice car with smog still intact. Not a bad price.
At $10k, considering the likely cost of the original parts and what it’s worth when finished, I can’t see how this car is worth $10k. As others have said, the market for cars like this has gone way past what it should be.
I love these cars and it would be great to have it, but I’m afraid that because of the cost of the rebuild, this is likely a better investment as a parts car.
I have driven two convertible versions of this car. Oldsmobile’s best in 1962. My favorite big GM car that year. That interior is going to cost about $6,000 to restore correctly. Seller wants to much money. All this talk about the correct rocker arm covers. Even if they were incorrect, that is the least of your worries. Plenty to fix here and unlikely you can’t buy new sheet metal.
in person inspection and waving benjamins will probably get the buy in down.
after that the biggest expense is going to be the top and interior. the way this car is mouldinged it would be very simple to section-ally repair and paint it as you go. kill the rust and fabricate or source partial panels where needed
i don’t know the gms well enough to lay a value on it, but in this case i would repair not restore.
not everything needs to be a frame off concourse restoration.
I have a great ‘62 Starfire myself and bought it from a collector in LA in early 2021. It looked great inside and out. I had it inspected and driven by a professional since I couldn’t go there and see it for myself. It checked out well enough that I bought it and had it shipped out here to CO. I then proceeded to spend half a ton of money on it to make it back into a reliable daily driver and moderately show worthy. The cost to bring back the subject car here would be mind boggling. Keep looking is my advice! FYI the instrument on the console in front of the tachometer is another (later) tachometer. I guess the owner found it easier to just put in a different if similar one than repairing the original tach. I had mine rebuilt and it works just fine now. Good luck!
Couldn’t have said it better!
Even at that price it may be worth it To cannabalise.
My BIL had one of these in black with white convertible top, this was back in 1965.
For some oddball reason he took all the chrome off of it. Not the stainless though.
I’ve always liked Oldsmobiles deep dish steering wheel. And I long for the days of horizontal speedometer. Every single dashboard today is the same layout, doesnt matter what make or model.
I owned a 63 star fire with the 394 ci. Same color, and man let me tell you, that car was quick as all get out. Mine was a hard top, paid $100 for it in 1971. It was loaded, with pw, steering, AC, electric rear attenna, tilt steering. Ahhhh, those were the days.
No way this is worth $10,000!! Silly, but someone will pay probably close to that.
Not sure why Oldsmobile would call this Ultra High Compression? 10.5 to 1 wasn’t “ultra ” high back then…it was high Compression.
I had a 1978 Nova that I built an L88 427 for. Factory Compression for it was 12.5 to one I would class it as ultra high. Anyway lots of engines back then were high compression