Pick of the Day: 1965 Oldsmobile Starfire

The Pick of the Day is a low-mileage 1965 Oldsmobile Starfire listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealer just outside Chicago. (Click the link to view the listing)

Starfires have been collectible for quite a long time, but they never have made the hobby truly stand up and take notice the way, say, an equivalent Thunderbird has. Starting in 1961, when Oldsmobile introduced the Starfire convertible, it stood out thanks to its stainless-steel trim, leather-faced bucket seats and console, standard power accessories and top-of-the-range horsepower from its Rocket V8. In subsequent years, the Starfire was available as a hardtop and convertible, with the swan song 1966 being a hardtop only. The Starfire coupe received even more distinction from 1963-66 due to a unique concave backlite, but the model was discontinued due to declining sales: Starfire production peaked in 1962 at over 40,000 units but, by 1965, production was only 13,024 hardtops and 2,236 convertibles.

The seller of this Royal Blue 1965 Starfire understands its intrigue and perfectly summarizes the Starfire’s modus operandi: “Luxury meets sportiness. It has leather, plenty of power accessories and premium trim in and out to keep it classy. The bucket seats with console and tachometer, along with a rumbling exhaust coming out each quarter-panel, gives you some excitement. [The seats] are reupholstered and soft, [and the] driver seat is power-operated. Sharp looking door panels in great shape front and back.”

Standard features for the 1965 Starfire included T-stick Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic (a 4-speed was optional), power steering and brakes, clock, courtesy lamps, tachometer, padded instrument panel, deluxe steering wheel and wheel discs, among others, plus convertibles received power windows and white sidewalls. This particular vehicle has that and more: “[It has] power windows and rare power vent windows. Unique designed dash is in great shape, not cut or broken. The steering wheel is on a tilt column.”

Yet most of the Starfire’s charm comes down to the details — notice the rectangular headlight bezels that were shared with no other models, the lower-body trim from the rockers to the rear exhausts that empty ahead of the rear bumper, and the aluminum trim between the bumper and trunk lid that is surrounded by unique jewel-like taillights.

Under the hood you’d find the second generation of Rocket V8 power, which was new for 1965. Replacing the old 394 was a tall deck design measuring 425ci with the top version (standard on the Starfire) putting out 370 horsepower. “Engine looks stock in regard to the exhaust manifolds, valve covers, and air cleaner.,” says the seller. “We just had the trans professionally rebuilt. Turbo 400 automatic has original 1965 tag riveted to it.” Odometer shows 45k though no claims that it’s original.

It wasn’t just declining sales that marked the end of the Starfire – it also was due to Oldsmobile’s new vision of what a personal-luxury vehicle could be with the 1966 Toronado. Nonetheless, the 1965 Starfire stands strong as a vehicle of power and distinction at a time when General Motors was at its peak. At $32,998, you likely won’t find a car with its special mix of greatness.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.