The Oldsmobile Starfire moniker originated with the 1953 General Motors Motorama show car. Alongside the Buick Wildcat, Pontiac La Parisienne, and the Chevy Corvette, the Oldsmobile Starfire was a fiberglass-bodied four passenger special that took its Jet Age name from the Lockheed F-94B, the first afterburner-equipped US Air Force fighter jet.
For the 1954 through 1956 model years, the Oldsmobile Starfire was the top trim level for the Olds Ninety-Eight convertible. For 1957, the trim level was called the Starfire 98. The Starfire name would disappear until 1961, when it was reborn as a standalone model.
The 1961 Oldsmobile Starfire, powered by the 394 cubic-inch Rocket V8, was a personal-luxury convertible with unique body trim aimed at Ford Thunderbird customers. It was chock full of fantastic equipment, including a power convertible top, power steering and brakes, power windows, leather bucket seats (the driver’s seat was power operated) that were separated by a console that housed the tachometer and shifter. The Starfire was Oldsmobile’s most expensive model, listing for around $4,600 at a time when the Chevy Corvette base price was just over $3,400. Only 1,500 1961 Oldsmobile Starfires left the factory.
Our featured 1961 Oldsmobile Starfire convertible, chassis number 616M04822, is highly original in shiny Garnett Mist over red leather. Its factory finish still presents well, with some light fading noted. Chrome front and rear bumpers appear to be free of pitting or patina. The red leather interior shows little wear, with only minor creasing observed. Extensive chrome and stainless trim is found throughout the interior, and shows little sign of age. Gauge lenses show none of the cracking usually present on cars of this age. The Starfire is equipped with a white vinyl power convertible top, factory air conditioning, power driver’s seat, power windows, clock, power steering, and power brakes. The odometer shows 4,444 miles.
The 1961 Oldsmobile Starfire is powered by the original 394 cubic-inch, 330 horsepower Rocket V8 mated to a three-speed Roto Hydramatic automatic transmission. Some chrome dressing is noted in the tidy engine bay. Steel wheels are dressed with wire wheel covers and wrapped in bias-ply whitewalls.
This beautiful 1961 Oldsmobile Starfire will be crossing the auction block at the Mecum Auctions Summer Special in Kissimmee, Florida July 6th through 8th.
