Red Rocket: 1965 Oldsmobile Starfire Convertible – SOLD!

November 17, 2021 Update – We confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

We’re looking forward to offering a white over blue 1965 Oldsmobile Starfire convertible in an upcoming auction very soon. If you’re not familiar with the cars, mid-sixties Starfires were what Oldsmobile marketers dubbed “Luxury Sports Cars” and what we would consider an upmarket answer to Chevrolet’s Impala SS. As we wait for the auction of our blue and white example to begin soon, for now, we came across this red-over-red, well-optioned,  survivor example originally listed in October 2021 on Craigslist in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Currently offered for $28,000, comparing that price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms the private seller has their Starfire priced between this guide’s #3 “Good” estimate of $25,200 and its #2 “Excellent” appraisal of $36,600.  Similarly, the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask falls between this guide’s #2 “Very Good” estimate of $19,900 and its #1 “Excellent appraisal of $30,800.

As part of GM’s full-size “B” and “C” body redesigns, all Oldsmobiles benefitted from all-new, squared-off styling.  Oldsmobile offered a new version of the Rocket V8 engine displacing 425 cubic inches topped with a Rochester four-barrel carburetor producing 375 horsepower at 4800 rpm. This was still the most powerful engine in the Oldsmobile lineup and used only in the Starfire and the Jetstar I. Also new for 1965 was the three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission which replaced the previous fluid-coupling Hydra-Matic used by Oldsmobile since 1940.  1965 sales were 13,024 for the coupe and 2,236 for the convertible.

The Osborn Tramain YouTube Channel provides this vintage 1965 Starfire commercial featuring “The Voice of Astronauts” Col. John “Shorty” Powers:

A very well-optioned car including factory air conditioning and cruise control, this is a very luxurious convertible by mid-sixties standards.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“You’ve seen me driving this beauty around town, now it could be yours!
Original car, 119k miles. I purchased this from 2 brothers up in Minnesota who purchased it from an estate sale in Iowa.
425/370hp, new Edlebrock Carb, have original Rochester as well.
I believe original paint, still shines up very nicely.
Original leather interior.
4 new Halogen headlights.
Every option for ’65 except power door locks:
A/C, cruise control, power driver seat, power windows (passenger wing window doesn’t close all the way), AM/FM radio works but it’s very touchy, Auto radio antenna, Auto headlight dimming (never tried it, but I imagine it works).
New ball joints and alignment by Dick Stark, A/C serviced by Hansard’s.
This red beauty runs strong and the exhaust note is outstanding from the dual hidden side exhaust.
Driver-side mirror control doesn’t work, wire was broke. I have the original parts, never re-installed.
The passenger wing window motor works but doesn’t close the window all the way, probably a gear, I haven’t messed with it.
The power top works normally.
This is NOT a restored perfect vehicle and the price reflects that. This is an original survivor with some minor issues that someone can correct rather easily.
I have $28k invested and I’ll take a REASONABLE offer, I’m not in a hurry to sell. NADA value is $40k.
NO TRADES or low-ballers, don’t waste our time please.

Show or go: what would you do with this Oldsmobile Starfire Convertible Survivor?  Comment below and let us know!