Cloth Covered: 1965 Oldsmobile Starfire Convertible – SOLD!

January 19, 2022 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.

January 12, 2021 Update – Ten days after relisting their classic car with a fresh Craigslist ad, the private seller decided to lower their asking price by $500 to land at $13,500.

January 1, 2022 Update – We just came across a fresh listing for this ’65 Oldsmobile Starfire convertible we first featured in December. The description, pictures, and asking price all remain the same.

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 driver-quality, restored example, featuring a more comfortable replacement cloth interior originally listed in January 2022 on Craigslist in Round Lake, Illinois (Chicago).

Currently offered for $13,500 (the original ask was $14,000), comparing that price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms the private seller has their Starfire priced between this guide’s #4 “Fair” (Daily Driver) Estimate of $13,100 and its #3 “Good” appraisal of $25,200.  Similarly, the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask falls between this guide’s #4 “Fair estimate of $8,450 and its #3 “Good” appraisal of $14,200.

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 1965 Oldsmobile Starfire Convertible is a very luxurious convertible by mid-sixties standards. If you prefer driving a luxurious, well-optioned classic American convertible rather than simply showing one-off at car shows, this may be the car for you.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“1965 Oldsmobile Starfire convertible. 425ci/400 auto. 1 of 2236 made. 33330 miles shown but actual miles unknown. 99% sure this was a replacement 1965 425 (by previous owners). Power windows, power driver’s seat, air conditioning, tilt wheel, Wonderbar radio, console shifter w/ tachometer. Older repaint represents fairly well with small areas of surface bubbles and some scratches on the driver’s door. The driver’s side also has some scuffs/ wear possibly from a buffer or car cover rub. Was also told the convertible motor was replaced by a previous owner.

Almost $5k invested in recent service including:
New cap, rotor, plugs and wires, coil, Pertronix ignition, new fuel pump, new water pump, new timing chain and timing chain cover, new upper control arm bushings, new sway bar links, new brake shoes, new wheel cylinders, new master cylinder, new power steering box, new Edelbrock performer intake and gasket, new Summit 4bbl carburetor w/ electric choke, NOS Holley valve covers w/ new gaskets, transmission service with new fluid and pan gasket, dual mufflers, Exterior electrical wiring (headlights, taillights, reverse lights.)

A few things it still needs is some interior electrical work (lights, horn, radio, etc.), Heat/AC control vacuum lines, AC service, reattach bottom of convertible glass window. Could use new window sweeps also.

Extra parts included in sale are 1965 chassis and body manuals (originals, not scans), 4bbl Starfire air cleaner, extra set of valve covers, radiator shroud, wiring diagram.

No warranties expressed or implied. Priced at low end of NADA values and has clean Illinois title.

Show or go: what would you do with this restored 1965 Oldsmobile Starfire Convertible?  Comment below and let us know!