OLDSMOBILE STARFIRE WINDOWS

It would hold that status for several years. Its base price in 1961 was $4,647 – which was even more than the Oldsmobile 98. By moving the shifter to its console, Oldsmobile was pushing the envelope with its Starfire. Thunderbird also offered an attractive console, but its automatic shifter remained on the steering column. The new convertible’s standard equipment included a console-mounted floor shifter – the first American full-sized production car to feature such an innovation.

OLDSMOBILE STARFIRE WINDOWS

It came with brushed aluminum side panels, as well as power steering, brakes, windows and driver’s seat. Starfire was distinctively styled to set it apart from other Oldsmobiles. The standard Rocket used a four-barrel Rochester carburetor and could generate 330 horsepower.

Offered as a convertible only in 1961, the all-new Starfire offered two Rocket engines – the 394 V8 or the 425 V8. Starfire was used to identify a convertible Oldsmobile 98, much as Holiday was used to designate the Oldsmobile hardtop body styles.įor 1957, all 98 models appropriated the Starfire name. The name was then borrowed by the high-priced 98 from 1954 to 1956. The division had used the Starfire name for a dream car it showcased at the 1953 Motorama auto show. The Starfire name wasn’t new to Oldsmobile. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Introduced for the 1961 model year was Starfire, based on the Oldsmobile Super 88 but outfitted like the high-priced Oldsmobile 98. Oldsmobile’s Thunderbird killer wouldn’t be as expensive as Eldorado, but expensive enough to command respect and compete with Ford’s offering. That spectacular success – and its intriguing formula – wasn’t lost on General Motors, which was eager to replicate the Thunderbird magic.Īlthough GM was using the same basic formula for some of its cars, such as Cadillac’s Eldorado – a high-end automobile with plenty of power and luxury, but in a two-door hardtop format – the Oldsmobile division decided to take Thunderbird head-on. Indeed, over the three years of the second-generation Thunderbird, a total of 198,191 units were sold. Sales for the 1960 Thunderbird were even better – 92,853. Ford sold 37,892 Thunderbirds for 1958 and in 1959 sold 67,456 – far more than the 53,166 two-seater units built in total from 1955 to 1957.

It also made itself available to more potential buyers as a four-seater. But by adding a rear seat and room for two more passengers, Thunderbird not only retained its high status with the motoring public, but also became a more practical automobile.

Oldsmobile starfire