1961 Oldsmobile Starfire

With the Jet-Age in full swing, Oldsmobile introduced the Starfire in mid-1961, successfully combining style, luxury, and high-performance into an elegant package. Its name was shared with the preeminent American jet fighter of the era, and it was built to compete with the Ford Thunderbird that was dominating the personal luxury sports car market.

The Concept
January 1961 was the genesis of the Starfire as a stand-alone model, but its name existed within the Oldsmobile lineup many years prior, beginning with a dream car shown at the 1953 Motorama auto show. It was called the Starfire Concept and was named after the Lockheed F-94 Starfire jet fighter and powered by an overhead valve Rocket V8 engine. The four-passenger convertible had a fiberglass body, a wraparound windshield, and bucket seats for all passengers.

Convertible Body Style on the 98
From 1954 to 1956, the Starfire was a convertible on the Oldsmobile 98, and with a retail price of approximately $3,250 (in 1954), they were the most expensive Oldsmobile offered during those years. For 1957, all 98 models were referred to as Starfire 98. The 'Starfire' name was not used on the 98 series beginning with the 1958 model year.

The 1961 Oldsmobile Starfire Convertible
Oldsmobile introduced the Starfire convertible late in the 1961 model year. It shared its platform with the 88 (well, it was actually one to five inches shorter overall with a fractionally smaller wheelbase) but with the more powerful 394 cubic-inch Rocket V8 engine. The grille was from the 98. Distinguishable features included the full-length brushed aluminum side-sweep that would become the car's visual signature. Other features included the chrome-plated oil filler cap, air cleaner, and valve covers. Standard items on the Starfire included power front bucket seats, a dual exhaust system, leather interior, Hydra-Matic transmission, limited-slip differential, power windows, power brakes, power steering, trunk release, antenna, and console-mounted tachometer. The interior was finished in leather. Priced at $4,650, it was the most expensive Oldsmobile for 1961, and 7,800 examples were produced.

Starfire to Ford Thunderbird Comparison
Sales of the 1961 Thunderbird were much greater, with 73,051 examples built. Bodystyles on the Thunderbird included a Landau Hardtop, Hardtop Coupe, and convertible. Comparing just the convertibles, the Starfire and Thunderbird sales were similar, with 10,516 Thunderbird Convertibles sold.

1961 Starfire Dimensions
The Oldsmobile Starfire rested on a 123-inch wheelbase, had an overall length of 212 inches, a width of 78 inches, and stood 54.7 inches tall.

1961 Starfire Engine
The 398 cubic-inch V8 Skyrocket V8 engine powering the 1961 Starfire was Oldsmobile's most powerful engine that year. It had a cast-iron block, overhead valves, hydraulic valve lifters, 10.25:1 compression, and a Rochester four-barrel carburetor. It generated 330 horsepower at 4,600 RPM and 440 lb-ft of torque at 2,800 RPM.

The transmission was a three-speed Roto Hydra-Matic 375.

After 1961
A two-door hardtop body style joined the convertible for 1962, and horsepower increased to 345 hp. The sculpted sides of the 1961 and 1962 Starfire gave way to a more conventional appearance with flatter sides and an exclusive squared-off roofline with a concave rear window. The 1964 Starfire was similarly styled to the 1963, with a slight increase in overall length to 215.3 inches. The 394 CID 'Ultra High Compression' Rocket V8 produced 345 horsepower and standard features included a Hydra-Matic transmission, power steering and brakes, and front seat belts. All-new styling was bestowed upon the Starfire (and all Oldsmobiles) for 1965.

The first geneation of the Starfire began in 1961 and was produced through 1967.

by Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2020