1964 Oldsmobile Starfire



The 1964 Oldsmobile Starfire model came out at a time when Peyton Place was a hit on TV and when Coca-Cola first launched a low-calorie soda called Tab. Bucket seats and center consoles would attract wives of suburbanites despite the car's thirst for gas. After all, fuel was cheap, and the Feds hadn't invaded the automaker's garages yet with restrictive laws. Heavier than the '61 model because of luxury add-ons, the '64 models reached a not so light two tons of weight. But it's lines were clean and assertive, and the suburnite housewives were attracted by features like Guide-Matic headlights that automatically dimmed when oncoming cars approached. Unlike the fifties' cars, the fins were almost gone. By 1965, these features were completely absent.



Enter this 1964 quintessential suburbia working office man cruiser, the Oldsmobile Starfire from 1964 complete with its Protect-O-Plate, window sticker and build sheet. With its sleek thin front and back, and the squared off roofline and staunch windows, along with plenty of horizontal ribbed trimmings, it bleeds conservatism. This car begs for a felt Stetson with a tweed band and some side feathers, and a thin necktie. Beautiful patterned stitched vinyl in lighter complimentary blue, gives this 2-door hardtop plenty of class, whether it's the commute and from work, or out for a Sunday drive...remember those?''



Exterior

Straight steel all bathed in a color change of dark blue metallic paint which is the deep end of the pool paint covers this classic. Overall, the paint is well applied with only minor inclusions and some bubbling due to contamination. An oversized trim spear runs from bow to stern riding atop the graceful fenders. Here small fins grow up from the front fenders, diminish through the doors and reappear again on the rear quarters, where on the rear of the car shiny bezels quadrant off the taillights by a cross shaped chrome emblem. Rocker trim thins out and then surrounds the wheel wells in front and back and is graced below by a wide vertically ribbed rocker panel. Chrome for the bumpers is all excellent as is the front grille, which for this year has a 3-dimensional quality with a large red star, (Starfire?), in the center which is flanked by dual headlights on either side. More chrome trim highlights the ample glass and roofline as well as highlighting the fuel filler door. We note the glass is all very clean with the exception of a 5-inch crack in the windshield on the passenger's side. 14-inch chrome wire wheel covers with Oldsmobile Rocket badged center spinners are wrapped with thin whitewall 215/75-R15's on all 4 corners.



Interior

The jet age is in full swing, the race to the moon has begun in earnest, and the styling of this car reflects that. Even the name Starfire inspires speed and thrust and forward progress. Near perfect faux leather pattern blue vinyl is interplaying with chrome trimming and aluminum inlays wrapping around various panels. A rocket in a sunburst badge is top and center on the doors, and dark blue carpeting covers the lowers. Inside, freshly redone nice wide blue vinyl low back buckets show near perfectly with their tuck and roll inserts and smooth bolsters and wide chromed edging. A rear bench is in back in the same pattern and also looking unused. Molded plastic in black is on the sides of a center console which begins just under the dash. Here a chromed shift lever resides along with the factory tachometer and power window switches. This sits on a ribbed aluminum plate on top of the molded black. In front of the original steering wheel is a symmetrical dash with a central red Olds star badge, and more dark blue for the dash top and lighter blue for the metal painted dash front. A few brushed aluminum panels are also here housing the pulls and knobs. Just below in a chrome panel is a trio of aftermarket gauges to show more vital signs of the mill upfront. Original dark blue carpeting with integrated mats are very clean covering the floors and a light blue headliner is above showing nice and tight.



Drivetrain

Under the hood is an engine aficionado's dreamland where the Olds engineers have placed a rebuilt sometime in the past 394ci Rocket V8. The space race even continued into the engine names, what a time to be alive! This red painted mill is topped with a 4bbl carburetor, ribbed aluminum valve coverings, and a chrome with red pie plate air cleaner assembly. A 3-speed Hydramatic automatic transmission is on the back, and the rear axle is 3.42 gear ratio with limited slip.



Undercarriage

Clean with an ample application of rustproofing texture coating is seen throughout along with some surface rust on the frame and areas the rustproofing has chipped off. Independent coil spring suspension and a 4 link with coil springs provides the ride, and the power drum braking brings you back to

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