For Sale: 1961 Oldsmobile Starfire in Morgantown, Pennsylvania

1961 Oldsmobile Starfire Convertible

"A new limited-edition, high performance sports convertible! With custom built looks, luxury and power! Starfire, custom crafted for the select few who appreciate the finest in design and appointments, powered for the adventurous!" From the '61 brochure. Although the name had been used on a concept car in 1953, and a trim level for the 98 DeLuxe from 1954-1957, it came into its own with the first of two generations beginning in 1961.

For consignment, a 1961 Oldsmobile Starfire convertible showing 18,381 miles, but the true miles are unknown due to a PA title exemption. In its first year, 7,800 Starfire convertibles were produced and at $4,647, represented the most expensive Oldsmobile model available in 1961.

Exterior
It's hard to confuse this Starfire, or future iterations, with any other car on the road. Oldsmobile applied bold styling on the typical 60's narrow side panels, most notably the central trim pieces that presents as a rear-facing rocket between the two stage Garnet Mist Metallic color, complete with afterburner trim on the square edged front fender. In back, the fender takes on the pointed rocket shape and extends past the tail light panel creating an authentic rocket profile in back, amplified by fins of the chrome bumper heading south. Now let's go up front, where the finely ribbed grille cants rearward, leaving the headlights in a prominent quad position while aerodynamic ornaments grace the hood. And once again, the front bumper provides rudder like protrusions to the side. A black canvas top connects to a dramatically curved A-pillar and window frame for the windshield that sweeps rearward. Imperfections include various chips and scratches throughout, scratches to the aluminum "rocket" on the side, off color touch up throughout, dings to the center stainless trim, paint runs, dings in the rear bumper with chrome affected, some other imperfect chrome.

Interior
Artistic styling doesn't stop on the exterior as witnessed by the beautiful door panels that combine trimmed red vinyl sections with a textured metal back plate for the space age armrest and both doors, with their carpeted lower sections, present nicely. Red velour covers the low back bucket seats in front and the rear bench while the front view is quintessentially 60's with a thin rimmed steering wheel fronting a sweep style speedometer and three oval gauges, chrome rimmed and seemingly right off the set of Lost in Space. Ribbed panels and switchgear dress the rest of the dash while the center console houses a tachometer and chrome shifter and electric window controls. There are touches of patina including loose vinyl on the dash pad, but the plush carpet below looks good and the trunk is completely finished in the same material.

Drivetrain
Under the hood, an impressive looking 394ci Rocket V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor and horsepower rating of 330. It's mated to a Roto-Hydramatic 3-speed automatic transmission that sends power to 3.42 gears in back.

Undercarriage
The clean underside has minimal surface rust and only a drop of residual oil. Dual exhaust travels through the cherrybomb mufflers before exiting discreetly behind body panels. Power drum brakes are on all four wheels and coil springs are present front and rear with trailing arms in back.

Drive-Ability
The Rocket V8 comes to life after a tap of the gas and we run a lap around our test loop, putting this astronomically influenced Starfire through the usual gauntlet of functional operations. Everything works well on this cruiser with the exception of the clock and wipers. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.

If you're an Olds fan, this one's for you! If you love 60's era cars and their preoccupation with all things galactic, you're going to love this Starfire! We're pretty sure everyone could find something to like about this car. We sure did, could you tell?

616L01378

61-1961
6-Starfire
L-Linden, NJ Assy Plant
01378-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG

01C-3rd Week January
STYLE 61 3667-1961 Starfire Convertible
BODY BL 380-Linden Body #
TRIM 935 6-Red Vinyl Buckets
PAINT L C-Garnet Mist Metallic & Provincial White

Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price. All prices are before state, city and county tax, tag, title and license fees. Out of state buyers are responsible for all state, county, city taxes and fees, as well as title/registration fees in the state that the vehicle will be registered. Classic Auto Mall is not responsible for errors and omissions. Please verify listings with dealer. Vehicles may require VIN verification and/or safety and emissions inspections to transfer ownership and register the vehicle in the declared state of residence. Please check with your local DMV office to ensure compliance with your states titling and registration process.

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