1966 Oldsmobile Starfire 425 ci from North America

Summary:

Almost a big race car

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

One of the best cars ever owned. The 425 ci. engine with the Muncie M-20 4 speed trans at 375+ HP was very strong.

It was red exterior & white interior, with the 442 center console & tach, and it had bucket seats. Power seats, windows, brakes, 15" wheels & tires, and a very stiff, high pressure clutch. Paid $3,500 for it because it sat on the dealer's lot for more than a year. My mother loved the car & took it to go shopping all of the time, & she loved to race everybody. We loved it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th June, 2015

1963 Oldsmobile Starfire from North America

Summary:

This car has classic elegance, with great power and ride

Faults:

Timing chain broke at 35,000.

Engine had to be overhauled at 43,000.

General Comments:

Bought the two door hard top in 1966 when it was three years old. Beautiful car with white bucket seats and console interior, and the navy blue exterior. In No. Dakota. at the time, the law allowed turning the speedo back to 0. So, I'm guessing it had about 60,000 miles, and being high mileage for three years, prompted the turn back. The car likely had over 100,000 miles when I traded it for a 68 Olds Delta Custom.

About ten years ago, I searched for another, but now wanted a convertible. Found one in Seattle, WA. and had it shipped to Phoenix. It had 119,000 miles. Started to drive it as a daily driver and upgraded it as needed. Rebuilt the front suspension, linkage for the transmission, pulled the duct work for the A/C to get it running, and a lot of small miscellaneous repairs. Interior is in great shape.

About three years ago, the harmonic balancer began slipping. The front cover was leaking oil badly, and there were other oil leaks. I bought another 63 hardtop to use as a parts car. Its engine was in better shape, so decided to change it out. Unfortunately, health issues in the family and growing work demand on my time have not allowed me the time to complete the work. Semi-retired the first of this year, and will begin again shortly.

Love this car. Sure, it is a monster with terrible gas mileage, but it is so good looking. Possibly adding a four speed tranny will improve the mileage. Better looking than the 61 and 62 Starfires with all the chrome, that are very desirable.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 11th May, 2012

27th Mar 2013, 16:14

Back in the mid sixties, I owned a 1955 Olds Starfire convertible. It was a light shade of green with a white top. The motor was a 371 cubic inch with a 3 speed auto transmission. Beautiful car. What happened to GM? I miss the Oldsmobile.

28th Mar 2013, 13:38

What happened to GM? It lost its mind!!!

28th Mar 2013, 21:36

What happened was they stopped making quality full-size cars in order to compete with the import junk.

30th Mar 2013, 14:46

They started making Cadillacs with Corvette LS engines and 6 speed manual transmissions to compete with German sedans. Wise move.

31st Mar 2013, 10:05

They should have done that with Pontiac, instead of dropping them. Cadillac was never a performance division.

8th Jun 2015, 20:27

It is now! Cadillac is one hot performer. 640 HP, 0-60 in under 4 seconds and over 200 mph. The Cadillac move was a very smart move with baby boomers. Many Corvette owners I know have Cadillacs, including crossovers. This car will run right with the new Z06 and is as fast as our Viper.

I agree with Pontiac. They missed the boat with recent styling. I would have liked to have seen the Solstice or Skye with a small block V8. But focusing on less models is smart for other models. People will spend on high end models like Cadillac for high performance, comfort and optioned out.

28th Jul 2018, 00:29

The 371 ci V8 came out in 57, not 55.