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There is a 1965 Olds Starfire for sale on Hemmings.com. States a frame off restoration with a factory 4-speed. The car looks beautiful. Looks like someone put a lot of money and effort into it. I like the car a lot but it’s $57k.
Last edited by Bigmikey65; Jan 10, 2022 at 07:13 PM.
That is a stunning and unusual car. I find it funny that right in front of the data plate is the windshield washer that is not connected. Maybe they pulled the hose off so you can read the data plate.
Last edited by redoldsman; Jan 11, 2022 at 07:05 AM.
Wow, I had a 4spd 65 Starfire in about 1973. What a excellent driving car!! Man does that look inviting, Can't do $57,000 though... will be interesting to see if they get it.
Incredible, but I can't say that I've ever seen an RPO code out of sequence at the end of the list like the M20 code on this build sheet. That raises a question...
Incredible, but I can't say that I've ever seen an RPO code out of sequence at the end of the list like the M20 code on this build sheet. That raises a question...
Right-o... ought to be immediately below L75 option.
To pick a little, the shifter is wrong and the positive battery cable run. Surprised not to see 2L on the trim tag for the 4spd like my 66 Delta had.Bezel for ignition switch upside down on dash. Oh and even with power brakes the brake pedal seems extremely low compared to the clutch pedal.
You'd think the M20 would be in sequence but... could have been an afterthought or assembly line change order.
The Pontiac bud's 64 Grand Prix is such a car- started as a 4-bbl 389 and was pulled off the assembly line to convert to correct dated Tri-Power complete with Pontiac cast iron headers. All that was documented thru PHS and its build sheet has the Tri-Power documentation listed same way as this Starfire's transmission info. Granted, that's Pontiac and we don't have the luxury of a PHS type service. But stuff did get changed after the car's assembly started. In this GP's case, probably to satisfy a Doraville plant executive as it was invoiced to the assembly plant.
And as hard as 65-66 FSC manual trans stuff is to source, someone went to a lot of trouble to make one if this isn't a factory build.
It’s a beautiful car but I have a few questions. Would the 4-speed option require an optional rear axle ratio ? IF the build sheet is suspect, then does it look like the M20 transmission code was added as an afterthought ? Is the entire build sheet suspect ? If it was ordered as an automatic - would that be on the build sheet ?
The color and interior look outstanding. IF it was converted to a 4-speed, and done properly, how much would it really effect the cars value ? If the 4-speed was added, would that require modifying the drive shaft and the transmission cross-member ?
The shifter looks custom. Is this what a stock shifter would look like ?
It’s a beautiful car but I have a few questions. Would the 4-speed option require an optional rear axle ratio ? IF the build sheet is suspect, then does it look like the M20 transmission code was added as an afterthought ? Is the entire build sheet suspect ? If it was ordered as an automatic - would that be on the build sheet ?
The color and interior look outstanding. IF it was converted to a 4-speed, and done properly, how much would it really effect the cars value ? If the 4-speed was added, would that require modifying the drive shaft and the transmission cross-member ?
The shifter looks custom. Is this what a stock shifter would look like ?
Actually, you bring up an excellent point. The RPO M40 TH400 was the standard equipment trans, but it would have shown up on the build sheet anyway (Just like the L75 Starfire engine, which was also standard equipment). The asterisks next to certain RPO codes designate standard equipment on that model. Sourcing the correct clutch pedal and linkage for these cars is nearly impossible. The correct long-tail Muncie is only slightly less difficult to find. The trans crossmember doesn't change, but the driveshaft does. Now that I think about it rationally, the build sheet is either legit or a very good fake. I don't know why the trans is out of sequence, however.
Car does look beautiful. I have seen questionable cars thru Volo so not really a fan. 57k seems like a high price to me. The joy of Oldsmobile's being the new it brand.
It’s a beautiful car but I have a few questions. Would the 4-speed option require an optional rear axle ratio ?
Pretty sure non-AC 65 Starfires continued with 3.42 gearing same as 61-64, with airconditioned cars getting 3.23, regardless of transmission. This one's build sheet indicates it got a posi unit, which makes very good sense for a 4-speed car.
Think about it guys. Do you really think somebody would search the ends of the earth to find all the parts to convert this car to a 4-speed. This is not some old jacked up hot rod with slotted mag wheels that was pieced together. This was some gentleman's hot rod back in the day. No AC would be a problem in Texas.
I forget the guy's name in the Starfire FB group, but there were simply just not many 4 speed Starfires ever produced, and he owns a couple of them. Justin Laclair might be his name, and I think he owns a pair of them. He might actually be aware of this car, too.
Glenn, you make an excellent point. Starfires just aren't valuable enough to spend the time and money to collect those parts to fake it. This isn't a convertible Hemi 'Cuda we're talking about.
I'm buying this one hook, line, & sinker. If it was an L88 Corvette or even a '70 Olds W-30, I'd probably do more (due?) diligence. But in this case, not just to get the hen's teeth parts, but even to sample the correct font for the build sheet and have it applied to an original appearing sheet, complete with wear marks, seems far fetched. I'm on board with this one, guys. Can't say it's impossible -- after all, even Perry Mason lost one case. :-)
Originally Posted by redoldsman
Think about it guys. Do you really think somebody would search the ends of the earth to find all the parts to convert this car to a 4-speed. This is not some old jacked up hot rod with slotted mag wheels that was pieced together. This was some gentleman's hot rod back in the day. No AC would be a problem in Texas.
what i find interesting but doesn't mean much.but it was sent to albia iowa.probably 6 months ago or so there was a 65 pontiac 2+2 with 421 4spd tri-power for sale from i believe this same volo bunch,which was also sold originally in albia iowa.
This car has been on Ebay for about 4 months. The $57,000 asking price is a $6,000 price drop from what he was originally asking. Pretty proud of it and it’s a nice big Olds; I think it has about $40K, tops, written all over it…IMHO
If you search out 'two 1965 Starfire coupes for sale.' there are a couple pics of when I owned this car
it is the real deal 4speed but they musta changed the rear end cuz it had a QA 2.73 in it when I had it. Protect-o-plate verifies that this car came with a 360 hp non 's' suffix 425. right door mirror was added. it was a weird car
I traded a radial arm saw and a wood jointer to a guy for it in 2001. I put new tires on it and pushed it around for about 10 years. I did not have the time or money to make it right. (still dont) someone spent a buttload of money on this restoration. looks great except for the chevy shifter. close enough huh? SUPER rare car. wish I woulda got it before the frame rusted out.
