Ran across 1962 starfire that appears to have an original turbo on it. Is this for
Real and if so how rare. I seem to recall they made these, but had many problems with them and offered later on to replace with a carburetor. Car is complete but in need of total restoration.

 

The 62 Starfire never came with a turbo on it. There was one version of the F85 that had a turbo on it and the name is not coming to me right now. Eric will speak up because he now has two of them. They are cool cars.

 

Jet fire. From what I've learned from Eric, many/most? were retrofitted with carbs after the turbo system malfunctioned. Original working turbo cars are rare!

 

Did that "Starfire" happen to look like this?



Did the engine look like this?

 

Joe, not as clean ,but looked like the same as photo with all components there, was also originally red in color. Even has the turbo light , if that is the correct terminology. Would you care to give your opinion of value. Again needs total restoration , been sitting outside long time . Thanks for replies.

 

So not a Starfire, but a Jetfire. Totally different car. Original turbo setups are rare, as most were replaced by 4bbls as noted above. A total restoration is expensive, as parts are not readily available and the turbo setup is finicky.

 

Joe, is the motor the only difference in a starfire and jet fire. Meaning would other body and interior parts from a starfire work on the jet fire . This car would be a challenge to say the least, but would hate for it to be destroyed.

 

Not even close. The Jetfire is based on the F-85 compact platform. The Starfire is a full size. NOTHING interchanges between them (except maybe things like lock cylinders or dome light lenses).

 

Joe:

You forgot the distributor cap.

 

seat belts?

 

What seat belts? We're talking 1962, remember?

As for the distributor cap and rotor, I wasn't sure if the 394 used a Delco window cap or not.