Hi, New to this forum, so apologies if I'm in the wrong place! I have an opportunity in three days to go take a look at a 1965 Starfire Convertible with a 4-speed on the floor that is for sale. I have a '73 and don't know anything about the '65 except that it is gorgeous! I have done some internet searches, and it looks like the 4-speed, if original, is super rare. Does anyone know how to tell if it's real? I read on the internet that it will have a "2L" code on the cowling, but I don't know where to look, and I read that the 4-speed tach on the '65 Starfire has the same numbers (font) as the earlier automatic Starfires while the '65 automatic got a new tach with a different font. Any of that true? Anyone know for sure? I'm going to look at the car in a few days, and I would like to know what to look for when I get there. Thanks! PS - Here's a pic of my '73.

 

Certainly the 4 speed was available on the 65 Starfire and is rare. Use the search function on here because I think there was a thread some time back on this subject.

 

Thanks! I did search. Saw a thread about someone buying one, but nothing on how to identify a real one unfortunately. Maybe I missed it?

 

Here is the thread I was thinking about. It may be the same on you found.

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...nvertible.html

 

Thanks! I had not seen that thread. I checked out the website mentioned, and so I know what to look for. Also, I think the one I am going to look at is the one that was listed on ebay last August. Probably a homemade job. Oh, well! Thanks again!

 

my 65 cutlass is an original 4 speed car and it actually has m20 on the cowl tag

 

The 4spd shifter (Muncie) is unique to the Olds B bodies as is the Z bar and the Long Tail Muncie with a block off plate where the speedo cable would normally attach. These parts are very hard to come by so cloning a 4spd setup is not at all easy. If the trim tag on firewall has the 2L its legit.