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He wanted 17, got him down to 12 but I am still debating. 62 Starfire last run in 87. Been stored inside since. He says not run due to no title. I am going to see if it will turn over tomorrow.
Thoughts? Thinking of resurrecting it, not restore. Paint and carpet look original, not the seats.
Thanks for any input.
$1,200 or $12,000? That is a really neat car, but in PA no title is a BIG problem. Not sure how Washington state is, but make sure you can get a title before even considering buying it, otherwise it is just a parts car. Looks like it will clean up pretty well, but having a new top put on will be $2,000 or more from a shop. Having the seats re-done by a shop in the factory pattern will probably be another $1,500 or more. If it ran, and had a title, I think it is a $10,000-$15,000 car as it sits. However, it sounds like it does not have a title, and you don't know if it will run or if the motor is OK. Cleaned up with decent interior, good top, presentable paint, and of course a title - probably $25K-$35K. It all depends on how well the paint cleans up and how nice the car really is. All that said, if it is a car you really like, you are sure you can get a title, and the motor turns over, $12K is probably OK. Just remember, even if the motor turns over, you still have no idea about the trans, fuel system, brakes, cooling system, suspension, rear diff., electrical system, etc. It all adds up.
Last edited by Loaded68W34; Feb 6, 2026 at 05:21 PM.
Thank you for the fast reply. Sorry I did not make it more clear. He says he found the title, yes I would not buy without a title. He wanted 17k, got him down to 12k as is. I plan to see if it turns over tomorrow. It looks complete and no rust I can see, but I will look closer tomorrow.
Thank you again for your input.
The seat backs look original but need replacing. The seat bottoms don't look right to me. Dash pad needs replacing.
Not sure if you can buy a good convertible top and back window for $2,000. I think double that for sure to get it put on.
If the car has not run for so long, I am thinking all the transmission seals are dry and cracked. That means a transmission overhaul, if you can find someone that CAN do it. $5,000 ?
You'll need a battery and new set of tires. A new set of belts and maybe A/C repairs.
I would be hard pressed to pay $10,000 for the car. True, Starfire's can bring a slightly higher price than a "plain Jane" two door. The last Starfire convertible for sale on here that got sold, went for less than $20,000. There is a Starfire for sale on here from Oregon that the owner is asking $60,000.
Good luck.
Thoughts? Thinking of resurrecting it, not restore.
Very interesting car. Not going to talk about about difficulties to get back on the road or resale potential. But the superlatives are a laundry list.
Oldsmobile's landmark vehicle at the time.
Oldsmobile's halo car at the time.
Their most powerful car of all time up to 1962.
Their quickest car of all time up to 1962.
Cost $300 more than Oldsmobile's flagship vehicle the 98 at the time.
Has double the horsepower of Oldsmobile's most expensive production car in history up till then, the 1953 Fiesta. While weighing the same and costing $1000 less.
Keeping it as original as possible while resurrecting it is worth it in my book. Its the culmination of 65 years of Oldsmobile's ingenuity and quality rolled into one model that could only come one way. And you are looking at it.
Colors and equipment are good, $1500 won't touch that interior if you restore it to factory with leather.
To do it right you'd have $80-100k in this Starfire but, even though a factory air 62 convertible is a rare and desirable piece, the car will never command that money.
I know you later said he found the title, but, title or not, not having a title doesn't prevent him from getting the car started and driving it up and down his driveway.
He wanted 17k, got him down to 12k as is. I plan to see if it turns over tomorrow.
Let me see if I have this right. He was asking $17k. You asked him if he would take $12k for it AS IS. Which means, to most people, that you don't need to do any further checking on it. You'll take it as it currently sits, turning over or not, running or not. That's what "as is" means. He said yes. And you DIDN'T buy it? You STILL have to think about it or check the car out? What kind of crap is that?
If I'm the seller, I'd tell you to go screw yourself. You offered a price, and he accepted it. You should be getting your checkbook out now. You shouldn't be negotiating price until AFTER you've checked the car out and decided you want it and what you're willing to pay for it.
If I were him, I'd be inclined to rescind my $12k price and go back to the beginning. You reneged on a deal.
With what pics shown it looks like a solid never wrecked example. Good things..body trim is all intact, that’s expensive and hard to find. Whats the true mileage? You’re taking a chance on if it runs and if it does, will it tune up and run right. Huge chance. For me you would have to be in love with a 62 starfire to pay 12k for one that will not start up and drive. As said before, consider the costs of the bare minimum will be, new top, seats redone, carpet, brakes, fuel tank flushed and or replaced. Trans mission and engine cleaned flushed and tuned up is a must if it doesn’t have mechanical problems. Tires, front end work, cooling system repaired or replaced. Paint buffed out if it will. If you did all that and it ran stooped and drove decent it would maybe be a 25-30k car, maybe. I a tell you from experience, it didn’t run great and he just parked it in the 80’s. There will be more issues with electric, exhaust and a plethora of stuff. If you want to do all this and can do most yourself it would be great fun.. I am thinking 7-10k fun, not 12k fun. And you will always have more into it than you can sell it for..But each person sees value differently.. best to you. Cool old Starfire.
Nice car, hard pass. It would take so much $$ to get it where you want it. Unless your cool with being upside down on it. Good luck with your decision.
Thanks for the shout out Glenn (Rocketraider) on this post.
12K for this car is a fair price, complete and a convertible. A ground up frame off will cost you over 90K but you're thinking of building an enjoyable driver. Changing the seat skins, top, fluids, hoses, seals, redo the rad and gas tank, brake hoses along with booster and master, wheel cylinders and more just to keep it safe I would think should cost you several grand and you'll need space to keep it while fixing it. In my opinion you'll have 30 in it in no time and it'll be a fun driver, they are a fun car driving with the top down.
To me this is a $7.500.00 car and you're going to need deep pockets and time. Just my two cents worth, I'm starting on my 62 starfire in my shop soon and I'll be doing a frame on mild restoration just like you are planning here but I've been collecting parts for 10 years and just finished my 62 super 88 wagon resto mod.
Good luck and you will get a lot of help from people on here so ask as many questions as you can.
Steve
Thank you all for the feedback. I am amazed at the response. Yes I bought it, yes at the agreed on price 12k. I did hook up a battery and it turned over very nice. It might start but i will do a lot before I try.
I got it home with the intention of power washing the underside while it is on the trailer but mother nature said NO, you need rain. So now it is raining today and tomorrow.
So I will start with a power washing, top and bottom then first thing is on the lift and change fluids. And on from there.
Should I input my progress? And if so, in this category or should it be some other category.
Please post pics as you progress. Nothing more stimulating than buying a classic car you get to go to town on. It’s an addiction. Looks like you have a nice shop to do the work in..Congratulations..
Congrats! Amazing what little effort some people are willing to put into something they are selling. Simply washing the car, filling the tires, and vacuuming the trunk and interior would have transformed how that car looked sitting in his garage. Looks like the original hubcaps were sitting on the passenger seat too. Good luck and have fun. Hopfully the mechanicals are not in too bad of shape.
Last edited by Loaded68W34; Feb 7, 2026 at 03:39 PM.
Those wheelcovers look like 64-66 wires to me which are a lot easier to live with than the 1962 spinner full wheelcovers., with their retainer clips.
Your next purchase should be the 1961 Olds factory shop manual and the 1962 supplement. They'll show you how to fix the Starfire. You'll learn to swear at it on your own.
See if you can get it running off a gas can. 40 year old gas in the fuel tank can create a whole lot of valvetrain problems. If you need a new fuel tank Auto City Classics is making them.
When it's oil change time don't freak over the drain plug. Use a 1/2" drive ratchet to remove and tighten it.
Tuneup time, remember the 394 firing order is different from the later GM firing order.
Should I input my progress? And if so, in this category or should it be some other category.
I would suggest that you start a thread in the "major builds and projects" section of this forum.
Title it "Resurrection of a long neglected 62 Starfire"
I'm really glad to see someone giving this car some love. Good luck.
Thank you,
Yea paint is not going to be in the foreseeable future, so yea, clean it buff it, brakes it, full lube, see if it runs, I will install new seats, top, carpet and windshield, and move on from there.
I had my neighbor go with me today, he is much more bodyperson than I am, he looked it over and could find no rust at all, so I am thinking that is a plus.
And I will start a thread in the project section with pictures.
Thank you again for all your feedback and advice.
Before starting, it is a good idea to pull the plugs and liberally shoot the lube of your choice down the cylinders. Also, I would recommend changing the oil and pulling the distributor to run the oil pump with a drill until it builds oil pressure before starting for the first time.
Thank you Tom, good advice and was planning to do that and if I cannot get to the distributor then run the starter a bit with no plugs in it. I will see how it goes. A PO did install a oil pressure gauge. Oh, it wont shift out of neutral so I have to deal with that, I think the shifter is the same type was on my 62 F85, that I had to repair.
Last edited by stephenca118; Feb 7, 2026 at 07:23 PM.
Also, I would recommend changing the oil and pulling the distributor to run the oil pump with a drill until it builds oil pressure before starting for the first time.
I would add to that; Make sure it is a reversible drill .
The distributor in these beasts rotate counter clockwise.
An oil pump priming shaft for a Ford 351 W engine works real good.
