1965 Starfire 4 Speed Convertible
July 9th, 2017, 07:51 AM
#1
mmmm, starfires
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Roanoke, VA
Posts: 173
1965 Starfire 4 Speed Convertible
Hey guys!
Does anyone know rough production numbers on this specific starfire? Since buying my 4 speed coupe a year ago I've seen multiple nods to the number of 122 total 4 speed 65 starfires, and 12 were convertibles. Any more concrete info on this?
I'm picking up a 4 speed convertible next month if everything pans out!
Does anyone know rough production numbers on this specific starfire? Since buying my 4 speed coupe a year ago I've seen multiple nods to the number of 122 total 4 speed 65 starfires, and 12 were convertibles. Any more concrete info on this?
I'm picking up a 4 speed convertible next month if everything pans out!
July 9th, 2017, 07:52 AM
#2
mmmm, starfires
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Roanoke, VA
Posts: 173
July 9th, 2017, 08:52 AM
#3
Phantom Phixer
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Apopka, FL
Posts: 4,659
Wow ! That car is HOT! I especially like the red color .
Stick shift , full size Oldsmobiles from the sixties of any kind are extremely rare . So I would believe the "one of 12 " number .
When you get it , come and join the "Darksiders" on this thread;
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...ers-unite.html
Stick shift , full size Oldsmobiles from the sixties of any kind are extremely rare . So I would believe the "one of 12 " number .
When you get it , come and join the "Darksiders" on this thread;
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...ers-unite.html
Last edited by Charlie Jones; July 9th, 2017 at 08:56 AM.
July 9th, 2017, 02:34 PM
#5
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https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...n-numbers.html
Here is a reply Kurt had when he was active on the forum.
Don W
Here is a reply Kurt had when he was active on the forum.
Don W
July 9th, 2017, 02:37 PM
#6
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Location: South Central, KY
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This is the page he is referring to. I stumbled across it yesterday.
http://wildaboutcarsonline.com/cgi-b...%20Oldsmobiles
Don W
http://wildaboutcarsonline.com/cgi-b...%20Oldsmobiles
Don W
July 10th, 2017, 05:54 AM
#8
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Columbia MO
Posts: 143
Beautiful car! I have a 65 Delta 88 with factory 4 speed. It's tucked away in my shop waiting patiently for a restoration.
If you wind up with a decent 65 front bumper that you don't need, please let me know!
If you wind up with a decent 65 front bumper that you don't need, please let me know!
July 16th, 2017, 07:52 AM
#9
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Forest Ranch Ca.
Posts: 7,713
Ran into a 65 Starfire convertible automatic car yesterday at a show in Brownsville Ca. The Owner was looking for the Oldsmobile script for the hood . If I run into him another show I give him this lead.
Car was a good survivor and all there but could have used a bit of TLC.... Tedd
Car was a good survivor and all there but could have used a bit of TLC.... Tedd
August 5th, 2017, 12:12 AM
#11
"me somebody" site member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,612
Saw this car (or should I say cars) offered previously on EBay, but it's / they're back. Of course, the "COPO" bit is a load of horsesh*t, but that does not necessarily detract from the car itself. Def. worth hearing more about by someone interested in acquiring a big 4 speeder, esp. as it's the "holy grail of Oldsmobiles" (guess there was a day when that would have brought more than 15 grand). 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1965-Oldsmob...%257Ciid%253A1
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1965-Oldsmob...%257Ciid%253A1
August 5th, 2017, 04:04 AM
#12
mmmm, starfires
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Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Roanoke, VA
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YEP! I guess I posted out of excitement, too soon.
Seller ended up being a total flake. He was fine with me coming down next week with cash, but about 2 weeks ago decided that he needed the funds wired to him immediately before he'd even tell me where all the cars were. I had a problem with that, so he cancelled the sale and relisted them all.
Come to find out it looks like the convertible is not a true 4 speed car. The cowl tag did not show 2L or M20 on it, so it looks like it was a home made conversion.
Seller ended up being a total flake. He was fine with me coming down next week with cash, but about 2 weeks ago decided that he needed the funds wired to him immediately before he'd even tell me where all the cars were. I had a problem with that, so he cancelled the sale and relisted them all.
Come to find out it looks like the convertible is not a true 4 speed car. The cowl tag did not show 2L or M20 on it, so it looks like it was a home made conversion.
August 5th, 2017, 04:21 AM
#13
"me somebody" site member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,612
Sorry it didn't work out. But sounds like it may have been for the best. The seller sounded like a flake from his auction text alone - my guess is he does not want to deal with the reality that he must sell his beloved toys.
A faux 4 speed big car can be fun in and of itself, esp. if bought for the right price. I actually made one myself 15 years ago using parts from a a donor 4 speeder that was rotted out beyond salvaging. As for the cowl tag, my (Lansing built) '65 J1 4 speeder does have the "2L", as did the tag on the donor '65 Starfire 4 speed car I had circa 2001, and I've seen "M20" depicted on the tags of other big 4 speeders, but not sure it HAS to have either of those to be genuine, esp. depending on assembly plant.
A faux 4 speed big car can be fun in and of itself, esp. if bought for the right price. I actually made one myself 15 years ago using parts from a a donor 4 speeder that was rotted out beyond salvaging. As for the cowl tag, my (Lansing built) '65 J1 4 speeder does have the "2L", as did the tag on the donor '65 Starfire 4 speed car I had circa 2001, and I've seen "M20" depicted on the tags of other big 4 speeders, but not sure it HAS to have either of those to be genuine, esp. depending on assembly plant.
November 26th, 2017, 01:44 AM
#14
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Location: St. Paul Minnesota
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It looked to have the original light metallic blue paint. The guy is a nice guy, but not concerned with originality, so it could have been a "clone".
He has moved since I bought the 1964, and he may not even have the car now. I may have his phone number, maybe not.
RALPH
November 26th, 2017, 09:28 AM
#15
Phantom Phixer
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Apopka, FL
Posts: 4,659
As for the cowl tag, my (Lansing built) '65 J1 4 speeder does have the "2L", as did the tag on the donor '65 Starfire 4 speed car I had circa 2001, and I've seen "M20" depicted on the tags of other big 4 speeders, but not sure it HAS to have either of those to be genuine, esp. depending on assembly plant.
M20 is the code for a four speed transmission .
November 26th, 2017, 09:45 AM
#16
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Location: Greenfield, Wi.
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The '2L' appears on the cowl tags of my 4-speed '65 Jetstar 1 and my 4-speed '66 Delta 88. All 3 '65 Starfire floor shift automatic cars I presently have do not have '2L' on their cowl tags, nor do the handful of '65 Starfire cowl tags I saved from parted out cars (all floor-shift automatics).
November 26th, 2017, 09:48 AM
#17
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Location: Greenfield, Wi.
Posts: 283
Also of interesting note, the '65 Dynamic 2-door 4-speed car that sat for years in Roller's Auto Salvage in Arkdale, Wi. also had '2L' on the cowl tag. Car and salvage yard were crushed out years ago. I did get some critical 4-speed pieces from it before it went away. Car was red, red interior, power steering, manual brakes, 3.23 posi, 4-bbl with single exhaust.
January 4th, 2018, 06:18 PM
#19
mmmm, starfires
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Roanoke, VA
Posts: 173
To add to the story, after i bought this car on ebay, the seller gave me the paperwork needed for me to get the title in my name. It had been over 25 years since the car was registered, so there literally were no records of the car. This made it very easy to get the title in my name.
Then the seller cancelled the deal, hung up on me, and would never call me back, so i just held on to the title.
Two weeks ago he passed away, and his family found my information. He never left a will and he had a lot of skeletons in his closet. I had so many family members contact me about this car, but i was persistent to finish the sale.
Finally, the car is safely in my posession. Its all disassembled and will take a lot of work. I have limited pictures now, but will get more this weekend once i get the car on a lift. It seems pretty solid and has options like cruise control and autronic eye.
Shame, it appears i cannot add photos from my phone so i will try to add some in the morning
Then the seller cancelled the deal, hung up on me, and would never call me back, so i just held on to the title.
Two weeks ago he passed away, and his family found my information. He never left a will and he had a lot of skeletons in his closet. I had so many family members contact me about this car, but i was persistent to finish the sale.
Finally, the car is safely in my posession. Its all disassembled and will take a lot of work. I have limited pictures now, but will get more this weekend once i get the car on a lift. It seems pretty solid and has options like cruise control and autronic eye.
Shame, it appears i cannot add photos from my phone so i will try to add some in the morning
January 4th, 2018, 06:44 PM
#21
mmmm, starfires
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Roanoke, VA
Posts: 173
I couldn't wait to share! Here are the few pictures I have. I will get more this weekend
In that massive truck and trailer
All kinds of parts to sort through to see what I need
Definitely needs some work
Tilt, cruise, autronic eye. I'm sure I'll find some more options
40k miles
shifter
reupholstered seats. not sure how I like them. I have a set of original red seats too
In that massive truck and trailer
All kinds of parts to sort through to see what I need
Definitely needs some work
Tilt, cruise, autronic eye. I'm sure I'll find some more options
40k miles
shifter
reupholstered seats. not sure how I like them. I have a set of original red seats too
Last edited by justintiime; January 4th, 2018 at 08:45 PM.
January 5th, 2018, 10:44 AM
#26
Phantom Phixer
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Apopka, FL
Posts: 4,659
Real great start for a great car !
Come join us " B body freaks " on this thread ;
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...ers-unite.html
Come join us " B body freaks " on this thread ;
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...ers-unite.html
January 5th, 2018, 02:37 PM
#27
Oldsdruid
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Southside Vajenya
Posts: 10,282
My books are put up but if that is a legit 4-speed with cruise it's like a one and only. Joe P has all his stuff handy and can post whether the cruise was available with stick. As a rule it wasn't, but...
EDIT Don't see any of the underhood cruise stuff. Maybe dash was changed or the stuff's in the trunk somewhere.
EDIT Don't see any of the underhood cruise stuff. Maybe dash was changed or the stuff's in the trunk somewhere.
Last edited by rocketraider; January 5th, 2018 at 02:40 PM.
I have the lift from 9-11am tomorrow
January 7th, 2018, 06:10 AM
#31
mmmm, starfires
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Roanoke, VA
Posts: 173
Took a bunch of photos yesterday. I will just dump them in here, no particular order.
The car is very solid. way better than I expected. However, the body panels are kind of beat up, and the wiring will need to be tend to as it is in rough shape. Still haven't found the build sheet. Not sure what to do about the floor pans either...
The car is very solid. way better than I expected. However, the body panels are kind of beat up, and the wiring will need to be tend to as it is in rough shape. Still haven't found the build sheet. Not sure what to do about the floor pans either...
January 22nd, 2018, 06:04 AM
#37
mmmm, starfires
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Roanoke, VA
Posts: 173
the red coupe came home with me. It was given to me as long as I could get it out of their way. it has a rebuilt 425 and a ton of good parts, so I paid the transportation fee from FL to VA because it made sense.
The blue coupe was MIA and the family knew nothing about it. I'm guessing it was previously sold. Apparently he had more cars than they knew about.
The blue coupe was MIA and the family knew nothing about it. I'm guessing it was previously sold. Apparently he had more cars than they knew about.
February 19th, 2018, 04:35 PM
#40
mmmm, starfires
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Roanoke, VA
Posts: 173
