Classic Car Overview
This is an original California vehicle with actual miles, bought in 1986 by Robert R. Palmer of Pennsauken, NJ. From his brother-in-law who was the 3rd owner. Robert owned it for 25 years. By 1999 the car had 59,985 miles. (As can be seen on the NJ Title) We bought the car in 2011 with 61,000 Miles, it now has 61,331 miles. Although it is being sold as true mileage unknown. The car has been kept in a controlled environment for the last 36 years by the last 2 owners. This 1961 Oldsmobile Starfire convertible is one of 7,800 examples built in the introductory year for the stand-alone model. Its 394ci V8 is paired with a Hydra-Matic three-speed automatic transmission. The car is finished in the factory color Provincial White with brushed-aluminum side moldings over a red leather interior. Additional features include a power-operated white convertible top, air conditioning, power steering, power brakes, and a console-mounted floor shifter. This first-generation Starfire has been driven approximately 61,331 miles and is now offered with a factory radio and speaker as well as a NJ registration. The Starfire name was inspired by the Lockheed F-94 fighter jet and originally used for a 1953 Motorama concept car before appearing on a variant of the 98 model. In 1961 the Starfire was introduced as its own model line, with only a two-door convertible offered for the first year of production. It shared its chassis and body with the contemporary Super 88 but featured distinct aluminum and chrome trim along with more expansive standard luxury equipment. This example is finished in Provincial White, the original color indicated on the cowl tag shown in the photo gallery below. Special trim includes brushed-aluminum moldings along the midline, as well as twin chrome hood spears that were unique to the first model year. Close-up photos of the finish, trim, and lenses are presented in the gallery below. Steel 14? wheels feature chrome covers with body-color accents along with Wire wheel covers and fender skirts, with a complete car cover. Stopping is handled by power-assisted hydraulic drum brakes all around, while a comfort-tuned suspension system utilizes coil springs at each corner. The cabin features bucket seats trimmed in red leather along with color-keyed carpeting, door panels, and painted surfaces. The Starfire models interior is distinguished by additional aluminum and chrome accents on the door panels and carpets, as well as a brushed-metal-lined center console, which houses a floor shifter for the automatic transmission. Standard amenities included power steering, power windows, and a power drivers seat. A color-keyed steering wheel frames a horizontal-sweep 120-mph speedometer, while a console-mounted 6k-rpm tachometer was standard for Starfires. The 394ci Rocket V8 features a 10.25:1 compression ratio and a four-barrel Rochester carburetor to produce a factory-rated 330 horsepower and 440 lb-ft of torque when new. Underside photos are presented in the gallery below. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a Hydra-Matic three-speed automatic transmission. A dual exhaust system was also standard equipment. Firewall Plate reads: STYLE 61-3667 1961 two-door convertible TRIM 935 Red BODY BC 186 Southgate Los Angeles Ca., #186 sequential unit number Paint CT Provincial White and Garnet.