Only Oldsmobile can come with cool names for its cars. First there was the Jetfire. Now, there’s the Starfire. It starts to make you wonder whether its designers had too much spare time on their hands to watch cartoons or read comic books. And what’s great about this is that aside from carrying cool names, they’re backed up by great looks too. Just check out the first generation models of the Oldsmobile Starfire.

Based on the name of a Lockheed fighter jet, the Oldsmobile Starfire was produced from 1961 to 1966. It carried two body types: a 2-door convertible and a 2-door hardtop. In its first year, this full-sized car sported Oldsmobile’s most powerful engine: a 394 cubic inch V-8 Skyrocket V8. This engine was paired up with a 4-barrel Rochester carburetor that allowed the car to produce 330 hp at 4,600 rpm. The following year, the Starfire enjoyed an engine upgrade boosting its horsepower to 345 hp. It was during this time that its hardtop version was first unveiled. This enabled Oldsmobile to sell enough Starfire units to make 1962 its best sales year.

1963 saw the Starfire undergo some changes in its exterior. While it previously carried a sculpted side, it now sported a flatter look with a squared-off roofline and a concave rear window. The year also marked a dip in sales thanks to the release of the Riviera from Buick. Buyers opted for the Riviera because the vehicle had its own bodyshell. 1964 was no different as sales of the Starfire took a dive again. However, the bright side here was that the car now carried its own bodyshell. This bodyshell was also used for Oldsmobile’s other vehicle, the Jetfire.

In 1965, Oldsmobile decided to rehash its Starfire model by giving it a new body class: the Hardtop Sports Coupe. It also gave the ’65 model an upgraded Rocket V8 engine with a Rochester 4-barrel carburetor allowing the car to produce 375 hp. The year 1966 would finally be the last year of the first generation Starfire. Offered only as a convertible, it came with a less-than-stellar interior. Leather seats were replaced with vinyl and power windows were relegated as optional features. It did, however, sport a powerful 375 hp engine but it wasn’t branded as the most powerful anymore, having been beaten by the Tornado’s engine.

Even though the sales and quality of the Oldsmobile Starfire diminished over the years, one thing’s certain. It will always be remembered for its overall stylish look and impressive engine power even by today’s car enthusiasts.

Sources: Wikipedia, Cocker Tire