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Oldsmobile Starfire
75 Olds Starfire 1975 Oldsmobile Starfire
Manufacturer Oldsmobile Motor Division
Parent company General Motors Corporation
Production 1974–1980
Model year(s) 1975–1980
Assembly Lordstown Assembly,
Lordstown, Ohio-United States
Sainte-Therese Assembly-Quebec, Canada
Class Subcompact
Body style(s) 2-door hatchback
Layout FR layout
Platform GM H platform (RWD)
Engine(s) 231 CID OHV 2bbl V6
305 CID 2bbl V8 (1977-79)
140 CID OHC 2bbl I-4 (1976)
151 CID OHV 2bbl I-4 (1977-80)
Transmission(s) 3-speed manual
4-speed manual
5-speed manual w/overdrive
Turbo-Hydramatic 3 spd. auto.
Wheelbase 97.0 in (2,464 mm)
Length 179.3 in (4,554 mm)
Width 65.4 in (1,661 mm)
Height 50.2 in (1,275 mm)
Curb weight 2,800 lb (1,270 kg)
Related Chevrolet Monza
Buick Skyhawk
Pontiac Sunbird
Chevrolet Vega
Pontiac Astre
Designer Chevrolet Design staff

The Oldsmobile Starfire is a subcompact four-passenger automobile introduced in September 1974, and produced for the 1975 through 1980 model years. The Olds Starfire is a rebadged Chevrolet Monza based on the Chevrolet Vega sharing its H platform. It was the smallest car bearing the Oldsmobile name since before World War II. An upgraded SX model was available, and the GT was introduced in mid-1975.

Overview[]

The first generation Skyhawk is a rear-wheel-drive vehicle with a live rear axle design. Starfire's standard engine for 1975 model year was the Buick 231 CID V6 engine using a 2-barrel carburetor that generated 110 hp at 4000 rpm. The front suspension is short and long control arms with coil springs, and anti-roll bar; the rear suspension is a torque-arm design with coil springs and an anti-roll bar. Variable-ratio power steering was standard of a recirculating ball design. The brake system features standard power assist including front disc brakes with solid rotors and rear drum brakes. The Starfire has a 97 inch wheelbase and a 65.4 inch width. The hatchback body style is noted for having a resemblance to the Ferrari 365 GTC/4. The Starfire, Chevrolet Monza, and Buick Skyhawk were among the first vehicles to adopt the newly approved rectangular headlamps.

Model year changes[]

1977 Olds Starfire SX

1977 Starfire SX Hatchback Coupe

Oldsmobile Starfire Firenza

1978 Starfire Firenza Hatchback Coupe

For the 1976 model year a Borg-Warner 5-speed manual with overdrive transmission was optional. Starting with the 1976 models the front disc rotors were of the vented type.

For the 1977 model year the Chevrolet 140 CID (2.3-liter) aluminum-block inline 4-cylinder engine with 2-barrel carburetor was standard on the base model with the Buick 231 CID (3.8-liter) V6 optional. The GT package included the V6 engine. Chevy's 305ci, 5.0L V8 was added to the engine lineup. The front grill was totally redesigned to reflect the Olds "waterfall" design found on all Oldsmobiles that year but still included the quad-rectangular headlight system.

For the 1978 model year the standard engine was Pontiac's 2.5L 'Iron Duke' with a 2-barrel carburetor with the 3.8 Buick as an optional upgrade. Oldsmobile added the Firenza package which included special rallye suspension, a front air dam, rear spoiler, flared wheel openings taking the width to 67 in, sport wheels and special paint and trim.

The 1979 model year saw a face lift, with twin rectangular headlamps replacing the previous quad rectangular headlamp design. The V8 engine option was dropped at the end of the 1979 model year, as was the 5-speed manual transmission.

1980, the last year of production for the Starfire saw the removal of the 305 V8 and the 5-speed transmission from the option list. Production ceased December 21, 1979 with just over 8,000 Starfires built for 1980. Oldsmobile traded H-body production to Chevrolet and Pontiac in exchange for a higher allotment of GM J-cars designated as early 1982 models, including the Oldsmobile Firenza. A total 125,188 H-body Starfires were produced in six model years.

See also[]

External Links[]

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