1963 Oldsmobile Other

Coupe

394

Automatic

636c02761

Clear

Gasoline

This is a very restorable 1963 Oldsmobile Starfire coupe. This is a southwest desert car that has been stored outside for many years. This is a perfect example of "It is the cheap man that pays the most". This car was parked because the rear glass was broken out of it. This guy wouldn't pay the hundred bucks or so to get it replaced, so he started off by taping plastic over the opening. As you can imagine, the desert sun made short order of that idea, so the guy went to a plastic tarp over the whole car. As you can see the plastic tarp was great at keeping the water on one side of it, the INSIDE! The moisture couldn't ever evaporate from under the tarp, so what little bit of moisture that we have here in the desert was concentrated and allowed to rust stain the entire body. Fortunately, it is just a stain on the paint that is as thin as the bacon at Wendy's. The car shows no evidence of ever been repainted, so I think you are looking at the worst it will ever be. I thought about getting some spray paint in light blue and make it look better, but I think that would be a dishonest car lot type of thing to do. The rest of the car is solid as a rock and I showed some close up pictures of where you would expect rust to show up and as you can see it doesn't have a pimple showing aside from the trunk area. Now, the trunk area is a mess. The water that came in the rear package tray sat under the factory rubber trunk mat and just ate its way through the flat part of the trunk floor. It is an easy fix as it is just the very lowest section, but it all could have been prevented if the glass were replaced. The left side trunk drop also has significant rust from water sitting inside. but again is readily repaired. I included a picture of this area. there is a body scrape on the right quarter panel. I imagine this happened during storage, but I really don't know. The rest of the body is remarkably straight for a 41 year old car. there is a dent on the right rear bumper, but the bumper is a solid zero rust piece and is rechromable. Anyone familiar with these cars knows the rear bumper would just fall off of these cars from rusting out. I remember growing up in the Cleveland area and every one of these cars had a rope hanging out of the trunk holding the bumper up off the road. The Starfire trim is all in great condition with nothing missing. There is no pitting on the pot-metal and the aluminum trim is scratch free. The front bumper looks very good and the grill is exceptional. The interior is all original and unmolested. It has 4 way power seat on the driver side only. The original leather is all there for a pattern. The console is very good and all switches and hardware are present. The factory tachometer works as does the original power rear antennae. This has the Wonderbar Radio, factory remote mirror, Speed Minder, factory air conditioning, but no power windows. I have the full set of flipper hubcaps. The headliner is that weird foam stuff that is crumbling apart, but all of the chrome trim is there and in good condition. The windshield has a crack in it, but all of the other glass is the original E Z EYE tinted and I have a replacement rear glass included with the car. I filled the carburetor with fuel and the car started right up with no knocks or rattles. The Oil light went out immediately which is somewhat of an indication of good oil pressure. The radiator holds water and the transmission goes into gear readily with no hesitation. There is no foul odor on the trans dipstick, the fluid is very clean. The engine was right up to the full mark on its dipstick and the power steering is full. There are no brakes at all. The pedal won't even move. I think this car might have some custom mufflers as it sounds great. The Starfires had a high lift cam and some bigger valves with dual exhaust and this combination sure sounds sweet. I can only run it a few minutes so I can't tell you any more. I'm sure the tank should be cleaned, the fuel lines flushed and who knows about the fuel pump. Everything under the hood looks complete including the spare bottle of washer fluid. It seems as though the car was just shut off and walked away from for a decade or so. The last registration is from 1982. The doors open and shut with a thunk and I have been oiling things that move and so far everything does what it is supposed to do. I am pretty impressed with the car. It is sad that it got set aside. While this is not exactly a lightweight restoration, I don't believe it is going to break the bank. It is at heart a rust free Arizona car with a ruined trunk floor. I don't think anything is missing and it hasn't been blown apart into a million parts for someone else to put back together. With a little attention this could be a drive it as you restore it car or some might like the rat rod look that is so pervasive. It is ironical that there is a same color coupe for sale on E-bay. I ought to put a picture of it along with this car, but again I feel that is a bit deceptive. These are wonderful cars both to drive and to just look at. I think these have one of the most beautiful dashboards ever put in a 60's car. I have found that the guy that would step up and buy an Oldsmobile instead of the cheaper cars, generally did this so he could drive the wheels off of it. It is not common to find one of these that is not just beaten into the ground. I think this will make a superb example with minimal input. I have no idea of what this is worth. I am selling it at no reserve starting at a buck. Highest bidder gets it. I have a clear Arizona title on it. The usual rules apply; low feedback numbers, make sure you have the dough, VERY IMPORTANT; ask your wife, lover, kids, pets, priest. No Nigerian princes. I can ship this anywhere. This has a clear Arizona title. Funds must clear my bank before the car leaves my possession. No trades. No Paypal. Good luck, bid well and bid often. Any questions about buy it now or ending auction early will be ignored. Check my other auctions for a few more no reserve cars.On May-24-14 at 12:20:28 PDT, seller added the following information: I have a few more pictures of the underside and trunk. As you can see, it is just the flat portion of the trunk floor that is rusted. I want to emphasize that this is not a car that has likely ever been in salt country. The rust was caused only by trapped water. I believe you could take this car apart with a 1/4 inch ratchet. Aside from the flat part of the trunk, this car is very solid.