Who doesn’t love free stuff?
When you possibly can’t promote know-how, efficiency, or luxurious, it’s time for the worth play. And in 1979, Oldsmobile’s Starfire was turning into fairly crusty—and a bit of arduous to promote. Certainly one of Basic Motors’ 4 “H-Physique” subcompact vehicles, the Starfire differed little from the Chevrolet Monza, Buick Skyhawk, and Pontiac Sunbird with which it shared its fundamental structure. The quartet of subcompacts have been launched for the 1976, however had roots that went way back to the 1970 Chevrolet Vega.
1979 Oldsmobile Starfire
Ford Mustang
And all 4 H-Physique vehicles have been beginning to look their age by 1979, particularly because the Pinto-based Ford Mustang II had given strategy to a surprisingly modern-looking new Mustang for 1979.
The advert seen right here boasts of quite a few key options which could pique the curiosity of sporty-car intenders, and since they’re all included at no worth, some buyers seemingly noticed the worth.
Getting old Product
Fact is, although, the Starfire, and all of the H-Physique vehicles, have been nothing particular to drive, and fairly cramped, too. Observe that the accessible 5.0-liter V8 and 4-speed handbook transmission have been one thing of a draw, however the most effective that the extra-cost engine may muster was 130 horsepower—simply 15 horses greater than the accessible 3.8-liter V6.
Gross sales
Solely about 20,000 Starfires have been bought for 1979, and simply 8200 for 1980.
J-Automobiles
Oldsmobile didn’t supply a subcompact automobile for 1981, however roared again into the section in 1982 with the all-new, and totally trendy, Firenza, one in every of GM’s new “J-Automobiles.”
Olds pushed 32,000 Firenzas although dealership doorways in 1981, and it did so with out protecting the automobile with multicolored physique stripes. Additionally seen beneath, an advert for the same Pontiac Sunbird, that includes a really related worth pitch.
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1979 Oldsmobile Starfire Photos
Click on beneath for enlarged pictures
