Oldsmobile Starfire Second generation

Model years	1975 to 1980
Assembly	Canada .United States
Class	Motor car
Body style	2-door Hatchback
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Platform	GM H platform
Engine	140 cu in (2.3 L) I4 151 cu in (2.5 L) I4 231 cu in (3.8 L) V6 305 cu in (5.0 L) C V8
Transmission	4-5 speed manual 3-speed THM automatic
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 (1,300 kg)

The second-generation Oldsmobile Starfire automobile which was introduced in September 1974, and produced to 1980.

The name Starfire, once used for the most expensive model in the Oldsmobile program, resurfaced in model years from 1975 to 1980, but this time for the cheapest model. The coupe was based on the H platform from GM, which had been introduced in 1971 for the Chevrolet Vega (from 1974 as Pontiac Astre) in the lower middle class.

Following the oil crisis of 1973, a fuel-efficient model was quickly sought. GM therefore expanded the H-series considerably. So created the Chevrolet Monza, Pontiac Sunbird, Buick Skyhawk and the Oldsmobile Starfire. The GM Body Department Fisher Body Co. prepared three variants: a 2 + 2-seater hatchback coupe, a similarly coupe with notchback and a 2-door station wagon.

H-bodies have rear-wheel drive, front longitudinally mounted engines and a wheelbase of 97.0 in (2464 mm). While the front wheels are suspended on conventional double wishbones, the rigid rear axle is guided on the lower longitudinal and upper trailing arms. The trailing arms are omitted in 1976, whereas in the case of the "torque arm rear suspension" the axle is braced with a bolted front carrier on the transmission lateral guide is a Panhard rod. Coil springs and telescopic shock absorbers act at the front and rear. A further development of this came later in the 3rd and 4th generation of the F-Bodies (Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird / Trans Am). Front was a curve stabilizer as standard. The design should also be able to accommodate a planned by GM Wankel engine, but which was never ready for production.

The Starfire had a length of 179.3 inches (4554 mm), a width of 65.4 inches (1661 mm) and a height of 50.2 inches (1275 mm); the length may differ by a few millimetres for the other H-bodies.

According to the American version, these quite stately vehicles were classified as " subcompacts " by European standards (like Chevrolet Chevette or Opel Kadett) because they were slightly smaller than compacts, i.e. cars like GM's X-Bodies (Chevrolet Nova, Pontiac Ventura, Buick Apollo and Oldsmobile Omega). In advertising Oldsmobile coined the term supercoupe for the Starfire ...

GM used rectangular twin headlamps for the H-Bodies and some full-size models as they came into fashion back then.

Which were manufactured H-Bodies in the factory Lordstown, Ohio and Sainte-Thérèse in Québec (Canada). They were from the beginning of 1975 at the dealers (the Pontiac Sunbird in the fall of 1975), although not all body styles were offered by all brands. The vehicles of the different brands looked almost the same, they differed primarily in the front.

With the built since 1986 H-series with front-wheel drive, the version from 1971 to 1979 is not related.

The models Vega and Astre were provisionally further developed in parallel and did not expire until 1977. Unlike these, the new H-Bodies were occasionally also available with V8 engines except with 4- and V6-cylinder engines. The weight was, depending on the version, between 1'270 and 1'360 kg. H-bodies are marked in the FIN by the letter "H" in the 4th position.

The lower middle class market segment was less important to Oldsmobile than, for example, Chevrolet or Pontiac. Accordingly, the commitment of the brand was more or less limited to the mere presence. This was expressed in the fact that only the hatchback coupe was offered and that there were only two trim levels. The Starfire's share of total brand production during that period was eventually around 6%.

Model History

1975 

The Starfire was available in the first model year exclusively with a Buick-developed V6 engine. The V8-derived engine with 90 ° fork angle (factory code LD5, for California LC6) had a displacement of 231 ci (3785 cm ³) and made 110 hp (82 kW) at 4'000 / min. As standard, double carburettor and a four-speed gearbox. Five-speed manual gearbox and three-speed automatic GM "Turbo Hydramatic THM200" was available at extra cost.

Offered were the trim levels Sport (base) and Coupe S, to spring from a GT package with trim, sports wheels, sports instrumentation including tachometer, five-speed gearbox and rear stabilizer. The Coupé S was recognizable by a narrow ribbon on the flank. All had standard front disc brakes and drum brakes at the rear. Servo support for the brakes was also standard, but for the steering as extra charge as a steering wheel adjustment.

There were five standard or metallic colours available. The interior equipment included as standard with leatherette-covered high-back single seats and a console in front and a folding rear seat. An adjustable backrest for the driver's seat was extra charge. Four colour tones for the interior were available; Leather covers in three different were optional.

For reasons of space, there was only one emergency spare wheel housed in a side compartment of the luggage compartment.

Totally 31'081 Starfire left the factory in the model year 1975.

1976 

For 1976, minimal changes were required. Nominally made the V6 105 hp (78 kW). The five-speed gearbox came from Borg-Warner. The fifth gear was still designed as an overdrive and served more to reduce fuel consumption than the sportiness. The model SX replaced the version coupe S. It received a similar ribbon with the model’s name. The SX was slightly lower than the S of the previous year, while the prices for the basic version were raised slightly.

29'129 vehicles were built.

1977 

The Starfire received a new front. The two horizontal slots gave way to vertical bars. The basic / SX / GT equipment levels have been retained. The new version of the base version received the technically interesting OHC in -line four-cylinder engine with 140 ci (2294 cm ³) and double carburettor, known from Vega and Astre. He made 84 hp (61.8 kW). The engine block was injection moulded from aluminium, but the cylinder head made of cast iron. For simplification, the timing belt of the camshaft also powered the water pump, which also served as a belt tensioner. The oil pump sits on the crankshaft and is shaped so that it also serves as a front cover of the engine.

The previous V6 was still available at extra cost (standard in the GT package). The prices were raised slightly.

PERFORMANCE 140 cu in
max speed: about 96 mph, 155 km/h
max power (DIN): 84 hp at 4,400 rpm
max torque (DIN): 117 1b ft, 16.1 kg m at 2,400 rpm
max engine rpm: 4,800; 36.6 hp/l
power- weight ratio: Starfire 32 lb/hp, 14.5 kg/hp - Starfire SX 32.2 lb/hp, 14.6 kg/hp
speed in direct drive/top at 1,000 rpm: 20.1 mph, 32.3 km/h
fuel consumption: 28.8 m/imp gal. 24 m/US gal, 9.8 1x km.

The production collapsed on only 19'091 pieces.

1978 

The production of the 2.3-liter four-cylinder ended at the end of the model year 1977. It was replaced by a slightly larger, built by Pontiac four-cylinder (code LS6, LS8). The engine nicknamed Iron Duke made 85 hp (63 kW). Optionally, there was still the well-known V6. Was postponed during the model year, a surcharge five-Liter V8 from the Chevrolet shelf (305 ci, code LG8) with 145 hp (106 kW). However, the combination of this high-torque engine with the weight-optimized THM200 automatic transmission proved to be prone to breakdown. For the SX there was new a so-called "Firenza" package. Apart from pretty eye-catching visual accents like a contrasting flank with additional trim and colour accents on the hood, it included the tighter "Special Rally "suspension, front bumper, spoiler, flared wheel arches, sport wheels and more details.

Thus, the customer could choose between basic version, SX, SX Firenza GT and SX GT. The latter had the V6 as a standard engine instead of the four-cylinder.

The prices rose again slightly; the base model cost over $ 4,000 for the first time.

With 17,351 vehicles, production reached the second-lowest level of all years of construction.

1979

A facelift brought the hood to the same height as the fenders. For the front, the brand-typical theme of two groups of two was further developed with vertical bars. New were also simple instead of the double headlights. Overall, the new design was more harmonious but less characterful. The four-cylinder was now available with 85 or 90 hp (63 or 67 kW). The V6 made 115 hp (84 kw), the V8 but only 130 hp (95 kW). Whether this was a consequence of the stricter emission regulations or the reaction to the automatic problems in connection with the V8 is unclear. In some cases, even stronger THM250-C seem to have been incorporated.

The equipment levels remained unchanged. Unlike in the first model years, the basic version sold significantly better than SX and derivatives. Oldsmobile decided not to offer a developed for the H-Bodies version of the 3.2-liter V6 for the Starfire because they offered virtually the same performance as the "Iron Duke".

After all, the production recovered slightly: 20'299 vehicles left the factory.

1980 

After the facelift of the previous year, the Starfire experienced little visual changes. The V8 engine accounted for throughout the H-series as well as the five-speed gearbox. The power of the four-cylinder dropped to 86 hp (63 kW). It is unclear whether the 90-PS version remained in the program. Oldsmobile also decided not to offer the latest version of the 4.1-liter V6 and 125 hp (93 kW) at 4000 rpm as a replacement for the Starfire V8. The 3.8-liter V6 engine still made 110 hp (81 kW).

Fewer model refinements and less performance at significantly higher prices are bad prerequisites for high sales figures. When the production of the Starfire ended on December 29, 1979, only 8,237 copies had left the production line.

In order to secure a higher production share of the new, more promising X-Bodies with front-wheel drive and transverse engine (Chevrolet Citation, Pontiac Phoenix, Buick Skylark and Oldsmobile Omega) Oldsmobile stepped down its share for 1981 at the H-program at Chevrolet and Pontiac. This meant that for the model year 1981, a gap in this (for Oldsmobile but not crucial) market segment was created. It could only be closed from the spring of 1981 (model year 1982) with the new J-platform with front-wheel drive. Their best-selling model was the Chevrolet Cavalier, the Oldsmobile variant was called Firenza.

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
limited slip differential: Turbo-Hydramatic 250 automatic transmission , 3.420 axle ratio,
central lever: 5-speed fully synchronized mechanical gearbox (1 3.400, Il 2.080. Ill 1.390. IV t. V 0.840, rev 3.050); power steering; servo brake; heated rear window: heavy-duty battery; air-con.

From the beginning of 1975 to the end of 1979 Oldsmobile produced a total of 125,188 Starfire - just over half of the first-year production of the sister model Monza of Chevrolet (without Vega).