After the end of World War II, Oldsmobile had a reputation for building sturdy and very well engineered, if not exciting cars, but that soon began to change. With innovative styling and the introduction of the all-new compact and powerful Rocket V-8 engine in 1949, Oldsmobile had completely transformed its former image. Sales doubled by 1950 and rose to exceed 430,000 units in 1954, propelling the company to a solid fourth-place industry ranking.

Without a doubt, a great deal of this success was directly attributable to Oldsmobile’s mildly restyled 1954 models and their larger, more potent V-8 engine. The Series 98 remained at the pinnacle of the Oldsmobile model range and included a four-door sedan and the two-door Holiday hardtop, as well as the exciting Starfire 98 Convertible. The Starfire name first appeared on an Oldsmobile show car of 1953, which in turn may have been inspired by the fast and very powerful Lockheed F-94 Starfire interceptor used by the U.S. Air Force during the early 1950s. Period advertising declared, “Starfire – the Show Car that can be your car”.

Design aspects on all Series 98 models featured a hood that was approximately level with the tops of the front fenders. This long, low and wide styling theme continues across the rear fenders to the tail panel. A fashionable new panoramic wraparound windshield, one of the most distinctive features of the limited-production Fiesta convertible of 1953, appeared for the first time on regular production Oldsmobiles. A dynamic, bright side-spear gave the cars a longer and more modern look, while forming an ideal framework for a number of available two-tone paint finishes, if desired.

The car is powered by a 324-cid, 185-hp overhead-valve V-8 engine with independent front suspension that has unequal-length A-arms and coil springs, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, and four-wheel servo-assisted hydraulic drum brakes all configured on a 126-inch wheelbase chassis. The Starfire 98 came with many shared standard features of the 88 Series that include bumper guards, electric clock, lined trunk, dual horns, cigarette lighter, aluminum door sill-plates and turn signals. The 98 Series also had a padded dash, parking brake light, stainless-steel three-spinner wheel covers, courtesy-light package, windshield washer and Deluxe steering wheel with horn ring.

Presented in what is described as “burgundy metallic” finish with red and gray interior, this particular 98 Starfire is reported to be an excellent example that presents well and can readily be driven, shown and enjoyed. The Starfire comes equipped with the uncommon Continental kit, chrome wire wheels and wide whitewall tires. All of the electrically-based accessories work, such as turn signals, headlights, power windows and horns. The soft-top is manually operated. It is ready to go, having been gone through, serviced (including a new fuel pump) and is eligible for a wide variety of events; many of them Oldsmobile specific.

These cars are exceptional and rare; only 6,800 were built and a small percentage of this figure is still in existence. For any Oldsmobile or General Motors enthusiast, this top-of-the-line Starfire 98 is known for being a premier road car that is seldom found.