1966 · Oldsmobile · United States
1966 Oldsmobile Starfire
The last Starfire of the 1960s: coupe only, moved downmarket, 13,019 sold.
United States · researched through 2026-09-23
1966 brought the biggest change of the run: the convertible was dropped, leaving the coupe alone and repriced downmarket into the former Jetstar I's price slot, with leather giving way to vinyl and equipment that had once been standard, such as power windows and seat, Turbo Hydra-Matic, and power steering and brakes, now offered only as options. Wikipedia credits the year with 13,019 sold and a 375-hp 425, and states the Starfire name itself was dropped after 1966. This record's own production note flags that no Over-Drive table or factory production document was located for the year, so the sales count rests on a single, uncited tertiary lineage rather than the dual-sourced totals available for earlier Starfire years.1
The October 1965 factory price book instead documents the coupe, model 5457, at $3,564 MSRP with a 3-speed manual now standard in place of automatic, and the 375-hp Starfire V-8, sports console, bucket seats, electric clock and dual exhaust as standard equipment; power steering, power brakes, power windows and any automatic transmission were all extra-cost options this year, a reversal from Starfire's earlier years as Oldsmobile's loaded senior coupe. Optional transmissions ran from a $226.44 four-speed floor-shift manual to a $236.97 Turbo Hydra-Matic and a $252.77 heavy-duty Turbo Hydra-Matic.
The two engine-rating entries carried in the record agree with each other: both Wikipedia and the factory price book's engines table give 375 hp for the 425, with the factory document adding 4,800 rpm and 470 lb-ft at 3,200 rpm that Wikipedia's brief mention does not state; the price book describes the engine as a four-barrel V-8 running on premium fuel with dual exhaust, standard in the Starfire and optional in that year's Ninety-Eight and Delta 88.1
Factory specifications list a 4,013 lb shipping weight, 217.0-inch overall length, 80.0-inch width, 54.1-inch height, 123.0-inch wheelbase, and a 62.5-inch front / 63.0-inch rear tread, close to the outgoing convertible-era dimensions. Standard axle ratio depended on the transmission chosen: 3.23:1 behind the 3- or 4-speed manual, 3.08:1 behind the standard Turbo Hydra-Matic, with a 3.42:1 performance ratio optional either way. Tires were 8.25 x 14 standard, stepping up to 8.55 x 14 with air conditioning, and the trunk held 17.1 cubic feet usable of a 39.5 cubic foot total, on a 25.0-gallon fuel tank and 11.0-inch brake drums with 208.6 square inches of lining, and the car turned in a 43.6-foot diameter.
The price book's interior offerings for the Strato bucket-seat coupe were all-Morocceen vinyl in black, blue, red, parchment pearl, or bronze, the bronze trim available only with the optional Strato bench seat, each keyed to its own list of recommended exterior paint. Fifteen exterior colors were offered across the full-size Oldsmobile line that season, including a two-tone Magic-Mirror finish with two dozen recommended upper-and-lower combinations, though the record excludes the colors reserved for the Toronado. Air conditioning was offered in two grades, a $421.28 Four-Season system and a $484.47 Comfortron, both requiring the heater and power-steering option; radios ran from an $86.89 deluxe unit to $147.45 for AM-FM reception.
Fact sheet · 1966 · United States
The numbers
1966 Oldsmobile Starfire — The last Starfire of the 1960s: coupe only, moved downmarket, 13,019 sold.
Coverage: Partial — researched sections are shown; missing ones are not yet sourced. Researched through 2026-09-23.
Every figure is labeled with how sure we are. Reported means a manufacturer, registry, or reference figure we cite but have not reconciled against factory records ourselves. Disputed means credible sources disagree and both are shown. Rows are separately scoped; don't add them together unless the note says they make up a total.
Key facts
- Oldsmobile's October 1965 price book lists the 1966 Starfire as a single coupe (model 5457) at $3,564 MSRP, with a 3-speed manual standard and the 375-hp Starfire V-8, sports console, bucket seats, electric clock and dual exhaust as standard equipment; power steering, power brakes, power windows and automatic transmission were extra-cost options.
Production
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starfire coupe1 Starfire · 2-door hardtop coupe · 425 V-8 · not stated by source Single tertiary source; described as sales. | 13,019 | sold, model-year | Reported |
No Over-Drive table or factory document for 1966 was found; this count rests on one uncited lineage.
Prices when new
| Model | Price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Starfire coupe (5457) | $3,564 | manufacturer's suggested retail price; destination charge and local price dealer-entered, 1965-10 |
Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.
Engines
| Engine | Factory rating | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| 425 V-81 425 cu in · four-barrel | 375 hp (SAE gross (as stated by Wikipedia)); 375 hp @ 4,800, 470 lb-ft @ 3,200 (SAE gross (factory price book)) | standard | Not yet sourced |
Ratings are the manufacturer's advertised figures under the standard shown (SAE gross before 1972, SAE net after). They are not dyno results, and gross and net ratings can't be compared directly.
Transmissions
| Transmission | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|
| 3-speed fully synchronized manual | standard | Not yet sourced |
| M20 · Fully synchronized 4-speed floor-shift | optional, $226.44 | Not yet sourced |
| M40 · Turbo Hydra-Matic | optional, $236.97 | Not yet sourced |
| M41 · Heavy-duty Turbo Hydra-Matic | optional, $252.77 | Not yet sourced |
Options and packages
| Code | Option | Price | Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
A01RPO |
Windows, Soft-Ray tinted (includes A02) | $42.10 | Not yet sourced |
A02RPO |
Windshield, Soft-Ray tinted | $28.12 | Not yet sourced |
A31RPO |
Windows, power side | $104 | Not yet sourced |
A39RPO |
Seat belts, deluxe front and rear (includes retractors) | $14.74 | Not yet sourced |
A42RPO |
Seat adjuster, 6-way power (A53 mandatory) | $94.79 | Not yet sourced |
A46RPO |
Seat adjuster, 4-way power for left-hand bucket seat | $69.51 | Not yet sourced |
A53RPO |
Seat, Strato bench front (not available with sports console) | $0 | Not yet sourced |
A69RPO |
Backrest, reclining Strato bench seat, right-hand side only (A53 mandatory) | $31.60 | Not yet sourced |
A70RPO |
Backrest, reclining Strato bucket seat, right-hand seat only | $31.60 | Not yet sourced |
A81RPO |
Headrests, dual, for front seats | $52.66 | Not yet sourced |
A91RPO |
Trunk lid latch, power (heater mandatory) | $12.64 | Not yet sourced |
A93RPO |
Door locks, power (heater mandatory) | $44.73 | Not yet sourced |
B32RPO |
Floor mats, auxiliary front | $6.77 | Not yet sourced |
B33RPO |
Floor mats, auxiliary rear | $6.57 | Not yet sourced |
B93RPO |
Mouldings, chrome door edge guard | $4.74 | Not yet sourced |
C48RPO |
Heater and defroster, delete (deduct) | $94.90 | Not yet sourced |
C50RPO |
Window defroster, rear | $21.06 | Not yet sourced |
C60RPO |
Air conditioner, Four-Season (includes P29 and Y76; heater and N40 mandatory) | $421.28 | Not yet sourced |
C61RPO |
Air conditioner, Comfortron (includes P29 and Y76; heater and N40 mandatory) | $484.47 | Not yet sourced |
D31RPO |
Mirror, glareproof rearview | $4.43 | Not yet sourced |
D33RPO |
Mirror, remote-control outside | $9.48 | Not yet sourced |
F35RPO |
Frame, heavy-duty Guard-Beam | $18.01 | Not yet sourced |
G51RPO |
Springs, heavy-duty rear | $3.69 | Not yet sourced |
G67RPO |
Automatic level control | $78.99 | Not yet sourced |
G80RPO |
Axle, anti-spin rear | $46.60 | Not yet sourced |
J50RPO |
Brakes, Pedal-Ease power | $42.10 | Not yet sourced |
K30RPO |
Cruise control, automatic (J50 and M40 or M41 mandatory) | $89.52 | Not yet sourced |
M20RPO |
Transmission, fully synchronized 4-speed floor-shift | $226.44 | Not yet sourced |
M40RPO |
Transmission, Turbo Hydra-Matic | $236.97 | Not yet sourced |
M41RPO |
Transmission, heavy-duty Turbo Hydra-Matic | $252.77 | Not yet sourced |
N37RPO |
Steering column, tilt-and-telescope (includes special steering wheel; M20, M40 or M41 mandatory) | $78.99 | Not yet sourced |
N40RPO |
Steering, Roto-Matic power | $105.25 | Not yet sourced |
N95RPO |
Wheels, simulated wire (14-in) | $52.66 | Not yet sourced |
P02RPO |
Wheel discs, deluxe (14-in) | $29.49 | Not yet sourced |
P06RPO |
Wheel trim rings (15-in wheels) | $11.06 | Not yet sourced |
P19RPO |
Spare wheel lock | $5.27 | Not yet sourced |
P26RPO |
Tires, standard-size whitewall 8.25 x 14, except with C60 or C61 | $39.92 | Not yet sourced |
P26RPO |
Tires, standard-size whitewall 8.55 x 14, with C60 or C61 | $43.65 | Not yet sourced |
P28RPO |
Tires and 15-in wheels, 8.45 x 15 blackwall, for trailer towing only, except with C60 or C61 | $0 | Not yet sourced |
P28RPO |
Tires and 15-in wheels, 8.45 x 15 blackwall, for trailer towing only, with C60 or C61 (deduct) | $17.90 | Not yet sourced |
P29RPO |
Tires, oversize blackwall 8.55 x 14, except with C60 or C61 | $17.90 | Not yet sourced |
Q14RPO |
Tires, heavy-service 8.55 x 14 whitewall, with C60 or C61 only | $104.63 | Not yet sourced |
T17RPO |
Tires, heavy-service 8.25 x 14 whitewall, not available with C60 or C61 | $96.21 | Not yet sourced |
T87RPO |
Lamps, cornering | $36.86 | Not yet sourced |
U15RPO |
Safety Sentinel | $9.48 | Not yet sourced |
U63RPO |
Radio, deluxe | $86.89 | Not yet sourced |
U65RPO |
Radio, Super Deluxe signal seeker tuning | $122.17 | Not yet sourced |
U69RPO |
Radio, AM-FM | $147.45 | Not yet sourced |
U75RPO |
Radio antenna, power | $29.12 | Not yet sourced |
U80RPO |
Radio speaker, Bi-Phonic rear | $15.80 | Not yet sourced |
U84RPO |
Radio speaker, Reverbatone rear (includes U80) | $52.66 | Not yet sourced |
U89RPO |
Wiring harness, trailer electrical | $10.53 | Not yet sourced |
Y60RPO |
Lamps and mirror, convenience (trunk and underhood lamps, visor vanity mirror) | $5.47 | Not yet sourced |
Y76RPO |
Engine cooling equipment, heavy-duty (radiator, water pump, Thermo-Cool fan, 55-ampere Delcotron) | $36.86 | Not yet sourced |
Y77RPO |
Trunk equipment (spare tire cover and rubber floor mat) | $11.59 | Not yet sourced |
Group 1RPO |
Factory-installed accessory group 1 with U63 (D31, U63, Y60) | $96.79 | Not yet sourced |
Group 1RPO |
Factory-installed accessory group 1 with U65 (D31, U65, Y60) | $132.07 | Not yet sourced |
Group 1RPO |
Factory-installed accessory group 1 with U69 (D31, U69, Y60) | $157.35 | Not yet sourced |
Group 2RPO |
Factory-installed accessory group 2 with U63 (A91, D31, U63, Y60) | $109.43 | Not yet sourced |
Group 2RPO |
Factory-installed accessory group 2 with U65 (A91, D31, U65, Y60) | $144.71 | Not yet sourced |
Group 2RPO |
Factory-installed accessory group 2 with U69 (A91, D31, U69, Y60) | $169.99 | Not yet sourced |
Paint
| Code | Color | Built |
|---|---|---|
A |
Ebony Black | Not yet sourced |
B |
Nocturne Mist | Not yet sourced |
C |
Provincial White | Not yet sourced |
D |
Lucerne Mist | Not yet sourced |
E |
Royal Mist | Not yet sourced |
H |
Laurel Mist | Not yet sourced |
J |
Forest Mist | Not yet sourced |
K |
Ocean Mist | Not yet sourced |
L |
Tropic Turquoise | Not yet sourced |
M |
Autumn Bronze | Not yet sourced |
N |
Burgundy Mist | Not yet sourced |
R |
Target Red | Not yet sourced |
T |
Sierra Mist | Not yet sourced |
V |
Almond Beige | Not yet sourced |
W |
Silver Mist | Not yet sourced |
D99 |
Two-tone Magic-Mirror finish (lower color specified first; recommended combinations AC, AD, AK, AW, BC, BD, BW, DC, DE, EC, EW, HC, HJ, JC, KC, KL, LC, MC, NC, NV, RC, TC, TV, VC, WC, WL) | Not yet sourced |
Color names are the factory's. We don't show color swatches, because a screen color is no guide for a restoration.
Interiors
| Code | Trim | Built |
|---|---|---|
10 |
Starfire coupe (Strato bucket seats): Black all-Morocceen (vinyl); also with optional Strato bench seat. Recommended exterior colors: A-B-C-D-E-H-J-K-L-M-N-R-T-V-W-AC-AD-AK-AW. | Not yet sourced |
13 |
Starfire coupe (Strato bucket seats): Blue all-Morocceen (vinyl). Recommended exterior colors: A-B-C-D-E-W-AD-AW-BC-BD-BW-DC-DE-EC-EW-WC. | Not yet sourced |
15 |
Starfire coupe (Strato bucket seats): Red all-Morocceen (vinyl). Recommended exterior colors: A-C-N-R-NC-NV-RC. | Not yet sourced |
17 |
Starfire coupe (Strato bucket seats): Parchment Pearl all-Morocceen (vinyl). Recommended exterior colors: A-B-C-D-E-H-J-L-M-N-R-T-V-W and listed two-tones. | Not yet sourced |
18 |
Starfire coupe (Strato bucket seats): Bronze all-Morocceen (vinyl); optional Strato bench seat only. Recommended exterior colors: A-C-M-R-T-V-MC-MV. | Not yet sourced |
Specifications
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping weight | 4,013 lb | Starfire coupe |
| Overall length | 217 in | Starfire |
| Overall width | 80 in | Starfire |
| Overall height | 54.1 in | Starfire |
| Wheelbase | 123 in | Starfire |
| Tread | 62.5 front / 63.0 rear in | Starfire |
| Trunk capacity | 17.1 usable / 39.5 total cu ft | Starfire |
| Fuel tank capacity | 25 gal | Starfire |
| Brakes | 11.0-in drums; 208.6 sq in total lining | Starfire |
| Turning diameter | 43.6 ft | Starfire |
| Axle ratio | 3.23 standard with 3- or 4-speed (3.42 performance); 3.08 standard with automatic (3.42 performance with H.D. Turbo Hydra-Matic) :1 | Starfire V-8 |
| Tires | 8.25 x 14 standard; 8.55 x 14 with air conditioning | Starfire |
Identification
Read a 1966 Oldsmobile VIN
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Same model year
Also in 1966
- Buick Riviera A longer, heavier new body on the same X-frame; 5,718 of 45,348 carried the GS option, and the dual-quad Super Wildcat went from dealer add-on to factory MZ engine in March 1966.
- Buick Skylark Gran Sport, GS and GSX The Gran Sport became its own Skylark series (44600) on the restyled body, still with the 401 at 325 hp; 13,816 are tabulated.
- Buick Wildcat The one-year Wildcat Gran Sport: 1,244 built, 242 convertibles, 22 Super Wildcats.
- Chevrolet Chevelle and Malibu SS The first full year of the SS 396 as its own series, with a 396 V8 in every car: 66,843 sport coupes and 5,429 convertibles.
- Chevrolet Chevy II and Nova The source engine table lists the 327 L79 at 350 gross hp. Enthusiast-compiled production: 172,485 cars; Super Sport 20,986.
- Chevrolet El Camino SS No factory Super Sport El Camino is documented for this year; the record carries the host El Camino production as context.
- Chevrolet Impala SS Impala SS falls to 119,314 as the 427 arrives; 3,247 full-size Chevrolets got the 390-hp L36.
- Dodge Charger Dodge's first Charger, a fastback on the Coronet platform introduced on 1 January 1966, built 37,344 times, 468 of them with the new Street Hemi.
- Dodge Coronet R/T and Super Bee The first year the 426 Hemi was sold as a street engine; in the Coronet it was an option on ordinary sedans, hardtops and convertibles, before any R/T package existed.
- Ford Fairlane A new, wider Fairlane could take the 390 big-block for the first time, bringing the Fairlane 500 GT and GTA, and a small run of R-code 427 hardtops was built for Super Stock racing.
- Ford Galaxie The 428 became the big-car performance engine and gave its name to the Galaxie 500 7-Litre hardtop and convertible, with the 427 still available.
- Ford Thunderbird A 345-hp 428 became a $64.77 option, and the Town Landau outsold every other body combined.
- Mercury Comet and Cyclone The Comet moved to the larger Fairlane-based body, and the Cyclone GT brought the 335-hp 390 with twin hood scoops, bucket seats and a heavy-duty suspension.
- Mercury Marauder and S-55 The S-55 returned as its own line, a hardtop and convertible with the 345 hp 428 'Super Marauder' V8.
- Oldsmobile Cutlass, 4-4-2 and Hurst/Olds The 4-4-2 package gained the L69 three-two-barrel 'Tri-Carb' option at 360 hp, and a handful of factory W-30 forced-air cars were built for drag racing.
- Plymouth Barracuda and 'Cuda The last glassback-era year: one fastback body, the 273 Commando as the top engine, and production that fell to 38,029.
- Plymouth GTX, Belvedere and Satellite The 426 Street Hemi reached showrooms in the Belvedere and Satellite, and 1,546 were built into Plymouth intermediates.
- Pontiac Catalina 2+2 and Super Duty The 2+2 was listed as its own model for the only time, and production fell to 6,383.
- Pontiac GTO The GTO becomes its own Pontiac series and has its biggest year: 96,946 built.
- Pontiac Grand Prix Production fell to 36,757 as the GTO and 2+2 drew performance buyers.
- Pontiac Tempest and LeMans Pontiac's overhead-cam six and the Sprint package arrive beside the 326 HO.
- Rambler and AMC Marlin The Marlin's second year: production fell to 4,547, less than half the 1965 figure.