A four speed Hydramatic automatic transmission and faster rear axle rato were designed to keep the 4453 pound shipping weight Fiesta (336 more than a standard Ninety-Eight convertible) up to Oldsmobile performance standards. Mechanically, the Fiesta had a special version of the Ninety-Eight engine which gained 5 horsepower to 170 hp (130 kW) through manifold streamlining and compression increased from 8.1:1 to 8.3:1. The overall appearance was similar to the concept car while showing some similarities to the Cadillac Eldorado. The engine was the 303 cu in (5.0 L) installed with the "Quadri-Jet" 4-barrel carburetor. Some of the new features added were a 12-volt electrical system that could power comfort and convenience features like electrically powered window lifts, convertible tops and front seat power adjustment. Later in 1953, the luxury, limited-production 98 Fiesta convertible, Spanish for "festival", or "party", offered some of the features on the Starfire concept car and was a top trim package for the Oldsmobile 98. Named after the Lockheed F-94 Starfire jet fighter, the original Starfire was a 4-passenger convertible that had a fiberglass body, a 200 hp (150 kW) overhead valve Rocket V8 engine, bucket seats for all passengers and a wraparound windshield. The Starfire name was first used by Oldsmobile on a one-of-a-kind dream car that was shown at the 1953 Motorama auto show. The 1977 Starfire featured a four-cylinder engine as standard equipment, for the first time since the 1922 Model 43. The Starfire nameplate returned for the 1975 model year as Oldsmobile's first subcompact, powered by a Buick V6 engine. For the final 1966 model year, the convertible was dropped. The Starfire Coupe hardtop joined the convertible for the 1962 model year. While it shared most of its sheet metal with other full-sized Oldsmobile models, the Starfire wore unique trim and luxurious interiors. Intended to compete in the growing personal luxury car market, from 1961 to 1965 the Starfire Convertible was the highest-priced model offered by Oldsmobile. Īfter a two-year hiatus the Starfire name returned for 1961 as a separate model, offered in a single convertible body style. The "rocket" terminology was already a benefit with their Rocket V8. Oldsmobile during this time period was one of the most popular brands selling, and the company saw an opportunity to benefit from the Space Race of the 1960s. For 1957 only, all Ninety-Eight series models were named "98 Starfire ". The Starfire nameplate made its debut as a convertible concept car in 1953 followed with the 1954–1956 Ninety-Eight series convertibles that shared a "halo status" with the Buick Skylark and Cadillac Eldorado. The Oldsmobile Starfire is an automobile nameplate used by Oldsmobile, produced in three non-contiguous generations beginning in 1954.
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