1963 Oldsmobile Starfire

Buicks, Pontiacs, and Olds of the early 60’s usually get mentally grouped into an “off brand” folder in my noggin. It’s not that I don’t consider them, it’s just that I don’t see them as often as their Chevrolet brethren and as such, they don’t really get their own place in my mind. I guess my brain just doesn’t have the horsepower to catalog everything and something has to get left out.

Even so, every now and then I’ll see something that triggers my imagination. This past Friday, I was out in my little a-coupe when I pulled up next to a ’63 Oldsmobile Starfire on a country road stop light. Admittedly, I thought it was a Mopar upon first glance. Square quarters, right angles everywhere, mini full-length fins, and that long two-toned trim. It screamed Chrysler 300 to me.

Once I realized that I was actually looking at an Olds, I began to think of the possibilities. By the time I got home, I had the car completely built in my head – a tasteful and mild custom built to early 60’s standards. I quickly searched my photo archive thinking my idea would make a great TJJ post using a stock photo as inspiration. And that’s when I stumbled on it…

Gene Winfield built the ’63 above for Richard Zocchi when it was fresh off the dealer lot. Wheels, tires, stance, bar grille, shave, paint… DONE. It that’s simple and I love it. A perfect example of an affordable car (even today) that looks smart and turns heads.

This whole exercise got me wondering – What’s your favorite unexpected and mild cruiser?

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