64starfire

I have a 64 starfire that I want to convert to bench so I can cruise with one on the wheel and the other around my girl. So far I have seen a 64 Olds 88 convertable that has what I'm looking for. I know some 4-doors have bench seats but they usually don't fold up.

If anyone knows of one for sale, fitment, info, whatever, I would greatly appreciate it. Yes I know I'm going to have to rework the console. Thanks

filbily

i have the seat you are looking for-but how would i ship????call-540-323-1499-thanks

rocketraider

Hoss- don't take this wrong, but with this latest idea you're trotting out, you have absolutely no business owning a Starfire.

If you do this, make sure whoever sells you the seat sends you the Dynamic 88 scripts, grille and tailpanel to go with it so you can finish converting the car.

64starfire

It's a good thing I don't care about keeping the 'origins' of the car. I want to build it how I want it.

I'll save the seats in case you ever buy the car.

Ddbord

My Blue Bell has the split-back bench set that will probably seat four!



The backs fold and allow easy access to the spacious rear seat. My honey and I (we're 80) love to go cruising, using the necker's ****, if you know what I mean!

Also, it's hard to do the "lean" in a bucket seat!

Forget that Dynamic slur...... just make sure you save the buckets!

Good Luck....

--Don

rocketraider

It's not a slur. Dynamic/Jetstar/Super 88 are nice cars, but buckets/console were part of the Starfire concept and packaging. In other words, it's part of what made a Starfire a Starfire instead of an Eighty Eight.

66 was the only year the Starfire was offered with bench/column and the 1966 sales figures showed Starfire buyers still preferred buckets and console over the Strato-Bench with column shift.

Build it like you want it and be ready for someone else to talk smack when you try to sell it as a Starfire.

Ddbord

Just stirring the pot, rocketraider!

My other 2 cars have buckets!

When he goes to sell it, put back the buckets and it's a Starfire again.......

Maybe I'll get some Starfire panels and some badges and have my Blue Belle "pass" for a Starfire.

--Don

64starfire

I will for sure keep the bucket seats. Considering I've already ditched the slim jim trans for a 700r4, and the previous owner painted it a non factory color, well that pretty much throws that out the window as for "original".

I plan on keeping the chrome and sheetmetal stock, but plan on putting in air suspension, aftermarket steelies, the bench seat, rack and pinion steering to make room for headers (everything bolt in) and for better steering feedback, a bit of stereo stuff, and a bolt on fuel injection (for mpg). Of course if/when/were I get this done.....who knows.

D. Yaros

The refs to the "Dynamic 88" are a clue as to what you need. A bench seat to fit would have to be from the 88 series, be it the Dynamic or Super.

A StarFire is nothing more than a gussied up 88!

Ddbord

Or even a Jetstar 1, or even a Jetstar 88 Convertible!

--Don

67442HT

I have a perfect bench seat with split back and fold down armrest for a 63 Super 88, I am sure it will fit in your Starfire.

filbily

the seats from 61-64 88s and 98s are the same-and d yaros youre wrong- a starfire is based on a 98-not an 88

marinus_

The 1964 Starfire and the 1964 Dynamic 88 have the same wheelbase and the overall size is identical. The 1964 Ninety Eight is almost 6 inches longer and the wheelbase is 3 inches longer than the Starfire.

rocketraider

Starfires were Ninety Eights only from 1954-58. 1961-66 were based on the B-body 88 platform. 75-80 were based on the Vega-derived GM H platform.

D. Yaros

Thanks to all for educating filbily, thereby saving me the trouble. I don't pretend to be an authority, and because I do not I don't going around blasting folks for being wrong; especially when they are right!

filbily

hey yaros-u just blasted me by saying that- and i wasnt blasting u!---and i know for a fact that a 1961 starfire is based on a 98-i have one

rocketraider

1961 Starfire is based on the Super 88 convertible. It shares the Ninety Eight grille, taillights and tailpanel and has its own side trim and interior, but Oldsmobile considered it to be a Super 88 subseries in 1961. It became its own series with specific 3600 body code 1962-64, 6600 1965 and 5400 1966. And except for 1966, they were ALL bucket seat/console cars.

There are two 64s in the yard right now. 61 and 65 are the only ones I haven't owned, and those are too expensive for me now. Have y'all seen what 65 trim pieces go for?

64starfire

Found a local 88 that was missing the engine and trans, and had a big hole cut in the top......? Anyhow will be deleting this ad soon

64Rocket

If you are going to a bench seat, how are you going to deal with the floor shift?
If i remember the carpet is cut out for the consul and shifter, will leave holes.
Gene

64starfire

I found a console online that I will cut down and move the shifter forward. Basicly the shift will be right up against the speedo. That or even remove the speedo section since that part is damaged and really, where the speedo is at it's pretty worthless, and pretty much unecessary in the first place.

The shifter I've converted to a cable shift from a camaro with the stock handle grafted onto it. So that will be easy to relocate. Ha...all this for 'cuddle action" you can't get in bucket seats. Kinda like the song "Bucket Seats and Safety Belts" by Cake. Only I'll keep safety belts. Kinda wondering how my future girlfriend will like the setup....lol

aliensatemybuick

It might be cool when doing this project to have some custom upholstery work done to make the patterns and materials match what WOULD be correct for the car, even if the seats are split bench rather than buckets. Just my opine...it could be cool to be different, yet make someone (who didn't know better) wonder if its factory.

64starfire

That is definitely part of my plan. But I'm going with vinyl and a general pattern thats close enough. Apparently the upholstery thats in the car has a special pattern that is very time consuming, and since this isnt factory I didin't want to dump excessive money into it. Will probably cover with the classic mexican blanket since vinyl gets nasty during the summer anyhow. I'm hoping to definitely make people think it's factory and make afficianado's question it.

aliensatemybuick

Cool. I've seen it all...including vinyl sides with fabric inserts for the seating surfaces (probably for the reason you mentioned) in the factory pattern even when cloth wasn't even an option.