Performance Review: Oldsmobile Starfire 7.0 V8 - [1966]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Oldsmobile Starfire Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Oldsmobile Starfire 7.0 V8 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1966. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1966 AC Cobra 427 and the 1966 Chevrolet Corvette C2 Stingray 427 425hp.This particular Oldsmobile Starfire has a 6970cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Starfire shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Starfire's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1799 kgs (3966 lbs) this makes the Oldsmobile Starfire 7.0 V8 in the same weight category as the 2022 Aston-Martin Vantage V12 5.2 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Oldsmobile Starfire shares the same bhp with the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp)

In terms of power the 6970cc 16V V8 engine produces 375 bhp (279 kW) @ 4800 rpm similar to the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp) or the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (360 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 470 lb-ft (637.2 Nm) @ 3200 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (470 lb-ft) or the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 5.5 V8 C8 (460 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Oldsmobile Starfire you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1948 Ferrari 166 MM (233.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Oldsmobile Starfire.

The Oldsmobile Starfire has a Power to weight ratio of 208.4 bhp per ton and 261.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1966 Starfire competing with the 1948 Ferrari 166 MM (233.3 bhp per ton) or the 2009 Porsche Cayman S 3.4 (233.3 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Oldsmobile Starfire generating around 261.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2007 Chevrolet Corvette 6.2 V8 2d (286.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Mercedes G Class 65 AMG (286.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.1 secs, this made the Oldsmobile Starfire 7.0 V8 as fast as the 2013 Vauxhall-Opel Zafira Tourer CDTi BiTurbo (8.80 secs) the the 2002 Toyota Camry 3.0 V6 (8.80 secs) the or the 2000 Mitsubishi FTO 2.0 GPX (8.80 secs). This Oldsmobile Starfire 7.0 V8 is also faster than the 2008 Audi A4 1.8T Avant (8.90 secs) the 2005 Suzuki Swift 1.6 VVT Sport (8.90 secs) the 2000 Vauxhall-Opel Omega 3.2 V6 Automatic (8.90 secs) the and the 1990 Alfa-Romeo 33 1.7 Boxer Cloverleaf (8.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Starfire and the 1990 Ferrari Mondial t

When talking about the performance of the Oldsmobile Starfire on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.74 secs @ 99.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1990 Ferrari Mondial t (13.69 secs), the 1995 BMW 3 Series M3 GT E36 (13.69 secs), and the 1966 Mercury Cyclone 6.4 V8 (13.69 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1966 version of the Oldsmobile Starfire 7.0 V8 has a maximum speed of 115mph.

Top Speed of the 1966 Starfire equals the 2013 Skoda Rapid 1.4 tsi Spaceback (126 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1966 Oldsmobile Starfire 7.0 V8 then how about the 2013 Skoda Rapid 1.4 tsi Spaceback (126 mph), the , or the 2004 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.8 GSi (126 mph).

Related Links:

1966 Starfire Rivals List.

A Brief History of Oldsmobile

Car Comparison