Oldsmobile aimed for the heavens with Starre

- Power windows.

- White sidewall tires.

- High torque rear axle.

- Fiber-packed mufflers.

- Hydramatic transmission.

- Foam cushion bucket seats.

- Top-grain leather upholstery.

Mr. Surdyk is particularly entranced by the fender skirts which are molded to blend into the sculpted lines of the rear fenders. He learned that during the restoration process all of the chrome trim was replated, including both bumpers.

As expected, not everything on the car was perfect. Mr. Surdyk had to repair the heater and rebuild the radio.

But other than installing a new brake light switch, a new fuel gauge and changing all of the fluids, the Oldsmobile was ready to roll.

Not much of an excuse is needed on a fair weather day for Mr. Surdyk to take his Starfire out for some exercise. He settles into the driver’s bucket seat behind the deep dish steering wheel and, with the flip of a switch, down goes the white convertible top with it’s clear plastic rear window. The very red car also has a red boot to cover the lowered top, adding to its streamlined appearance.

After adjusting the exterior mirrors, Mr. Surdyk motors out into traffic oblivious to whatever the road surface may be. His Oldsmobile insulates the occupants from the harsh realities of less than perfect road surfaces.

The lengthy 123-inch wheelbase contributes to the comfortable ride.

On the console is a tachometer near the automatic transmission gear lever. The positions of the gear selections are unlike the gear positions on modern cars. “I can’t get used to reverse,” Mr. Surdyk says, “It’s all the way back.”

The highest speed on the speedometer is 120 mph and Mr. Surdyk points out that the speedometer is also color-coded.

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