and compression increased from 8.1:1 to 8.3:1. 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. At US$5,715 ($ in dollars ) (over $700 ($ in dollars ) more than the Buick Roadmaster Skylark) the 98 Fiesta was nearly twice the US$2963 price ($ in dollars ) of a standard Ninety-Eight convertible, with only 458 units produced to its 7,521. It was comparable in price to the 1953 Packard Caribbean with a similar retail price. 98 Starfire (1954–1957) The name was then used for the 1954–1956 model years to designate the luxury convertible models of the 98 DeLuxe line in much the same way that the Holiday name was used to designate hardtop body-styles. The 1954–1956 Oldsmobile 98 Starfire convertibles were the most expensive Oldsmobiles offered during those years with a retail price of US$3,249 ($ in dollars ) and production records show 6,800 rolled off the assembly line for 1954. The 1955 model benefited from a 200bhp engine offering dual exhausts. Optional equipment included tinted glass, power adjustable front seat, signal seeking AM radio, leather upholstery, electric window lifts, power steering and power brakes. The price remained the most expensive at US$3,276 ($ in dollars ) and production showed 9,149 were manufactured. The 1956 models were updated to the appearance offered on the concept car, with the most noticeable aspect of the appearance being the large gaping grille with minimal adornment and bumper guard elements. The automatic transmission became standard with the inclusion of a "park" position on the transmission gear selector. During the 1957 model year, all 98 models were referred to as 98 Starfire, sharing the standard features with the coupes and sedans. The name was dropped from the 98 series beginning with the 1958 model year. First generation (1961–1966) 1961 Introduced in January 1961, the Starfire was a performance-oriented grand tourer convertible, separated into its own model line and shared its body and wheelbase with the Super 88 and the lower-priced Dynamic 88. It was loaded with standard equipment including leather bucket seats, center console with tachometer and floor shifter for the Hydra-matic transmission, and was the first U.S. full-sized production car to feature an automatic transmission with a console-mounted floor shifter, brushed aluminum side panels, fender skirts on the rear wheels,