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1964 Oldsmobile Jetstar 1: Ready For Launch?

left front

In 1964 the Jetstar 1 was a budget companion to the more luxurious Starfire and a competitor to Pontiac’s Grand Prix. The “1” in the name is important, as there was also a “Jetstar 88”, which was a completely different, less expensive car. Olds only built these Jetstar 1s for 2 years, with the original in 1964 and a restyled version following in 1965. This Jetstar 1 listed here on Craigslist has been off the road since 1988. It’s located in Sacramento with a motivated seller asking $5500 OBO. This car looks like it could be a good start for a project. It has a 455 in it, but a 394 (the original, numbers matching engine perhaps?) is available. It runs and drives but needs an interior. The trunk is the only area with serious rust, as the other areas of rust are supposedly only surface rust. It looks complete and original except for the engine.

It looks like the interior is complete and ready for reupholstery and carpet. This one has the optional center console with the “T handle” shifter.

The engine compartment looks really clean if a bit untidy, even if it’s not original with that 455 stuffed in there. The power brake booster and power steering pump are there, but there’s no sign of the air conditioning compressor. Is that a heater control with a missing vacuum line? If the buyer leaves this engine in, it apears there will be a bit more sorting to be done to get everything working correctly.

The body looks pretty straight. They say that’s only surface rust, but that right quarter panel looks like it has more serious rust.

If this was a Chevy this would be worth a lot more, of course, but this car could perhaps become a nice driver. Do you see some potential here? Is this worth going through bodywork, a respray and an interior installation? Would you leave the 455 in place or go back to an original engine? There are a lot of possibilities. This is yet another case where being rare doesn’t make a car valuable, but it does mean the new owner will have a somewhat unique car. What do you think is a reasonable price of admission?

Comments

  1. Avatar Vince Habel

    Would rather have this than a Chevy. I think it is a bit high for the condition.

    Like 1
  2. Avatar Rick

    I’d leave the 455 in it, although swapping back the 394 and putting the dual quads on could be interesting

    Like 0
  3. Avatar erikj

    I got dibs on a 66 pontaic f/b. think it is a Bonneville. not rusty and running and all orig.$2000 straight and decent int.needs soom work paint is orig. Anybody know if its a buy or walk?

    Like 1
  4. Avatar motoring mo

    It’s a buy

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Matt

    Drove past a small used car lot and thought I say a 442 vert for sale. Pulled up and it was a 65 dynamic 88 drop top for 4500 obo. Nice shape, 425 auto. I had 1700 in my wallet and salesman laughed. 5 minutes later, he said boss would take it. We loaded 8 burly fireman in it (tight fit) and cruised after graduating fire academy. Matt

    Like 1
  6. Avatar Matt

    No interior kits available though I’ve heard Impala covers work.

    Like 1
  7. Avatar AMC STEVE

    If he included the original motor it might be worth $5500

    Like 0
  8. Avatar DENIS

    This would make a kool-ass custom….too far away

    Like 1

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