We all follow our own muses when it comes to car collecting, don’t we? I almost exclusively buy ten-footers that need some work because it’s my hobby and I value a car that looks as if it’s seen some things; it saves me no money in the long run and I end up with a car that’s still a ten-footer, but that’s my weird journey. Others want only the best, the cars that get spray detailed at the car show and earn the adulation of everyone who sees them. Perhaps the sharpest among us look for the low-mileage originals such as this ’65 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 Holiday Coupe. Barn Finder T.J. spotted it on craigslist in Glendale, Arizona, and it’s reported to be a 25,000-mile survivor with no rust and mostly original paint. Although it’s not one of the hottest collector cars on the market, this 88 looks like a fair deal at its $21,000 asking price.
The Dynamic 88 was a solid seller that was placed right about in the center of the big Oldsmobile lineup, and as such, it had a standard 425-cubic-inch two-barrel V8; however, the original owner of this car stepped up to the optional 360-horsepower, “Ultra High Compression” version of the 425. That Olds power is channeled through the Turbo Hydra-Matic three-speed, otherwise known as the famous Turbo 400. The seller says that the 88 “runs and drives like it just came off the showroom floor.” One potential downside to this Arizona-based Oldsmobile is that it doesn’t have air conditioning, but it does have power steering, power brakes, and dual exhaust.
And it has an interior that also looks showroom fresh. As I was cruising the internet looking for original seat fabrics for this model, I found a car that matched it; unfortunately, it appears to be the same car, offered on Bring a Trailer. Last year, it was only bid to $6,100, which is way too low, in my opinion, but if nothing else, the BaT link shows more detailed pictures than the craigslist ad.
I’ve said it recently in a discussion of these mid-’60s full-size Oldsmobiles, but their dashboards are among the best of the ’60s. General Motors was just getting to an era where the divisions were given less leeway to individualize their platforms, but it hadn’t happened yet: The Oldsmobile dash was absolutely unique.
I can’t imagine that this Dynamic 88 is worth a mere $6,100, but is it worth $21,000? If it’s somewhere in between the two, I need to realign my way of thinking, because nothing I own is this clean and original. Like I said, those who find the off-the-beaten-path, low-mileage originals may be the smartest ones in our little corner of the hobby world, and the person who picks this one up will be getting a nice one.
What a nice one. I had a four door version. GM was definitely at the top of their game. The thing would really set you back in the seat. If you stood on it the fuel usage was incredible.
Total beauty but if i remember the the ultra-high compression meant either 10.25 or 10.5 ratio. So i’m guessing primo fuel 91 or 93 is mandatory. By luck we even have 94 here in Canada but it’s pricey
It’s very pretty.
Another sweet rocket 🚀 coupe from Dr Olds.
The introduction of Olds’ 425 v8 and turbo hydramatic were heavily advertised in ’65.
The 3 speed turbo hydramatic was never called a jetaway. Jetaway was the two speed automatic paired with the 330 v8 in the f85 variants and the Jetstar 88.
Thanks Joe, I misread the brochure when I wrote it up. The text is fixed.
Had a ’63 Olds 98 that must have corralled a huge ranch of horses under the hood. One thing I clearly recall was a factory-looking small, and marked, wheel above the driver armrest that was linked to the cruise control. As a light turned green I Iet up on the brake, spun that wheel, and instantly felt the front end lift as I was being thrust into the back of the seat. Never did that again. Truly memorable…and scary!
Another OLDS story, My first car was a previously owned (just can’t say used) 66 red Dynamic 88 convertible with white top featuring a GLASS rear window. What a stunner getting almost as much attention as Homecoming Queen riding in it as I proudly drove in 68 Homecoming Parade. Well equipped, without AC, which I added with an under dash unit. Unfortunately, it reached a sad end when oil on a rain soaked road put into a spin landing smacked into the front of a Semi Truck. That Oldsmobile saved my life, but like the brand died a noble death!
I had a 1965 Delmont 2 door in high-school. Talk about memory lane…
$21k seems like “Top of the mark”, to quote The Old Man. Very nice car- and a true Rocket! This is one where 1/4 mile and 0-60 times would be interesting- especially compared to a 442 of the era. Nice!
Olds’ 425s [& 330s] had forged steel cranks…providing very impressive high RPM. They were torque beasts which revved way beyond what one would expect. I thought the factory console-mounted tach in my ’65 Starfire was malfunctioning when it would creep up toward 6K. I know that sounds preposterous but that switch-pitch T400 would suck the eyes out of your head when you dropped it into ‘L’ @ 30mph! Though it had stock 3.23 gears, I could easily light my bias-plies whenever I chose. To this day, that high-stator Hydro behind that 370-horse 425 is probably the most impressive drive train I’ve experienced in my 78 years.
Utesman 😎 👍 🏁
Indeed we had a ’66 starfire with the same gears. 1 k rpm per 10 mph. 0-60 in first gear, 6000 rpm 6.7 seconds.
The Starfire 425 had the trick valve train like the 400 in the 442.
I put a 365 horse 425 out of a ’67 Olds 98 into a Cutlass. That motor wouldn’t pull much past 5000.
A couple of things, I am so close to this car, I could probably walk to it ,buy it and be home in 5 minutes. I think the price is a little high and with no A/C the 5 minute drive would be miserable. So,I guess I will just go sit in the pool and think about it.
Uteman is right. Same drive train as the Starfire and the Jetstar I but in a sleeper package. First year of the legendary turbo 400 with switch pitch variable stall speed stator and new thin wall casting 425 ultra high compression 425! Higher reving than the prior year 394 V8 and the 68 455 and had a forged crank. Column shift with bench seat and unassuming color. A definition of a sleeper! Best regards to the lucky winner!
Rick W, Frog,
This is what I had and drove out to California from NJ at age 17, but mine was a convertible, like yours, Rick, also with the zip out glass rear window. Mine was Navy blue with light blue vinyl interior and white top. Not sure which engine it had in it but it definitely left rubber across an intersection.
Not trying to push the seller, but check out Arcadia Publishing postcards reprints of Mackinac Bridge.
I utterly LOVE survivors in this condition! — just, not coupes, and not “sleepers” that conceal vastly more power than I need, and get about 12 m.p.g.. Definitely for SOMEbody — but not for ME. Find a four-door sedan or hard-top this “cherry”, with “adequate” V-8 power for driving and no “hot-rod”/”muscle” pretentions, bench seats (no centre-console), with gobs of comfort and luxury — and you’re definitely speaking my language. And, factory air-conditioning, please.
Octane is still rated by adding research numbers plus motor numbers divided by two. I’m afraid that even the modern premiums would have that poor old 425 detonating on any incline it came to. Plus the valve seats I’m sure have deteriorated by now. Old cars are fun but need care.
This is one of the best (and rarest on BF) I’ve seen on here. Obviously didn’t sit out much in the heat.
Interior is near perfect; I didn’t even notice any cracks in the steering wheel.
Always tempting to add air, but imo, not in this case.
It is so cool how you can see the ground when looking at an engine in an old car. If the valve covers did not have some paint loss I would think it had less than 25k on it. What a gem.
Big engine in a big car actually makes it look smaller. Look at all the room around it. Changing spark plugs would be a breeze. This is a nice GM car and a great example of what the General was producing in the mid sixties when it was at the top of its game in my opinion. I would note that if this were a Chevrolet Impala with equivalent motive power under the bonnet; the asking price of $21,000 would be considered a bargain by a lot of people. When this sells some lucky person will be getting a nice ride at a fair price. GLWTS