I’ve always felt that I have missed out in life because while I’ve had the opportunity to drive plenty of classic convertibles, I’ve never actually owned one. That is a situation that I will remedy one day, and if you’re in the same boat that I am, perhaps this 1964 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 Convertible is worth a closer look. It is a car that is ready to be driven and enjoyed and would turn its share of heads wherever it goes. The owner has decided that the time is right for it to head to a new home, so he has listed it for sale here on eBay. The Olds is located in Hesperia, California, and it has only attracted a single bid of $8,000 at this point. The reserve hasn’t been met, but 33 people are watching the listing. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder local_sheriff for spotting the classic convertible for us.
The Oldsmobile is an attractive car. It is finished in Regal Mist with a White power top. Regal Mist was one of the best colors in the 1964 palette, and it imparts a classy appearance on any offering from the company’s range. This paint holds an impressive shine, and there is no evidence of any significant defects or faults. The panels are as straight as an arrow, while the gaps are tight and consistent. The owner doesn’t mention any problems with rust, and there are none visible in the supplied photos. If the 88 has spent its life in California, that could be the source of good news for potential buyers. The top is in excellent condition, and while its motor does leak, it still operates correctly. The wheels and tires that you see in this photo aren’t included in the sale. The first photo shows the car wearing 15″ steel wheels and crossbar hubcaps. These are in good condition and are what the buyer will receive for their money. The trim and chrome are in good condition, as is the glass.
The owner describes the Oldsmobile’s interior as a decent 8/10, and while the photos that he supplies are limited, I think that he might be marking it a bit harshly. It is upholstered in a combination of red and white, and while the carpet does show some wear, the rest of the trim and the dash looks good. A few detailed items require attention, including some loose wires, but I wouldn’t be ashamed to be seen in this classic. It seems like there are some aftermarket switches and gauges mounted under the dash, but there are no other visible additions. There is also no evidence of luxuries like air conditioning, so it appears that a factory AM radio is about it.
There are no engine photos, so we can’t see how the engine bay presents. We are told that the Convertible is a numbers-matching car, featuring a 394ci V8 and a 3-speed Roto Hydramatic transmission. The drivetrain is not only original, but it has never been rebuilt. It isn’t clear which version of the 394 is fitted to this car, but it should be producing at least 260hp. This would be enough to send the 88 through the ¼ mile in 17.7 seconds. There were optional versions that delivered 280hp and 330hp, with the latter making the Convertible a powerhouse. The vehicle sits lower than usual because it has been fitted with front and rear air-ride suspension. If this isn’t to the buyer’s taste, converting it to a conventional suspension setup would not be difficult. The owner says that the car runs and drives, but he doesn’t indicate how well it does either. It is claimed that it has a genuine 62,000 miles on the clock, but it isn’t clear whether there is evidence to verify this claim.
If you have always wanted a classic convertible, there are plenty of cars in today’s market from which to choose. Some will be better than this 1964 Dynamic 88 Convertible, but plenty are far worse. This looks like a car that needs nothing and is ready to be enjoyed immediately. I’m surprised that the bidding has been so subdued, but maybe some of the people watching the listing are biding their time before jumping into the fray. I wouldn’t be surprised if once the action starts, it jumps to $20,000 fairly quickly. If it sells for less than that, I feel that someone could be getting a lot of classic convertible for their money.
My Mom and Dad bought Dynamic 88 hardtop new in 1964. While I prefer the space age 61’s from GM, the 64’s from GM had clean lines! Too bad this guy goofed this up with late 50’s touches like the upholstery and the hubcaps. Not a good mix of genre’s there buddy!
I had a Olds 88 conv. with a factory 4spd. 375 hp. factory 425 ci. Experimental. Bought it from a rich guy in 1977 and it was like new. Wish I still had it. Fast and fun.
Someone please bid this up out of my price range before I end up having to go to Cali and drive it back to Michigan.
Stupid seat covers. At least Jose didn’t put on a chain steering wheel. At least it isn’t a rotted out 69 Charger from Pennsylvania with the seller asking $40,000. Olds from this era were quality, which there is none of today.
This is in keeping with California car culture 100%
At least George mattar didn’t try to hide his racism.
Having two ’64 GM fullsize cars back home I’m of course biased, however I really find ’64 to be such a fantastic year design-wise for GM! Always found the ’64 Olds to look like a more sophisticated version of the ’64 Impala and just love those tiny ‘finettes’. I think the Olds is such an over-looked model but this example should show just how fantastic these cars can be with the right stance.
The Regal Mist is OK but IMO there are several other colors from the ’64 palette that look far better on this rocket. The inverted dash trim is such a genious space age design touch. The 50s style upholstery seen here is nothing but completely out of place – the OE style ’64 Olds upholstery is a beautiful design and the ONLY way to go!
Not…….No Low Riders For Me.
Early 60s Oldsmobiles were on my list until I began noting the transmission issues mentioned so often……….any advice out there?
The only advice I’ve heard is swap to a TH-gen tranny, otherwise I’d suggest try finding one with the 3spd manual… if you choose the latter I wish you good luck searching 😏
Swapping in another automatic trans is NOT so easy on a 61-64 Olds. The Roto was very slim and the 394 doesn’t easily mate to anything else. I seem to recall the trans tunnel might need mods, too.
It can be done and there are lots, but it is harder than a swap on a Buick, Chevy or Pontiac.
Sad because I love these cars. Had a 64 Dynamic 88 for a few years and it was a great car.
Thank you for your input, actually I’m leaning towards ’65 models, avoid trans issues and love the lines. I learned to drive and took my test on my 16th birthday (1967) in a 1965 Olds 98………
Forgot to mention my best advice if you want a ’64 Olds and can live with an entry-level model – try finding a Jetstar88 instead of the Dynamic. If you’re not familiar with the Olds hierarchy of ’64, the Jetstar88 is a fullsize Olds but with the brakes and driveline of the Olds A-body. OK, you will have to live with a smaller engine but you’ll avoid the Roto-Hydramatic.
It should be pointed out that the Jetstar88 is the ONLY ’64 fullsize Olds available with the 4spd stick and they’re darn rare with that tranny (only seen them for sale at 2 occations…)
https://classics.autotrader.com/classic-cars/1964/oldsmobile/88/101450206
The Jetstar 88 was a morph when new, and didn’t age well. The A-body driveline items proved to be under-engineered for the B body weight, and wore out quickly,
Many driveline parts were not a direct swap, with service items (rearend/axles/wheel bearings/brake parts) being unique and were no longer available within 5 years.
Wandering thru Olds and Hollander parts books of the era, there are frequently 3 entries: Dynamic 88 Full size, F85, and Jetstar 88.
So instead of the usual hot-rod practice of putting a big car engine in a little car, Olds turned it backwards!
From Wikipedia:
Confusion with the Jetstar 88 series
Between 1964 and 1966, Oldsmobile named its least expensive full size model the Jetstar 88 (priced $500–$600 below the Jetstar 1), but that car was not related to the Jetstar I. The Jetstar 88 was basically a B-body with A-body running gear, which gave the 88 line the most inexpensive model. The Jetstar 88 also offered a full range of bodystyles including the four-door Town (pillared) and Holiday (hardtop) sedans, Holiday hardtop coupe and even a convertible (1964-1965 only) – all featuring cloth/vinyl bench seat interiors shared with the step-up Dynamic 88 series. The Jetstar 88 was powered by the same 330 cubic-inch Rocket V8 with 11.5 to 1 compression (ultra-high) found in the intermediate F-85/Cutlass models instead of the 394 or 425 found in all other Olds 88-series models. Furthermore, the Jetstar 88 also shared the intermediate-sized car’s two-speed Jetaway automatic transmission and smaller 9.5-inch (240 mm) diameter brake drums. Although the Jetstar 88 was a respectable seller during its three-year run, it was outsold by a wide margin by the Dynamic 88, which cost only a few dollars more than the Jetstar 88, but was also considered a better value by many Olds buyers due to a larger standard engine, three-speed automatic transmission, and larger brake drums.
local_sheriff, that 64 at the Auto Trader is gorgeous. I’m not much into full size mid 60s GM, but that 64 88 four speed would be awesome to own and drive. Thanks for the post.
Had a 64 Jetstar 1 in 1970. A lot of transmission problems along with front suspension issues. Traded it in on a 66 Impala SS. Never owned a Olds since.
Convertibles are Fun!
The low-rider look and the seat covers kill this one for me, not to forget the engine leak. What was the owner thinking of?
Wheel covers are rare Studebaker aero struts.
I have a 64 jetstar88 convertible. It is a dream to drive great cruiser. Has the 330 with the jet away two speed. Christmas gift from my wife a few years back. Love this car.
I also own a 64 dynamic 2 door. The 394 runs like raped ape. But the rotomatic is junk. I have looked into what you can do to replace trans. No other trans other than the early jetaway 4 speeds automatic trans and the 3 speed trans bolt to the 394. They do make an adapter kit to mate it to the 700r chevy trans. 1200 dollars for just the kit. No trans no crossmember. Plus tunnel is narrow needs modification. I did hear though that the 200r is is a smaller trans and will clear tunnel issue. Also read you can beef up 200r to be a bit of a performer. So might be the better way to get around trans issues.
James; you should consider yourself a VERY lucky guy, my oh my a Jetstar88 for Xmas…! 🙌 Since you have both how would you rate the 330 in this fairly heavy body; do you find it adequate or more on the sluggish side?
I’m aware of the issues with needing an adapter plus the tight trans tunnel; have you tried Wilcap for an adapter? Also, a regular TH350 is not a very wide trans and can be built to handle a 394 – but you’ll most likely need to ‘persuade’ the tunnel plus have good fab skills to pull it through…
Love the 64 model. I have a 64 Starfire Convertible Older restoration,
The 394 comes with 345hp. The tranny needs some work, drives well but dozen’t have pickup I remember. Looking for a good tranny guy in Durham Ontario.
I’ve had a number of early 60’s Oldsmobiles and never had a problem with the roto-hydromatic, and I beat the crap out of some of them. The Dynamic 88 came stock with a 2 barrel, Super 88 with the 4 barrel. I too, currently have a Jetstar 88 cpe. with the optional hyper 290 horse 330. I creamed a Dynamic 88 394 2 bbl. with it
I should mention that I owned another Jetstar 88 stripper with a radio delete. It had the base engine 330 2 bbl. It had only adequate power. The 4 barrel version on my current Jetstar romps pretty good. Not much off the line with the 2 speed, but dump it in low at 35 and stab the pedal, the 10.5 compression with race gas wails pretty good. I also owned a 64 Impala with a 327 4 barrel, my current Jetstar would walk all over it
Original badging and moldings have been removed from this car.
Love guys that ‘think’ the car they have or had would ‘walk away?’ From any other car that they probably have never driven.
In my case, I’ve owned a ’59 Super 88, ’61 Dynamic 88 SceniCoupe, a ’61 98, a ’61 Starfire, a ’62 Super 88, a ‘ 62 Dynamic 88 (briefly), a ’62 Starfire, 2 ’64 Jetstar 88’s, and a ’65 Delta 88. I have a pretty good idea how those cars perform
Hey Dewey.What’s your favorite automobile company?! No Toronados in the collection? I prefer the Starfires myself.
MLM: I’m mostly an Olds guy, but in my 50 years of owning cars, i’ve owned a number of mid 60’s Pontiacs, Cadillacs, a few Buicks and a handful of Fords. Most were daily drivers at the time ,and not considered collectable at the time. I loved the Starfires, great luxury performance cars. The ones I wish I still had are the 61 SceniCoupe, it was a 27,000 mile beauty that unfortunately had an engine fire. The ‘ 67 GS 400 with 392 gears was a blast to drive. The red ’61 Starfire. I sold a 69 Safari wagon with a 428 about 10 years ago that I wish I had kept now that wagons are enjoying a rennaisance. I still have a 64 Jetstar 88 2 door hardtop, 60,000 mile California car loaded. It seems the buyers of the Jetstars bought them to either be able to drive a full size Olds on the cheap, and ordered them one of two ways: few or no options like my original one, or loaded like the current one I have. The one drawback to the 1964 Jetstar 88 is they had some one year only steering and suspension parts. Olds standardized the Jetstar with the other 88’s in 1965.
My wife was driving a 64 98 four door hardtop when we met. We drove on our honeymoon in 1976 and just sold it a few years ago. It was all original and had 75 000 miles. Wish I had it back.
I have a 64 88 convertible. Cashmere Beige. All badging. 394/280. 33k miles. No issues with the roto. Head Turner everywhere we go. Room for 6, 9 if we include the trunk.
I had a 63 Dynamic 88 Holiday coupe and a 64 98 convertible Torque converter went out on the 98 but never had other trans problems. I had over 100 k on the 98 and it was driven hard.