“Everyone who wants one of those has one.” So goes current wisdom about certain pony cars (early Mustangs) and muscle cars (GTOs). But what if we reverse that and say something like, “Some people who want one of those don’t even know it yet”? That’s how this 1962 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88, waiting on ebay at under ten grand with no reserve, strikes me. The car is claimed as an original California black plate model, but you’ll have to retrieve it from New Baltimore, Michigan if you beat the hammer price game.
What’s the model all about? Here’s a pretty thorough rundown. For 1962, the Dynamic 88 and other two-door hardtop (no post) models received a new “convertible-inspired” roofline, and the sedan body style (two-door with post) was dropped. That feature gives the car its long sweep effect as you cast your eye down its length. The engine’s horsepower was also raised, to 280, requiring premium fuel, though a 260-hp variant was also available. The car in question here has the original, strong-running 394-CID mill, making it a tempting idea to make the high bid and then spend Labor Day weekend getting this car home via the interstate. Why not? There are 68,000 miles on the clock. In other words, there’s room for some more without hurting the value.
Just do your homework first. As I read through the ad for this Olds, I was struck by the misspelling of the word, “laser” as “lazor,” which I’ve seen recently in an ad for a 1980 Firebird. That car, as you Barn Finders pointed out, could have questionable paint and decal work. The same might not be said for this Oldsmobile. The finish is apparently ten years old and still “near show quality,” but your eyes showing up in person to verify this would be a good idea. Anyway, knowing that the seller is a frequent flier on ebay might be of some benefit to you when it comes to verifying claims made, and those claims are many, including that almost everything is straight and original, and in working order. (Did Olds put those velour seat inserts in at the factory?) The chrome was redone. The glass is good. The list goes on. One thing I’d like to sort out is who did all the work and what was their intention—preservation? Restoration to show standards? Given that this was a decade ago, you’re kind of betwixt and between show car and grandpa car. You and your wallet can decide which way to go, though for local shows, I’d say roll up as-is and enjoy people’s reactions.
The car is what everyone wants, but doesn’t know it yet. If that seems like a reasonable claim to you, jump in. You can’t get hurt for at least five thousand dollars more than the current ask, but note that hundreds of people are watching this car here on ebay every day. Someone’s going to escalate that price. What’s a final number on this car that you’d be happy with?
This car’s design was stunningly beautiful, yet unassuming.
Wasn’t that Yugo’s advertising slogan?
Dr Olds was turning up the gas ⛽️ way back in 62 🙌🏁
Nice one. I had a 61 and a 62, both had the slim Jim roto hydramatic 375. The shift indicator on this one looks like an old powerglide.
My grandmother had the same model in medium blue back in the late 60’s. I helped my dad rebuild that Roto-Hydramatic working on a 4×8 sheet of plywood on saw horses. I must say that it was one complex transmission! We got it all back together, bolted it in and shifted better than it ever had when stock.
Worse transmission ever put in a car. My ‘62 was my first car beautiful ride was metallic gold
Harvey, I noticed that too, the PNDLR quadrant. The Powerglide switched to PRNDL beginning in 1958. Could a Buick Dynaflow have found its way into an Oldsmobile?
The only time Dynaflows got into Oldsmobiles or Cadillacs was in the early 50’s when the Hydramatic Plant in Livonia burned down. They were used as a stop gap measure until they could get the transmission plant at Willow Run up and running. The Oldsmobile shown here definitely had the Roto-Hydramatic.
GM knew they made some clean good looking cars back then.
Nice looking car, but why didn’t they re-upholster with the correct material. That’s a deal breaker for me.
Gorgeous car!
Is anyone concerned about the exhaust noise?
Less concerned with exhaust noise than the FUNKITIS withe LAZOR straight front fenders and doors. Something is grossly amiss. Then the three weird headlighs with one OEM T-3. Maybe an OK project to start with…
I have a thought. If it is a one owner car from California like the add says, wouldnt the seller be the 2nd owner?? I see that one owner bs all the time. Who cares just tell it like it is.
Not a bad looking car not my cup of tea but…
It may be the lighting but both rear quarters seem to have different blue patches of paint??
I also had a metallic gold (Frank M) and I was 18 and it didn’t take long for me to have to have the transmission rebuilt. This was my 2nd car and I wanted a 62 Chevy but my Dad found something wrong with every 62 Impala I found. lol So I agreed to the Old’s because it had the same roof that I liked on the Impala.
Does anyone know what was the problem with the transmission ?. It would break down quite easily. My dad has one, I bought a 62 with the 394 4v and it ran very good.
Sold for a touch under 19K. If it’s what the seller claimed, that’s not bad.