Oldsmobile had it all goin’ on in ’66! They covered all the bases with models like this Dynamic 88, which occupied the middle of the pack marketing slot. Convertibles were still a “thing” in ’66, and the Dynamic 88 wasn’t the only member of Oldsmobile’s B/C body fullsizers to offer toplessness. Let’s check this one out in detail; it’s located in Palm Springs, California, and is available here on craigslist for $14,500.
First up, the listing claims this car to be both a ’68 and a ’66 model; it’s a ’66. Now, with that out of the way, Oldsmobile’s 1966 lineup placed the Ninety-Eight at the top of the totem pole, followed by the Starfire performance model, the Delta 88, Dynamic 88, and then the Jetstar 88, at the bottom, bringing up the markers. Other Oldsmobile models included the brand new, front-wheel drive Toronado, and of course, the mid-sized, A-body Cutlass/F85/442. Dynamic 88s were available in four body styles: four-door sedans and hardtops, as well as two-door hardtops and convertibles. Convertibles were also available on both the Ninety-Eight and Delta 88 models. The total Dynamic 88 convertible count only reached 5,500 units in ’66, so this one’s not rare but not common either. The seller considers this car’s condition to be excellent, and it does show well. The blue finish, which I believe is Lucerne Mist Poly, looks like a repaint to my eyes. It’s in fine shape, mind you, it just doesn’t sit the way the original lacquer would have. Additionally, it looks like there’s a missing piece of stainless trim that should extend along the lower belt line on both sides. A victim of crash damage…or what? It’s not possible to tell without a closer, in-person inspection. The listing claims that the folding top is “Fully functional and in excellent shape.”
There’s no description or details regarding the engine other than to say, “Engine runs smoothly and drives like a dream.” So, what is it? Dynamic 88s were available with three different versions of Oldsmobile’s excellent 425 CI V8 powerplant. The standard edition was a high-compression, two-barrel carburetor-fed 310 gross HP version. This car’s engine has been modified with a four-barrel carburetor, a replacement intake manifold, and an open-element air cleaner, so that gives you a bit of an idea what’s going on under the hood. A Turbo-Hydramatic 400, three-speed automatic transmission manages the gear-changing department.
The interior is a standard black vinyl-clad, bench seat environment, and for the most part, it’s in fine shape. The only demerit that I can muster is for the dash pad at the far left (driver’s side) of the dash; it appears to be lumpy. Beyond that, I’d suggest that this interior hasn’t spent too much time in top-down mode. Finally, note the instrument panel with its central V-shaped speedometer pod – it’s a very nice departure from big car blah-blah instrument panels, which often feature a huge horizontal speedo, some faux wood trim, and not much else.
Yes, it’s true, I like these full-size convertibles, GM’s examples in particular. They make for excellent top-down cruising, are reliable, easy to repair and maintain, and are usually reasonably priced – much more so than their similar but smaller A-body intermediates (Cutlass/F85). I dig this one, how about you?
Love the big convertibles, with the big motors. 😎 🏁
Me, too!
Had a ’65 Dynamic 88 convertible around 1970. Drove it out to California.
I really like it, but if there ever was a car that begged for thin whitewalls….
Beat me to it!!! This full sized Olds most definitely left the lot with white walls when new. It needs them.
This Oldsmobile certainly has been repainted. Overspray is visible on the underside of the hood and a hood hinge. The driver’s side courtesy light switch has been painted over as well.
This car has several minor flaws but what’s the big hole in the driver’s door card about?
This is a Bondo baby, quite clear by the quality of the paint job.
Considering how few of these still exist it def qualifies as rare now.I literally have not seen one since the 70’s :O
A lot of car for the money. Of the 5 GM divisions of that time, only Cadillac and the full sized Olds (except the Jetstar88) were standard with engines of 425 or larger. Olds never went for the famous X frame used by other divisions but instead pioneered a new stronger lighter and cheaper to manufacture perimeter frame that gave a better and quieter ride. Oldsmobile was the first in many areas. First mass produced car, first with a speedo, first to use chrome trim, first fully shifting automatic, first modern high compression OHV V8, first with Buick to offer an aluminum V8 in 1961, first to offer a turbocharged V8, first modern front wheel drive V8 car, first to offer an air bag, first to use deck mounted brake lights and many others. Long gone but not forgotten, this represents a piece of American automotive history. Only additions I would make would be to upgrade the brakes to tandem with front discs, add a vintage AC, and maybe a rear sway bar. Otherwise, a fun, reliable and solid long term investment. Buy and enjoy.
@John, you make a lot of excellent points. And its things many of us take for granted today. Oldsmobile was always ( at least to me) the “Engineering ” division of GM. Thank you for pointing all of those out. Many of us miss Oldsmobile.
-Dave
First GM division to be dumped (okay, Oakland became Pontiac). Can’t blame you-know-who for that, he wasn’t in office yet.
You left out many, like Viking, La Salle, Marquette, Sheridan, Scripps Booth. I think I forgot a few.
Sadly and unceremoniously dumped in 2004 under CEO Rick Wagoner. He was also pressured to axe Pontiac and others in 2010 by the US govt as part of the bankruptcy reorganization. It’s reasonable to lay blame with the delution of brands by Roger Smith but the erosion of market share happened in the 70s. We watched the brands compete for the coveted third place in the annual sales race and Olds scored number one selling model with the Cutlass year after year. A terrible end to the oldest and longest running brand at that time.
First to use deck mounted brake lights is technically true as seen on this ’71/’72 Toronado, but, as for rear mounted brake lights used today, Cadillac came out with them in 1985 and the rest of GM, and Ford, Chrysler and everyone else came out in 1986.
For GM, Cadillac was usually the leader in new innovations. Not to say Oldsmobile and Buick were never “a first” but it was usually Cadillac who introduced new things.
The high-mounted center brake light was federally mandated by the National Highway Traffic & Safety Administration (NHTSA) in model year ’86 for passenger cars and model year ’92 for light trucks.
JO
You are correct on the eye level secondary taillights. The brochure mentions the safety contribution of having the lamp at eye level. Around the same time GM also put the taillights in the bumper of the A-body wagons and pickup catching the ire of magazine writers and safety folks alike. What amazes me are the current vehicles that have their turn indicators and brake lights down low in bumper again. I understand that the CHMSL somewhat accomplishes the stopping alert but I think it just absolves bad drivers from blame when they get rear ended.
I actually remember these when new, a sedan was on display at the country fair in 1965. I too thought that dash was cool. I like this example. I can’t tell what kind of add-on gauges it has under the dash, but if one is going to go the aftermarket instrument route, at least use Stewart Warner or Sun. They don’t look cheap.
I’d move the gauges somewhere else so they wouldn’t be shin cutters.
From the best selling car in the USA. To out of business, 20 years later. The GM bean counters were very good at killing off their brands.
side molding definitely missing – huge fault. could be rust bucket ?
@ Steve
Yes, I knew at the very least Olds had chrome trim around the wheel wells. All the side chrome trim is missing. Probably from the respray. Put that back on and some 2.5″ whitewalls you got a pretty car.
Ah kin dig it. Well worth it as long as the mechanicals check out. If I had to choose between AC and an upgraded sound system though, I’d choose the latter. Cruisers need tunes, although it can get hot here occasionally in NE Ohio.
Roger Smith, former GM head, helped kill GM’s medium-priced brands Oldsmobile and Pontiac with his, “badge engineering.” Customers were getting Chevy engines in Oldsmobiles.
@Duaney
Graham, Cord, Hupmobile, Studebaker, Packard, Nash, Rambler, AMC, Dusenburg, Stutz
I agree. It definitely looks “plain” without the chrome. These had cool dash boards too. I always liked the ’66 only 4 spoke steering wheels.
The 4-spoke wheel came with the tilt/telescoping column.
boy she is bare bones. a nice set of sporty factory olds caps and a set of w/wall tires would really help out the looks for sure. it’s a drop top and it’s packing a 425. had a 65 Starfire and 67 Delmont both with a 425s and they were runners