The automotive world was evolving during the 1960s as American manufacturers abandoned the enormous fins that dominated the final years of the 1950s. Styling was becoming generally more conservative, although Oldsmobile proved that there was still room for flamboyance with the 1961 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 Holiday Coupe. Between the “skegs” on the lower rear quarter panels and the “Bubble Top” roof, these cars undoubtedly stand out in any crowd. Our feature car is a one-owner classic that presents exceptionally well, seeming to need nothing but a new home. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Rocco B. for spotting this Olds listed here on Craigslist in Mountain View, California. You could drive away in this gem after handing the seller $35,000.
Oldsmobile released its Fifth Generation 88 range for the 1961 model year, with the latest offering featuring a completely new body and frame. Buyers could choose from six body styles, but the Holiday Coupe was the one that captured the attention of many. With its “Bubble Top” and such fine roof pillars, the vast expanses of glass gave the car a remarkably light and elegant appearance. The first owner ordered this 1961 Holiday Coupe in Provincial White. It is a one-owner vehicle and, with no mention of restoration or repairs, it may be a genuine survivor. The paint shines nicely, and the panels are straight, but its greatest strength could be the life this classic has led. It has spent its downtime garage-kept in California since Day One. Therefore, the seller’s claim that this Olds is rust-free is no great surprise. The trim is in good order, and the glass is clear. The final photo in this article shows the vehicle sitting on aftermarket wheels. However, the seller includes the original steelies and hubcaps for those wishing to recapture this classic’s factory appearance.
The seller supplies no engine shots and doesn’t mention any changes from the car’s factory specifications. Therefore, lifting the hood should reveal a 394ci “Skyrocket” V8, teamed with a three-speed Hydramatic transmission. The company’s Sales Brochure quotes a power figure of 250hp, providing surprisingly lively performance for a vehicle tipping the scales north of 4,100 lbs. One of the interior shots provides a clear view of the odometer, which shows 51,000 miles. The seller doesn’t mention the originality of that figure. However, since it is a one-owner classic, they may hold supporting evidence if the mileage is claimed to be genuine. Otherwise, this beauty runs and drives perfectly, with no identified mechanical issues or shortcomings.
It would seem almost impossible, but this Olds features an interior that presents even better than its exterior. Trimmed in Gray cloth and vinyl, there is no evidence of wear or abuse. The back seat looks like it has never been used, and the carpet is spotless. California is a beautiful state, but its climate and UV rays can take a heavy toll on items like plastic, the dash, and the pad. However, there are no such issues in this classic, and although it isn’t loaded with factory options, the AM radio will relieve boredom on long journeys.
This 1961 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 Holiday Coupe is a stunning car, and a classic of this caliber deserves to wear its original wheels and hubcaps. That option is available to the buyer, and I suspect that swapping those back on will be the first move most potential new owners would make. Otherwise, this Olds appears to need nothing. The seller’s price seems realistic when compared to recent successful sales, especially since values have climbed during the past year. This classic has been on the market for mere hours, and I won’t be surprised if it finds a new home fairly quickly.
Looks to be in excellent condition. But 35 large, I’m not sure about that.
35 is a big price, but this is a rare, superbly sleek, and impeccable find.
Somehow I doubt the original owner who is likely north of 80 years old consented to those aftermarket wheels installed on the car.
I think he compromised and agreed to put them just on one side…
No doubt being sold by the second owner who is flipping it, hence the one owner claim and pics at the service station that he owns.
Great looking car! I think a ’61 Olds would have a Roto-Hydramatic transmission (?) which was not one of GM’s best efforts.
I’ve heard that about the Roto Hydramatic. My ’63 Bonneville Safari has the Super Hydra-Matic, that used a dual coupling system, which is considered a 4-speed. I was glad to find that out AFTER I bought it. I had no idea. In fact, the transmission shop would not have rebuilt the Roto version, if that’s what I had.
Yeah, the hubcaps are the way to go.
Leave the hubcaps in the first 2 pics. The last pic with those pimp wheels and tires need to go somewhere else.
@Jake The Snake
Yeah, like the scrap yard.
I was trying to be polite, but I guess junk yard would do as well.
It is a beautiful car, especially with the pimp wheels!
This. You wouldn’t see many of these at the local Cruise In. That’s a point in its favor over all the Impalas you see from 1961. That Brocade cloth interior makes me want to just sit for awhile soaking up that jet age dashboard.
I am not one to complain about wheel choice often, as it is obviously one of the easier things to change, but in this case, you can really see how the wheel and tire combination can effect the whole demeanor of a car. I am with the wheel covers and whitewalls camp – they keep the Olds classy, understated and clean. With the aftermarket wheels and low-pros, the Olds looks more like it is trying to be something it is not.
Mike, I agree with what you are saying to a point. And the point is, it doesn’t matter. It is just a choice and the choice belongs to the person who has paid to make sure his/hers name on the title. If it was my car, you wouldn’t like the tires and wheels and I wouldn’t care.
Very clean and original–surprisingly so! But $35 large is a bit optimistic. I can see that price for a 98 coupe, but not a base model 88 no matter how nice. Ditch the aftermarket rims for the original caps/trim rings, a proper set of coker wide whites (last year for the larger whitewalls) and you’ll have a show-stopper at any event!
We’ve seen a similar 1961 Olds Dynamic 88 sell at Barret Jackson a few years ago in the 70,000 price range, so $35K isn’t bad.
Nice Car. No A/C, base interior. 35K is is more than strong. That’s convertible $$
We had one of these almost 30 years ago. It was my wife’s daily driver. I bought it at the swap meet in Monroe, WA. I had it resprayed in its original white. We called it “Bubble Up” The personalized plates only had room for 1 B.
Great car. This one is really nice, but 35k, not for me.
When showing a sparkling interior like that best not to leave a pack of cigarettes on the seat..”never been smoked in??”
I have the exact car except in a medium light blue metallic paint with a light blue interior. I did upgrade the wheels on mine, but I put five spoke Astro Supremes with Pinner white wall. The factory wheels are 14 inch and are pretty scrawny. Really sets the car off in a 60s vibe. I also added Power steering and power brakes to mine. My car is also from LA with absolutely no rust. Draw attention wherever it goes. For the record. I have a 61 Impala bubble top ,but the Olds always draws attention because they are rarely seen.
Charliedents, could you please post pics of the car? I’m sure the people here would love to see it. And the ’61 Impala too!
I bought a 61 Buick Electra from this location in 2014. Its on El Camino Real and I recognized the building. My car was white too, a flashback for me wow.
To Malcolm Boyes: THANKS for the warning about those CIGARETTES!!! And the owner, here, is likely north of 95-years-old, not 80! I suspect that Grandpa no longer drives, and Grandson (who smokes) got use of the car and put those ghastly wheels on it. Now he is bored, because he can’t operate all of his electronic “toys” in concert with this basic transportation, so he seeks to shed the car and use the money to buy something more to his liking. The novelty wore-off — this is an old man’s car — and he’s had his fling with it. But even if I had $35,000, you could not GIVE me this car, if he has SMOKED in it! This sort of situation, sadly, is what so often happens when an owner finally ages-out of his lifelong pride-and-joy — the kids fail to properly appreciate it, and then immediately ruin it: deeply sad.
knock the price of those ghetto wheels of the price of the car and keep them. talk about a stupid move not to mention how they look. very nice olds
I’ve always felt like the 61 olds had a sort of “futuristic” look about it that I like, even though the 60 model is high on my list of favorites. I’m not sure if Olds continued the same protocol in 61, but I know that for the 60 Olds, the Dynamic was supplied with the 371 engine, while the Super and the 98 came with the 394. Even though I don’t like white for cars, this is a very impressive original that has been obviously cared for. The 3 oval gauges are really classy.
Have always been a huge fan of GM’s full-size “bubbletops”! For my taste the ’61 Oldsmobile example is less attractive because the body lines of the lower quarters appear [to me] as an afterthought. Especially when you view how effectively designed was that same body area executed on Buick’s example of the bubbletop.
This was my first car in 1965…..bought for only $500 with 24,000 miles. I never liked the car much and upgraded to a 1962 Buick Wildcat the next year. $35,000 is ridiculous
Pontiac and Oldsmobile of the sixties had the best dashboards and steering wheels. Very space age all chrome and classy.
The ‘61 and ‘62 Oldsmobiles, including the Cutlass, were the best looking cars of the era in my opinion. Beautifully designed!
Brings back memories (bad). In high-school I bought a 1961 Oldsmobile 98 2 door. Crashed it the following day showing off and the brakes went to the floor and I totalled my best friends pride and joy.
Beautiful car, to bad he ruined it if smoked ciggs in it, the picture has been deleted so thanks for the info, I would have given 35k till I heard that.
I live in Nebr. and in the late 80’s, I bought a car exactly like this for $100. I was going to restore it until I found the underside was a rust bucket.
I live in Nebr. and in the late 80’s, I bought a car exactly like this for $100. I was going to restore it until I found the underside was a rust bucket.
The design seems confused, it’s all squared off at the front, which i like, but the back is all pointed. Seems like the designer couldn’t make up their mind.
@Wayne from Oz
And the 1961 Buick was pointy in the front and squarish in the back. Go figure.
Both had great dashboards and deep dish steering wheels.
The 1960 & ’61 Buick had the adjustable mirror for the dash with a ribbon speedometer. Olds had more chrome but both were metal and stylish.