This is my third Oldsmobile post in as many days! And no, I’m not an Oldsmobile fan, but hardly a detractor either. If it’s old Detroit iron, I’m there, regardless of the marque. Oldsmobile is a special case because they built great cars, they were GM’s technology division, and for the last seventeen years, they have ceased to exist due in no small part to GM’s bungling bureaucracy. So, don’t live in the past, but visiting it occasionally is always encouraged and that’s what we’re going to do today with this 1964 Oldsmobile Jetstar 88. It is located in Greensboro, North Carolina and is available, here on craigslist for $2,800. Thanks to Larry D for this tip!

Oldsmobile’s model line-up in ’64 spanned all the way from the Ninety-Eight as the pinnacle to the Jetstar 88 bringing up the rear. Offered in two-door hardtop, convertible, four-door sedan, and hardtop, the Jetstar 88 was hardly devoid of variation and came in third production-wise behind the Ninety-Eight and the Dynamic 88. The listing detail for this example is really light so it’s necessary to make judgments based on the less than forth-telling accompanying images. The finish is rough and there is some Bondo slapped into the driver’s side quarter, surface rust is evident but the body appears to be mostly sound though the rear end has either been the contactor or the contactee with some other object. Most of the trim is still in place but there is a missing piece or two – no worries as the seller claims to have “extra chrome” and another hood. Based on the exterior’s appearance, a good look underneath would be warranted.

Oldsmobile research indicates that a 225 gross HP, 330 CI V8 engine was standard in the ’64 Jetstar 88. But based on the appearance of a Quadrajet carburetor, which means a spread bore intake manifold, two items not introduced until mid-model-year ’65, I’d say that this engine may be something other than the born-with component. Actually, the HEI ignition unit and EGR valve further back up that doubt. The transmission employed would have been a two-speed “Jetaway” automatic but owing to the likely engine swap, all bets are off regarding the gearbox. No word is given regarding operating capability.

The interior image is not telling at all. It’s washed out but does reveal what appears to be a front bench seat with a white throw cover but an intact and complete instrument panel with a split dash pad – no surprise there. The little bit of the driver’s side door panel that can be glimpsed is white, so perhaps this Jetstar 88 was originally outfitted with code 977 White “Parchment” trim. Always good to see, at least from my likely narrow perspective, is the original Delco radio.

OK, lots of unknowns for this desirable, and what the seller considers to be a “rare” Oldsmobile model. Actually, oldsjunctionclassicolds.com claims that this Jetstar 88 two-door Holiday coupe is one of 14K produced in ’64 so it might be rare from a survivability perspective but it’s not a rare car. It needs a lot of work, but it’s not a lot of money either. So what do you think, worth taking on to help keep the Oldsmobile memory alive?