Yesterday, we uncovered a ’62 Pontiac Grand Prix that was packing a six-pack carburetor set-up and a four-speed manual transmission. Today we’re going to kick it up a notch and check out a similar car from Oldsmobile in the form of a 1964 Jetstar 88. In the ’60s, and for a good number of years afterward, a Pontiac was a Pontiac and an Oldsmobile was an Oldsmobile. There were similarities but notable differences too. Unlike yesterday’s Pontiac, this Olds is in fantastic shape so let’s check it out. It is located in Zebulon, North Carolina and is available, here on Autotrader via the Raleigh Classic Car Auction that will be held on April 30th and May 1st. Thanks to local_sheriff for this tip!
Oldsmobile had multiple models and trim levels available in ’64 starting with the top of the line Ninety-Eight, and then moving downwards with the Starfire, Super 88, Dynamic 88, Jetstar I, and Jetstar 88, such as our subject car. As with Pontiac, full-size cars were still where the action was at Oldsmobile though the newly redesigned F85 intermediate was also available.
The listing for this car stresses a single item and that’s the engine. It is allegedly a 315 HP, 330 CI “UG” code engine that wasn’t introduced until the ’65 model year. The seller claims that this Jetstar 88 is a late ’64 build and was the benefactor of this nascent engine option as opposed to the 1964 290 HP “TG” engine. The seller claims that “it has been confirmed by the General Motors Heritage Center as having come from the factory with the new 1965 only 315 hp UG code high-performance engine before it was available to the general public for the 1965 model year“. It’s not clear if there is physical proof though some paperwork of some sort is provided. Can this be verified? Probably with a trace of engine alpha codes and casting numbers but there is no offer of access or provide these identifiers. How’s it run? Not disclosed. But, like yesterday’s Grand Prix, this Oldsmobile is stirred by a four-speed manual transmission.
The seller states that this Olds has traversed only 35K miles in its 57 years of life and it is very clean and completely straight. The two-tone red and white finish is low mileage believable though the seller does not state if the mileage can be authenticated. If you’ll note, the folded convertible top lines in this Oldsmobile’s steel roof match those of yesterday’s Grand Prix. The only items that stand out are the rear ride height (new springs?) and the dragging tailpipes. The sharp exterior package is finished off with Magnum 500 style wheels, this Olds wears them well!
The interior is magnificent – no mean feat with white considering how easily it will yellow with age. Ditto the door panels, there is no sign of grubby fingers having soiled the panels simply by the basic act of pulling the door closed or pushing it open. The instrument panel is just perfect, nothing is out of place or needs attention. Judging from the interior’s condition, the mileage proclamation is not hard to believe.
It would have been helpful if the seller elaborated on something more than just the supposedly rare engine. This is an excellent Oldsmobile with many fine qualities and a little additional promotion could go a long way. I don’t have a clue as to where the bidding will start or how it will ultimately top out, any thoughts on that front?
Always liked these cars, but have never seen one in person.
I drove Oldsmobiles for a long time. My first were 1962 Jetfire Cutlass.I had two due to a problem at that time. They were the hard top model of the Olds 85 car. and had other special equipment. Too my knowledge there were no Jetfire convertibles. They were my second and third cars. My first was a 1956 Studebaker Flight Hawk.
Now along with my Mercedes SUV, I have restored a 1956 Studebaker Power Hawk which has just over 54000 miles on it.
When I left Keesler AFB in 1969, we needed a car to get across country. At a small dealership I discovered a white with red interior Jetstar 88 two door hardtop. Yes with a four speed transmission. I remember paying less than $1000 for it. We drove it to Oklahoma and traded it for a Firebird two years later. Just another old car in those days!
Late build nicely optioned with an upgraded future engine. Makes me wonder if this was a special order car by an Oldsmobile or GM executive.
It probably was an internal order by a suit. A friend was a GM executive and owned a 1988 Corvette convertible with a factory hardtop. She ordered the car near the end of the model year and was able to get the following year’s option..
It’s a yawn created by the seller. It’s complete BS.
Beautiful for sure, but how much longer will there be available petrol for it at a cost we can afford? How much longer will we be able to drive cars that pollute so badly? I am not for these things, but we do not make the rules, the government does, and we must do what is the law. I can see a day when the only way we will be allowed to drive these old cars is if they have electric motors transplanted into them. What I am saying is that a person should not pay too much for these cars because how long will they be useable or even legal?. Certainly not a good investment if the future laws get severe.
Getting a little political? OK I’ll bite. We’ll always be able to drive gas powered cars. This is still a free country. While the government is trying to push electric cars on us all, the buying public wants, and is buying, trucks and SUVs. I’m sure you’ve noticed how sales of sedans have plummeted…causing GM and Ford to drop them from their lineups.The car manufacturers will always build what the public will buy, and will not build what the public does not want . But even if your prediction turns out to be true, then this Olds will increase in value…not decrease. It will be a good investment.,
I don’t see it as an investment if it is illegal to drive on the road or if the price of rare petrol hits 20 dollars per gallon. Some may be okay having it in their private little museum as a static piece, but even Leno drives his cars once in a while, most will want that. The intrinsic value will plummet This has nothing to do with my political views, it is pure speculation of what may happen if certain political views become law. I am a car person, I want this and all old cars to stay on the road..
Tony, I like pickups, have one myself, but I think the American car companies putting all their eggs in one basket is a mistake. If that basket should fall, say, a doubling of gas prices, what will be left except bankruptcy, and I do not see the present people in charge bailing them out again, esp if it is from their own foolishness. Seen the price of gas today? Any old reason to bump profits and the oil speculators will jump to do it. Adjusted for inflation, gas should be around 2.50/gallon, going to hit 3 bucks this week and who knows by summer. Where will the ever so smart buying public be then? The average car buyer is about as smart as a sheep. They just follow the herd and what the shepherd tells them they want. I also want to add that going fully electric is going to kill the air quality. We do not have the capacity to make that much juice for everyone to scoot around “green”. And if they do, how much soot will end up in the air? Outside of nuclear power, how will we make all those new nifty cars go? Then, if we decide to risk more nuke plants, they take 10+ years to build. What are we going to do, shovel more coal? It is a big lie that is being told. Modern gas engines are very clean compared to once was, why al the hurry to change? Plus, the batteries have many rare elements in them that we as a nation do not own, and the mining and production for them is very polluting. How do you win? Might have to start walking. Buy stock in bicycle companies I guess.
100 years ago, the car was very quickly replacing the horse as the country’s primary source of transportation. Today, we still have horses, you can still buy fuel for them, and people still enjoy them very much. Lighten up.
Apples and oranges. The comparison is a poor one. 100 years ago no one was worried about climate change. 100 years ago we didn’t have the information age available to quickly cement public opinion. Some may say that the ICE is a hindrance to life on Earth. I do not believe that, but keeping your head in the sand just gets your ears full of gunk and you are incapable of hearing what is going on around you. We need to have public relations project making our case to the easily swayed general public, so our old car hobby isn’t tossed into the dustbin of history..
CC Fisher, They have a short use time, are expensive to maintain, care, require a lot of space for “storage” stabling and can not be taken everywhere. They are slow in long distance travel and not practical for most people,
Walking on shaky ground with that comment ain’t ya?
I smell a troll
Probably not going to be a government problem driving other than fuel as nobody drives these for daily drivers or cross country trips. Very minuscule amount of pollution as so little miles driven by cars like this.
Curt, I don’t think that gas powered vehicles will ever be banned, but I can foresee a future where if a person still has one, there could be an extra (expensive) license or surcharge required to operate it. Plus, I think that as more vehicles move to electric, the cost of gasoline will increase. I also think it’ll be a long time in the future before military vehicles, for example, will all migrate to 100% electric. Imagine an all electric M1A or F-18. By the way, that 88 is gorgeous, and I never saw one with a 4 speed.
If I had the funds I’d competing in this auction ; IMHO this is THE ’64 Olds 88 to own – you get the beautiful razor-sharp lines from ’64 without the hassle with the Roto-Hydramatic. The Jetstar88 was the ONLY ’64 Olds fullsize that could be ordered with a 4spd, this is the 2nd I’ve seen advertized ever and these are über-rare today. Those of you who know the Jetstar88 are aware the brakes were inadequate even by ’64 standards, so it definately needs a disc brake upgrade and suspension drop but apart from that it’d be original.
For those of you concerned about access to appropriate fuel in the future I’m confident the ‘Ultra High Comression Jetfire’ will appreciate E85 after a few mods! 😁
Ugh, nobody is taking the gas cars away! Classic cars will be around for many a year. Wish I had the money for this one. Sure it will do well at auction.
So rare and so nice. I wish the notion of ordering a car with an array of choices was an experience a new generation could experience
Beautiful car ,should go to 30 grand easy..
Even more
Between 1963 & 1966, we lived near a large Olds dealership in Chicago. As a 7 to 11 year old I was fascinated by them and watched the new ones come off the trucks every year. I wandered around the showroom, I was allowed in the back with supervision. It was a wonderful, learning experience of my childhood with lifelong memories. This is a beautiful car.
In the days before emissions standards, was it really that unusual for a manufacturer to phase in a new engine late in the model year? Cars built like that are certainly uncommon, but unless you’re talking Hemi, big-block Chevy, or Ford 427, you’d need a real brand enthusiast to pay a premium. Besides, the engine isn’t the appeal, here. The car is in sensational shape, and has a 4-speed!
You’re definately right in your assumption – ’64 fullsize Oldses are overlooked cars and have a very limited audience (IMHO very strange). ‘Performance’-optioned Jetstar88s are almost non-existant as most ’64 Olds buyers found the Dynamic88 with the 394 to be a better choice. Those few Jetstar88s we see for sale usually have very little options other than PS,PB and auto.
Being such an under-appreciated model I suspect final bids will be in the 25-30k range
Your first problem is believing the ad copy. Olds didn’t “phase in a new engine”. The 1964 330s used a one-year-only shaft-mount rocker design. Part way through the 1964 model year, Olds changed to the pedestal-mount rockers used on the 1965-1990 motors. That is not unique to this one car and it’s well documented in factory service literature. The change was only to the head casting number and internal rocker parts. Don’t believe everything you read on the interwebs.
you or I will never live long enough, to see that you can’t drive these cars anymore. opec will see to that!
Mopar had the Six-pack—Pontiac had Tri-power !!!
I really enjoy barn finds! Some of these cars bring back fond memories. I enjoy the comments and interaction about experiences between those who actually can own them. I don’t enjoy the political comments however and wish you would screen them.
Mike:
Thx for the positive note. We do have a “No politics, no profanity, and no personal attacks” (three P’s) policy. Barn Finds commentators are among the best in terms of civility. I monitor every comment made referencing my articles and I honestly don’t think this discourse has veered too far, not yet anyway. If it does, I’ll fix it, I assure you.
I want everyone to read, comment, and enjoy Barn Finds and make it a pleasant experience for everyone. Thanks for being a reader!
JO
Not naming names, but there’s someone on here who might be on the wrong thread. This person thinks all collector cars are being used as daily drivers, and seems to have a problem with so called “gas guzzlers”. The majority of collector cars are barely driven, many of these vehicles are “adult toys” that their owners take enjoyment in buying, restoring, and occasionally taking out for a “Sunday drive” to show off to their friends and neighbors..so to speak, Then in some cases they’ll re- sell it, sometimes at a loss, and some times for a profit…then buy another. We are all “car lovers” on here and like to share comments and opinions about CARS. This obsession about “climate change” does not belong on Barn Finds…it’s in the rules.
Climate change is not politics, just the untruths told about it on both sides is political. I think most here are on the same page as far as that is concerned which is, no matter what your feelings about it are, we agree with you that the amount of pollution put out by old cars is is small as to not make a difference. That said, we as a group have to wake up and see that radical ideas want to change our hobby in ways most will not like. Sometimes we have to get out of our comfort zone and get proactive or something will come up on us suddenly and bonk us on the back of the head. Many groups are active in trying to sway public opinion, why not us?
This is not a forum for people who want to “sway public opinion”. This is a forum for INDIVIDUAL car enthusiasts who enjoy seeing and talking with each other about collector cars…and the memories connected to these cars that we all have. You can call climate change anything you want…but that’s a discussion for another site that pertains to that subject. I’m sure you belong to many of those groups. So please don’t try to speak for everyone else on here. You don’t speak for me. Speak for yourself.
@Anthony DAmico, I disagree. I have read this whole set of postings. I find the conversation relevant and interesting. It has much to do about old cars and their future in our society. What there is not about the old car hobby? The poster you question has made it clear, he or she is an old car enthusiast and wants nothing to change, and offers solutions they feel will continue to make it so. As far as “swaying public opinion”, if that changes against our needs and wants, we suddenly become a minority and those needs and wants will get pushed aside. It is foolish to not at least pay attention to public discourse.
That whole sub-conversation has exactly nothing to do with the car in question. In what world is it appropriate to hijack this thread? There are plenty of places to have that conversation. This site is intended to talk about the car in question, not the future of civilization or even the future of the old car hobby. I’m not suggesting that we shouldn’t be having that discussion, only that this isn’t the place for it.
It’s funny how two people can read the exact same commentary, and come to two different conclusions as to what that person is saying. This person is talking about climate change and the automobile’s future in America…not about he or she being a so called “car person”. And this person has virtually nothing to say about the “64 Olds, other than it’s a “gas guzzler”.
Yes, that person is I, and it has to stop now! I’m trying to be patient but my patience is being tried. No more comments about existential climate change, fuel availability, who is minding this website or anything else that is not related to this ’64 Oldsmobile.
Some posters have brought up viable points to be considered, but others keep stabbing and aggravating the situation.
Stop now, or I start deleting!
JO
This car has been for sale for a long time. The ad copy makes a lot of unsubstantiated claims for a one-of-none car. Olds production records tied to VIN don’t exist for these cars, so the claim that GM Heritage Center verified that this car is one-of-one just pegs the BS meter. Without a build sheet, order form, or other contemporary piece of hard evidence, this is thus a story. This same seller has another Oldsmobile with a similar unsubstantiated story. Buyer beware.
Thanks for that, Joe. This is Bar Finds commentary at it’s best. Good job.
As I recall, the Jetstar 88 was a new lower priced full size Olds introduced in ‘64, dipping into a less affluent market.
I also recall a Motor Trend road test of it or a Jetstar I, saying one of the Jetstar cost-cutting moves was using F-85 brakes, which MT said were very inadequate.
If this convertible has those brakes, at least the four-speed will help with engine braking. The issue is certainly one I’d want to be aware of while driving a Jetstar in today’s conditions.
Maybe it was just the Jetstar I that had the smaller drum brakes. Anyone remember?
The Jetstar I was a de-contented Starfire and used the 394 and same brakes as the other full size cars that year. The Jetstar 88 was the B-body loss-leader that used the smaller A-body brakes, the new-for-64 330 motor, and the A-body BOP 8.2″ rear axle (with a wider housing and shafts that is unique to the 1964 J88). Unfortunately the use of both the Jetstar I and Jetstar 88 names in the same year led to a lot of confusion between these two models.
From what I can remember, Olds ‘ full size lineup was the Jetstar, Dynamic, Delta, and Starfire. Now…whatever happened to that hot 330? Olds developed a new 400 that was unique to the new 442. Two barrel 330s were available in the intermediate and full size lineup.
I think that it got lost in the cubic inch wars spawned by the arrival of the new GTO.
It was just Jetstar 88 that had F-85 brakes. Jetstar ! was a dechromed Starfire with a 350+ hp 394 like the Starfire.
64 Le Sabre has Skylark brakes. Le Sabre had a 300 from the Special and Skylark.that year and
Jetstar I had a 330 from the F-85.
If you look at the picture of this car, motor looks like low compression
2 bbl 330 with about 250 hp.
I’m not sure what makes you think that’s a 2bbl motor. It’s definitely been messed with. The breather and tube from the valve cover to the air cleaner are from a much later Olds motor. The writeup about the one-of-none motor should be taken with a grain of salt, but that’s a 4bbl 330, which was an option in the J88. The four speed was also a factory option and was rare.
Climate change has to be in the discussin. All my cars are hy breds—they burn both gasoline and rubber!!!!!!!!!!!! ps , I have a 63 Le Sabre 401 Buick with a bench seat and a factory four speed, and that is a rare car. I NEED this full size and I neeed thiis full size Olds with a four spped to go with it. IHow do I get in touch
Wikipedia answers my question. It was the Jetstar 88 that had the smaller brakes and other A-body equipment, not the Jetstar I, which was sort of a partly stripped-down Starfire.
I should have looked this up online before my previous post.
I would be interested but I just put all of my available funds into aluminum foil futures. Hats will be needed.
Old cars are very cool. I wanted one, but cannot work on cars anymore. I read Barn Finds everyday. My 2018 Challenger scat pack, shaker hood, is a retro old car. It was bought new and is probably far faster than most old cars. It idles very smoothly with no lope. Incredible electronics. It is still fun to look and wish at old cars. My friends have several. Thank you Dodge for the retro.
I have the 290 horse version of this car, and it’s surprisingly stout. I run race gas cut with 35 percent pump premium for performance and to avoid the pinging
You can and will always be able to buy 100 octane low lead aviation gas
Really nice car,the 330 engines were excellent, and had some forged parts to boot!,here’s a factoid for our political and green people,carbon is plant/vegetation food,please guy’s can we keep this fun and “all about the cars”.
If you remove the air cleaner you could tell if it is a 2 or 4 bbl. 2bbl was a regular gas option (which gave you a small credit.)
Does anyone know if the Rotomatic 3 speed or the Super Hydramatic 4 speed
was use in the Starfire and JetStar I?
No 4spd Super Hydramatics installed in fullsize Olds in the ’61-’64 time frame – only available slushbox was the Roto-Hydramatic (and the 2spd Jetaway in ’64 Jetstar88).
As GM’s technological spearhead division but also a fairly low volume seller Olds had to team up with Pontiac so to justify the development costs of the new transmission. Thus the Roto Hydramatic also found its way into Cats and GPs
Aluminum foil comment-best ever.
I really like this Olds, would be one I would love to park in my garage but I have run out of room and my wife would kill me if I tried to buy it. My Father was a real Oldsmobile person and had several back in the 60’s, the one I was able to talk him out of and drive my senior year in HS was his 1954 88 Baby blue hardtop,. Such a nice car and good memories from that time!
Life is to short to worry about the gas and climate IMO. Just enjoy each day and enjoy these old cars. I finally have my bucket list ’65 GTO with 3 pedals and I haven’t driven it a lot, but when I do I really enjoy it!
I like non-cookie cutter cars, and this one certainly fits the bill. It is a shame the Old performance big bodies did not share the Grand Prix roof. I hate this roof line. Not a fan of red cars, but otherwise, this Olds is pretty awesome. I’ve been a car nut since this thing was new, and I don’t remember seeing very many of them in the past 50+ years.
Personally I just love this roofline but we all have our favorites. FYI the GP greenhouse is the one you got when you ordered the Starfire.
And if you wanted this same roofline but were on a budget you could still order the Jetstar1; more or less a stripped down Starfire but still with the massive 440ft/lbs 394. Jetstar1’s base transmission was a 3spd manual – I’ve long wondered what kind of ‘base’ tranny could withstand that torquey mill…?
So all in all there were 3 models sharing the roof you prefer; GP, Starfire and Jetstar1! 😏
My 68 442 with a 400 came with a manual 3 speed and it worked perfectly for first 50 K miles when I replaced it with a Muncie 4 speed thinking it would be faster. Not! BTW I was surprised to find out the original 3 speed manual was a Ford top loader. Was told there had been a fire at a GM plant and 3 speeds were in short supply.
There was no “fire”. Buick, Olds, and Pontiac all used the “Dearborn” toploader three speed as the HD three speed manual trans from mid-1965 through the 1969 model year in the A-body cars and surprisingly through the 1971 model year in the B-body cars (yes, 1971 was the last time you could get a manual trans in an Olds Delta 88). This HD three speed was the standard equipment trans in the Olds 442 from mid-1965 through 1969.
The Starfire and Jetstar I used the same “formal” roofline as the Grand Prix. The lesser Olds 88s used this roofline.
That was my car and i still have all the research and photos of parts and numbers that proved it is the real deal it quite a story
I would be very interested in seeing the proof. The problem with any one-of-none car is the documentation that backs up the story.
The problem is THE STORY. Why can’t it just be a neat car and lose all the hype ? The old car hobby is full of this hucksterism. Makes being a part of the hobby very unappealing. The car is cool. The BS, not so much. 😑
Agree with burgers last comments.
Just looking over the current Old Car Price Guide and I see this Jetstar is listed at $23K for a Number 1, but it shows no increase if equipped with a manual trans as it probably would have if it was a factory option. So this Olds must have been a one off special order built for some GM VIP?
First, the Old Car Price Guides always skew high. They cannot possibly track every private sale. Most of them simply track big name auction results, and BJ, Mecum, et al are not the real world. Also, nowhere near enough of these cars sell to build a statistically valid data base. Tracking completed auctions on ebay is a far more accurate gauge of value, and when you do that, you’ll find that the high dollar cars rarely sell.
As for the four speed, it was a regular production option on 1964 Jetstar 88s. There’s no mystery about that, it’s in the factory sales literature. Heck, the base equipment on the J88 was a column shifted three speed manual trans. The 4bbl 330 motor was also a regular production option. Don’t put a lot of stock in Oldsmobile’s factory HP ratings. There were only three different cams offered in the 1964-65 330s, the 2bbl cam, the 4bbl AT cam, and the 4bbl MT cam (originally the police-package cam that got used in the 1964 442). Engines with the 4bbl MT cam were variously rated at 290 HP, 310 HP, and 315 HP with no internal changes. How that happens is a mystery of the Oldsmobile marketing department.
It is not for you to make assumptions. It is for the seller to provide evidence.
He had not.
All we know is that 51 J88 convertibles were built with the 4-speed. That info was compiled by my friend Kurt at the GM Heritage Center.
This car is NOT a convertible. It has that dopey looking “jointed” hardtop roof, stolen off the ubiquitous and equally ugly 64 Impala. So, let’s do a reset on the number argument and take it from there. 👍
Alright, from my phone it looks like a convertible. Doesn’t really change anything other than the number built with a 4-speed: 230
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Many found the mock convertible roof attractive, myself included. I had the Impala, a Pontiac Ventura (red with white top) and two Jetstars.
I owned a 64 JetStar 88 four door with a 330/ 4-speed. One of the best cars I ever owned. The engine was unbreakable. I remember racing an ElCamino one day and beat him. I drove 120 MPH uphill on a straight path one day. I buried the speedometer. I maintained it but could not break it. I do not drive like that anymore.