Years ago, I saw a solid ’70 LeSabre Convertible parked on the side of the road with a “For Sale” sign in the window. The interior was a disaster and it had no top, but with an asking price of $950, I stepped back and pictured myself behind the wheel of a fun summer bomber. Then I awakened from my reverie and realized that I had plenty of fun summer bombers and drove away. Still, this ’65 Jetstar 88 reminds me of that LeSabre in that it needs too much to be a realistic restoration project, but it’s too solid to use as a parts car. Barn Finds reader Zappenduster found it on the Kansas City craigslist for $3,500. Is it your idea of a fun summer bomber?
I’m a certified fan of the BOP trio (Buick-Olds-Pontiac), but the “Jetstar” name sent me on a reconnaissance mission through my materials, because Oldsmobile’s model offerings were muddy in 1965 to say the least: Jetstar 88, Jetstar I, Dynamic 88, Delta 88 (a subseries of the Dynamic 88), Starfire, 98. The Jetstar 88 was the base full-size model in the Oldsmobile line, and the convertible is legitimately uncommon: only 2,879 were made. What all big Oldsmobiles had in common in 1965 was dramatic new styling that swept through GM in that glorious model year. And the interior stylists went wild, too. The Buick and Oldsmobile in particular were the recipients of some far out instrument panels, with this neat “split” instrument cluster coming out ahead of Buick’s for readability at the very least. Is buying a car for a dashboard a thing?
You can see in the pictures how solid the floors are, which is especially lucky on a convertible with a tarp for a top. Aside from sheetmetal, this interior will need everything, which is an expensive proposition in any big full-size car that doesn’t have an Impala badge (and even then, it’s not cheap).
Under the hood lies a mystery. The seller says that this is a big-block 425 that “runs good,” but all my materials say that the 330-cubic-inch small block (in several varieties up to 315 horsepower) was the only engine available in the Jetstar 88. Of course, the 425 is an easy swap in any car that had a 330, which also adds to the confusion; it is very difficult to tell the difference between a 330 and a 425, and any easy tells that I know of are not visible in this picture. Maybe our Oldsmobile-loving commenters can give us a hand here. As it stands, I’m willing to accept the seller at face value, and either engine is excellent.
Based on what’s left of the paint and interior, my guess is that this convertible was originally Burgundy Mist with a black interior, a sharp combination that would look great when restored. But will anyone restore a base-level full-size Oldsmobile? There’s no reason you couldn’t drive this car as a fun, beat-up convertible (it has new brakes and exhaust), but it probably deserves better. What do you think lies in store for this handsome 88?
Can’t say for sure it’s a 425, but there is a head bolt on that engine for an A/C bracket and that’s not an air car. So at some point the engine has been swapped. It’s not going easy to bring this one back to pretty.
This ’65 Olds actually has a lot going for it. Its solid. Look at those floors. It’s way too nice to part out. And being as how it is a drop top, would be worth restoring, especially if you can do some or all the work yourself. Its interesting about Oldsmobiles choice of using the 330 for the engine for their base 88. It was more suited for the Cutlass and F85 series you would think. But I’m sure it had enough Oomph to move this full size convertible around adequately. I’d like to see this get saved.
About the engine. I think the 330 was painted gold like this in 1965. The 425 was painted red. At least in images I could find online. I’m wondering if this isn’t a 330. Just a thought.
I have to disagree with your source, I’m afraid. My father had a ’65 Jetstar 88 with a 425, so I know it was available. Even the combination of 2bbl carburetor and 2-speed transmission couldn’t slow that beast down.
I used the dealer specification booklet (February 1965 edition), the Standard Catalog of Oldsmobile (published by Krause Publications), and the sales brochure, but if there’s anything I’ve learned in researching old cars it’s that anything is possible.
Aaron, you guys do some seriously good research here on Barnfinds. Thanks for posting that, and your write up too. I enjoyed it.
Save the Jetstar! This is going to be a nice ride for someone.
The 425 was wider. Looks like a 330 because it doesn’t cover up the upper control arm.
The posted chart only lists 330 variants.
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Taller as well. I think a inch or inch and a quarter, so hence, wider. Difference paint color too.
‘Is buying a car for the dashboard a thing’? Well, it can be a defining element if the car happens to be a 1901-07 curved dash Oldsmobile.
The jetstar 88 was the economy model in the full size Olds line up. Unlike the Jetstar 1 which had the Starfire’s 425 V8, the jetstar 88 was equipped with the gold painted 330 and usually backed with the Super turbine 300 2 speed auto to keep its sticker price lower than the Delta 88. My family had a 64 Jetstar 88 and the performance was adequate with its 2bbl regular gas 330, much less inspiring than our 63 Starfire with its 394 ultra high compression V8.
Show the B body some love. The big ladies are still worth saving. My D88 convertible is a testament.
It’s a 330. The 425 was red.
73 or newer valve covers. i doubt it’s a 425 most likely a 350
I bought a navy blue with white convertible top and light blue interior ’65 Olds Dynamin 88 in 1970 for $500. All it needed was the idler arm tightened. That car took me from New Jersey to California and all around southern California. Not being technical at the time (still ain’t) I couldn’t tell you what engine it had in it but I can tell you as a 17 year old driving that car around town it burned rubber all the way across every intersection.
@Chris…… yes! Buying a car for it’s dashboard IS a thing. Think about it, that’s the one thing of the car you look at all the time. The pretty exterior you only see once you’re not driving it. I for one LOVE the ’65/’66 big Olds dashboards. Oldsmobile always had the most beautiful chrome deep dish steering wheels, too.
The interior on this car is a mess but how I’d love to get my hands on this car! I’d be 17 again, if only for a little while.
Angel – Yes- and who else can say they have had beautiful dashboards since 1901?
@Chris
In my opinion, Pontiac. Again along with Oldsmobile their dashboards were chromed and very stylistic from the 40s through the 70s. My favorites for Olds & Pontiacs were late 50s through the 60s, the 60s being the pinnacle.
Buick had a few gimmicky but interesting dashboards. The 1960 & 1961 Buick comes to mind with the adjustable mirror with a ribbon speedometer.
Most of my infatuation with dashboards is from mid century and up not exactly the beginning of the century.
I did look up 1901 – 1907 Oldsmobile curved dash and found the the car really didn’t even have a dashboard. Just the whole front of the car was curved. So while I’m going on about actual dashboards you, I think were referring to the car itself.
You’re right, I was bending a point.
@Angel @Chris Absolutely! My first-gen Olds Toronado and its barrel speedometer and barrage of dash dummy lights respect your takes
The 330s were painted gold and I believe the big block 400s and 425s were painted a darker bronze. This looks like a 330.
Save it—drive it and work on it as you enjoy it. I love it and it,s a great candidate to restore and enjoy.
@Chris
Yeah, sometimes it takes me minute.
Thanks, Eddie, I thought of the Toronado during my rant. But it’s mostly mid sixties that has my dashboard heart