Believe it or not, this Dynamic 88 was the base model in Oldsmobile’s 1960 lineup. Given its spectacular looks, it’s hard to believe that anybody stepped up to a Super 88 or a 98 when you could save money and still look stylish, and indeed, 29,368 Oldsmobile owners decided that a Dynamic 88 Holiday Hardtop like this one was the right car for them. This example, found by Barn Finds reader Jack M. on craigslist in San Diego, is being presented as a 40,800-mile survivor with a price tag of $39,000.
Although the big 394 was standard in the Super 88 and 98, the Dynamic 88 used the smaller 371-cubic-inch version of the “Rocket” V8. With a two-barrel carburetor and an 8.75:1 compression ratio, the 371 gave “Rocket ‘Go’ on lower-cost regular gas.” In reality, with a Rochester two-barrel carburetor, the 371 mustered 240 horsepower and 375 lb.-ft. of torque, a far cry from the muscular 394’s 315 horsepower and 435 lb.-ft. The bigger engine alone would have been a good reason why many stepped up to a Super 88, but the seller says that this car is “peppy and powerful.”
It also, like most Oldsmobile 88s, had the optional “Jetaway Hydra-Matic” transmission. Being a Dynamic 88, which cost nearly $400 less than an equivalent Super 88, it’s no surprise that this car appears to have few extra-cost options, but it hardly mattered in 1960. Every Oldsmobile got a space-age interior included with the base price, and this one is “factory original.” The seller says that “the steering wheel, instrument cluster, dash pad, headliner, package tray, carpet, rubber floor mat, upholstery and door panels are in excellent condition.”
Harmonizing with the original blue interior is Oldsmobile’s wild exterior styling and “Gulf Blue” paint; while the 1959 GM line was so over the top that there was nowhere to go but down, the 1960 models are tame only in comparison. My favorite view of the 1960 models was this one, and indeed several of the print ads from the period showed the 88’s futuristic tail. The bumper had ribbed and painted insets with the backup lights mounted low and in the corners. The bumper corners themselves followed the leading edges of the quarter panels, but they angled outward, unlike so many cars whose quarters roll back in toward the center. Where the bottom edge of the bumper meets the quarter, the side trim picks up the side of the car and extends all the way to the leading edge of the fender. The pointed taillights and creased trunk lid are almost in another zip code, with the “Oldsmobile” block letters joining the two motifs. It’s certainly different, but it works, and like most cars of the 1960s, this styling lasted only one year.
While the $39,000 price tag might seem high for a base Oldsmobile, early ’60s GM hardtops have always brought strong money because of their midcentury styling and GM swagger; they were truly on top of the automotive world at the time and they would jump from strength to strength for the next decade. Besides, how can you not imagine yourself cruising through the streets of San Diego in this gorgeous Oldsmobile?
No matter what auto maker that 1960 roof line is really beautiful
1960 is my favorite styling of that decade, and this example is proof why! while I myself would rather have a 98 coupe, I would have no issues settling for this Dynamic 88. I can’t fault it at all. Gorgeous. GLWTA!
This car was futuristic then. It’s futuristic now. Just gorgeous. I thought that paint was a redo at first, I never saw that shade before on a from the factory car of that era. Just outstanding.
What a beautiful car! I’m glad that it’s far away from me and a little on the high side for my budget because I’m out of garage space and I’d be really tempted to find some for this one. That color really sets it off. Someone is going to be a very happy buyer with this one!
Remarkable to see a 65 year old car in this condition. “Behold the glory,” indeed, Charles.
Like everybody else said, it’s a gorgeous car! Just stunning!
very nice and the price seem pretty much spot on. friend just sold a survivor 59 Bonneville with less than 30k miles for 40grand. same condition
Absolutely stunning. And the condition too!!! Did anyone see the chalk markings on the firewall? You can’t get more original than that. This ’60 has been somebody’s baby since day one. While agree with what Aaron said, I’d pony up the extra money for a Super Eighty Eight, I’d be very happy to have this one for sure. Beautiful find Curvette ( as always) and fantastic write up and research too Aaron.
Beautiful find Curvette?
Beautiful find Rocco B. Not kidding, I love this car.
My parents traded in their 55 turquoise and white Olds convertible on a brand new 1960 Olds Dynamic 88 hardtop in blue on blue but it must have been Dresden blue, the other shade offered that year. I was only 5 years old but remember going to the dealership with them to pick it up. This is the nicest 60 olds I have ever seen. Here is a link to a YouTube video of this exact car for sale by the selling dealer. I’d love to have this.
https://youtu.be/NC6YRkMgb7o?si=jk3kfp4F7tNxmj2R
The credit doesn’t belong to me Curvette, Jack M. is noted in the write up. 😊
You really have a knack for finding some really beautiful cars Curvette. Including this one. It’s neat to hear about your family history with Oldsmobiles. The ’55 Turquoise and white one sounds beautiful as well.
Thanks, Jack M. Found this one.
Lol. Ok. Well give Jack M. THIS one!! Jack, if you’re reading this, great find.
This is the nicest 1960 of any make that i have ever seen great find. This dealer also has a 1967 Plymouth VIP with only ten thousand miles that is stunning.
I agree that the rear three quarter view is pretty sweet. The body side sweep that dips down to the skeeg line aft of the rear wheel played to oppose the previous fins. Maybe an entry level model but you didn’t buy an Olds to own a base car.
Beautiful! Would prefer thin white walls. Wide ones look better on older cars in my opinion.
Agree.
A 1960 Oldsmobile would have had whitewalls like this from the factory. Thin whitewalls came in 1962.
From back when cars had style, instead of looking like jellybeans. Very beautiful!
True enough Zen, But the designers of today face enormous restrictions, The cars are engineered like fighter planes and must comply to so many regulations that would make the likes of Harley Earl resign and tell the Feds what to do with their laws. Every ounce of weight for example must be accounted for, thus plastic bumpers, crush zones, side air bags and the lot just to name a few. If in say 1958, adding 50 lbs. of metal to create a desired line and form, so it was done. No way today, and still today’s cars so outperform and outlast those of our youth. Our ;59 Chevy Biscayne had six holes on each side you could put oranges or larger through by 1965. No, I don’t like ECMs a bit but it comes with the territory. And they have produced some fine, crisp looking jelly beans, I have to admit.
It’s a mix of good and bad. The bad, lack of styling freedom. Absolutely stupid weight savings by windshields that are paper thin, the slightest grain of sand will crack them, certainly not safe, for those unbelted will fly right through the thin glass. Actually, there’s no excuse for this. Piston rings with low tensile strength to reduce friction and maybe 1 mpg better, but premature engine failure. New cars can achieve much higher accumulated mileage than the old ones with efficient engine fuel management via injection and ECM.
Completely crazy, but I just witnessed a 1959 Chevy 2 dr hdtop similar to this body style sell for $32,000 and it was less than a #5 condition needing a ground up frame off resto, only had the 283 and power glide. (Dorsey Mansion auction) A Chevy in this same condition would undoubtably go for 80 K or more. The Olds is 10 times the car of the Chevy of those years. I know because we had a 59 Kingswood brand new. And I own several 60 Olds today.
I just saw another 59 Chevy hardtop, red show car, they’re asking $125,000. The Olds is just as nice.
Love the craigslist add. I want him to write my eulogy. I could use some Extra Points.
My Dad bought a ’60 98 flat top 4 door and while a beautiful car would really roll with the big engine. Amazing to find one this nice.
That’s a really nice Olds. One would be hard pressed to find another this clean. Chalk marks are still on the firewall. Should have zero problem getting their asking price.
Nicest 1960 car period I have seen. Very nice Olds.
Beautiful! Bad management killed Oldsmobile. What a loss. This Olds is so cool. It looks great!
I would tend to specify, bad General Motors management, more so than at Oldsmobile.
Having been an Oldsmobile service manager and later sold them. The last “Oldsmobile” not a slightly modified rebadged POS was the Aurora. Which was a good car, but still needed time to become a great car. ( Northstar not withstand ing) One thing that you learn (particularly when in sales) is that Chevrolet carries a very large stick. And eventually get what ever they want. The dealers cried for years about having to compete against the GMC dealers. (Particularly in the commercial side) GMC dealers, traditionally were stronger in commercial sales than Chevy dealers because they didn’t have the wide product line that Chevy had. (IE, passenger cars, Corvette) So one of the first things that Mary Barra did was to “officially ” start to kill GMC commercial even before she became the top honcho. I was at the commercial meeting in Dallas. (being a GMC commercial sales person) They took away the new 4500/5500/6500 series away from GMC, did not include GMC with the small “Nissan” van. ( Which Chevy never did anything with) And after mending fences with ISUZU commercial Chevy was the only benefactor. Plus GM gave away the van business by not upgrading the G series can to a Euro style van. Plus GMs commercial program is years behind Fords. The company moves so slow that it’s decisions are never made to be flexible. The Corvair turned out to be a great car. But the decision to kill it happened long before the last one rolled out of the plant. The same thing about the Fiero. They feel that they know the pulse of the public, but they make their decisions from the “sales hip” and never really investigate their own internal issues with why a vehicle really isn’t selling. Because no one wants to take the blame. Engineering usually fixes the issues. But sales and marketing never listen or cares what engineering has done. Combine that with Chevy doesn’t want competition from other GM brands and you end up with stupid decisions.
Stunning to be sure, but Oldsmobile’s masterstroke, and after the Cord 812 the best, most revolutionary car to ever roll off an American production line is still the ’66 Toronado.
I agree Richard! But this one is still beautiful!
Concur. It’s a Knockout, My first car was a 1929 Pontiac which had been used as a promotional car by a Pontiac dealership, While finalizing the purchase my dear sister walked about agog through the Pontiac showroom where Pontiac’s also stunning 1960 offerings were on display. She was 13 and decimally challenged and could not understand why I would pay $150 for this relic when for a few hundred dollars more I could have one of these gems. Actually, money aside, I wanted the ’29. I was soon to learn about wood body construction the hard way, but on June 4, 1960 I felt that I’d knocked over Ft. Knox. Glorious year, 1960, I’d give anything to live it again.
WOW This car is worth 100G’s!