Vehicle Description
This 1964 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 2-door hardtop coupe was one of the
quickest full-sized cars you could buy in the early '60s. And as
always, they remained powerful, comfortable full-sized cruisers
with respectable performance and a ton of amenities, making this
affordable Olds sled a great bang for the buck both then and
now.
There are no replacement panels for these cars, so everything you
see is 100% OEM steel that has survived the last 58 years rather
nicely. The color is called Bermuda Blue, code J on the cowl tag,
and is a wonderful, subtle color that looks exactly right on the
big Olds' clean body. It could almost pass for original paint, but
if we had to guess, we'd say it's an older repaint that does a
credible job of looking factory-applied. There are some minor
flaws, but very few to speak of, and overall the strong
driver-quality presentation of this Olds looks great when it's
cruising down Main Street - further punctuated by that white roof.
All the original chrome is still in nice shape, as is the simple
grille with horizontal bars and egg crate insert, and those big
bumpers fore and aft are the perfect endcaps. The split taillights
blend into the stubby tail fins and are the origin of an Oldsmobile
styling trend that lasted more than two decades, while the dual
exhaust poking under the rear bumper let everyone know this isn't
just some slow grocery getter. A long spear of bright trim molding
runs end-to-end at the profiles, while the wheel well brightwork
and rocker panel trim add even more bling, really making this
light-colored Olds pop under our lights. If you like bright colors
and plenty of shine, this is the cruiser for you.
There's not a ton of flash in the interior, but it is stylish and
comfortable and entirely appropriate to early '60s buyer tastes.
The seats wear two-tone blue vinyl, and the front bench features
split backs to allow easy access to the surprisingly spacious back
seat area. The plush carpets are likely replacements, but
everything else looks like it might be original, attesting to the
overall quality of this clean classic car. Spanning the entire
width of the car, the dashboard houses a wide speedometer housing
and simple knobs for things like the headlights and windshield
wipers, and a slender gear shift lever hangs from the steering
column. The original AM radio was replaced by a retro-style
AM/FM/AUX unit meant for a Cutlass, and it looks like it has always
belonged in the center of the dash where it matches the rest of the
decor. Overhead there's a taut headliner, vinyl floor mats protect
the floors, and the rear bench seat looks like it hasn't been used
since the Carter administration. And as an Oldsmobile, you already
know there's a giant trunk out back, complete with full-sized spare
tire and jack assembly.
The standard engine in Dynamic 88s was a 394 cubic inch V8 making
280 horsepower and a stump-pulling 430 pounds of torque. Nicknamed
the Rocket, which is proudly spelled out on the air cleaner, it
makes this Dynamic 88 a lively performer. This Rocket engine was
bathed in bright red engine paint that looks fantastic, punctuated
by a set of shiny bright valve covers at the flanks. Other than
routine maintenance items, however, it remains completely stock and
original, including the flat-black inner fenders and firewall. Key
it up, and it fires with that characteristic Oldsmobile sound,
breathing through stock exhaust manifolds into an upgraded dual
exhaust system with glasspack mufflers that has just the right
sound. The rest of the chassis is very clean and dry, and the
Jetaway 3-speed automatic transmission works as it should, teaming
with power steering and power brakes that make this Olds a joy to
drive. Upgraded American Racing Torque Thrust chrome wheels
completely change the car's attitude for the better, and they come
wrapped in 225/70/18 BFGoodrich T/A radials that perfectly fill the
fenders.
The timeless styling is less common than an Impala, and the
sophisticated colors give it a grown-up look that a lot of cars
these days are missing. And with all that room, taking your family
and friends with you is a pleasure. Fans of the Rocket, this is one
you shouldn't overlook. Call now!