Vehicle Description
1961 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 Holiday Coupe
"The link to the 1950s was most evident on the rear quarters of the
1961 Olds Super 88 because the car had round tail lights that were
deliberately designed to resemble booster rockets and were
positioned inside a pair of subtle inverted tail fins that came to
points at both the top and bottom of the quarter panels. The 1961
Oldsmobile designers were able to create a rear deck that screamed
fast at a standstill and forced competitors into chase mode in
terms of space age style." Mystarcollectorcar.com
For consignment, a 1961 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 Holiday coupe showing
5,439 miles, but the true miles are unknown. Eighty Eights were
available in 2-barrel Dynamic models or 4-barrel Super models, with
variations, and six body styles. 19,878 Dynamic 88 Holiday 2 doors
were built in 1961, and this example provides opportunity for
restoration.
Exterior
A Palmetto Mist bubble top looms epically over a Provincial White
body and despite the condition of the paint, there's no denying the
unique and exciting lines of this fairly uncommon car. We'll start
at the back where round tail lights dictate the shape of the trim
above while the bumper below wears downward fins akin to skegs of a
boat or fin of a surfboard. It's unique and flanks the lower
valence which holds the capsule shaped reverse lights. In profile,
the body lines reflect a bullet in reverse with the point at the
back, widening as it moves to the front fender with stainless trim
bisecting it. Harley Earl decided on the switch back of the
windshield which flares at the bottom in a pointed wrap around,
while the back window curves gently at the end of a rounded roof.
There's surface rust, dents, scratching, chips, actual rust around
the rocker panel and fender edges, lots of touched up attempts,
obvious filler and cracking paint above it. Yeah, she's going to
need work, but just look at that body shape!
Interior
More work needed here as the green interior will need some
restoration. That said, the door panels dressed in three shades of
green in varying insert designs are actually in decent condition
and inspiration for bringing the car up to par. The driver's side
of the vinyl and cloth split bench is torn badly and is compressed
deeply, while the passenger side is stained but not torn. The back
bench also has its share of stains and a rip or two and the carpet
is worn through in back and to a lesser extent in front. A green
steering wheel with attractive slim central spoke shows some cracks
and frames a fantastic dashboard that blends the ornate 50's with
the linear 60's, elongated oval gauges below a horizontal
speedometer, both rimmed in chrome trim over a green base. The
lower panel is ribbed metal and holds two push button panels for
the air conditioning and heater. An AM radio is central under a
dash pad that is cracked and detached at the side. Above us, the
headliner is in decent shape but the driver's visor material is
split. The trunk is barren and uncovered.
Drivetrain
When we lift the hood, we note the insulation is in pieces, broken
down after many years exposed to engine heat. The bay itself is
driver quality and houses a 394ci V8 rated at 250 horsepower and
fueled by a 2-barrel carburetor, mated to a Hydramatic 3-speed
automatic that sends power to the rear axle with 2.87 gears. Power
brakes are employed as drums on all four wheels.
Undercarriage
Driver quality as expected underneath with surface rust, grease
build up, and oil present both as drops on the pan and as residual
and blow back on crossmembers and other frame components. The
single exhaust seems to be intact and flows through a stock style
muffler, eventually exiting behind the rear quarter panel.
Suspension consists of coil spring up front and a 4 link with coils
in the back.
Drive-Ability
Narrow pillars result in great visibility in this car that narrows
the 88 series as it enters the 60's and its 5thgeneration. The 394
starts right up and exhibits some valve train noise, so we feather
it around the test loop where 215/75R14 tires help to counter
imperfections in the tarmac even as suspension shows a bit of age.
We note the following; the A/C, horn, wipers, and reverse lights
are not working. The gas gauge is stuck at � tank so keep track of
that in a notebook! Overall, not bad as the rest of the functional
items operate as they should! While Classic Auto Mall represents
that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we
cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of
your purchase.
You can scratch tires off the list as the 75 series on the car have
a mid 2020 date code so can be driven on while you're restoring
this car! Of course, you can keep it in its worn and patina'd state
and still be cool. This is an uncommon and uniquely designed car
and of the six body styles, this may objectively be the best of the
lot with curved glass and a rounded roof taking center stage. This
may or may not have been your father's Oldsmobile, but it should be
yours!
612K08694
61-1961
2-88
K-Kansas City, KS Assy Plant
08694-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
STYLE 61 3237-1961 Dynamic 88 2 Door Holiday Coupe
BODY BK929-Kansas City Body #
TRIM 317-Green Cloth & Vinyl
PAINT CJ-Provincial White & Palmetto Mist
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
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