1961 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight

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 5th generation. The 394 start