1963 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 Holiday 2dr Hardtop - Blue - OH - Not Mine - 9/10 SOLD!

[6T-FinSeeker]

For Sale on Facebook:  1963 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 Holiday 2dr Hardtop in Cuyahoga Falls, OH  -  $15,000  -  Must be a member of Facebook to access Seller's contact information

 

Link:  https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/313570133093732/

 

Seller's Description:

1963 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 Holiday 2dr Hardtop

• Driven 70,249 miles
• Automatic transmission
• Exterior color: Blue

Beautiful classic Oldsmobile dynamic 88..It was my grandfather's who passed last year so I don't know a ton about it. I believe it has I believe the original motor 394. Power steering, power brakes, auto trans. The car runs and drives good and the body is in show car condition. No need for something like this so I'm selling. Would entertain other car trades of equal value or cash to make up the difference. Price is firm. Serious enquiries only please.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 11, 2020 by 6T-FinSeeker
update status (see edit history)

[JamesR]

In my opinion, one of the most beautiful GM cars of the early 60's. That's why I owned one. Sorry, but the Olds 88 and Starfire coupes were prettier than anything Chevy made at that time (aside from the Corvette) yet they're often overlooked. The big 88 wasn't exactly fast, but the 394 had loads of torque...and you felt it. Mine was OK, but not nearly this pretty. Thanks for posting. 

 

PS: beware of the slim jim tranny on these otherwise wonderful cars. It was the weak link in the drive train.

[GARY F]

Are they handicap controls under the steering wheel?

[TerryB]

15 minutes ago, GARY F said:

Are they handicap controls under the steering wheel?

Sure does look like that based on some photos I found online.  

[John_S_in_Penna]

16 hours ago, JamesR said:

PS: beware of the slim jim tranny on these otherwise wonderful cars. It was the weak link in the drive train.

 

James, a local transmission shop owner, an old-timer,

told me that Olds' transmissions weren't good in the

early 1960's.  What years had problems?  And can you

explain what problems?

 

Your fellow car fans will appreciate knowing about the pros and

cons of such models.

Edited August 28, 2020 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history)

[JamesR]

6 hours ago, John_S_in_Penna said:

 

James, a local transmission shop owner, an old-timer,

told me that Olds' transmissions weren't good in the

early 1960's.  What years had problems?  And can you

explain what problems?

 

Your fellow car fans will appreciate knowing about the pros and

cons of such models.

 

I really don't know much about transmissions. I just know that mine crapped out and I had it rebuilt by a local shop, and in doing research before the rebuild, I'd found that the slim jim - officially called the Roto-Hydramatic -  had a reputation for not being a very solid unit. I think they also came in Pontiacs of the early 1960's. I don't know if they came in Buicks of that era, but they obviously did NOT come in Chevys.

 

The shop that rebuilt mine about 15 years ago had never rebuilt one before, but they were very competent folks who did a lot of transmissions, and did an impressive amount of research before taking it apart and putting it back together. They charged me $1500 for the overhaul, and that was a lot of money for me at the time, but in retrospect I think I got a bargain, given the research and tracking down parts kits they had to do. They took the project on as kind of a personal challenge, because that's the kind of people they were (at that time.)

 

The Roto-Hydramatic was kind of unique in that the reverse position was all the way over to the right, as you can see in the ad photos. Also, when shifting from first to second, the transition was kind of unusual, what I've heard described by some as a "bumped from behind" feel. That was a fairly accurate description in my case. Once mine was rebuilt, it seemed like a solid enough unit, but I don't think you would've wanted to pull a camper with them, even though Olds and Pontiacs of the era had torquey enough motors to do that. Maybe that was the problem...394's and 389's were too much for it? Here's more info:

 

GM Roto Hydramatic transmission - Wikipedia

Edited August 29, 2020 by JamesR (see edit history)

[John_S_in_Penna]

James, thank you for taking the time to respond

in such depth, and to include the Wikipedia reference.

[6T-FinSeeker]

On 9/10, Seller marked the ad SOLD!