1964 Oldsmobile Dynamic Eighty-Eight

1964 was the final year for the styling that had been introduced in 1961 and its shape and style had been influenced by the economic recession of 1958. The wheelbase had remained the same as the 1960 model, but the overall length and width were reduced slightly, following a trend throughout the industry embracing smaller and more compact vehicles. Aircraft and space ship designs continued to influence styling, with the body of the Oldsmobile gaining a trimmer, fuselage design. While the 1950s had promoted towering tail fins at the rear of vehicles, the 1961 Olds Dynamic 88 wore a 'skeg' - a downward fin - at the bottom of the rear quarters, counterbalancing the rearward point of the rear cove. The compound curve windshield that GM introduced in 1954 lasted through 1960, with the Harley Earl-designed 1961 and 1962 models gaining a small curved switch back windshield.

Although slightly smaller than the preceding design, six body styles remained apart of the 1961 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 lineup including a two- and four-door sedan, the four-door Holiday Sedan hardtop, the two-door Holiday coupe hardtop, a convertible coupe, and the Fiesta station wagon (with both two- and 3-seat configurations). The 'Starfire' convertible arrived mid-year, offering both sport and luxury, and well equipped with leather bucket seats, and a center console with a floor shifter for the Hydra-Matic transmission. Additionally, it had power brakes, power steering, power windows, and a power driver's seat.

Oldsmobile added the F-85 Series for 1961, taking over the duties previously performed by the Dynamic 88 as the 'entry level' model, moving the Dynamic 88 slightly upmarket in the process. Beneath the hood was a 394 cubic-inch V8 engine with a cast-iron block, overhead valves, an Econ-o-way Rochester carburetor, and delivering 250 horsepower at 4,400 RPM and 405 lb-ft of torque at 2,400 RPM. The engine powering the Starfire was the 'Ultra High Compression' 394 CID V8 with 335 horsepower.

Styling updates arrived in 1962 in the form of a revised front grille and bumper, and the length grew slightly. The rear fender skegs were removed and the previous round taillights were replaced by oval units. The Celebrity Sedan was given new roof lines which resulted in the loss of the panoramic rear window, and the Holiday Coupe two-door hardtop was given a convertible-inspired roofline. The two-door sedan was removed from the list of body styles on the Dynamic 88, but still available on the F-85.

1963 brought another round of restyling, this time more extensive with new exterior sheet metal abandoning the previous years' sculpted mid-sections. All full-size GM vehicles were given straight angled windshield 'A' pillars for 1963, replacing the previous reverse-curve treatment.

The 1964 Oldsmobile Dynamic Eighty-Eight
The Dynamic Eighty-Eight moved farther upward in the Oldsmobile hierarchy with the introduction of the Jetstar Eighty-Eight utilizing the same full-size body as the other 88 models. It shared many features with the redesigned F-85 and its engine was the smaller 330 V8 paired with the Jetaway two-speed automatic. The Dynamic Eighty-Eight continued to be motivated by a 394 CID V8 with 10.25:1 compression, a Rochester two-barrel carburetor, and 280 horsepower at 4,400 RPM. Power was sent to the rear wheels via a RotoHydramatic and 9.5-inch drum brakes provided the stopping power for the 8.00 x 14 inch tires.

The list of body styles offered on the Dynamic Eighty-Eight remained extensive with a four-door sedan ($3050), a two-door Holiday hardtop ($2925), a four-door Holiday hardtop ($3,130), a convertible ($3,378), and a four-door station wagon ($3,460) (The nine-passenger station wagon added an additional $100). The most popular body style was the sedan with 57,590 examples built, followed by 50,327 of the four-door Holiday hardtop, 32,369 of the two-door Holiday hardtop, and 10,747 of the six-passenger station wagon. 10,042 examples were convertibles and 6,599 were nine-passenger wagons. The combined 167,674 examples of the Dynamic Eighty-Eight built in 1964 represented approximately 31-percent of Oldsmobile's total production.

Standard features included an automatic dome light, courtesy and map lights, foam rubber padded front seat, padded dash, carpeting, and chrome side moldings. The Fiesta station wagons had an electric rear window. A variety of colored cloth, vinyl, and leather was available.

The Dynamic Eighty-Eight was produced from 1949 through 1999 and was Oldsmobile's top-selling model from 1950 through 1974.

by Daniel Vaughan | May 2022