Once again, we’re going to take a look at a Curbside Classic from my neighborhood, this time highlighting a car my neighbor drives on a regular basis, and is an almost completely original example.
In the overall lineup, the Jetstar 88 anchored the B-body product line, and is occasionally confused with the Jetstar 1, which shared the Jetstar name, but (oddly) was near the top of the line.
We’ve covered the 1964 Oldsmobile line in great detail here at Curbside Classic, but I believe this is the first Jetstar 88 we’ve seen, partially because it sold in relatively low volumes during the three years Oldsmobile offered it, and partially because it was built back in 1964.
I initially thought this car was an A-body, until I did some Google investigation. As this image shows, in ’64 the three Oldsmobile platforms used very similar front clips.
Careful study of the grille detail and body lines confirms I was wrong- This is a B-body Olds. As was standard practice in 1964, Olds offered this B-body in multiple sub-models and body variations.
One of the possible body variations was the roof line. Instead of a concave rear window and sharply creased roof line of the Starfire and Jetstar 1 coupes, this Jetstar 88 shares the same roof as a ’64 Chevy (and other B-Body coupes).
For proof, here’s a shot of a ’64 Impala I found about a mile away. The C-pillar and back glass are identical.
At some point, the owner added these locking hood pins, probably to prevent battery pilferage. However, the hood may hide a feature unique to the Jetstar 88.
In 1964, Oldsmobile offered two engines in its product line, a carryover 394 V8 in the B and C bodies, and a new “second generation” 330 V8 offered in the F-85 A-body. Olds made the F-85 engine standard in the Jetstar, the only large Olds equipped with this smaller motor. The standard version made 225hp. The optional version with a four barrel carb made 260. The larger 394 V8 was not available in the Jetstar 88.
While this car’s condition is impressive, there are a few worrisome details. This rust should get some attention before it perforates the roof panel and allows moisture in under the headliner.
I’m curious to know if the car came from the factory with two tone paint, or someone stripped off a vinyl roof and painted it black. Since this was the base model 88, it’s possible Olds used the black paint to create a vinyl roof look without the cost of a vinyl cover.
Looking through the open passenger’s window, I guess water intrusion won’t affect the (missing) headliner. The interior condition matches up nicely to the exterior, showing us a worn but still serviceable work space. I’m sure there’s some Olds fans out there who would like to photograph and document all elements of this interior, since outside of normal wear the only modification appears to be the triple gauge set mounted under the dash.
I’m surprised to see newer white California plates, since the dealer nameplate appears original and for a local dealership. Allen Paul Oldsmobile was located at 313 North LaBrea in Inglewood, CA. Gardena shares a border with Inglewood, so it is likely the car remains close to its originating dealership.
Out back, more of the same. While the body panels are all “straight,” if someone wanted to repaint it, clearing up all the dents and dings would triple or quadruple the cost of a paint job. However, almost all the chrome trim is still present, a plus when considering restoration possibilities.
I love seeing old cars like this on the street, and I’d love to see it stay around for another 30 years. However, the future of this car is very unclear. Lots of little things prevent an easy restoration, making it an unlikely candidate for a refresh. There aren’t a lot of owners looking to drive a car of this vintage or a car in this condition. Compounding things, few repair shops want to mess with “old cars”- They don’t stock parts and every repair is “learn as you go” for their techs.
Hopefully, once the current owner moves on, a new enthusiast will appear and keep it on the road. However, history tells us it will more likely be parked in a car port to degrade and rust, then get towed off to the salvage yard the next time circumstances force a move.
Still, the plates are good until February 2021, and the current owner drives it multiple times every week, so all indicators point to many more happy miles for our Jetstar 88.
Allen Paul Olds, a name I haven’t thought of in decades! I worked their used car lot; the last car I sold there, b4 college, was also a 1964 Olds….a 4-4-2, in 1969.
Interesting to see that huge old running hulk of a ’64 Olds. I had sold two similar Oldsmobiles; one was a bare bones, 3-on-the-tree, no power anything 4 door. What a monster! However, I moved it and we made a bit from the deal. The used car manager was pleasantly surprised! The owner (another dealership) wanted more gro$$, but the manager prevailed…..unloading that turkey with any profit was a feat!! 🙂 A real “muscle builder” to drive. Not long after the crew left for Allen Paul Olds. DFO
I learned to drive in a 1964 Chevrolet SS Impala.
I learned in a 1964 Chevrolet Impala 2 dr
I’ve always thought the styling on the ’62-’64 GM full size cars to be pretty weak. Yes, the
Chevys are a collector’s favorite, but the rectangular box look was uninspired. Probably the Pontiacs were the best looking of the era.
It seems GM decided to have these cars be the transitional designs between the “rocket ship” of the earlier ’59-’61’s and the curvaceous ’65 and ’66’s that followed.
More or less a styling dead end.
First car was a 64 Cutlass Holiday hardtop, equipped with the 440 V8 Summer of 67, when I was 16. Always liked the 64 Olds line and a Jetstar I actually having less overwrought trim than the Starfire, looked trimmer. The large amount of tinworm in the chrome of the rear bumper leads me to ask if this car might have spent a lot of time at the beach.
Are you sure you didn’t mean to type 330? That was the only V8 Olds put in those.
Yes, my bad… I typed this pre coffee.
Those seats have been recovered. They looked like this when new.
The door panels are still the correct ones, though.
I can’t remember for sure but wasn’t the Jetstar 88 also blessed (cursed?) with the 2-speed automatic from the A-body F-85? Happy to concede to someone who knows for sure.
I recall Jetstar 88 as a decontented Dynamic 88, intended to compete with the Chevrolet Impala and especially the Pontiac Catalina.
The optional automatic transmission was a two speed Jetaway with a variable pitch stator. This was also called the super turbine 300. The Impala was cheaper. The Jetstar seem to be priced near the Buick Lesabre with the 300 CID engine. The LeSabre did offer the 401 as an option though. Pontiac Catalina’s only offered the 389 V8.
The Jetstar 88 was the budget big Olds. The “regular” models were the Dynamic 88 and the Super 88. The regular 88s were powered by a 394 V8 and the 3 speed Roto Hydramatic. The Jetstar 88 was basically the powertrain of the F-85 in an 88. I think the brakes may have been smaller too.
The fact that this used the 2 speed auto may be the reason this one is still on the road.
I do have a soft spot for the 64 Olds 88. Some day I will dig in and learn the reason why the Jetstar and Dynamic 88 models came with parallel windshield wipers while the Super 88 came with opposing wipers.
I remember reading a road test from a magazine that was several years old when I was in grade school. The testers made a point about how this was a cheaper way to get into a big Oldsmobile. I seem to remember they really griped about the brakes and felt that it was worth the money to move up to the Dynamic 88 with the big engine and 3 speed auto.
Some day I will dig in and learn the reason why the Jetstar and Dynamic 88 models came with parallel windshield wipers while the Super 88 came with opposing wipers.
That is one of the great unsolved automotive mysteries! 🙂
Seriously, I can’t wrap my head around that one. I’ve pondered all the possible scenarios, and none makes sense.
Some of the GM B Bodies used one style, some the others. Only Olds used both, as far as I can tell.
There are a few 64 Pontiacs like that too, but I have not invested time to find a pattern there. Body style? Production plant? Just plain weird.
Opposing wipers have the advantage of allowing the same mechanisms to be used on LH & RH drive bodies. I doubt the big Olds was ever sold in markets needing this feature, but within GM, there were probably other cars pulling from this parts bin.
As a young mechanic, I questioned many design features that seemingly couldn’t be explained. Much later in my sales career, I’ve been intimately involved with manufacturing.
A reoccurring thread has been how many design decisions are based on a need to maximize use of tooling and stamping capacity. Tooling is costly and has lead times. It is often quicker and/or more cost effective to build multiple versions of some feature. If tooling with capacity exists, you avoid lead time and better amortize the costs of that tooling. This issue often arises when product plans and sales projections show a shortage of certain components. Before new tooling is ordered, you can bet some accountant will ask if there isn’t some existing capacity somewhere that can fill the gap. Decisions like this happen most often in features such where cost savings or production timing trump design commonality considerations.
I have no special insight into why this particular model Olds uses different wipers. But as Deep Throat said, “Follow the Money”. That and the related issue of timing can explain a lot of otherwise mysterious design decisions.
Opposing wipers are the cat’s meow for me. My ’65 Riviera had them, probably the only Buick that year. Rare on American cars, so very cool – to me anyway. Best used on a morning with a light overnight snow, and upon activation, instant widow’s peak.
Our ’16 and ’18 Fusions have opposing wipers, and THREE windshield wiper squirters. Two of the touches I love in the Fusion. Amazing, a car is not victimized by the bean counters and it sells well.
I know the Jetstar 1 shared the big 394 with the Starfire, but I seem to recall reading in some car mag at the time that the Jetstar 1 was available with a 4 sp manual and the 394. Don’t remember ever seeing one. Anyone else?
For 1965 the Starfire and Jetstar I offered a 4 speed manual.
My parents had a 63 Jetstar 88,4 door.Great car,330ci,2 speed auto trans.Was pretty quick for the size of the car.But could NOT keep up with the 65 Dymamic 88 we had also,with the 425,2 barrel, turbo hydro trans. THAT THING WAS A BEAST.
There really is nothing quite the same to drive as a big low wide box of a 1960’s full sized American car with a smooth, quiet but deep sounding V8 and automatic.
Interesting you first thought this was an intermediate. That reflex sense of scale discerning the fleet has been distorted by years of sub-sub compacts.
I was only three when this car was built, and the intermediates I remember were built in the 70s.
They weren’t as large as this car, but kind of split the difference.
Try living thousands of miles away. I got caught on a 68+ Buick intermediate that I thought was bigger than it was.
Parked between the Cutlass and it’s big brother Ninety-Eight, it was an intermediate! 😉
The roofline & vinyl top were meant to mimic the look of a convertible. As a kid, I never bought the idea.
55 years later, I finally see it.
I have a strange need to sneak up on that car at night with compound and some wax.
That steering wheel design got mention in recent discussions regarding the ’59 Olds. Some wondered if Olds intended it for safety, but that it might fail that mission in an unfortunate way. From what I’ve found, it was an intentional safety design, and Olds called it the Safety Vee.
The big Olds line did indeed get complicated in the mid ’60s in terms of lines and trim. I have a thing for the ’64 Ninety-Eight, so I’ll simplify and go for the Olds brass ring. If on a budget, make it a Cutlass for me.
Squint a little, and yes, that’s it……
When I graduated from nmu in Marquette, MI I had a1964 Olds Jetstar88 4 door hardtop. 330 Cid v8 and 2 speed jetaway drive. I loved that car. With the sears radial tires it would go through all kinds of snow. With a wind chill of 60 plus below 0, it was the only car in the lot that started. Years later when I retired from my job I owned my dad’s 1985 Delta with 230,000 miles on it. I loved Oldsmobiles and gm has had nothing to offer me since. Toyota is the answer now.