Boy did I fall in love with a car for sale in my town today. don't have any pictures but this guy said he replaced most of the metal and I believe him I did not go through the car too well but christ what potential this has.. big 4 door auto with a 394 asking 5K.I stopped to see the car and find out some info on it and see if the owner of the garage would do any body work on my 67. well he said no to the work but showed me the car. my dad had 2 of these I vaguely remember as a kid he had a 61 and 62.

wish I had the dough . I'd buy the car finish it off and give it to the ol' man.

I love the Olds' from the early years. I've had many of them. A '56 88 two door, a '61 98 four door, '62 98 four door, a '62 Starfire (beautiful car), a '63 Starfire (another beautiful car), a '65 Starfire (great car and pretty fast) just to mention a few.

The changeover year for B-body Olds was '65. Everything from '64 back used the 394-371-324 engine platform, and DID NOT use the "modern" T-400 or ST-300 trans. They used various versions of the early Hydramatic. Everything '65 and later used the "modern" 400-425-455 engine platform, and the great T-400 trans. Parts for these are plentiful and reasonable.

The '64 and earlier big Olds used a Slim-Jim Roto-Hydramatic. That's the big drawback to them. They're weak, don't shift well, and there's hardly anyone left who knows how to work on them or get parts for them. A T-400 will not mate up easily to the 394-371 type block, or else that would make a GREAT conversion.

Other than that, the 394-371-324 engines are great. Strong, smooth, reliable, and powerful. The cars ride great, and are very quiet. Just great cars.

You'd love the '61 but just don't beat on it. If the trans breaks, you've got a big problem. The easiest way out, if this happens, is to swap in a complete 425-455 engine and a T-400 trans. MAJOR work, but WELL WORTH IT!:D


Randy

I just about got my hands on a 62 olds 88 holiday (2-dr HT). Original motor and no rust but needed interior restored. Would've been $2,400 but somebody from canada already had dibs on it. This was well over a year ago. (the car is still on the guys property!!)

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m93/clarkbar04/Olds88/rear.jpg

I'd think you could get a finished one for not much more money than 5K?

I'd be checking back if it's still there. You still might have a chance!:)

Those cars have a great speedometer. It"s a straight line that changes color by how fast that car is moving. I think it turns red at 70 MPH! My grandpa had a 61 Super 88 four door. My step mother had a 62 Super 88 also.