Oh no...Oldsmo!

1962 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88. It's a quintessential Dad-style car. It's one of the "flagship three" of 1962; the best full-size roof design, as shared with '62 Impalas and the leaders of the pack: '62 Grand Prix. Now am I opinionated? Only correctly...! And I am daring to say that the Dynamic 88 beats it's more luxurious and more expensive brother, the '62 Starfire. Here's why: The Starfire has two-too-many taillights. The 88 uses one set each side. Also, the Starfire has that giganto-barge metal trim along the entire sides of the car. Way too much, way too silvery! The 88 has simpler, stylized side and tail trim.

I traded my little brother John a '65 442 convertible for this car. The 442 is a tough project car, but it is documented and it includes most of what it needs. An extremely uncommon and true flagship of Oldsmobile's attempt at a real musclecar . (Attempt was successful, by the way!)

So I got the Olds Dynamic 88 in return, and it is quite a car. John faithfully replaced the original 394 (factory 4bbl. and 330 horse -very uncommon on '62 88's). He used an identical 100% correct replacement, 60,000 mile 330 horse 394, from a 4 door Olds that was untampered with. Dad paid over 3K just for that old parts car, hoping he could swap the identical motors and still keep the original, which needs block and head repair. When Dad's health and mind began to fail him, John took over and replaced the 394 and slim jim trans by himself. Dad couldn't quite do it anymore. John did an amaizing job. Everything hooked up right...even painted heads, block, valve covers, etc. the correct hues.

This IS an old man car, plain and simple. It is tempting to lower it, paint the top heavy 'flake white, the body silver and add Astro Supremes with small whitewalls. It would fit the bellflower crowd as much as it would the traditional East L.A. look. But I'm not gonna' do that stuff. I think the Olds will get to keep the stock dog dishes and trim rings, the factory stance and the quiet grandpa exhaust.

After all, it is an old man car. And it truly is a quintessential Dad style. My Dad's style. And boy I sure do miss him.


WooHoo... another car I get to strip, straighten and repaint. I'm getting tired!


394 Olds. Very cool motors.


70, 000 miles original. Look at that interior-never redone or repaired.