[jdorour]

The Jetstar (not the Jetstar 1) is a hibrid of A Body and B/C Body parts with a few specific parts mixed in. The engine and TH300 transmission are the same as the Heavyduty F85/Cutlass. The TH400 (optional in 1965 and 1966) is the same as the 300/310 horsepower Dynamic/Delta. The Rearend is specific to the Jetstar but some of the internal components are the same as the A Body. The big rearend from the Delta/Dynamic/Ninety Eight/Starfire will bolt in but it uses the big brakes and the 5X5 bolt pattern wheels. The front suspension is the same as the other big cars with the exception of the springs, brakes and spindles. All of the body parts are the same as the other B Body Oldsmobiles. Only the front sheet metal is interchangable with the Ninety Eight. The heater/AC control is specific to the Jetstar. all of the underhood heater/AC parts are the same as the other big cars except the heater valve and the mode door control. The Evap, Heater Core and Condenser are the same as the othe big cars. All of the electrical components are the same as the other big cars with the same options.

The Jetstar was an attempt by Olds to offer a full size car at a popular price. It was priced about the same as the Pontiac Catalina and Chevy Impala. Olds tried to remove cost by sharing parts with higher volume products like the A Body car. The A Body (from 1964 on) shared components (except engines) between all Divisions increasing the volume and lowering the per-unit cost. They also removed some expensive components from the car like the vacuum operated HVAC system and installed cable operated HVAC like a Chevy. The interior used some chevy components and fabrics.

The only real problem with the Jetstar is the little 9.5 inch brakes. In contrast the other Big Olds' (along with the big Pontiac and Buick) used 11 inch brakes and the big Chevy used 10 or 11 inch brakes depending on the year. The Jetstar was not that much lighter than a Delta/Dynamic 88.