Hello! I just joined the forum after purchasing my 1962 Dynamic 88 Celebrity Sedan. While it's probably one of the least "collectible" Olds, I think it'll be great fun to drive and enjoy.

Here's the scoop:

1962 Olds Dynamic 88 Celebrity Sedan
Surf Green on Green interior
62,005 miles
394 Ultra-high compression Rocket V8 - original, no rebuilds
"Slim Jim" Roto Hydramatic transmission - rebuilt 5k ago
All original except for new cloth on seat covers (vinyl is still original).
All original purchase records, title, dealership paperwork, and warranty plates.
Everything works except for the clock (and currently, brake lights).
The 394 fires right up after setting the choke, even in the single digit temps we've been having here lately.







I plan on using it to tow my homebuilt teardrop trailer that I built last winter. That ought to complete the already vintage look of the trailer.





Maybe this spring I'll get some beauty shots of the Olds and the teardrop together.

Anybody have a guess on what this was worth? I think NADA classic book value is a little high at $6500/low - $12500/avg. Hopefully it was worth what I paid for it...the seller had about $8000 in it.

Looking forward to learning from everyone,

Brad

 

Nice looking four door. I like them myself, and think the combo with the teardrop trailer is great. You'll have a blast traveling around with it and I am sure you will get a lot of positive comments.

 

Hi welcome to the site. That's a real nice car and I really like the trailer. They are both nice and classy and togather I bet are real head turners. Looking at your pic makes me want to go out and get in the car and go somewhere.

 

Surf Green is a color not often seen on 62's- or it wasn't around here anyway.

"I think it'll be great fun to drive and enjoy"

Bingo. The fact that they're not the popular models adds to the view for me. You see beaucoups 62 Starfires and a smattering of Ninety Eights and 88 ragtops, but rare to find a nice four-door running around.

 

Welcome to our site! Nice car - good job on your trailer too! Enjoy!!

 

Welcome aboard

We "vintage guys" love the vintage set up.

 

Welcome Aboard
As a child my dad only owned 4 doors or wagons and for this reason I love to see a 4 door when I attend shows brings back plenty of memories. Theres always plenty of 2 doors and convertibles to see.

 

Very nice survivor you have there. Welcome to CO.

 

Thanks everyone! You're right, the teardrop already draws lots of looks by itself...we'll be fighting them off when we hitch it behind the Olds! I actually had business cards made up with information about teardrops to hand out when people asked about it.

Brad

 

Nice car, welcome aboard!
/ Michael

 

Welcome. Purrdy sled.

 

As a fellow 62 D88 owner, I say welcome. A very nice ride! Have to agree, it stands out precisely because it is different. She looks to be in great shape.

Since you say it has the ultra-high compression engine, may I assume you have a 4 bbl carb? Mine has a 2 bbl.

 

Thanks! Yep, it has the four barrel. Man does this thing suck gas! It just adds insult to injury that it takes premium...

I'll accurately measure fuel consumption later. I'd guess I'm not much over 10 mpg right now. What kind of mileage are you getting on yours with the 2bbl (and I assume standard compression)?

Brad

 

Welcome to the forum! It looks like you've got a real nice driver to enjoy. I like 4 doors too so it is great to see a rare car like that on the forum.

 

Ya gotta remember premium was about 32 cents a gallon when it was made. Also remember premium fuel now does not compare to 1962 premium fuel. Premium fuel now barely compares to 1962 regular grade gasoline. And 394 were never noted for fuel mileage, nevermind they were one of the hottest things on the road in their time.

Nice job on the trailer. It'll look good behind the 62.

Ya really wanna make the car "pop"? Do a little masking on the hubcaps and fill in the Rocket's background with some red paint- the three sections inside the outline. Looks like it has trim rings too, which always set off a 59-64 Oldsmobile's appearance.

Just realised that's a radio delete car!

 

That's a good idea on the hubcaps. Yep, it does have the beauty rings (well, three outta four with the fourth in the trunk ain't bad). Actually, it came from the factory with a radio. I actually have the original receipt where the first owners PAID $88.00 in 1961 to have the radio pulled and dash plate installed. The antenna hole was covered with a small plug. That was a lot of money back then to NOT have an option. I'd love to know why they did that. I've seen a number of Mennonite cars without radios, but these owners lived smack dab in the middle of Denver - not exactly big Mennonite country.

Brad

 

Heh- would have been easier just to have left it turned off! I see the antenna hole plug in the picture.

Some folks were just funny about things like radios and other options, but if you can find a nice dash plate and radio unit, at least it won't be that difficult to have tunes or talk if you want them.

I had a Mennonite friend in high school who loved a fast car, and it bugged him because his family's beliefs wouldn't allow for him to have one. More than once he risked the consequences of riding with one of us, though in fairness his folks didn't beat him up too much for it. They were good solid people and liked us for the most part. Ted understood machinery and was a pretty good mechanic. He also liked loud crunchy guitar-driven rock and roll- not exactly yer typical Mennonite boy.

 

The previous owner did have a head unit professionally installed in the glove box to avoid marring the dash, so I have tunes!

Mennonites come in many shades (as do all of us). I have a very good friend who was raised in a Mennonite tradition. My contribution to his education while at college: tequila and Everclear shots. We're over 30 now and our favorite activity on the limited occasions we get to see each other is still "blowing sh$% up."

 

Mine is indeed a 2 bbl. It is not the standard compression, but rather the low compression engine; 8.75:1 I believe.

We took the car on vacation last summer. I recall I did get as much as 18 mpg, depending on driving conditions. 18 mpg is not bad for one of these beasts. Of course that was highway driving.

In city driving I got as low as 9 mpg! You could literally watch the needle move from F to E with each mile of in town driving.

 

welcome to the site. Love the trailer....very cool

 

Sorry, by standard compression, I meant the "low compression" version. Hmm, that's interesting that you got such a big swing; 18 mpg is great! I'll be curious to see what I find on mine after I get a few tanks through it. My old '66 Dart with the 318 got 15 mpg regardless, city, highway, it didn't care.

Tony...thanks! For anyone who is interested, there's more info on teardrop trailers at www.mikenchell.com. My trailer's build thread is at http://www.mikenchell.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=27225.

 

Hey; I don't know if you have checked this Web Site, but it's has a Trojan Virus and I don't know if my Firewall has saved me yet!!!

 

Hmm...I'm sorry if I've directed anyone to their demise...I've been visiting that site nearly daily for more than a year and never experienced any trouble. I have a firewall and McAfee and neither has ever experience an attack.

Again, sorry if anyone's having trouble.

 

Welcome to CO , nice 62 and it is a collectable with the 394 ultra high compression motor. premium gas is pretty low these days but you can bump that up if you desire but is not an absolute must.Fuel mileage was not that much of a concern back in 62 considering the price of fuel but I think she will have no problem towing around your cool trailer.