1961? Olds super 88

[NOBLNG]

I took this pic of the red car at a recent local car show. I’m not sure, but I think this is a ‘61? Anyways, the rear quarters and bumper look different than any pictures I’ve found. Is this modified, a different year/model…a Canadian thing? Any info appreciated. Thanks.

[Falcon Ranchero]

It is for sure a 1961, but now that I look closer I see that the skegs (term for lower fins) are missing or pushed in; must've cut them off and customized the bumper a little. But totally a '61 Olds.

[espo]

The roof design is the big give away as to the year model. GM offered that roof on every model except the Cadillac that year. Chevrolet also offered the roof design on the Bel Air line only for '62. As for the rear end treatment, this may have to do with this being the base 88 series. 

[JollySipper]

3 hours ago, Falcon Ranchero said:

the skegs (term for lower fins)

I've learned something new today...................  

[Can-Con]

Hard to say what's going on with the back of the car with just a pic of the front of it, Greg.

But I can tell you 2 things. All '61 Olds had the same rear bumpers and there was no "Canadian" specific '61 Olds as they were never made here.

I doubt it's a custom thing as the rest of the car I can see is bone stock down to the wheel covers.

[DJMar]

For sure a '61 Olds 88 series. One year only body style, IIRC.

4 hours ago, NOBLNG said:

Anyways, the rear quarters and bumper look different than any pictures I’ve found. Is this modified, a different year/model…a Canadian thing?

Do you happen to have a shot of the rear of that car from the show? Is it possible it's just the camera angle and shadows that are making it look different than stock in the pic?

Modifying the lower fenders, bumper and rear pan on that car would be quite a bit of customizing work. Now I'm curious...

[espo]

20 minutes ago, JollySipper said:

I've learned something new today...................  

That's actually more of a nautical term. 

[NOBLNG]

10 minutes ago, DJMar said:

For sure a '61 Olds 88 series. One year only body style, IIRC.

Do you happen to have a shot of the rear of that car from the show? Is it possible it's just the camera angle and shadows that are making it look different than stock in the pic?

Modifying the lower fenders, bumper and rear pan on that car would be quite a bit of customizing work. Now I'm curious...

Unfortunately no…I only took the one picture and didn’t realize there was anything odd about, not being familiar with those cars. I have zoomed in on the back end and there are definitely no “skegs” on it. I’m thinking there must have been substantial rust or other damage to the area?  Or maybe a previous owner just despised the skegs…I think it looks better without them really. If I ever come across it again, I will definitely ask the owner what’s up.?

[bobss396]

The top one looks like a 1961 nose or bumper/grill on a 1962 body.

[NOBLNG]

3 hours ago, bobss396 said:

The top one looks like a 1961 nose or bumper/grill on a 1962 body.

Nope. The “bubble top” roof was not available in’62 as far as I can tell. Plus, the parallel body lines come to a point at the rear of a ‘61, whereas they stay parallel on a ‘62. More likely some where along the line a ‘62 or later bumper was installed and the rear fenders modified to match? Just my guess.?‍♂️

Edit: It doesn’t look like a ‘62 bumper either. Maybe just some custom work?

1962

Edited October 4, 2024 by NOBLNG

[espo]

5 hours ago, NOBLNG said:

Nope. The “bubble top” roof was not available in’62 as far as I can tell. Plus, the parallel body lines come to a point at the rear of a ‘61, whereas they stay parallel on a ‘62. More likely some where along the line a ‘62 or later bumper was installed and the rear fenders modified to match? Just my guess.?‍♂️

Edit: It doesn’t look like a ‘62 bumper either. Maybe just some custom work?

1962

You could go too Google Images and request 1961 Oldsmobile images. Google will provide you with both pictures of current cars along with early GM images. You will be able to look at the body styles from several angles as well as interiors and paint colors. I think you will find that your picture is of a stock bodied Oldsmobile. 

[NOBLNG]

50 minutes ago, espo said:

You could go too Google Images and request 1961 Oldsmobile images. Google will provide you with both pictures of current cars along with early GM images. You will be able to look at the body styles from several angles as well as interiors and paint colors. I think you will find that your picture is of a stock bodied Oldsmobile. 

Thanks, that is how I research all my builds David. I searched this car too and have yet to find one without the so-called “skegs” on the rear quarters. I wish I had taken a picture from the rear also.

Edited October 4, 2024 by NOBLNG

[bobss396]

A buddy of mine. His family had a 61 4 door that was a show piece. I had a 62 Starfire convertible and a 64 88.

[DJMar]

On 10/4/2024 at 1:27 PM, espo said:

I think you will find that your picture is of a stock bodied Oldsmobile. 

Initially, this is what I thought as well, but when you look closer, things get a little...weird.

I tried to find a photo of a stock Olds that was at least close to the original regarding composition. Take a look.

I thought it might be a trick of the light in the original photo, camera angle & shadows, that sort of thing, but there appears to be more than a minor difference in the lower fender shape, especially when you look at the leading edge of the fender lip.

Even more interesting, the lower part of the rear bumper in the original pic clearly follows the fender line, which looks to be angled down and towards the body, and not away from the body as the stock photo shows.

Side by side.

The mystery deepens! I know that the '61 was a one year body style (as were most body styles back then) and I cannot find pics of any 1961 Oldsmobile that would explain this.

Custom bodywork? Super rare "1 of none" factory special? Sign of the end times?

@NOBLNG What was the size of the original pic? The one I pulled from the site is 4032x3024 @ 2.3MB. Just curious, as I don't think we're going to be able to tell much more from this angle, no matter the photo resolution.

Edited October 6, 2024 by DJMar

[Falcon Ranchero]

There’s no doubt about it, it is definitely not the normal panel style. Very odd indeed; I am stumped

[Brian Austin]

Funny the thing that drew my eye at first was the red lettering in the grille.  Usually the recesses are black? (Google is showing me everything under the sun except for what I'm looking for in this case to confirm).

FWIW while we're at it.  One thing to watch for when Googling pictures of Oldses of this era, is sometimes you might get a 98 thrown into your results.  That line had a longer wheelbase, a longer trunk and a different roof and rear glass.  Came in four doors and coupes.

A friend of mine had a '61 Dynamic 88 four-door hardtop that I fell in love with.  I've been a fan of that series since.  IIRC the Dynamic was the entry level model while the Super was a step up.  Different trim spears and wheelcovers.

I think it's funny how a single random picture taken at an event might cause something of a stir when posted.  ("Well, had I noticed it then I'd have taken more pictures of it").  ?  I have a few of those myself.

Edited October 12, 2024 by Brian Austin

[Bainford]

AI in the flesh?

[NOBLNG]

8 hours ago, Bainford said:

AI in the flesh?

Nope…I took the photo of the car myself. It is not manipulated in any way.

Edited October 18, 2024 by NOBLNG
Spelling

[Bainford]

2 hours ago, NOBLNG said:

Nope…I took the photo of the car myself. It is not manipulated in any way.

Sorry Greg. I knew all of that. It was just my lame attempt at a joke. It's what happens when I post too late at night.

[TarheelRick]

What are the possibilities the red one has had the lower portion of the quarter-panel replaced with an aftermarket piece, replacing a rusty panel. And the body shop doing the work pulled it out to sort of tuck in the bumper similar to the way the TV customizers do.  Just my thoughts.

[Falcon Ranchero]

Still a genuine mystery. There was a black four- door 1961 dynamic 88 for sale down in Wasaga Beach Ontario but it had the standard rear quarter. This red one here seems to be one of a kind. Did you notice if the other side was the same?

[NOBLNG]

1 hour ago, Falcon Ranchero said:

Still a genuine mystery. There was a black four- door 1961 dynamic 88 for sale down in Wasaga Beach Ontario but it had the standard rear quarter. This red one here seems to be one of a kind. Did you notice if the other side was the same?

No,  when I snapped this single picture I had no idea there was anything odd about it. I am inclined to think that it was either a rust repair/modification, or just a customization. I wish I had taken a picture of the rear to see if it is a modified stock bumper or something else.?

[DJMar]

2 hours ago, TarheelRick said:

What are the possibilities the red one has had the lower portion of the quarter-panel replaced with an aftermarket piece, replacing a rusty panel. And the body shop doing the work pulled it out to sort of tuck in the bumper similar to the way the TV customizers do.  Just my thoughts.

Here's a stock '61 rear end. There would be a lot more involved than just replacing a rusty quarter. Not saying it couldn't be done, but there would be a LOT of work, including the quarter panel, rear bumper and rear panel. Big money at a shop, with people who know what they're doing. Not out of the realm of possibility for someone who had a fat wallet. $$$

Considering that repro parts for these cars are virtually nonexistent, it's possible the owner went the custom route because good stock parts are pretty scarce and only available secondhand.

[Brian Austin]

My friend's Dynamic.

[dino246gt]

I built one as a period mild custom, it definitely IS a '61: