dadedave

I have found a 1960 Olds that I was thinking about trying to get. What is a car like this worth? It looks pretty complete and has minor rust. It has been sitting for 10 years or so. I belive that it is a Delmont 88. It looks alot like a 1960 Impala.

Yellowstatue

Hi dave; If that car looks anything like an Impala then someone has stepped on your glasses...the only similarity would be the headlights and possibly the tires..

66400

60 Impala and 60 Olds share the same roof structure along with every piece of glass, body style by body style.

Look again and you'll see it.

Henry

66400

Delmonts were a 67-68 nameplate. How about Dynamic 88 for a 60 model.

Henry

jaunty75

A key question in determining value: does it run? If you don't know, was it in running condition when last parked and thus could be assumed to be made to run by doing the usual things (fresh gasoline, make sure the engine spings, etc.) before turning the key?


The only 88 series offered by Olds in 1960 were the Dynamic 88 and the Super 88. In both cases, the 2-door hardtop version in decent running condition but needing restoration is worth about $5,000. In non-running but restorable condition, it's worth about $3,000. These values are from the Old Cars Price Guide, August '09 edition.

Dan Wirth

This car is well thought of by many. In fact there is a club dedicated to the 1960 Oldsmobile. Please see link below:

http://1960oldsclub.homestead.com/

As for the car's worth, you will need to know specifically what model it is. Then, a good starting point is the NADA Price Guide for Classic Cars, you can pick this up at most stores that sell car magazines. (I would look the prices up for you, but there is not a Delmont 88 listed in this guide). But know this, the NADA Guide is just that, a guide. There are other factors to consider, especially in this market - demand for the car, quality and condition and model popularity.

Good luck.

jaunty75

I should hope not!

The Delmont 88 was an 88 series for only 1967 and 1968. In 1960, Dynamic 88 and Super 88 were the only 88 models.


Only to the extent that he makes sure it's an 88 and not a 98. As I pointed out earlier, the difference in values between a 1960 Super 88 and a 1960 Dynamic 88 of the same body style is small. What matters more is the body style, with, as usual, convertibles worth the most by quite a bit, then 2-door hardtops, and so on.

Dan Wirth

And there's also the Holiday 88 and 98 body styles...

jaunty75

I'm not sure what you mean. 98 is a series, and it came in a variety of body styles. "Holiday" was a term used by Olds for hardtop body styles. So, for example, a '64 Dynamic 88 2-door hardtop might have been called a "Dynamic 88 Holiday Coupe" in the sales literature. A '65 98 4-door hardtop might have been called a "Ninety-Eight Holiday Sedan" in the sales literature. A 4-door sedan would have been called a "Ninety-Eight Town Sedan." Etc.

But terms like "Holiday" and "Celebrity" and "Town" got used in different ways over the years, so it's more precise to simply say "2-door hardtop" or 4-door sedan" when stating the body style. No ambiguity there.

Terms like "Holiday" and so forth might have other uses over the years as well. I'm not sure.

Dan Wirth

I think you and I are talking past each other. I did not read your post before I posted mine. I also think that we are in agreement to some extent. First. let me clarify that when I first mentioned the Delmont, I was simply pointing out this car did not exist for the 1960 year - that it was not mentioned in the NADA Guide (perhaps I should have stated it that way).. Secondly, I feel that body style does matter in the value of a car, along with its condition. There are significant price differences in many body styles (not always major ones, but significant ones). And there are usually major price value jumps with the convertibles - as you mentioned. The market also plays a role and will always do so. And what I mean\ is that a car can be worth 30k, but if demand for it is low, it probably won't fetch that price (no matter what the guides say). So the guides only paint a portion of the picture; and I also think they are not the end all - but perhaps an important starting point.

jaunty75

You are absolutely correct on this. This was my point earlier on when he was asking for the value of his car. My point was that body style mattered more than series as long as we're talking the same general series (such as 88s). In other words, the difference in value between a 2-door hardtop and a 4-door sedan, regardless of whether it's a Dynamic 88 or Super 88, is larger than the difference in value between a Super 88 2-door hardtop and a Dynamic 88 2-door hardtop. As you say the body style does matter. It, along with condition, are the most important things.

The originator of this thread, dadedave, said that this is car a 1960 88 2-door hardtop, but he didn't say what kind of 88. That doesn't matter so much as the fact that it's a 2-door hardtop. Of equal importance, and you are also correct on this, is condition. We don't know that, and we don't even know if it runs.

Olds64

1960 was a good year for the full sized Oldsmobiles. I would love to have a 1960 Super 88 coupe someday.

dadedave

I have went back and looked at it again. It is a Dynamic 88 2 door hard top. There is a little rust along the bottom of the body. The origional 371 was pulled and a 394 was installed in the car. The origional engine is next to the car and goes with it along with a 4 door parts car. Would this be worth picking up if it were cheap enough?

Dan Wirth

Do you have any photos of this car?