1961 Oldsmobile - General

Oldsmobiles were introduced October 6, 1960, and, for the first time, Olds broke with with its long-time, three-series format. Now, at the bottom of the lineup was the all new, mid-size F-85. Smaller than any other postwar Oldsmobile, the F-85 was powered by a unique aluminum 215 CID V-8. The F-85 joined small car offerings from Buick and Pontiac. J.F. Wolfram was the head of Oldsmobile division again this year.

In the full-size offerings, an all-new body and chassis with perimeter "Guard Beam" frame and all-coil suspension replaced the previous leaf springs. All full-sized Oldsmobiles were now powered by the 394-cubic-inch Rocket V8 with the Dynamic 88 getting a two-barrel, 250 HP version that used regular gas. The Super 88 was powered by a four-barrel "High Compression" 394 Skyrocket V8 rated at 325 HP. This Skyrocket engine was available as an extra-cost option on the Dynamic 88.

A new three-speed "Roto" Hydra-matic ("Slim Jim" as it would later be called) transmission that was smaller and lighter than the previous four-speed unit was introduced; however, it was an option in all except the Classic 98.

Oldsmobile 1961 body design started to catch up to buyer preferences that had come from the recession beginning in 1958 and still lingered. While wheelbases remained the same as in 1960, the overall length and width were reduced slightly. As such, body design focused on a trimmer, fuselage design. The front fascia was cleaned up with a thinner grille using slim vertical fins curving inward at the base, making the opening look even smaller.

At the rear quarters, the bottom received a "skeg" - a downward fin - that jutted outboard to counterbalance the rearward point of the quarter panel which evoked a "teardrop" look. Round tail lights, one on each side, were set into the rear cove as the only decoration.

The big change was that the 4-door hardtop's roofline was adopted by the 2-door and 4-door sedans, and the 4-door hardtop received a crisp, more formal top without the rear wraparound window. For 1961, GM also retired the compound curve windshields that it had introduced in 1954, and the much-hated door opening dogleg caused by the shape of the windshield went with it.

A sporty and luxurious convertible-only model called the "Starfire" was introduced at mid-year. It was based on the Super 88 convertible and featured leather bucket seats and a center console with floor shifter for the Hydra-matic transmission. This was the first U.S. full-sized production car to feature an automatic transmission with a console-mounted floor shifter. Many other usually-optional items such as power steering, brakes, windows, and driver's seat were part of the package.

The Starfire was powered by a higher-performance version of the Olds 394 CID V-8, called "Ultra High Compression Starfire V8," rated at 335 HP, which was accomplished by a more radical cam timing and 10.25:1 compression.

Model year production peaked at 240,716 full-size Oldsmobiles and 76,394 F-85's for a total of 317,110, down from 1960's 347,141 units. It seemed that the F-85 arrived just in time. The public was on a smaller-car kick, and without the new Y-body, Oldsmobile would have been hurting big time.

1961 F-85 SERIES V-8 -

The F-85 joined small car offerings from Buick and Pontiac with which it shared a new Y-body platform using a 112" wheelbase and unit-body construction. It was Oldsmobile's smallest, least expensive model – some two feet shorter and $451 lower in price than the Dynamic 88. The F-85 had double wishbone front suspension and a four-link live axle in the rear, suspended with coil springs all around. Standard engine was the new small V8, all aluminum, displacing 215 CID V-8 and equipped with a two-barrel carburetor.

Transmission options were initially three-speed manual or the newly introduced three-speed Roto Hydramatic. The F-85 had 9.5" drum brakes. Overall length was 188.2" and it had a curb weight of about 2,800 pounds.

The F-85 was offered as a four-door sedan and a four-door station wagon with either two or four seats, both in base or Deluxe trim. Initial sales were somewhat disappointing, resulting in the May 1961 introduction of a two-door sedan and the Cutlass sports coupe, which was a pillared two-door for 1961 and which would become a pillarless "hardtop" for 1962. The Cutlass sported unique trim, an interior with bucket seats and optional center console, and a four-barrel version of the V-8. The new engine was rated at 185 HP. This engine was then optional on other F-85s, as was a four-speed manual transmission.

Standard equipment on the series included foam cushioned front seat, front arm rests, dual sun visors, turn signals, stabilizer bar, and self energizing brakes. Cloth or vinyl trimmed interiors were offered.

1961 Dynamic 88 SERIES V-8 -

With the addition of the compact F-85, the Dynamic 88 was moved up a notch. This remained Oldsmobile's most diverse series with seven models offered. As in 1960, the Dynamic 88 looked identical to the Super 88 except that it did not receive the bright lower body molding at the base of the car. A long center trim piece ran the entire length of the car at the beltline.

 "Dynamic 88" in block letters was found just above the beltline trim at the forward part of the front fenders. "Dynamic" in script ran through an "88" on an angle in model ID found at the right rear corner of the trunk.Standard series equipment included padded dash, Safety spectrum speedometer, floating propeller shaft, and air scoop brakes. Interiors were done in either vinyl or cloth.

1961 Super 88 SERIES V-8 -

The Super Eighty models continued to be popular, especially so with the smaller body design shared with the Dynamic 88. The more powerful engine from the Classic Ninety-Eight series still remained as the powerplant. The Super 88 looked identical to the Dynamic 88, except it received a bright lower body molding at the base of the car. As in the Dynamic 88, a long center trim piece ran the entire length of the car at the beltline.

"Super 88" in block letters was found just above the beltline trim at the forward part of the front fenders. "Super" in script ran through an "88" on an angle in model ID found at the right rear corner of the trunk.

Series standard equipment included all items from the Dynamic 88 group plus two-speed windshield wipers, Safety-Vee steering wheel, parking brake signal lamp, courtesy lamps, and oil filter. Upholstery could be selected from a variety of colored vinyl fabrics.

1961 Starfire V-8 -

Oldsmobile bolstered its top line coverage of the market with an offering in the personal luxury category — the Starfire. This model was late coming to the '61 Olds lineup and was not available until January 1, 1961. It came as a convertible only, sharing its wheelbase with the 88s, and it was powered by a slightly more powerful engine.

Standard equipment included all items from the Super 88 group plus brushed aluminum side panels, power bucket seats, console, tachometer, and a special, dual, low-restriction exhaust system. Upholstery was all leather.

1961 Ninety-Eight SERIES V-8 -

For 1961 only, the Ninety-Eight was renamed "Classic 98," and it was offered in five body styles. The sedan was now called the "Town Sedan". The 4-door, 4-window hardtop body style was now called the "Sport Sedan" instead of the Holiday Sedan. A new 4-door, 6-window hardtop body style, previously exclusive to Cadillac and the Buick Electra, was now offered, and the "Holiday Sedan" name was given to that model. This was the first time not all Oldsmobile hardtops were called Holidays.

Standard equipment included all items from the Super 88 series plus padded dash, Safety spectrum speedometer, floating propeller, air scoop brakes, two-speed windshield wipers, Safety-Vee steering wheel, parking brake lamp, courtesy lamps, oil filter, windshield washer, electric clock, Roto Hydramatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. Upholstery was vinyl, cloth, or leather.

Body Colors - 

• A Ebony Black B Twilight Mist
• C Provincial White
• D Platinum Mist
• F Azure Mist
• H Glacier Blue
• J Tropic Mist
• K Alpine Green
• L Garnet Mist
• N Cordovan Mist
• P Turquoise Mist
• Q Aqua
• R Sandalwood
• S Autumn Mist
• T Fawn Mist
   

Oldsmobile Engines -

• F-85 Base "Rockette" V-8. Overhead valves. Aluminum Block. Displacement: 215 CID. ore and stroke: 3.50" x 2.80. Compression ratio: 8.75:1. Horsepower: 155 @ 4800 RPM. Torque: 210 @ 3200 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Carburetor: Rochester 2GC two-barrel.
  
  
• Cutlass and Optional F-85 "Rockette" V-8. Overhead valves. Aluminum Block. Displacement: 215 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.50" x 2.80. Compression ratio: 10.25:1. Horsepower: 185 @ 4800 RPM. Torque: 230 @ 3200 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Carburetor: Rochester 4GC four-barrel.
  
  
• Dynamic 88 Skyrocket V-8. Overhead valves. Cast Iron Block. Displacement: 394 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.125" x 3.6875. Compression ratio: 9.75:1. Horsepower: 250 @ 4400 RPM. Torque: 405 @ 2800 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Carburetor: Rochester 2GC four-barrel.
  
  
• Super 88 and 98 and Optional Dynamic 88 "SkyRocket" V-8. Overhead valves. Cast Iron Block. Displacement: 394 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.125" x 3.6875. Compression ratio: 10.00:1. Horsepower: 325 @ 4600 RPM. Torque: 435 @ 2800 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Carburetor: Rochester 4GC four-barrel.
  
  
• Starfire Rocket V-8. Overhead valves. Cast Iron Block. Displacement: 394 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.125" x 3.6875. Compression ratio: 10.25:1. Horsepower: 330 @ 4600 RPM. Torque: 440 @ 2800 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Carburetor: Rochester 4GC four-barrel.

Chassis -

• Wheelbase: F-85 112.0" 88 and S88 Series 123.0" 98 Series 126.0"
• Overall length: F-85 188.2" Starfire, D88 and S88 212.0" Classic 98 Series 218.0"
• Front tread: F-85 - 56.0" Full Size - 61.0".
• Rear tread: F-85 - 56.0" Full Size - 61.0".
• Tires: F-85 6.50 x 13, Super 88 and Dynamic 88 8.00 x 14, Starfire, Classic 98 8.50 x 14

Powertrain Options -

• F-85's were powered by the aluminum block "Rockette" V-8 engine.
• A Cutlass V-8 option consisted of high compression heads, four barrel carburetor and dual exhaust It boosted the horsepower to 185.
• Heavy-duty air cleaner, full flow oil filter and positive crankcase ventilation system were optional on the F-85.
• All F-85's came standard with a three-speed manual transmission with the Hydra-Matic a $189 option.
• The Dynamic 88 was powered by the 250 version of the 394 CID V-8.
• The 325 horsepower Skyrocket V-8 was standard on Classic Ninety-Eights and Super Eighty-Eights, optional on Dynamic Eighty-Eights.
• The 330 horsepower V-8 was exclusive to the Starfire series.
• Other engine options included dual exhausts, heavy duty oil filter and positive crankcase ventilation system.
• Hydra-Matic was standard on all Classic Ninety-Eights, optional on all other models for $231.
• The $47 anti-spin differential was optional

Significant Options - F-85

• Air conditioning ($378).
• Backup lights ($7).
• DeLuxe radio ($65).
• Electric clock ($16).
• Heater/defroster ($74).
• Outside mirror ($4).
• Padded dash ($12).
• Power steering ($86).
• Windshield washer ($11).

Significant Options - Full-size

• Air conditioning ($435).
• Backup lights ($9).
• Courtesy lamps ($5).
• Electric antenna ($23).
• Electric clock ($19).
• Fiesta luggage carrier ($98).
• Heater/defroster ($97).
• Padded Dash.
• Power brakes ($43).
• Power steering ($107).
• Power windows ($106).
• Radio, DeLuxe ($88)
• Radio, Super DeLuxe signal seeking ($124).
• Rear window defroster ($21).
• Windshield washer ($12).