Dynamic ideas are characterized by continuous change, activity, or variation. Based on that description, Rick Cox's '61 Olds Dynamic 88 definitely lives up to its name. It's part street rod, part musclecar, and all bad-ass. From the bubbletop roofline to the slammed stance and tubbed rear, this Olds has a Frankenstein complex in a very cool way. Rick's obsession with Oldsmobiles started at an early age when he'd watch his dad wrenching on the family's daily driver. Since then, Rick has taken his passion to the creative outskirts of street rodding, musclecar building, and flat-out style.
About 6 years ago, Rick put a "For Sale" sign on his first '61 Olds and soon watched it roll off into the sunset. After all, with an all Pro Street lineup that included a '79 Monza, a '72 Corvette, and a '90 Cavalier, Rick's garage wasn't exactly empty. But as the old story goes, Rick started missing the Olds. He realized he'd goofed by selling it and embarked on a hunt for another '61 bubbletop to build. After an extensive two-year search, he found another Dynamic 88 and started a custom project with such variation and flair that it's truly in a class of its own. And Rick says he's definitely not letting this one go.
Car Craft Q&ACar Craft: Why'd you come back to this particular model?Rick Cox: After I sold my first '61, I actually started building a '65 Chevelle. I had the car nearly finished to the level of painting it when I realized it would never be the same as the '61. So I sold it to the guy who painted it.
CC: What inspired the look of the car?RC: As far as the wheel choice goes, I fell in love with the [Pro Street] look after I attended the '79 Street Machine Nationals. Ever since then, that's how I build my cars. I've also always had an interest in street rods, so the car is kind of a combination of the two.
CC: What sparked your interest in the hobby?RC: I remember looking over the fender of the family car, watching my dad work on our car. We had an Olds bubbletop back then, and this car is kind of my version of that car.
CC: Any future mods in store?RC: I actually have a set of 20-inch Colorado Custom rims coming in the mail. I'm interested to see how people will react at shows with the new look.
The DetailsCar: Rick Cox's '61 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88
Engine: Olds 394
Heads: Stock iron, ported
Induction: Offenhauser low-rise dual-quad intake, two Edelbrock 500-cfm carbs
Cam: Stock
Exhaust: Jet-Hot-coated manifolds, SS Specialties mufflers
Peak Power: 325 hp at 4,400 rpm (est.)
Peak Torque: 375 lb-ft at 3,500 rpm (est.)
Trans: TH350, TCI 2,200-stall converter
Rear: Narrowed Ford 9-inch, 3.50:1 gears
Front Suspension: Stock with Air Ride Technologies ShockWave air springs
Rear Suspension: Air Ride Technologies four-link, ShockWave springs, Brakes: '69 Olds 12-inch discs, front; Aerospace Components discs, rear
Wheels and tires: 15x6 Radir Tri-Ribs with Mickey Thompsons, front; 15x14 Radir Tri-Ribs with Mickey Thompsons, rear
Body Mods: Shaved door handles, trim, emblems
Paint: PPG Twi-Lite Mist, by Nyle Wing of Wing's Auto Art
Amenities: Nordskog gauge cluster, Billet Specialties steering wheel, custom interior
Cost to build: $30,000