For the 1959 model year, Oldsmobile completely redesigned the Ninety-Eight’s sheet metal. The new cars were transformed from ponderous, chrome-laden land yachts to graceful, streamlined road rockets, still incorporating popular “jet age” features and still situated on an immensely long 126.3-inch wheelbase. These designs were to last only one year, as Olds restyled yet again in 1960, rendering the ’59s slightly special. But only slightly, since Olds still made about 81,000 Ninety-Eights in ’59. Here on eBay is one of the rarer and more beautiful body styles of Olds’ sixth generation, this 1959 Holiday SceniCoupe. Bid to $22,100 with reserve not met, this car can be driven away from Bandera, Texas, but the seller is also willing to deliver “provided you are in an area … of interest to visit”.
Equipped with the 394 cu. in. “Rocket” V8 and a Rochester four-barrel carburetor – good for 315 hp and 435 lb-ft of torque – the SceniCoupe was no slouch in the performance department. Lee Petty drove his number 42 Oldsmobile to the make’s last win at Daytona in ’59, and for the ordinary driver, the Olds would reach a 122 mph top speed. The seller states that this car’s motor was rebuilt and the Jetaway Hydra-Matic transmission was serviced by the previous owner. Recently, it’s been treated to a tune-up and oil change. The underside of the hood is as nice as the engine bay.
The SceniCoupe is saturated with features: six-way power-adjustable leather seats, power windows including the vents, power brakes and steering, power antenna, new molded carpet, factory original AM radio – even rear seat sun visors. Apparently, the clock needs a fuse (always begs the question – why not put one in, then?), and the speedometer is noisy but does work. The seller doesn’t tell us about the anachronistic GPS screen mounted on the dash. One of my favorite features of this car is its swanky two-spoke steering wheel. I’m also fond of original manuals, and this car comes with several!
The car has had one repaint in Golden Mist and the seller says it is “Not a Rust bucket”. The chrome, stainless, and lenses all look great: someone took care to line up the side, rear, and front trim when those pieces were reinstalled after the paint job. The panel gaps are, if not perfect, certainly very good. This Bill Mitchell design was billed as “the future on four wheels”, and its elegant greenhouse was touted as “sky wide“. As beautiful as it is, SceniCoupes in nice condition should sell in the $25k area, making the current bid close to all the money.
A very nice car in and out and a model seldom seen, a big plus in my book. Looks like it needs nothing, and it seems to be well-optioned. Somebody will get a great, turn-key car that’s sure to get a lot of attention at your local Cars ‘n Coffee.
Even if you don’t care for these, you’ll have to admit it…they might have been big and excessive, but, BOY! did they have style and flair, inside and out!! Something that is sorely missed from our monochromatic commuter pods of today! GLWTA!! :-)
I know it’s nit-picking but, I’d have to change the cut pile carpet for the proper loop pile type its supposed to have. Otherwise, it is a great example of 1959 styling.
You’re not nit-picking. IMHO, the cheap seat covers and the carpet take a lot away from this nice car.
Does this Oldsmobile appear to have the widest glove box door ever? Great example of space age car styling without hardly any concern for the vehicle safety that we have now….
I love the absence of the B-pillar in these old boats. That unbroken space along the side of the cabin makes for a nice, clean look.
Never knew of the rear visors. When I was dating Cathy in 1959, her Dad was a salesman for an Oldsmobile dealer and would bring home new cars.
That rear (bubble top) was very hot n the back seat.
This was in the L A basin, not desert.
I got to drive the 98 convertible and this era of the Automobile is my very favorite, 56-61. Currently have 4 cars from these years.
Yes, my building is big enough.
I am tempted
I had a 1959 Olds 88 and of all the old cars I’ve owned over my life it’s the one I most wish I still had. It was also a 2-door hardtop and yes, that open profile is beautiful. That horizontal color changing speedometer is a marvel and getting it repaired will be no easy task. The gas filler under a door in the rear bumper, the trunk handle, the “grab it” horn buttons – so many cool little features. The mid-$20k range is still a bargain for this beauty IMO.
I always loved the individual letter O-L-D-S-M-O-B-I-L-E scripts front and rear.
Cool MCM font and sculpting.
It is as long as a buiding perfect
SOLD for $30,900.
Ditch the orange plug wires and add a dual exhaust!
The “info screen” looks a bit out of place, like Elmo at the opera. I’m surprised it still has its original wheel covers. Those “spinners” ended up in the most unlikely places, like the old mans Pontiac on a cruise, switching them back when done. As said, the “Gutniks, Max and Sally”, my childhood neighbors had a 4 door. The back 1/4 stuck out of the garage. Great cars for the drive-in, get 3 or 4 buddies in the trunk, and why automakers thought we needed these big cars, is beyond most. Remember, safety was just in its early stages, and the mindset was, bigger must be safer, and to a point it was, until 2 of these hit each other. Another in the great estate sale finds. Since these continue to surface regularly, must be plenty more just waiting for that sale to be found, upon owners death sadly.
SOLD! for $30 grand, after 44 bids. WOW!
Not being a GM guy, I do appreciate the late 50s Oldsmobiles. The 58 and 59s are two completely different cars. In my, opinion, the chrome covered 58s are the opitomy of Oldsmobile styling. I really like the way the headlights are wrapped in chrome that continues down each side. They look like they are wearing chrome masks, and the rear is truly space age. The 59s. really are beautifully designed, the front grill and headlights with the turn indicators placed between them looks very elegant. As for the rear fenders and taillights are beautifully creative. There’s so much original design to the taillights, they are totally one of a kind styling that is uniquely Oldsmobile. The dashboard is also beautifully designed the way a dashboard should be, a look that Chrysler was known for in that era, And that steering wheel is in a class all to its own that the driver never got tired of looking at. Totally cool and would never get passed today’s safety regulations.Cars like these can’t and never should be compared to the totally boring used bars of soap styling that dominates today’s cars. I say we get back to the works of art that we Gearheads love and sorely miss.