19 feet of elegance and luxury, this 1972 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Hardtop Coupe appears to be a gem in what I believe is Nordic Blue. The last of the big Olds Ninety-Eights, this ’72 model is around five inches shorter than the 1976 model. The seller has this example posted here on craigslist north of Poughkeepsie, in Kingston, New York, and they’re asking $14,500. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Tony P. for the tip!
We saw a 1972 Buick Electra 225 Limited sedan last week here on Barn Finds, and I don’t know if there are many readers who wouldn’t rather have this Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Hardtop Coupe over the Buick sedan, but there might be. If you’re a Buick guy or gal, or you like four-door sedans better, or just like the color or design better. This Olds 98, or during this era, Ninety-Eight, would be in our driveway (because it wouldn’t fit in the garage) over the Buick.
The seller provided a range of good photos, so first things first: thanks to them for that. It’s so rare these days to have good photos for an online listing, especially on craigslist or Facebook, that it’s always worthy of a mention. Although using my turn signal 100% of the time doesn’t seem to be doing much in the “teachable moment” realm, so I’m not sure if praising sellers for providing good photos will cause others to take the time (a whole 48 seconds) to provide good photos. It’s worth a shot, and even if it doesn’t help, it’s always nice to recognize people for doing a good job at whatever they do. The ninth-generation Ninety-Eight was made for model years 1971 through 1976.
I don’t remember the trunk compartment on my dad’s 1970 Olds 98 (Ninety-Eight), but I’d have to believe it was about as big as this one appears to be. And this one is filled with presumably things that go with the sale, but we don’t know for sure. My dad’s trunk would have been filled with fishing and camping gear. He used that car, which was close to a decade old when he got it for $1,500, for driving to work and then fishing and camping on the weekends at remote lakes and streams. It was pretty beat after a few years, and he made a 2×4 “boat rack” for the roof to haul an aluminum canoe. I can’t imagine this gorgeous hardtop coupe being used like that. Pages 9-12 of this brochure show the 1972 Olds Ninety-Eight models.
We don’t get to see the overall driver’s view of the dash from the driver’s seat, but the seller does show the gauges, and as expected, they look basically like new. The edge of the beautiful fabric on the driver’s seat may be the only thing showing a little use on this 49,700-mile car. The back seat looks like new and is filled with, presumably, more things that go with the sale. Are those 8-track tapes included? We don’t know for sure, but I hope so. There wasn’t a convertible version in this generation, but I wonder what one may have looked like…
The engine is Oldsmobile’s famous 455-cu.in. OHV V8, which by 1972 was “down” to 225 horsepower and 360 lb-ft of torque when new. It’s backed by a Turbo-Hydramatic 400 automatic, and the seller says this car works as it should. It’s reportedly a one-owner, garage-kept vehicle that has never been driven in the rain or snow, which is no small feat in upstate New York. With the low miles and visual condition, I believe it. Would you rather have this ’72 Olds Ninety-Eight Hardtop Coupe, or the 1972 Buick Electra 225 Limited Hardtop Sedan?
A thousand times YES!!!!
Just everything right (and arguably wrong) with cars of that era. But I think what was “wrong” with that car (size, fuel economy) wasn’t even all that “wrong”. After all, size was kind of the point, and fuel economy was part of the penalty of size and power. But to be honest, we have a Chrysler 300, with a 6, and it averages about 19 MPG, so the 11 that this thing got, all things considered, probably isn’t too terrible by comparison.
I have a beautiful 72 Coupe deVille with 48K original miles on it that I love, but I love these 72 Olds and Buick models too, and this one’s a gem. On gas, my thinking is that if you can pick up a gorgeous, classy ride like this for $14K, who cares how much gas costs? I’ve had my Cad for about six years now, and put maybe 14K miles on it in that time, no long trips, local driving, no interstates. Gas cost really hasn’t been a factor. I spend about $100 per month in gas. My situation may be unique, I know. But if I needed or wanted a different car, I’d buy this one in a heartbeat.
These were striking vehicles. Not too many left anymore. It’s a two door hardtop too. I loved the gold Regency model. Pillow cushions on the seats, etc., made it special. I’d rather have this olds than anything chinese GM offers today.
to find a 2dr 98 in this condition is rare. i wish i was in a better financial position to buy because i would snap this up. as a former olds dealer tech these were 1 of the best cars they made. super low miles on this and looks to be well cared for too. great colors. professional detail and you cruising in the cozy confines of an olds 98
Truth be told. I like both the Buick from the other day and this Olds. I’d probably lean towards this one, I like the blue a lot and I’m more of an Olds guy. And don’t let those deflated horsepower numbers fool you. These things still moved very well for their time. Nice one Scotty!!
I think you’re right, Dave! My brother and I lost so many rear wheel covers on dad’s 98 due to unintended wheel spin… (well, it wasn’t unintended, but they still flew off)
You could seriously fry the old Bias Ply tires in a heartbeat. We had fun as kids, didn’t we?
😂 Classic Scotty just plain CLASSIC!!! I hope that you and your brother removed the fender skirts before embarking on those wonderfully entertaining, yet unintentional, wheel spins. Those wheel covers “rattling around inside those skirts could make a lot of noise and do some good damage! Oooops! Did I just confess to something here 😳😬🤫⁉️ Oh well, what the hay, we lived through it so all is well. And it really was CLASSIC😂👍‼️ (BTW, to a FLM guy, that is one gorgeous car!)
Scotty, maybe it was the way they fastened onto the rim that made them come off so easily. I also had a ’70 98 and the covers clipped onto the rim lip rather than “normal” inside. But don’t let me spoil your fun memory!
And the speedometer cable went into the left front tire rather the transmission.
Nordic blue is a nod to Olds’ companion Viking heritage. A 2-door LS was becoming increasingly rare, especially with the introduction of the anniversary Regency as a trim level the next year. I stand by what I say that the only car more beautiful than a Ninety-Eight is another Ninety-Eight.
The Regency trim was introduced in 1972 ” in limited edition to commemorate Oldsmobiles 75th anniversary.”
Only seen one in person. Friend of mine had one that he bought to resell around ’82. The car was perfect. What a beauty. He drove a beater ’70 as his daily.
This is a keeper. The last of the best 455’s. 4 bbl heads with good flow, 8.5:1 runs on regular. Dual exhaust makes it a reputable performer. Fit and finish with no bumper fillers! I would not trade my 68 ‘a’ body Olds for it, but this sleeper cruiser is worthy of the price and preservation if it checks out. Looks legit
This one is Clean and I agree with all comments here this is one to buy and weekend cruise. 455/400 trans with A/C add dual exhaust and thats it.
I had the ’73 version of this car in silver. I paid $500 in 1977 because even though it was low mileage and on the inside it was like new. It was a rust bucket. (Rust showing half way up the doors) I used it for a winter beater and driver into Chicago for concerts vehicle . (When you drove a rust bucket to a concert. You really don’t mind the occasional “partier running across your hood or trunk. ) It’s mass provided great traction on salt covered icy roads and plowed through 4 foot snow drifts with skinny 7.00×15 truck mud&snow tires. And the luxury interior almost drown out the nasty sounding aggressive snow tires! So then you just crank up the sound system. I miss that old barge when the weather gets nasty. (Although here in Northern Nevada that doesn’t happen very often.) I don’t miss the fuel bill nor the battleship handling. As I don’t like slowing down down for corners.
Room for the pool 🎱 cue, golf clubs ⛳️, and plenty more in the trunk. Great Oldsmobile 👍
Lol you could fit the pool table in the trunk of one of these beauties
As stated above, I had a ’70 98 and I also owned a ’73 Luxury Sedan. 455-385 hp in the ’70 & 455-270 hp in the ’73. ’73 was red in & out with a white vinyl roof, no rust.
I saw this ’73 for sale in a publication called Tradin Times, but didn’t need a car.
A year later, I did need a car and I just happened to have saved this issue as a cushion on a hanger for my pants. So I called the party, they still had the car, so I bought it! Like new in & out.Guess it was waiting for me.
Ad says to call Vinnie. Wonder if it comes with a dark blue pin stripe double breasted suit and a neutral fedora hat with a ribbon .
Vinnie Barbarino. Ba Ba Ba, Ba Barino if you guys remember John Travolta in Welcome Back, Kotter. Lol!
Couldn’t wait to buy a Tradin’ Times every week and plan out all the things I would never end up buying! Hadn’t thought of that newspaper in years…..
Are you in the Twin Cities?
I bought a used watered with drawers underneath out of that paper in the 80s. After 40 years, a water bed mattress & an air mattress I gave it up for a conventional bed. Saved a few boards; never know when you can use ’em!
WHat a nice 98. It might not sell right away, but there’s a buyer for this one out there.
Scotty, I like the convertible. A co-worker had a ’72 88 droptop, white, that had a built motor and he drag raced it – he claimed. He said he had strengthened the frame, still think it would make the worst drag car.
My folks had a 72 LS 4 door. IIRC there was a clock built in to the backside of the front bench seat. Am I delirious or was that a real thing?
No, you’re not delirious. The ’73 I mentioned in my acquisition story above also had that clock. I didn’t notice it for almost a week after I bought it! Still working, too! My dash clock wasn’t, but found a NOS one in the box at Iola.
Shitty photos ! Can’t tell if pwr windows ! Can’t tell if FM radio ! You jacked-dass !
It’s an Oldsmobile and that means smooth quiet engine that rivals Cadillac. I had a 76’ regency 70’ Delta 88 and a 80’ delta 88 Royale. Two Toronado and three cutlasses. Nah I don’t prefer Oldsmobile lol
Does it look anyone to be sitting a bit low in the front–or a bit high in the rear?