The Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight (aka 98) was the company’s largest and most luxurious product, competing alongside the Buick Electra 225, Pontiac Bonneville, and (to a lesser extent) the Cadillac deVille. Built from 1952 to 1996, it was one of GM’s last, big rear-wheel-drive machines. This example from 1970 is a low mileage survivor with lots of originality. Of late, this beautiful land yacht has been making the car show scene in and around Wallingford, Connecticut, and is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $24,000. Our gratitude goes to Dennis House for the tip!
With a slight styling update in 1970 (the last year of the 8th generation), the Ninety-Eight grew to 225 inches in length or just shy of 19 feet. That also meant it weighed some 4,500 pounds, so using a 455 cubic inch “Rocket” V8 (370 horsepower) was needed for these cars to perform. No one cared a lot about how much gasoline automobiles like this required (at least not until the OPEC oil embargo of 1973 – that is). All sorts of power goodies were standard fare as was a TH-400 automatic transmission. Only 3,161 98 convertibles were produced in 1970, one of the lowest sales years for that body style in this model.
We’re told this land yacht has seen just 39,000 miles and that a lot of things have never been redone. Such as the gold paint, chrome bits, passenger compartment, and drivetrain. The matching canvas top has been replaced and the convertible lives in a heated/cooled garage when not in use. It’s said to run extremely well, and the only reason the seller is parting with the Olds is because he/she is moving.
Despite the car’s stellar appearance, it does need some attention. The convertible’s top motor doesn’t work as it should, but replacement parts come with the sale. While the steering box and power steering pump are new, some adjustments are needed. And the 4-barrel carburetor needs fiddling with. You’ll have an aftermarket stereo to listen to, and no trades will be considered (remember, the seller is moving).
I didn’t realize how rare 1970 Olds 98 drop tops are. You do see them from time to time. I know I’ve already mentioned my parents had a ’70 Ninety Eight 4 door hartop when I was little. Those Olds 455s are torque monsters. I’ve seen more than once people putting newer late 70’s early 80’s Olds wire wheel covers on these, but somehow, I prefer the originals better, the wires just look out of place to me. This looks like its in nice shape, clean inside and out and even under the hood. Very nice Olds.
Dr Olds presents elegance and power, in a convertible 98. Beautiful
It is not that rare I have one about 20 meters away in one half of the garage the other half of the garage is occupied by a 1970 Olds 442 W-30 ironically but not really were ordered the same day. The first by my mother the second by me. I still drive them about 200-300 miles a year.
What a terrific pair. It must be nice being able to take either out for a drive and reminisce on fifty five years of memories. Hats off to you for selection, purchase, and commitment to keeping and maintaining both. Both are great cars, but like you, in 1970 the 442 would have been my personal choice.
I had one almost just like this, a ’69 Olds 98 Conv. Same colors in and out. I bought it in ’79 for 375 bucks with only 80K on the clock. It was in pretty nice shape, but had a huge hole in the driver floor from a leaky top. The top leaked in the back too and it filled up with water (and ice in the winter) and sloshed around back there. No A/C in mine though, I guess they didn’t think they would need it in the northeast being that it was a convertible. That 455 always ran like a top. Now this one cost more than we paid for our house in 1984. Maybe I should have kept some of the cars I had when I was younger, but I wouldn’t have had enough room.
A real luxury yaht notice the a/c compressor you know for the trip you take to Florida after the sunburn when the top stays up!
Russ, very nice writeup! Our family was in the middle schlepping around in a 4 dr 1969 Delta 88. Here’s a tag line for your next Olds writeup…”Ransom money?”…only works if the price is high.
You are getting a lot of car for that price
Man triple gold? That is outstanding. Tune that after market radio to some yacht rock and you’re rolling. I need a gold leisure suit to really style. Somehow, those sixties vintage Ninety Eights looked bigger.
Maybe a dumb question, but what is that Jack like thing leaning into the driver’s side front bumper?
For the price I’d also like to see the dash underneath the pad covering it.
Picky , maybe, but still , $24 grand.
My mother bought a new 69 98 convertible, beautiful car! I took my drivers test in it. That car was actually fast with that 455, many trips to Florida, fond memories of a grand car!
That aftermarket radio kills it, even if I could afford it. If a car such as this ain’t all-original, then I walk away…
You can find factory radios, even AM-FM stereos on ebay & and other markets. Just have to be careful that the radio & speakers are compatible ohms-wise with each other. Aftermarket spkrs. easily overheat & ruin the amplifier in factory radios. 4 ohm aftermarket speakers vs. 10 ohm factory speakers.
Hello, I own the car. The Aftermarket unit is under the seat with it’s own speakers. Original Radio is in the dash, and works with the factory speakers.
Paul, good to hear. My comment about speaker ohms comes, unfortunately, from personal experience!
I owned a ’84 Cutlass Brougham and I swapped in a Delco stereo tape deck from just the AM-FM, then changed to aftermarket speakers. Always wondered why the radio area was so warm and the radio was almost too hot to touch.
Several years later, when I decided to go back to Delco speakers, I bought rear extended range speakers from a guy in Idaho who had a short article explaining the compatibility of speakers to radios.
My radios still worked, but a little damaged.
A word to the wise.
Jon, Thank you. I installed everything to be removable with no holes cut for anything.
This reply should go after my last one.
You’re welcome, Paul.
I forgot to say nice job on the floor console.
I played around with various cd/ cassette radio combos in my Cutlass including putting in a compartment underneath the radio for a CD player like Chev. pickups had in the 80s and mounting the ashtray under that.
I tossed that and finally got it right with a period correct black faced radio and hiding a disc changer in the trunk inside a trunk trim enclosure and the changer case being metal instead of plastic, I used magnets to secure it to the floor. Operates through a remote on a FM station.
That aftermarket radio kills it, even if I could afford it. If a car such as this ain’t all-original, then I walk away…
Well at least you can get the top up, buy it fly back and drive it home worst case you wind up like that Chrysler thing in planes trains and automobiles but what a fun story to tell spring is almost here
These and Electras are some of my favorites. No shortage of vehicle here. Big engine, big interior, big trunk. Man, what a car!
Driveinstile mentioned the later years wire caps. Yeah, I could go along with that although not the worst choice. They could’ve put some god-awful full wire wheels on.
FYI, the wheel covers on the ’70 (& maybe ’69) fastened to the rim lip not to the inside where they usually do. Also, the speedometer cable ran to the left front hub rather than the transmission.
I had a 69 98 convert in the same color but white interior. It was a lovely car and got reasonable fuel economy on the highway – 17-18. Had to know that because the gas gauge didn’t work (that never happened on GM cars). The carb had to be replaced and the mechanic played with a few carbs to find one that worked best.
In my opinion, the 1969/1970 C-body GM cars are among the most beautiful cars designed and produced by the company, and the 1970 98 is at the top of the list. It has a perfectly balanced exterior, where the eye flows easily from front to back. And the interior is luxurious in its simplicity. I too am not a fan of wire-wheels and modern stereos in a car of this vintage. The original discs are not that difficult to find. I kept the set from the 98 I owned (for sentimental reasons). I owned a black 1970 Ninety-Eight 4-door LS sedan, with black brocade and vinyl trim seating. 100% original it was, and I miss the car to tears (I had to get rid of it in 1990, due to rust issues from the inside – out on the body, plus the engine and tranny were shot. It brings me to tears to know that designs like this will never, ever be produced again. Bill Mitchell must be rolling in his grave now; if he only could imagine what the designs that the “Cadillacs” of the past 20 years have looked like.
Have the original hubcaps and the original radio is in place and untouched. Have a remote Bluetooth unit under the seat as well as the speakers for it. No holes made anywhere for that. Paint, chrome and drivetrain original. Top was replaced before I got the car due to damage in storage.
Car is in Florida now, and for sale.