“Always a step ahead,” according to Oldsmobile’s 1971 marketing, sweet rides like this 1971 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Luxury Coupe in Marlboro, New Jersey catered to rising stars, established success stories, and those aspiring to both. Olds put the mighty 455 in all Ninety-Eights for 1971, and this one delivered nearly 160,000 miles before 25 years of storage. Not started since, it comes to market here on BarnFinds Classified. The $7450 asking price buys what looks like a solid and straight coupe of mammoth proportions. Expect some upholstery and engine work, plus the usual fuel system and safety items before this long-idled Ninety-Eight takes to the road.
Three generous rectangles offer the driver key information and controls, eschewing plebeian details like engine temperature and charging volts. Trust your Oldsmobile’s warning lights to announce the unlikely event of a system abnormality. Cheap covers and the lack of the all-important driver’s seat photograph suggest an upholstery bill should factor into your offer on this double-black Olds.
Only the four-barrel L31 455 cid (7.5L) Rocket V8 powered the Ninety-Eight in 1971, according to factory literature at Lov2xlr8. Trust the buttery 360 lb-ft of torque to move this dinosaur with aplomb while powering air conditioning and the other luxuries your important passengers deserve. Need more thrust? A modest investment in engine parts and gears can wake up the sleeping 455 cubic inch giant, providing hours of entertainment.
What looks like a ’90s-era crusty two-stage paint job sheds its clear coat skin like a 4500 lb python. I believe the Luxury Coupe came with a vinyl top, probably removed before the dubious respray. Oldsmobile’s rocket theme continues to the thruster-style tail light pods. It’s easy to picture a Cadillac crest in place of the rectangular Olds badge on this high-rolling GM.
The Luxury Coupe interior featured brocade fabric and embroidered details typical in the day across General Motors’ luxury lineup. With plenty of room for travel and… other activities, rear passengers would offer few complaints beyond slight inconvenience during ingress and egress. A gentleman casts his gaze afar while assisting women entering or exiting the commodious rear. Can you think of a better Prom chariot than this luxurious black mega-coupe?
Nothing would thumb its nose at gas prices more than this – even with Grandpa Joe’s .18 price waive!
I have a 1970 version of this, if you are curious it gets 6 miles/gallon in the city, or on the highway pulling a trailer.
Wow does this stir up memories, had a 71 triple black 98 just like this one. Only difference I see mine had the pleather interior. Was low mileage and when I moved to Florida had to thin the herd. Collector bought the car from me at a very good price. Didn’t have to hit the go pedal to hard and the 455 would make the right rear break traction. Got about 12 mpg if I remember correctly. Cool car though and just glide down the highway.
When new, these were the province of Executive Directors and Bishops. All the luxury of a Cadillac without the disapproval of the board or the parishioners.
There’s a 69 Buick Electra 225 on Indy Craigslist… similar price and just as imposing
Therebwasna heavy contingent of racing ‘deuce and a quarters’ in mybold neighborhood in NY. Thise big things went in the low 13s – high 12s!
Convert it to electric and it would still only get like 10 miles to the battery… 😂🤣
I had a buddy with one of these back in the late 1980’s. My memory is it had a 350. It was quick for it’s size and had a great ride. I’d love to borrow this once it’s running, but not sure I’d want to own it.
Even if it’s only a regular cab, it is still longer (significantly) than the F-Series Super Duty parked behind it. What a beast…and this is **STILL** a two door car!
Mine was a dark blue with black vinyl top ’72 I loved owning it for 10 years. It had 4 doors hardtop postless. What a classy car.
My Dad bought one of these new in 71 – white vinyl over blue w/blue interior. I wrecked it, my sister wrecked it….well…I got hit and she got hit…just to be clear. But it did for some reason attract cars as he almost got hit twice and my Mom once. So he traded it on a 73 Mk4 Continental.
We had a 71 olds custom cruiser that I learned to drive in. Absolutely mammoth vehicle, but it still could get up and go. Parallel park one of these and you can parallel park anything. Just need to be aware of the Delrin timing gear – that’s what caused ours to finally head off to the auto parts yard.