We’ve already featured a couple of nicely preserved tenth-generation Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight coupes on Barn Finds earlier this month, so let’s add another low-mileage survivor to the mix, but this time one that’s diesel-powered. The seller describes this car as a 100% original true barn find, and states there’s plenty of documentation to prove everything that’s claimed about this 73k-mile example is in fact true. Just from the photos alone, it’s pretty convincing that this 1983 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Regency here on eBay has been well-cared-for and loved since day one, and I’m guessing the current bid of $5,128 will continue to rise a bit more before this auction is over. This beautiful Olds is down in Clearmont, Florida, if you want to go see it in person before deciding how much you’re willing to spend.
Some background here goes that a couple was at an Oldsmobile dealer getting their car serviced, and decided to walk into the showroom when they spotted this Ninety-Eight, which was then bought new on the spot! Given the amount of stuff that got piled up on the hood, top, and trunk over the years, the car probably was driven sparingly as of late, but it’s said to have always been garaged since the beginning. All of the paint is mentioned as original, and while there are a few imperfections noted, the seller says the exterior still shines nicely for its age. There’s no rust present, and the body is claimed to be as straight as an arrow, with a small piece of trim on the driver’s side fender being the only missing component I spotted from the outside.
Beginning in 1978, buyers could opt for a 350 diesel engine, which is what can be found under the hood here. There’s been plenty written already about the reliability and other issues some of these powerplants were plagued with, but a few folks seem to be fond of them, with the seller calling this motor amazing! He says it still runs and drives smoothly, provides plenty of power, and has been properly maintained. It’s even posted that this engine “will outlast any engine out there- I guarantee it”, and while that’s arguable, at least he’s confident that some good miles may remain for the future owner.
There’s just nothing like the look and feel of a seventies to mid-eighties uber-luxury U.S. offering, with the Ninety-Eight excelling in every aspect, especially inside. The interior here seems like it will just absorb passengers, with those highly-padded leather seats appearing to still be in great shape for their age. Almost every luxury gadget imaginable for the period can be found here, but take note that the A/C will need to be serviced and the headliner reglued back into place. If there was room, I’d love to see this 1983 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Regency occupying a spot in my garage, representing some opulent nostalgia from a bygone era that’s unlikely ever to return. What are your thoughts on this one?
What’s in the Chewy box (asking for my dog)?
Godzilla, that comment made my day. All that needed to be said about this post.
Even the color of the Florida Seminoles 🪶🏟 🏈
I had an ’82 Electra 2 door. This same exact color combination, vinyl roof too. Only thing is I had the crushed velour seats not leather. And of course the 307 Olds and not the diesel. By the early 80’s the bigs were worked out but I think the damage was done by then. I can picture this couple seeing this on the showroom floor while getting their car serviced and getting it. Heck, that’s how my Grandpa wound up getting his ’66 Impala SS. Walking on the lot, saw it, and it was a done deal. This one cleaned up very nicely. Hope it goes to a good new home
We told a salesman at the local Toyota dealer that we were looking for a used late model RAV4 (we never buy new). Within a couple of weeks, he called and said to get over there right away. A couple was on a cross-country trip and stopped into our local dealer to get their oil changed. The wife saw a new Toyota Highlander on the lot and had to have it. So, they moved all of their stuff over and drove away. All of the other sales people were calling customers to tell them about the recently-arrived used RAV4, but we got there first. It had 32K miles, was loaded, well maintained (spotless, actually) and priced right. I think that was likely the fastest sale that guy ever made. A typical Toyota (our third), it has now accumulated 65K additional miles, including five cross-country trips, without a single problem.
Wow no, ran when parked ?????
I bought a new Delta 88 Oldsmobile in 82. WORST CAR EVER!
OK. I have too much to say, but I worked on these cars new. That diesel was junk from day one. Yes the car itself is beautiful and well made. But that engine. Oh my. We had several with a broken crankshaft. Later in the 80s I worked at a large used car shop. The owner was buying Olds with diesels for pennies nobody wanted them. Our mechanic did 350 gas engine swaps. They were tossing the boat anchor diesels out back. A close friend who loved them drove 4 hours to pick them up. Free. I think he still has them. The compression ratio was 22.5:1.
The DX blocks were the best. Guys build potent engines, mostly drag racing.
Owned a few 350 diesels.
My mom owned a used 1983 diesel 4 door Oldsmobile 98 Regency. It was reliable and very luxurious. I wouldn’t call it powerful, but was a fantastic long distance highway cruiser. It floated along for many miles on a 25 gallon diesel fuel tank
One of my co-workers bought a big four door Olds like this with the new 350 diesel. When it only had a few miles on it he was on a trip and stopped for dinner in a small town about 200 miles from Atlanta, where we lived at the time. The car wouldn’t start when they tried to leave, and they couldn’t find anyone to repair it. The engine would spin over but not start. Apparently somewhere in the paperwork for the car there was a warning against using ether to get it to start. Finally, he sprayed it and a small shot was all it took to get it started. The fix when he got it to the dealer was a new starter to spin the engine faster. He was surprised and I was too when he told me about it, but now it makes a little more sense to me. He got rid of the car pretty soon.
if it were a gas car it would worth double.1 just like it in gas sold for 10.5k. dx block were better but they still didnt help. i was there at the dealer working on those P O S motors
Me too, Ken. Didn’t do the heavy work, just tried to make them run smoother with less smoke. The heavy line was a couple bays down from me. Saw some hilarious stuff! (Not as funny then)
There is no market for these cars.
If only it had FOUR DOORS!! — and it weren’t a diesel — HARD pass!
If only it had FOUR DOORS!! — and it weren’t a diesel — HARD pass!
I owned one of the diesels, an 81 Riviera. Beautiful car, great mileage. Used oil though. Tore it down, found all the ring gaps lined up. A real brainiac had worked on that one. Drove to over 90K, sold it running fine. Would own another without hesitation.
I worked in the Company car garage at the GM assembly plant in Saint Louis 76/79. We saw a lot of the Diesel engines. Most of it was due to issues with the glow plugs. Those GM staff-level guys were not happy with that engine. Had an Uncle who bought one. It turned him away from buying GM products for several years.
I owned several 80’s diesel cars, mostly Caddy’s because I could buy them cheap and knew how to keep them running. By 1983 the bugs had been worked out from earlier years, but the damage was done. I blame GM for not doing enough engineering, but I also blame the demise of diesel cars on owner ignorance. Strong batteries and frequent oil changes were the secret to reliability, but lazy owners used to gasoline engine maintenance would be the first to condemn diesels. I also owned a couple of Olds Cierra V6 diesels, they were bulletproof!
You can HAVE the clatter, and the stench, of a GM/Olds diesel! No thank you, on my garage smelling as though a city bus had just passed through it every time I start my car!
SOLD for $6,800.