This 1976 Oldsmobile 98 is amazing. The car itself is amazing and the ownership story is amazing. This gorgeous and gigantic luxury car can be found here on eBay in Lynnwood, Washington. The current bid price is just over $4,000 but the reserve isn’t met, and when you look at the photos and read the description, you’ll know why.
This is the last year of the ninth-generation Oldsmobile 98, or Ninety-Eight. It’s the last of the really big cars from Oldsmobile as the 1977 models would be shortened by around a foot with much more coming over the next couple of generations. Or maybe I should say, much more going, as in three feet of length by the eleventh-generation front-wheel-drive Olds 98 in 1985. It’s currently wearing Cadillac wire wheel covers but I like the look. The original Olds wheel covers are in the trunk.
The story on this stunning 98 is that it was owned by an elderly woman and she mainly drove it to church, the bank, and the grocery store. After just over 9,000 miles, she became ill and was forced to put her beloved car into storage where it sat for three decades! The seller somehow got it and they recommissioned it, draining and refilling the fluids and adding a new battery and it started on the first try. My dad had a 1970 Olds 98 and I would love to get one someday.
The interior is as mind-blowing as the exterior is, although the seller does mention a couple of small rust spots and the bumper filler panels are cracked, but they have a set on order and they come with the car. The back seat is like new and the trunk could easily be rented out as a weekend retreat. They have provided good photos and even some showing the bottoms of the doors and the underside. Here is a YouTube video showing the car in all its glory, and a couple of its tiny flaws.
The ultra-clean engine is an Olds Rocket 455 cubic-inch monster but by 1976 it had a mere 190 hp. It also has 350 lb-ft of torque which helps to move this 4,800-pound car to 60 mph in just over 12 seconds. The seller says that you’ll pass everything but a gas station, an average of 10 mph would probably be the best a person could ask for. Life is short, buy the car that you like no matter what the mpg is. Are any of you in love with this gorgeous Olds 98 as much as I am?
Let me guess…there is no market for this old barge. Blah blah blah. I like it, and somebody WILL buy it, because it IS a barge!
They shall, and thout shall be doinked. And so He ordained and so shall it be so. Amen.
I always loved the Oldsmobile 98 and 88 of this era, preferably the 88. I agree with Rex, this was a barge, but in 1977 the barge was da bomb to many people, especially real estate agents and bank officers. I am not a big fan of the Caddy wheel covers, but I do like this car. This IS your father’s Oldsmobile!
Be still my fluttering heart! Pile the crew in for a disco on Saturday night…drop Grammy and Gramps off at church on Sunday morning. Love these beasts.Don’t hate me…but I always thought a T-Top would work on one of these.
The only problem is that you would need two people or a winch to remove the t-tops! That ain’t no f-body.
This is not going to last long, guys. Like it or not, just try to find another with 9800 miles on the clock–you won’t. This may not have the Regency package with tufted pillow seats, etc. but it IS a gorgeous 98 coupe. Me, I’d ditch the Caddy wires for the factory wheel covers but that’s me–I’m a purist. Still; power steering, brakes, windows, seats, door locks, tilt cruise AM/FM stereo, etc. what more could you want? And it represents the last of GM’s land yachts, for which there IS a market for in the collector world, contrary to what Rex stated. If the reserve is over $15K, they’re wanting too much for what is essentially an entry-level Olds 98 coupe.
Will Fox, you completely misunderstood my comment. I was referring to the postings recently that keep beating the drum that nobody wants these old big Detroit cars. I happen to disagree with this, and feel the market for the old “barges” is alive and well, despite what some negative-Nancys say. I love these big cars, and have two nice ones myself.
That’s a LOTTA car for four thousand smackers, can’t imagine it will go that much higher though.
I saw an ad on Craig’s List for this car. I am just not buying the mileage claim.
It has been repainted, you can see the original lighter blue in the door jambs & I don’t recall ever seeing this shade on these. The cracked fender extensions also tell me higher miles (I know they CAN crack from just oxidation, but rarely does that happen), throw on the Cadillac hubcaps and it just smells of higher mileage.
The cloth they used on these was indestructible. It just wore forever, so I am not surprised it has a nice interior, and I do feel it is a nice car. I would drive it, if the price were right! But if the seller expects me to believe the miles are correct, I am not buying it. That also makes me wonder what else he is lying about.
Very nice 110,000 mile example with a very good detailing. Looking at the hoses under the hood there are miss matched clamps which would most likely not be the case if only 10 is on the clock. Inspect this one closely, it is very nice and if I had a big enough berth I’d be interested.
I love it! I took my driver’s test in the 4 door version of this car. Eventually, the frame began to sag in the middle on it, but getting on the gas after dad put a high pull clutch fan on it made it sound like the bat-mobile’s jet turbine engine. Great old cars and absolutely bullet proof. Would love to score this old beaut!
Last year for this biggest generation and the 455 before downsizing. Must ride like a dream, though.
I had a 76 Custom Cruiser, the Wagon version of the 98. Great car, tough as nails. Well engineered, it did everything pretty well – steering, brakes, drivetrain all represented the best of all the GM divisions, while you still leaving enough brand identity for visceral difference. IMO, the 76 had the best styling of the big bumper Olds B&C bodies. A fellow drag racer friend of mine picked up a low mile 76 Electra coupe that he has formed an obsessive bond with ( the surprise joy of a 2.76 gear?), this car has that same happy potential for someone.
Looking at the auction, the driver’s armrest has been recovered in vinyl. I’m not normally one to poke holes but this is looking A LOT like a gentle 109,000 miles.
Kind of odd that driver door panel is repaired on top of armrest for theese
low old lady miles?
I agree on the 110,000 mile scenario but if I had the room I’d buy it for sentimental reasons, for the Barge Look, as others have mentioned. I have no room for it. Negotiations for expanded space going well but slowly. And never mind the gas mileage. We’re not in the Hobby for gas economy. Someone buy and enjoy.
The best picture showing the difference in color is the Ebay trunk photo. It should be a lighter shade of blue and yes I agree probably 109k miles. Question everything else that comes out of the sellers mouth.
Currently bid to $4950, which is about the right money for this land yacht given that it’s a non original paint [wonder what that’s hiding], and in need of some attention. The lighter blue would be a better look for this one, and for gosh sakes lose those Cadillac wire wheel covers, they do nothing for the looks of this elegant Olds.
That blue paint its in now was a very popular respray in the mid 80’s ; it seems like every car that was repainted blue was this color
I’m not crazy about the green houses on the 74-76 models, weather it be a 2 or a 4 door, 73 and earlier were much cleaner looking in my own opinion, but not to take away from this car. Like other readers, the mileage claim is a hard pill to swallow. What I will say is hats off to barn finds to featuring all these sleds, the 72 mercury marquis so far is the one I’d park in my garage! Keep them coming barn finds!!!
This one has leg room!!
For those who suspect odometer shenanigans: just like the opening scene in the movie “Used Cars” where Kurt Russell is under the dash, “adjusting” the odometer…on a 1970’s era full sized Oldsmobile!
Buick
Miles of shag pile carpet and vulgalur interior.
Looks like the vinyl top has been removed and roof painted,,,resonator is removed,arm rest repaired,rust bubbles from a repaint,bottom of passenger door is out of alignment do not believe mileage is correct
Bid now up to $6,677, I do not think it is worth much more than that, watch the video and see the problems waiting for the new owner. You will need to spend 2 to 3 thousand dollars to fix the paint issues. Or the current owner would of done it.
Had one in cream with white vinyl top and it was a Regency. Was a gold velour interior pillow seats. Gas was much cheaper when I owned one