All Original: 1950 Oldsmobile Futuramic 98 Super Deluxe

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Often a car listed on craigslist catches your eye, but it’s not often it’s sitting in such a familiar place. It’s parked right in front of the old Mercantile Building on Main Street in Livingston, Montana. Main Street still looks much like it did 50 years ago and the Olds still looks much like it would have almost 70 years ago. It’s said to be completely original, including the paint. This Olds looks like it might really have less than 50,000 miles on it as the seller states. The pictures were taken in June of last year at Livingston’s Show and Shine Car Show. The seller wants $15,995 for his treasure, which is $1,500 above average retail, but $10,000 below high retail, at least according to the NADA guide.

This was Oldsmobile first completely new design after the war. It was introduced in 1948, and like other makes the new design was very different from earlier cars. The 98 was the top of the line Oldsmobile model and was loaded with features we take for granted these days as standard equipment, like dual sun visors and rear armrests. You don’t hear the Futuramic 98 model mentioned much. It replaced the earlier Custom Cruiser 98 model. The upholstery appears to be in remarkable condition.

The dash and the upholstery we can see looks amazing in this picture, doesn’t it? There’s some staining visible on the door and the kick panels. Even if the stains can’t be removed, this still looks very nice for a driver.

A picture of the engine would be very helpful in determining the condition of this car. You can see a bit of body damage in this picture. There are a couple of dents in the trunk as well as damage to the rear door and skirt, but overall this Olds looks to be in really nice shape in the ad. The asking price seems high, but it’s actually a little lower than similar cars. As usual, the value depends completely on the actual condition of this car and, of course, what someone is willing to pay. With a little work, this Olds looks like it could be a really nice driver.

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Comments

  1. Howard A Rube GoldbergMember

    Anybody know where I can get a F-350 4×4 dually chassis? I’ve got an idea,,,

    Like 4
    • Mark S.

      Just wanting to keep up with the latest trend? Hahahaha.

      Like 3
    • Bruce Jackson

      Haha—good comment from an earlier listing!

      I want to see you pack those duallys into place AND still keep the wheel skirts intact…

      Like 2
  2. Pat lamb

    The design of these cars always reminded me of a fish ….

    Like 3
    • Mark S.

      Now that you mention it, yeah, kinda like a sucker or a catfish, some sort of bottom feeder. Love your art work!

      Like 2
      • Pat lamb

        Like your comment…thanks

        Like 1
    • tommy

      they do have a very sad face

      Like 0
  3. Beatnik Bedouin

    Nice cars. Now, if it were a Sedanette with a three-speed, I’d be keen.

    I was on the hunt for one – sadly, without success – a half century ago.

    Like 0
  4. RoKo

    What a gorgeous car. Bonus that it’s a four door. Hopefully it won’t be relegated to being a parts car for a 2 door, or just as bad, turned into some sort of rat-rod or 4×4 monstrosity.

    Like 5
  5. Steve R

    If a seller claims either low mileage or a race history, they need to back it up in the ad.

    There are many other cars I’d rather have for $16,000.

    Steve R

    Like 1
  6. SlickB

    Honestly I like seeing a little body damage on cars like this because it tells me that it has not been restored or at least not recently

    Like 1
  7. PatrickM

    FANTASTIC car!! Oh how I wish. Love it! This would be my “weekends show off.”

    Like 2
  8. geomechs geomechs

    Well I’m inclined to keep something like this original. I could definitely find a better use for an F350 chassis, like under an F350 cab and bed.

    Like 4
  9. DolphinMember

    Our extended family had a a few cars during the ’50s & ’60s—Oldsmobiles and older Caddys—with sun visors like the one on this car.

    I always thought they were cool looking. They might have cut your gas mileage because of a little added aero drag, but the fact was nobody designed big cars like these for low aero drag back then. They designed them to be BIG for families and for looks. and I remember being able to buy gas back then for as low as 18 cents / gallon.

    Different time, different world.

    Like 3
  10. Canadian Mark S. Eh!

    Id fix the damage very carefully and continue to use it. I’d also garage it and keep it in top shape. Very nice car price seems fair to me considering what your getting and what resto costs are these days.

    Like 1
  11. angliagt angliagtMember

    All I can think about,after reading this is –
    “Livingston Saturday Night” by Jimmy Buffett.
    It’s a nice little town,just North of Yellowstone,
    but has gone upscale.

    Like 0
  12. ccrvtt

    I agree with Mark S., eh. This is a primo ride that can be enjoyed immediately. There’s no garage queen pretense here, just a solid, honest car that conservatives and liberals alike can appreciate. Built in Lansing by good and true hardworking Michiganians.

    Brings a tear to my eye.

    Like 3
  13. glen

    Love the dash and steering wheel! If it is original paint,I’d leave the dents, unless they can be removed without having to repaint. The price may be negotiable, but if not, it would be difficult to restore one for less than this.

    Like 1
  14. TomMember

    Cool car. Don’t think anyone said it yet……2 doors too many.

    Like 1
  15. Jose Delgadillo

    Really in nice shape, pretty rare since four doors were usually parted out to re build a coupe or convertible model. Survivors like this are few and far between. Still, it’s just a four door old folk’s car.

    Like 0
  16. Josh

    @David Frank, are you a Montanan?

    Like 0
    • David Frank David FrankAuthor

      (Josh, I’m an old guy and have lived in lots of places but I miss Montana most of all. I miss that bar on 89 in White Sulfur Springs or driving south along the Yellowstone River to Gardner. I miss the Sunday night jams at the Stagecoach down in Wilson. Things like that approach to Billings in winter over the bluff to an icy runway weren’t much fun, but they were still fun. Now I’ve long gone to town and my old Stetson “Open Road” hangs by the back door. I miss the simple days when the most important thing was to keep your horse between you and the mud.)

      Like 1
  17. milt

    Cleans Olds but I like that red ’64 Impala SS next to it. WOW!

    Like 2
  18. Gay Seattle Car Nut

    Given its condition, and its age, and originality, I would think that $15,995 would be a good price.

    Like 1
  19. Michael Dawson

    I’m glad to (finally!) see four-doors and wagons get the respect they deserve. Of course a 2-door hardtop or convertible is beautiful, but from a historical perspective, most people did not drive them: two- and four-door sedans and wagons ruled the day on American streets and highways. Like anyone, I love a highly-optioned, top-line hardtop coupe, but I truly love to see something different: a run-of-the-mill, low-to-mid-line sedan, as these are true representatives of what filled the roads, “back in the day.”

    Like 1
  20. John

    Its not my cup of tea, but that is one beautiful old car. Congrats to its owner and or restorer. Well done, Sir or Madam.

    Like 0

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