In the last three years, we’ve reviewed a countless number of 1972 Oldsmobiles, and all but one were Cutlasses or 442s. Only one was a full-sizer, and it was an eighty-eight four-door sedan. That’s no surprise, but those intermediate-sized cars carry a significant price premium. The big cars, B and C bodies, often present quite a value; they have similarities with their smaller brethren, they’re just wrapped in a larger package (much larger with this example). Case in point is this $5,900 1972 Olds Ninety-Eight coupe. Yeah, it’s a bruiser and not without its issues, but let’s give it its due and see what makes it tick. Found in Santa Clarita, California, this Whammer-jammer of a coupe is available here on craigslist for $5,900.
Oldsmobile’s Ninety-Eights of this era were considered C-body cars, full-size automobiles that were longer than the B-bodies, such as the Eighty-Eight series, which are also considered full-size, just not quite as full. Big this baby is, stretching out to a length of almost 228 inches while riding on a 127-inch wheelbase – and this is a two-door hardtop! All that bulk registers about 4,500 lbs. in curb weight. In 1972, Ninety-Eights were offered in either two or four-door hardtop body styles and outfitted in standard or “Luxury” trim levels. Our subject coupe appears to be a standard trim car, which means it’s one of 9,600 assembled. Focusing on this rig, the finish isn’t great—it’s faded, and there are a few dents here and there, but I don’t detect any rust. The chrome-plated bits are still strong, though it appears some of the badging is missing. It’s surprising to see the original wheel covers are still in place.
OK, the interior is rough – I’ll admit it. The front seat looks like it’s covered by a sheet, and the rear one has undergone the Mexican blanket treatment. The headliner is hard to describe (image below), as is the passenger-side door panel. The seller adds, “No turn signals, horn, radio/8 track player, dash lights (electrical grounding issue?), no AC/heat.”
The engine room is occupied by a Rocket 455 CI V8 that produces either 225 or 250 net HP, depending on the exhaust system employed. Power is channeled to the rear wheels via a rebuilt Turbo-Hydramatic 400, three-speed automatic transmission. The seller elaborates, “Always runs, very reliable. Daily driver for the past ten years… re-tuned engine, new brakes, new brake booster, new master cylinder, new tires, new battery…always starts up and runs as long as she has fuel.”
Even at $5,900, this big Ninety-Eight is probably a bit overpriced, but it is an accurate representative of its era and is certainly a way to get into the old car hobby on the cheap. If you think about it, there will never be a big, V8-powered, rear wheel drive, two-door hardtop like this Ninety-Eight offered again. Cars of this ilk were everywhere at one time, and now, they’ve become the seldom-seen. Yes, the interior is a disappointment, but that’s fixable, and the rest of it shows as being solid. What do you think, a worthwhile project?
Well, if someone wants a toy that needs interior work, they could do far worse. This one has A/C, cruise control, and an 8-Track player. I’d hate to see it parted out. The body appears pretty solid. Seems reasonably priced.
Had a 71 two door triple black. Long story how I came across it, but was a great cruiser. Push the right pedal too far too fast and right rear didn’t have a chance. Was a big car that I hated to part with.
The salvage title is a big deal. It must pass an inspection by a mechanic specifically certified to issue one. It seems like the seller has done most of the work, so why didn’t they finish the process? The asking price is too high for its problem title and all the work that needs to be done. There are over 10,000,000 people in LA, cars don’t rust, pre-75 cars are common, I’d keep looking, it won’t be hard for someone willing to put in some effort to find a better value.
Steve R
Love the license plate BURLESQUE! 😅 🤣 in the dented ? rear bumper. But IMO it’s no joke, a genuwine last generation of Your Father’s Oldsmobile. Last of the breed. Not quite a LAND YACHT, but close enough to grab my attention. If only….! You know the rest. Some lucky person will get a Bon Marche. What? Less than a dollar a pound.
Nice Olds, but, the turn signal lever is missing and the salvage title is a major red flag. Why this vehicle has a salvage title would be my first question?
It was probably wrecked earlier in its life, then rebuilt. I could be wrong, but once a salvage title, always a salvage title. The car can’t be reverted to “normal”.
You are right, once a salvage title, always a salvage title. I think the salvage is recent, the seller says the inspection needed to return it to the road still needs to be done, that inspection only needs to be done once, not when it changes hands, the only exception might be if it sat for so long without a state issued non-op that it fell out of the DMV’s system. There are questions a potential buyer needs to ask before handing over payment.
Steve R
its not a big deal to have a salvged title. In this case it was obviously the front passanger side. Insurance companies undervalue cars in accidents to avoid payouts and owners dont know to fight for the car and or fight for an accurate value. Too many are too quick to welcome a check, then fail to fix the car instead blowing the money.
A fully loaded, 455ci Olds in near rust free condition is easily worth the asking price
Folks that think a directional switch is a deal breaker shouldnt even be looking at ‘barn finds’; once again these cars out out of their league an over their head.
Id love own a similiar version, just a different colour. Put white walls on it, tint windows .. a highway king.
Most likely car was >”dismantled”<. In Ca. junk yards must turn in title to dmv.
Car is now "junked" in the dmv system. The plate on the car is just for show, no tabs. Me thinks Grand PA passed. Call the junkyard, have them haul that thing off. I worked at a yard in the 80s and 90s. Saw a few nice clean cars show up. People just don't care about $$$ or the car, just want it gone! Perhaps if you reg or do a lien sale in another it could "wash" the title.
That’s a big car that needs big work. Too bad, as this coupe with the short cab and long body is very attractive. And you can tell that the Feds really sapped the 455’s strength by ’72, and it would only get worse.
The salvage title issue is perplexing, I’ve purchased cars with those, and one example was only from a broken front turn signal and park lens which the insurance company couldn’t find replacements, so it’s totaled. Another one I own now had the salvage title from a dented front fender, again the insurance co totaled it because the repair was more than the car’s worth. The decrease in horse power was partially from changing the designation from gross to net, or without any accessories to running all accessories. Then reducing the compression to run unleaded, the advantage now you could use regular, instead of high octane leaded premium, which no one can purchase today from most stations.
In 1982 I bought one of these for $500. It was for my wife who was just learning to drive. Back then, smaller vehicles were more in demand than full size cars because gas kept getting more expensive. So I paid less than half of what I would have had to pay for the smaller vehicle. It was a nice road car and quite luxurious. But the money I saved buying it soon disappeared as the Olds really liked gas. After about a year we sold it and bought a new Toyota Corolla station wagon. The gas savings practically covered the car payment. I like nostalgia but I have no desire for these old land yachts anymore. GLWTS.
Had a ’72 4dr hard top, dark blue with black vinyl top. Every option ticked as the first owner worked for an oldsmobile dealer. Loved that car, it was a beauty.
So many interesting comments on this Olds 98.
If you want a higher octane gas, just go to Las Vegas. You can purchase 100 octane at almost any gas station.
As for the salvage title, not sure about now, but back in the 90s I bought a 1972 Buick Riviera with a salvage title. It had been in a minor accident. In New Jersey all that was required was to fix the damage & document it in photos.. We replaced the passenger fender, radiator wall & front bumper. Fixed dents in the cowel and driverside fender. Then we took photos, went back to dmv and was issued a clean title. As I said, that was over 25 years ago, stupidity grows with government so it may be more difficult now.
As for the Oldsmobile 98, I also had one. In between the ’72 Riviera and ’76 Cadillac Coupe de Ville.
It was dark blue with a blue vinyl top and men blue interior. It was a 4 door LS (luxury sedan) all the bells and whistles.
Great riding car, great driving car. Could use more power but with detuned engines, lower compressions, unleaded gas and cat converters I’m surprised any cars had any power at all.
Anyone remember me saying in another post about how flimsy these bumpers were in the late 60s early 70s? Almost as flimsy as today’s plastic bumpers.
My 98 was a movie car and got towed around from set to set. Unfortunately they used a regular tow truck instead of a flatbed. The front bumper was pushed up and in from the straps and was the rear bumper. How the rear bumper got pulled out on the passenger side of this one is a mystery but mine was curled in from the straps.
I never quite got around to replacing them.
I love the color of this 98. I always seem to get dark colored cars but yellow and white are great colors for most cars. MO
I agree with your comments about getting 100 octane gas since I live hear in Las Vegas Nevada
@Mark
Did you see my photo of a Rebel gas pump with the 100 octane dispenser? Although it’s available, it’s also $10 a gallon.
Yes I saw that and I drive a blue 2018 Dodge Power Wagon with a 392 engine that has a 31 gallon tank and gets about 11 miles to the gallon
I beg to differ with you, Rick. This may not be OTT but it has all the substance and style of a true land yacht. Was tough for my brother to believe that 12 year old me wanted this over an intermediate. This one looks complete but needs lots of work. Bamboo cream with neutral interior and everything down to the 60/40 seat and telescoping steering column.
Yesterday was the Oldsmobile Homecoming in Lansing Michigan. Acres of Oldsmobiles would not be an exaggeration. Lovely cars from Eighty eights and Starfires, including a V8 Firenza (wink), to Vista Cruisers and 442s, even an original ’64 B03 4-door. Those in the know recall that 442 started out as the cop package, 4bbl, 4-speed and dual exhaust. A few Toronados and some more run of the mill Auntie cars were present. Just glorious. I hope some others got to see this, too.
I’m retired CT DMV. Salvage is what it is. Not always devastating but the insurance co. just wanted out. It’s up to the individual to decide. If it looks questionable and you’re not qualified walk away. Serious body work gets complicated, not a good place for the amateur. Good luck.
if it leaves California the title shouldn’t be an issue if i read the story right. if car can be bought cheaper that would good. it will be difficult to source out nice interior parts. these 2dr 98s are very hard to find. fixed up, cleaned up this would be a good and investment. need to buy it for less than 4gs
I had a ’73? (old age and memory) 2 door back in the late ’70s early ’80s as a winter beater and drive into the city for a concert car. ( explanation being driving into the city of Chicago and stuck in traffic with an automatic transmission with the AC or heater on while someone runs across your hood and you don’t get excited about it) The tin worm had had it’s way with the car, but still ran and drove great! ( for an over stuffed living room) And with 4 snow tires and positraction, it would go anywhere! I miss the comfort and utility of a beater. But I don’t miss the fuel bill. (Never mattered, highway, city, full speed, gentle cruise. 10.1 mpg.)
I’m very interested in the sale of THIS ’72…..as I own an immaculate, very low-mile ’71 Delta 88 w/R-134A A/C, from which I need to divest myself.
How many old leather suitcases gave up their linings to make that head liner??
Far better boats for less money on FB Marketplace.