I’ve reviewed thousands of cars (and even more listings), but I still learn something every day. A case in point is this fine-looking 1963 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight two-door hardtop. It’s actually a “Custom” Sports Coupe as opposed to a Holiday Sports Coupe – I didn’t know there were two similar, but different Ninety-Eight trim levels available – more on that later. Looking sharp in Raymond, New Hampshire, this 81 K-mile top-flight Olds is available here on craigslist for $32,000. Three cheers to Zen for submitting this tip!
Oldsmobile’s Ninety-Eight set itself apart from lesser models through aesthetics, power (in some instances), and a three-inch longer wheelbase. Body styles included two-door hardtops and convertibles, along with four-door hardtops and sedans. One standout feature between the Custom Sports Coupe and the Holiday Sports Coupe is the former’s bucket seat and center console-adorned interior – and that was a surprise for me, as I assumed only models like the performance-oriented Starfire got the bucket seat treatment. Looking at production volumes, the Custom Sports Coupe generated 7,400 units while the Holiday Sports Coupe made do with less, yielding only 4,900 copies. The bucket seat interior on our subject car is not well photographed, but what can be spied looks good – almost too good to be original. Oldsmobile promotional material from the time claims a “Moroccan Leather” and fabric combination upholstery was employed in the Custom version of the Sports Coupe, but what’s there now looks more like a high-grade vinyl combination, as there’s no indication of leather creasing and cracking, something that invariably happens with age. Then again, it all could be original thanks to Oldsmobile’s use of high-quality materials and years of garage parking. The only other portion of the interior that’s really discernible is the carpet, and it shows as non-faded and like new.
Another difference between the two coupes is power, as the Custom’s 394 CI V8 engine musters 345 gross HP as opposed to the Holiday’s 330 HP version. The seller makes no mention of running or driving characteristics but does state that the carburetor has been recently rebuilt, and observation indicates a new aluminum radiator has been installed. Handling all things gear-related is a Roto Hydramatic, or Slim-Jim version of GM’s Hydramatic automatic transmission. Research will tell you that these units are not held in the highest regard, but this Ninety-Eight’s listing is mum, not surprisingly, on that topic.
“Zero rust,” the seller claims, and I can believe it – the exterior looks spotless with bright chrome and stainless trim, and flat, straight body panels. While this Ninety-Eight currently resides in New Hampshire, it’s claimed to have a California origin, and perhaps that’s helped maintain this car’s current state. The pale yellow body finish capped off with a copper-hued roof makes for a memorable exterior presentation. While I wouldn’t have thought of combining those two shades, I have to say that they work well together. No exterior demerits are warranted!
Normally, I’d consider this car a survivor, and it would be if all were original. The listing makes no reference to any refurbishment that may have occurred, and the term “original” is not used. Regardless, this big two-door coupe, a body style that has pretty much been sun-setted, is just super. And that leads me to the matter of pricing. At $32,000, what’s your thought, priced right or not quite?
Great write up Jim. And what a great find!!! I’m totally with you, I thought the bucket seat and console was for the Starfire not a Ninety Eight. I always learn something new on here every day. This Olds is absolutely gorgeous. I also didn’t know about the higher horsepower 394 either. These cars were no slouches back in the day. And Like you already mentioned the “Slim Jim” was a bit of Achilles Heel in the Performance
dept. And not the smoothest either.
This is absolutely beautiful. I’d be very proud to own it.
Although I’m not a fan of the Roto-Hydramatic, when they operate properly, they actually do work well and are smooth as silk. Any of them that are not “smooth” are defective.
My Dad had a Roto hydramatic in his ’64 Catalina that he bought new. He only had it two years until he traded it on his ’66 Bonneville. He never complained about it.
No Slim-Jim in that car!
This ’63 is gorgeous! Nice color combination and clean interior are great selling points. Not sure if the `62 models were avail. with buckets, as I’ve only seen one other `63 coupe that had them. I’ll have to dig in my reference material when I get home. I would love to have this one. GLWTS!
I was reading about the Olds Roto Hydramatics – they are hard to source parts for if you could find someone who would actually want to rebuild it.
Fatsco sells the trans parts. Not that hard to get.
Ive seen one before “a gentlemans hot rod”. Very cool. Always a big turn off for me is an aluminum radiator, at least paint it black. Nice car buy wayyyy over priced IMHO.
Nice car. Maybe the recent 67 442 and this one can package sell and split the difference?
My childhood neighbor friend had a 1963 Starfire. I got rides to school with him a few times. He was always taunted by Mustangs Camaros Corvettes etc to race but never did to my knowledge. My uncle raved about this Olds 98. Oldsmobile V8s had a distinct deep rumble to them. Beautiful car.
When I was a teenager, my boss would occasionally ask me to run errands using his 1962 Olds Starfire. I was careful with the car and didn’t race anyone. But I can say this: it was ferociously–almost frighteningly–fast.
I’ve vibed with Ninety-Eights since I was a kid. This is a real beauty from the unique two tone and bucket seats to the first year Comfort Tilt steering column.
A friend of mine once commented on the type and volume of advertising we have on TV. Today’s pharma ads have replaced cigarette, liquor and Aamco transmission repair.
Double A -mco
Beep beep
I cannot determine if this car has AC. If not it is way overpriced IMHO.
Otherwise the Olds was one of the better cars to be had and this is a beauty.
That sorry transmission can be replaced by a 400 and things would be OK.
My father ordered a 64 Pontiac Bonneville that came in this exact color combo, except he ordered it reverse, dark bottom, light top. When it came in the dealer offered to reorder but mom said it looks better this way so they kept it. Have only seen a very few cars painted this way. I love it and wish I
had room in the garage for another toy.
Love It!
Nice old Olds. But, no air conditioning and $32K equal no sale.
Price is WAY TOO HIGH. These Olds are not loved at all. Crappy, crappy trans. and just genarally best to avoid them.
My Dad had a ‘62 Olds 98 Convertible, ‘64 Olds 98 “ Luxury Sedan” and a ‘66 Olds ‘98 “Luxury Sedan”, all bought new. ( I keep my new cars for 10+ years) He continued buying Olds’98’s for another 4 years before switching to Cadilacs The first three were really great cars, the ‘62 being my favorite but only got to drive the ‘64 and ‘66, I keep a lookout for all three of these, The ‘66 Luxury sedans really had some great bells and whistles but are few and far between these days.
My Uncle John had a ’63 Ninety-Eight coupe with bucket seats. I think it was the first air conditioned car I ever rode in. He had a ’61 Starfire before that, but he said it didn’t ride as smoothly as a Ninety-Eight because of the shorter wheelbase, so the availability of bucket seat in a Ninety-Eight solved his problem.
@Jim ODonnell
Hope this brochure image on page 1, helps define this as an original, or “as original” interior.
https://xr793.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/1963-Oldsmobile-Sports-Cars.pdf
It was a luxury interior from GM if the door cards had a arm-rest console for the standard power windows. But it is a shock this premium model was not ordered with factory AC.
We had a new ’63 Dynamic 88 9-passenger wagon with all the expected power accessories and factory AC. Drove it for 8 years and ~70K miles with no known transmission problems; and this includes a 14 year old driving it back and forth in the circular driveway! hehehe
nice car but the no a/c and the slim Jim trans are definitely detractors. the price is on the high side. this car would benefit being sold at auction where it may get the asking price or more. these are a rare model in today’s world and needs a person that wants this kind of car
I had a 63 98 convert. Probably the best 60’sera cars I owned. I preferred it to the 63 coupe de ville I had.