Lately, I’ve been a bit focused on Pontiacs and Oldsmobiles, such as this 1967 Ninety-Eight two-door hardtop. I suppose it’s a bit of “you don’t know what you got ’til it’s gone” syndrome. Admittedly, I was never a Pontiac or Olds “guy,” but I appreciated both divisions’ products and believe they left an indelible imprint on the U.S. auto biz – and a hole in GM’s lineup. Then again, when I review what Buick is doing these days, perhaps it’s better that both marques are now fallen flags. Anyway, this behemoth of a coupe perfectly represents GM’s late sixties approach and still appears to be in sound condition. That being the case, let’s see what GM’s middle division was up to almost 60 years ago. Found in Battle Creek, Michigan, not far from Oldsmobile’s ancestral home of Lansing, this formal hardtop is listed here on Facebook Marketplace for $8,000. Sam61gets two thumbs up for this tip!
Olds’ Ninety-Eight always occupied the top slot at GM’s middle brand and in ’67 was available as a two-door hardtop and convertible, as well as a four-door hardtop and sedan. Our subject car, known as a “Holiday Hardtop,” is one of about 11K assembled in ’67, and yes, it’s a big car. Riding on a 126″ wheelbase, this Ninety-Eight stretches out 223″ in length and tips the scales at 4,400 lbs. That weight isn’t surprising today, but in ’67, it was notable. The seller states, “There are some cosmetic issues such as rust starting on the truck lid and a few bubbles on the hood,” with that rust mostly hiding behind trim or under the edge of the vinyl top. The corrosion doesn’t appear to be serious at this point, but you never really know what fully lurks under a vinyl roof until you rip the bandage off, as so to speak; that said, the vinyl material itself still shows well. The paint looks like Pewter Poly, and assuming it’s original, it’s still pretty strong for a 59-year-old lacquer finish. Included in the listing is one image of the underside, but it’s not very revealing. Finally, I find the period-incorrect wide-white to be a distraction, but that’s a subjective call on my part.
The vinyl and fabric interior is a sixties GM environment all the way. It’s tastefully understated, as one would expect with a car of this class, and still presents remarkably well. I’m not noting any wear, despite this car’s age and 70K miles of use. And considering this Ninety-Eight’s size, it has a very functional back seat – a lost art in more recent two-door models. Not surprising, this is an A/C equipped Oldsmobile, but it’s listed as inoperable, and the beltless compressor confirms it’s no bueno.
Rocket power on tap? You bet, and it’s actually “Super” Rocket power in the form of a 365 gross HP, 425 CI V8 engine capable of pulling stumps with the assistance of a Turbo-Hydramatic 400 three-speed automatic transmission. The seller advises, “Car runs and drives but needs to have the brakes rebuilt before you go on any long trips with it.” He further adds, “The car does not have insurance on it at this time, as well as needing a brake job, so no test drives will be allowed.”
OK, so the brakes are an issue, but that problem is totally fixable and a foible of many old cars – especially ones that have sat for long stretches. Still, this Ninety-Eight has a lot going for it: a big, powerful V8 engine, rear-wheel drive, two-door body style, and a commanding presence. As I’ve often said before, cars aren’t being made like this anymore, and likely won’t be again, so if this kind of rig floats your boat, here you go! OK, let’s talk price; with an $8,000 ask, is this Oldsmobile priced right or not quite?
I like this car a lot. I like big boats and I cannot lie.
From a fiscal standpoint, this car is a losing proposition from the get-go. BUT, if you’re like me and don’t mind donating money to lost automotive causes, this car checks all the boxes.