Most of the 1966 Oldsmobiles that we cover here on BF are Toronados – and why not? They were new and very different 57 long years ago. One that doesn’t get a lot of coverage is the top-drawer Ninety-Eight and that may be because of a lack of excitement that is generally endemic to a full-size, near-luxury car. Well, today, here’s a convertible version and it looks like it could be a lot of fun in the general cruising department. It’s not perfect mind you, but most of the important stuff seems to be there. Found in Altadena, California, this “Super Rocket” powered rag-top is available, here on craigslist for $17,800.
Known for their “Rocket Action” in ’66, Oldsmobile offered Ninety-Eights, a Starfire, Delta 88s, a Dynamic 88, and a Jetstar 88. The Ninety-Eight saw four different body styles on its stretched 126″ wheelbase, a two-door hardtop and convertible, as well as four-door sedans and hardtops. The convertible managed sales of about 4,500 copies so it was hardly a volume model and is probably a very scarce find today.
This 223″ long convertible presents pretty well but the seller suggests, “Just needs paint and re-chroming of the front and back chrome bumpers“. If you examine the images closely you can see some cracked and peeling paint (top of the driver’s side fender/hood and driver’s side quarter) and the rust bleed making a front bumper appearance. I know from experience that Los Angeles-based Bumper Boyz is an effective way to deal with damaged or rusted bumpers; as for the body, it will eventually need a repaint. But that said, the car is perfectly useable as it sits – there is no indication of rust-through or crash damage. There are images of the underside and no noted defects are present. There are no close-ups of the folding top but from what is revealed, it looks OK.
Big cars need big engines and that Montana-sized hood has you covered with a 365-gross HP 425 CI “Super Rocket” V8 holding court. The seller states, “runs very well, new carburetor and fuel pump, just drove from Oceanside to San Gabriel… starts and drives well“. No mileage claim is made but the odometer is showing 41K miles which is probably a once-around reading though the seller claims, “very los (sic) original mileage“. Of note, the engine is wearing an Air Injection Reactor (A.I.R.) pump, which if memory serves me, made its debut in ’66 on California registered cars thanks to standards promulgated by the newly formed California Air Resources Board (CARB). This one is beltless and I can’t recall ever seeing an Oldsmobile wearing one. Gear changing happens via a Turbo-Hydramatic automatic transmission – the only game in town for a Ninety-Eight.
The black vinyl “diamond tufted” upholstery appears to be original and in surprisingly good shape – for a convertible, where the sun has often taken a toll. The instrument panel, which is decked out in a typical faux wood veneer, is perfectly representative of the era and presents well. If you note the radio, it has an FM band, something that was just emerging in popularity in ’66. This is an A/C-equipped car but there is no word regarding operational capability.
Yes, this Ninety-Eight is big, bold, powerful, and probably a fun cruiser. It won’t win races or car shows but it’s a great representative of an unfortunately, long passed era in American motoring. OK, $17,800, what do you think, priced right or not quite?
You would need a big garage for this baby. Now a days a good paint job and rechroming the bumpers could set you back 10K, might be worth it if you could get it for $10,000
The white “9” series CA plates are fairly recent so it may not be an original CA car — you’d expect black plates on a ’66 if it were. Looks clean, though, and factory air on a vert of this vintage is uncommon.
In ’66 you could also get Dynamic 88 and Delta 88 convertibles (but no Starfire vert) in the full-size line. The Dynamic 88 was the least expensive and found 5,540 buyers, the mid-priced Delta 88 4,303 and the 98 4,568.
No matter what plates it has the Smog pump marks it as an Original California car.
A true huge dinosaur blasting down 🦕 the hwy. Love the big Olds Rocket powerplant🚀
Definitely, on my want list. I have a 67 Delmont, but have always wanted a 98 ragtop. 56-67 model preferred. A lot of cracking on drivers rear quarter panel, so how much other putty is there in the body?
Loaded as you’d expect for a 98, but the reverb is too cool!
I agreeeeeeeee…
The tiny Master Cylinder is…tiny.
I had a tatty one briefly years ago and ended up with an extra hood that is still in my back yard in Dallas TX anyone need it? The hood was yellow years ago.
Back in 1970 I had a dark blue 1965 Olds Dynamic 88 convertible, light blue interior and white top. Bought it with a shaky vibrating front suspension. Only $500.
All it needed was a idler arm. After the fix, the car was perfect. Smooth ride, powerful engine, top worked great, loved that car, (too)
I thought the ’65/’66 Olds dashboard was a really attractive addition to an already attractive car.
The Dynamic 88 had rear wheel cutouts, the size of the 15″ tire. No skirts like the 98.
The big cutout gave it a sportier look. The taillights were in the body as well as the bumper.
I was 17 in 1970, and with a 16 year old friend, drove that Olds to Long Beach/Anaheim, California, from NJ.
Sold it almost 9 months later and flew back to NJ.
Near-luxury car? Hardly. The Oldsmobile 98 is as much a luxury car as it’s Cadillac cousin.
If that were true, why would someone spend that much more for a Cadillac? Or a Buick for that matter?
JO
Status/bragging rights.
Jim, the reason was the prestige of a Cadillac or Buick name tag.
I always chuckle at the ‘just needs paint’ descriptions. That’s easily a $10K plus endeavor on a car this age and size. Still a beautiful car you rarely see now or then. Worth some investment.
This is a clean, 1966 California survivor car with a fair asking price. I’m glad the writer explained that smog pump, I didn’t think CA had those mandated in 66. Someone did a great job cleaning the engine bay. Looks clean as a whistle. A great drop top, luxury land yacht.
I also did a double-take on the smog pump next to the A/C. Dad had a 64 Dodge with one and when we moved to PA, mechanics thought the car had A/C. Lots of belts & pullies are a drag.
that’s what I need, an 18 1/2 foot car (w/2 dors).
Gimmie this one and a 2nd a hrd top in blue.
Between $10,000.00 & $16,000.00 should suffice. I would pick that ride over a Cadillac any day especially that one. Yes a definitely off the frame rotisserie restoration that’s the only way to do it and bring it back to show room condition. The only thing I would change is that front bench seat to a Split Lounge Reclining 60/60 6-way Powered Seats with arm rest.
After all is said and done of complete restoration how can I not add to my collection. Late spring early summer to early fall Cruiser. If you didn’t have a Cadillac you had the next thing or even a same year Buick Electra 225, Limited or Park Avenue Convertible. Almost same interior layout but with Buick Styling.