With 223″ of overall length, riding on a 126″ wheelbase, and tipping the scales at over 4,200 lbs., I would deem this 1966 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight convertible a “Whammer-jammer”. It’s existentially big, and even bigger visually. The seller refers to this Vancouver, British Columbia-domiciled drop-top as “beautiful and rare,” so let’s investigate and see if we agree. It’s listed here on craigslist for $27,500 ($19,525 U.S., assuming the stated price is in CDN dollars). A tip of the hat is due to T.J. for this discovery.
Other than the war years, Oldsmobile produced its range-topping Ninety-Eight from 1940 through 1996. For ’66, four different body styles were offered: four-door sedans and hardtops, as well as a two-door hardtop and convertible. And, there were actually two different four-door sedans available, a Standard and a Luxury edition. Our convertible subject is one of 4,200 assembled in ’66, so I’m not sure I’d label it “rare”, but it’s not a common model either. The thing that leaps right off this Ninety-Eight’s opening image is its rollers, those wide-whitewall tires festooned with wire-wheel covers. It’s a matter of taste, of course, but I’d pitch that get-up on day one. Once beyond that, this car’s beautiful lines and superb condition immediately come into focus. The finish, chrome, and stainless trim are all like new, no rust is evident, and this Olds’ loooong flanks are razor-straight. The listing mentions a new white folding top and weather stripping.
Under the Montana-sized hood, a 365 gross HP, 425 CI Super-Rocket V8 engine is holding court. There’s no reference to running or driving characteristics for this 90K mile convertible, just a note regarding the deployment of an Edelbrock carburetor. Channeling all that power is a Turbo-Hydramatic 400 three-speed automatic transmission. Note the air cleaner assembly, looks like some one’s been busy with their Black & Decker.
I can’t get over the thickness of the front seat back rest – that’s luxury! Research indicates that this Ninety-Eight’s red diamond-patterned upholstery is “Morocceen Vinyl” . It, and its matching door panels look fantastic – there’s no evidence of top-down deterioration. The instrument panel with its central hooded speedometer, flanked by gauge pods on either side, is certainly memorable. The faux wood veneer is a bit plank-like but that was the hot-luxury gotta-have in this era as well as for many suceeding years. The steering wheel’s horn ring is an eye-catcher; its X-shape looks like something out of the Batmobile. This is an A/C equipped converible – no word, however, regarding its operational capability.
This ’66 Olds Ninety-Eight is one cool cruiser! Cars like this draw me in because they are so American, and so gone from our current automotive roadscape – we won’t see a return to a car like this again. Finally, anyone who’s interested in this out-sized convertible, may want to measure the depth of their garage first, right?
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