The Ninety-Eight (also 98) was Oldsmobile’s flagship car for 45 years beginning in 1952. The car was on par with the Buick Electra and Pontiac Bonneville, just a tick or two below the Cadillac DeVille. This 1972 edition has only 44,000 miles and has time capsule qualities, and could take a cross-country trip at the drop of a hat. Located in Addison, Illinois, this larger-than-life Olds is available here on eBay for $28,900 OBO. A “thumbs up” to Zen for this nifty old school tip!
Ninth-generation Ninety-Eights were on the assembly line from 1971 to 1976 and would be the largest yet. The car would be downsized in 1977 along with other big GM cars, so if you like barges, any Ninety-Eight from this era should provide satisfaction. A 455 cubic inch “Rocket” V8 was standard, as was a TH-400 automatic transmission, so the cars had Oldsmobile’s maximum horsepower except for, perhaps, the mid-size 442 muscle car. About 34,000 Ninety-Eight 2-door hardtops were built in 1972, but that was bested by 4-door examples.
This prime example has had the same owner for 11 years, who has helped keep the mileage to a low 44,000. It’s believed that most of the white paint is original, as is the contrasting black vinyl top and cloth interior. The car was sold new at a dealer in nearby Columbus, Ohio, and paperwork has followed it over the years. If any options are lacking on this Cadillac-level automobile, we don’t know what they might be. It has factory air conditioning that blows cold.
Other than a few blemishes you might expect after nearly 55 years, this Olds presents quite well. The seller says it’s ready for any road trip you would want to throw at it and offers a driving and walk-around video from YouTube. And the seller says “*We Are Nice To Deal With & Negotiable* indicating a dealer may be involved. This might not be your father’s Oldsmobile, but it could be yours!
This is a beauty, probably one of the nicest ones if not the nicest one out there. I owned a ’73 LS 4-door. 455 270 hp.Curious that they traded out the AM-FM radio for an AM & some trade of wheel covers. Both noted on the window sticker. Has the rare cornering lamps nicely blended in with the side marker lights. That auto headlamp control must be similar to today’s auto lamp control on GM products at least. Just doesn’t have the timing feature like twilight sentinel.
I’ll be picky Russ. Missing an 8-track AM-FM stereo, 60-40 seat with power both sides. Ok, I’m done!
I don’t know if it’s 28K nice, but we’ll see who has the $$ &/or absolutely has to buy. GLWTS!
On a closer magnified look, there appears to be some marks or blemishes along the side molding maybe where the clips are. I’d have to have a closer look at those.
whatever !, your not buying anyway .. ‘blemishes’ on a ’72 98 please spare us the rediculousness
@Jon
Hi Jon! You had a ’73? Cool! I had a ’72 4 door HT LS, just like this one only in 4 dr and a deep midnight blue with a blue interior. Two of the most popular colors back then were blue and green, two of the colors I like the least. I got mine around 1994. Suppossidly it was used in the movie “Carlitos Way” and Al Pachino sat in the passenger seat. I can’t verify that because that scene got cut on the edit room floor, but the used car dealer I bought the car from and I were friends with (bought several cars from him) did “loan” out cars for movies in NYC and NJ.
One of the other cars I bought from him was my 1976 Cadillac Coupe de Ville.
He and his brother had a couple of warehouses across the river in Pennsylvania. A couple of years ago a read they were retiring and liquidating their entire stock. I know he had several clamshell GM station wagons but when I emailed him he never answered. Guess it wasnt meant to be.
Hey Angel, mine was red/burgundy with a white vinyl roof and wine interior. Had the 11/4 ” whitewalls.
I’ve told this story before, but I saw this car in a local shopper called Tradin’ Times. Didn’t need a car at that time. I happened to save the paper for my pants hanger so a year later I did need a car. So I found the ad, called them, & went and bought it!
I had a ’73 2 door in silver in from about 1978 to 1983 as a winter beater/drive to the city/concert car. Very bad rust. But still a great car!
As much as I’d might pay the asking price. This could be had for less if you follow along. However I’d expect a few spoilers. It’s a very nice ride. Just tweak that 455 and this one will get you there in style
what an outstanding 98. the 2dr is 1 of the best-looking models. all she needs a good Waldrons dual exhaust system and a bit of detail work under the hood and you’re done. wish was in a financial position to drop the hammer on this because you never see these and especially 1 this clean. it still wears the selling dealers name on the back and a ton of paperwork too. i bet 20k would do it.
I really thought these Oldsmobiles were particularly good looking. This one seems to be in very fine condition. I love the regency option too. I miss Oldsmobile. General motors management has been pathetic for decades and continues to be. Mary Barra has destroyed the company. I wish there were cars like this again. It was a magical time. I was a young man when these cars were on the highways. I love them. I guess we’ll never see that time again.
So true about (The Wicked Witch of Detroit) Barra ruining the company. However she is just doing it quicker that the original idiots were doing. She learned from the “good old boys” . The only difference is that she uses a differt bathroom! Same old stuff, bow to Chevy dealers whimms and screw the other brands. Eventually there will only be Chevrolet. GMC will be the next one to fall. I’m surprised that GMC wasn’t first. As Chevy has been crying about them for decades and decades!
@Wayne
Hi Wayne,
I read somewhere about 5 years ago that if General Motors desolves, Cadillac will remain as an independent as will Chevrolet.
Ford is Ford and will dump Lincoln and Chrysler is basically gone already.
Yep, this is a nice ’98’ for sure.
But for this kind of money, I’d hold-out for one of the initial, ’71-model…the purest iteration of the redesign; mainly because the ’71s still had “normal” bumpers.
This ’72 has the beefed-up 2-1/2 mph, bumpers. Not as awful as the ’73-model’s 5-mph cowcatchers, but awkward nonetheless.
Compare photos of ’71/’72 to see what I mean.
And, for this kind of money, I’d hold-out for full power-equipment (as noted, this lacks 60/40 power seats)…and a more eye-catching color scheme.
No question though, this is a nice Olds!
Lovey Ninety-Eight. Two door LS was the top dog unless you happened upon a 75th Anniversary Regency. If we’re citing missing features then there should be a thermometer on the driver door.
My dad had a 73 Olds 98.in 1974..I drove it to texas in 1976.to Dallas down 40 to Memphis and ark and texarkana..longest dam car I ever drove…you just point it in 1 direction…once on interstate..it just floats down the road..trade it in 76 for a cutlass..they were better cars
Sharp car.
Love it ! nice find Barn Finds