Golden Oldie: 1966 Oldsmobile Regal 98 Convertible
There was a time when luxury meant lots of options and the bigger the better. The Olds 98 Olds was the top Olds model for a long time, from 1940 to 1996. The 1966 Olds 98 is the eighth of twelve generations. Olds continued the big heavy luxury theme of the earlier generations. Summer is coming so just imagine cruising in style with friends in this grand old sled. You’ll want them along to help pay for the gas, of course. This Regal ride is said to be a barn find but the dealer provides no details. They have it listed on Craigslist for $16,480, but they are a dealer, so surely there’s room to negotiate. It’s located in Temecula, California. That’s in the “Inland Empire”, east of Los Angeles. It’s dry out there, so perhaps there is no rust in this convertible. The dealer has done a great job detailing this droptop and making it look like it might really have only 44,000 miles on it. If the ad is gone, you’ll find it archived on adsaver.
The interior is nice everywhere you look. The upholstery, carpet, door panels all look great.
The top is really nice. It as sitting outside for awhile so it has a few light brown spots.
There’s been some serious detail work done under the hood. The only thing showing its age is the alternator. The regulator looks all shiny, but the wiring looks a bit sloppy and sketchy. The 425 V8 was rated at 365 horsepower. It’s mated to a 3-speed turbo-hydromatic.
This Olds 88 appears to be in great original condition. People who buy expensive luxury cars usually take very good care of them so that one owner cars are often well maintained. That dent in the bumper is the only obvious flaw on this Olds. At about 18 feet long and over 2 tons, this droptop certainly “commands a presence”. Perhaps there aren’t a lot of folks looking for a big droptop like this, but this should appeal to many convertible lovers with a big enough garage and deep enough pockets to keep the tank filled. I can’t imagine doing a thing to this droptop except for necessary repairs. Better brakes might be nice, but this probably won’t be driven hard enough to matter. It will be interesting to see what you readers think of this big droptop.
Auctions Ending Soon
1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1Bid Now20 hours$7,100
2003 Porsche Boxster SBid Now21 hours$6,000
1966 Lincoln ContinentalBid Now23 hours$500
2000 Jaguar XJ8LBid Now4 days$1,250
1977 Datsun 280ZBid Now5 days$275
Comments
Nice car – ad is obviously pitching to ‘investors’, which for me is rather off-putting for someone who has, for decades, bought and sold vehicles mostly via word-of-mouth (like my unrestored, one-owner ’79 Honda C50 Cub that’s currently part of my collection – pictured).
A friend of mine and I restored a ’63 Cub about six years ago. Fun project and it was amazing how many NOS parts where still out there!
having a riot with small bore Hondas right now, nice bike
I’m just now reading an article about the Cub. Well, Super Cub:
http://autoweek.com/article/classic-ads/early-1960s-honda-super-cub-motorcycles-rule-san-francisco?utm_source=DailyDrive20180514&utm_medium=enewsletter&utm_term=headline-center&utm_content=body&utm_campaign=awdailydrive
I remember seeing those little hondas when I was a kid back in the 60’s. Always wanted one back then.
Gorgeous . ..has the same steering wheel as my ’67 Toronado
Beatnik – I don’t see how a Honda Cub relates to this 98 convertible, but I’m willing to listen to an explanation.
As for the car – one word, “Fabulous!” I’m an unabashed Oldsmobile fanboy and the 1962-1972 models are my favorites. This one is smack in the middle of the Golden Era for me.
The price is entirely reasonable in my opinion. I always try to relate the cost to whatever else is available for the same money and buying a generic Asian sedan for $15K would lead to a severe case of buyer’s remorse.
As an investment buy it and drive it for a year and sell it for the same, if not more, than what you paid for it. Try doing that with your used Altima.
ccrvtt, my Cub was acquired via word-of-mouth as did most of the more valuable machines (e.g. the rare Big Healeys, Tri-Five Chevies, ex-Red Skelton Jowett Jupiter, et al.) I’ve owned over the years, rather than via print/electronic ads or from dealers, like the great example above. That was my point.
While I respect collectors/investors, I’ve hung around people who describe themselves as ‘enthusiasts’ (many of whom have collections of stratospheric value, unlike my own, rather humble-in-comparison bunch of goodies) since childhood, hence my posts’ perspective.
BTW, I’d add the ’49-56 models, especially the early Sedanette fastbacks, to your list. Love ’em all!
Point taken, and I agree that the thrill of discovery is far greater through real human contact as opposed to the internet. From your posts I feel you have a healthy attitude toward this hobby.
Every car, truck, or cycle has a soul. Sometimes it comes from the maker, sometimes from whoever owned it, and mostly from everyone it touches. As is so often said on this forum, “I’d love to hear the story behind this car!”
I agree that the price on this 98 is quite reasonable, but I don’t think it relates at all to buying a “generic Asian sedan” and I question whether it is a good “investment.” No one who is considering buying this car would cross-shop a used Altima (or really any modern sedan). The Altima, or whatever, would provide reliable, comfortable, safe and economical transportation, but obviously would not be very glamorous or interesting. The 98 would be glamorous and fun to own and take to shows, but would consume lots of money in repairs, maintenance and especially gasoline. I have seven collector cars of varying descriptions and I love them but in no way would I consider them an alternative to the three modern cars in our family. And I wouldn’t want my family members driving the classics for any significant mileage every day, both for the sake of the cars and for their safety. (And Hagerty won’t like it!) As to this car being an investment, I doubt it. Big American boats of the 60’s are, for the most part, not appreciating and probably are going down in value. It’s all demographics — too many aging baby boomers selling to too few young people. Add in the cost of of repairs, maintenance and insurance and I think it’s a dubious investment. Fun, though!
I can’t disagree with logic of your thinking. Modern cars truly are more dependable and efficient. On the other hand, there’s not too much logical about collector cars. I have owned an ’86 Accord and a ’97 Corolla – both eminently sensible and well-engineered transportation modules.
Since then I have owned a ’98 Mustang convertible, a ’95 Corvette coupe, and an ’07 Corvette roadster. Guess which ones I actually liked? Cars have always been an emotional experience for me, as I suspect they have for all who linger here. They’ve never made any real sense and they’ve all been dubious investments.
So, you’re right, I’m not arguing with your assessment. But I would be sorely tempted to spend $15K on this Olds with the intent to DRIVE it for a year and then sell it on.
Provided my wife lets me, of course.
Beautiful and large! I’d love to cruise the summer away in this beauty, problem is it wouldn’t fit in my garage.
The Honda Cub would fit in this Oldsmobile’s trunk with room to spare.
I am looking at this 1968 here in Mexico. It is around 10K US so it might be a great deal.
It is in very nice original condition except for the cheesy wheels.
I like the “cheesy wheels”.
Or maybe I’d like that profile of wheel in a more stylish design.
And a re-imagined billet front grille.
There…fixed that.
I love this boat. Just cant pay these numbers for cars people couldnt give away not long ago. So I get what Bedouisn Beatnik is getting at by analogy
Temecula by the way is practically way northern San Diego County………off I-15 if anyone is driving.
That’s one beautiful land yacht there! Looks like it is currently able to tackle a road trip just as it sits from what I’m seeing. Their comment on buying it as an investment is downright silly. I doubt there’s a large audience for this size of car, convertible or not. Buy it because you like it and want to keep it or pass. I doubt you could buy it, drive it and sell it for more than purchase price unless you have more luck than I do.
I think more people, the younger crowd, would like these cars if they ever drove one.
We see them a lot in music videos, but I doubt many younger people have driven these cars.
It is pure joy to drive them.
Didn’t olds have a 4 speed auto years ago? Seem to recall my brother had one from the fifty that was 4 speed. What happened to it?
Olds used the 4 speed Hydramatic thru 1960. 61-64 Roto Hydramatic (slim jim) was used. 65-76 all big cars used the Turbo 400.
What’s, a Honda Cub got in common with an Oldsmobile convertible? I have a 53 Ford pick-up and a bicycle built for two, and a pedal car.
Love these big full-size convertibles! One thing I’m curious about though—I don’t remember the Regal name being used in 1966. Am I wrong on that point?
Regals are Buicks…
Oldsmobiles are regal…
Regency is Oldsmobile. There was a Ninety Eight Regency starting in 73. My Dad had a 73. Ninety Eight Regency 4 door hardtop.
I WONDER if it has a WONDERBAR radio which was standard in many of big olds models of the 60’s? You could change the radio station with the floor switch.
That’s one cool stylish car!
I would love to drive it.