Urban Barn Find: 1987 Oldsmobile 98 Touring Sedan
The Oldsmobile 98 (aka Ninety-Eight) was the GM division’s flagship model for most of the second half of the 20th Century. A super fancy version of the car emerged in 1987 called the Touring Sedan with split front seats and a floor shifter. The goal was to offer a domestic alternative to imported automobiles from Audi, BMW, Acura, and others. The seller’s ’87 edition (it was in production through 1990) looks to have been in an “urban barn” for many years and needs restoring. It’s one of about 4,000 built during the Touring Sedan’s debut outing.
These large Oldsmobiles weren’t so big anymore after 1985. That’s when the vehicles went through a second downsizing in less than a decade, shedding 700 lbs. and two feet in length. Front-wheel-drive was in play now and V6 engines took over for the thirstier V8s. A 4-speed automatic transmission replaced the prior 3-speed. The Touring Sedan was the swankiest version of an already snappy automobile and only came as a 4-door sedan. 25,000 Touring Sedans were produced over its four years. These cars had the same powerplants as other 98s, but a sporter suspension for more aggressive handling.
We’re told this is a one-owner car with 78,000 miles to its credit. We don’t know why it was stashed away for safekeeping, but a mechanical issue or changes within the family are likely suspects. It’s finished with dark blue paint with a matching interior, but we can’t tell how good the former is, and the front seats look more than well-worn. Depending on how long it’s been sitting, the fuel delivery system is likely going to need flushing.
Located in downtown Los Angeles, California, this once noble cruiser is ready to be restored or redone as a low rider (per the seller). Available here on craigslist, the seller is hoping to sell it for $9,000 but will field offers. The question is whether this era of vehicles like the Olds 98 is worth restoring. In the grand scheme of things, 4,000 copies in one year does not spell abundance.
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Comments
Don’t clean it up, as you don’t want to risk scratching that classic paint!😂😂😂😂. Sorry, but ridiculous. $9k. 😂😳. GLWTS.
No way 9 grand, dirty, probably smelly with mice and a porcupine must have been sitting in that seat, looks like a 500.00 dollar car. I had a white one , very good car.
$9k lol. But I can imagine how sweet those blue leather seats looked new; bring back blue interiors!
Two of my buddies bought ‘89’s brand new, but they weren’t the touring edition. One was the same blue as this car. Rock solid and comfortable. They drove them into the ground. One guy kept his 20 years and put almost 300K miles on it.
This seller is dreaming at $9K. If it was in nicer condition and not needing a complete interior, maybe- but that’s even a stretch. This one is a $1500 car.
FE3 handling/suspension pkg will help this 98 roll nice on the hook 🛻🪝
The nicest one in the world miiiiight be worth $9K. Maybe.
This one? Not so much.
If all it was was dusty and neglected (interior would have to be nice, for starters) I’d give you a grand, no problem. That, plus the seller cleaned it up and had it running good enough to make it around the block, three grand – but only because I have a soft spot for this model.
But as it sits… well, what’s scrap going for these days?
I was actually a little excited when I saw this pop up. Still have a bit of an itch to find a nice one of these with transmission problems (as they all seemed to eventually) and drop in an L67/4T65E. But, since I didn’t do it 10 years ago when these cars were on their way out, I doubt I’ll have a chance again.
If only this was the 98 coupe, but alas, it’s not. It’s a well used, dirty four door. Many, many were sold. If the severely cracked leather driver’s seat is any indication as to the care this car received, buyer beware! In my estimation, this is a $700 car at most. But, I’m not a buyer for this filthy 98.
Good car, insane price. I was given one back in the early 2000s in on running condition. Never got it running and ended up having it called off to the junkyard. These are cool cars and I hardly see them come up for sale but the last one I did see come up for sale was in pristine condition for $7,500 a couple of years ago
Nice $500 car!
Is it worth 9k? No. But if it’s a son or daughter selling dad’s car they likely don’t have a clue about value. Oldsmobile, being an old man’s car, likely was pampered in the early days at least. Now it’s just a can of worms.
i worked on these when they were new, and they were really sweet to drive. this 1 looks as though it had its a– handed to it on a plate. its parts car at this point. this is a $500 max. i want whatever the owner is on because they are nuts
Well. I really loved these cars and still do the touring sedan we’re my favorite with the buckets and floor shif ours was an 98 regency brougham loved it actually my favorite car I ever had. Well back to this one either cleaner it up,put it on eBay or haul it to the junk yard you shouldn’t have to pay to much for them to take it