Vehicle Description
This 1962 Oldsmobile 98 sedan represents the future of the hobby.
As enthusiasts realize just how special unrestored, original cars
really are, nice specimens like this, even the 4-door variants, are
going to become the next big thing. Showing just 77,257 original
miles, this handsome survivor will boggle minds everywhere it
goes.
For being nearly 60 years old, the paint is in good condition and a
repaint on this car would probably be a mistake. It's a little
faded and it's not perfectly shiny like it was when it was new, but
it does have an honest look. I don't care how talented your painter
is, he will never, ever be able to duplicate the factory-applied
look that time has polished to a lovely soft patina. GM called this
particular "Magic Mirror" finish Willow Green, and it does kind of
conjure a forest-like feel that seems entirely appropriate for the
modest early 1960s. Styling is, of course, ultra-conservative in
keeping with the typical Oldsmobile client, but look closely and
you'll find neat details you've never seen anywhere else. For
instance, dig the way the nose of the car seems to be two separate
pieces, including an impossibly intricate (and beautifully
preserved) bumper. I don't know how you clean in that gap, but the
look is pretty trick. Modest stainless trim seems to echo the
rocket emblem along the sides, and out back there are jet-inspired
taillights and another complex bumper that's in great shape. Even
ignoring its age, there's nothing to complain about on this
car.
One of the best parts of a truly well-preserved original car is
always the interior. Sure, you can get kits and reproduction
fabrics, but few will be as nice as the original stuff like that in
this Olds. Sure, it's simple, but the fabric is '60s funky with
vertical pleats in the backrests that's perhaps a final echo of the
'50s. A wide, flat dash has a very cool speedometer with a bar that
slowly makes its way across the face, a gorgeous steering wheel,
and no sign of the cheesy ersatz wood trim that would be all the
rage just a decade later. Instead there's a lot of bright polished
stainless and chrome, body-color dash panels, and buttons designed
to mimic high-end stereo equipment of the era. An AM radio is one
of the few options this car carries, but that's part of the charm,
too. In back, the seat looks almost completely unused, with nice
carpets and door panels that don't even look like someone's elbow
has been resting on them. Finally, the trunk area is just as tidy
as the rest of the car, with a full mat set and a full-sized spare
with jack assembly.
The engine bay has been fully detailed for show, and the 394 cubic
inch Olds V8 looks awesome wearing its big air cleaner with "Sky
Rocket" and "Ultra High Compression" decals. All the original
accessories are in place, including the generator and power
steering pump, and it retains the original master cylinder for the
power brakes. It's clean and very serviceable and again, doing
anything more than maintenance would erase all that authenticity.
The all-new Jet-Away 3-speed automatic transmission lives behind it
and delivers crisp shifts that almost feel like a modern
transmission with a shift kit. A quiet single exhaust system
replicates the luxury-oriented 98's original setup, and the floors
are remarkably solid and original under there. Even the original
14-inch wheels and hubcaps are intact, now wearing 205/70/14
whitewall radials.
A neat survivor for the Olds fan, this top-of-the-line 98 sedan is
affordable entry into some great shows with HPOF competition. Call
today!