Vehicle Description
1996 Oldsmobile 98 Regency Elite Sedan
Until the Aurora came along, the Ninety Eight had been the top-line
Oldsmobile sedan since 1941. More traditional and conservative in
image than the Eighty-Eight, the Ninety-Eight nonetheless shared
virtually all of its mechanical components and exterior body
panels. While the Ninety-Eight's position at the top of the
Oldsmobile heap was confused by the mid-year introduction of the
Aurora sport-luxury sedan, there were still plenty of buyers for a
more traditional-looking car than the futuristic Aurora. The Ninety
Eight continues as a high-content luxury sedan, occupying a niche
somewhere between the Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car.
Another competitor is its Buick cousin, the Park Avenue. If the
model's full name-Ninety Eight Regency Elite-sounds like something
out of the early 1950s, it's because Oldsmobile aims this car at
older buyers with a taste for traditional full-size sedans.
Acknowledging this group's penchant for plushness over performance,
Oldsmobile has deleted the optional supercharged V6 engine from the
line.
Seen in our Hallowed Halls of Classic Auto Mall we have a 1996
version of the Olds 98 Regency Elite that has been used by our
consignor 6 months out of the year, was always garage kept and is
showing a title verified 83,030 actual miles. Faithfully maintained
and wIth all the trappings associated with an Oldsmobile,
conveniences abound and luxury is paramount in the materials that
go into this car. While this wasn't your father's Oldsmobile, this
shining star could certainly be yours.
Exterior
Very nice laser straight steel panels come together to form the
traditional pointed square design exterior of this splendid
automobile. This design shows hints of things to come with the
softer edge styling just around the corner, and we can see
Oldsmobile had aerodynamics in mind as slipstream panels and angles
are incorporated into the body. These are all bathed in Light
Toreador Red Metallic paint which shows very nicely but does have a
few scuffs on the front bumper. This beautiful body design is
highlighted by a mid beltline thin trim rail that hovers above a
ribbed lower rocker cover. A clean chrome bedecked split egg crate
grille is up front and is flanked on either side by aerodynamic
rectangular headlights which are crystal clear. A single exhaust
tip hangs below the bumper and wrap-around tail lights flank a red
reflector that stretches across the entire rear panel. Chrome is
kept to a minimum and only used for the badging, the grille
surround and highlighting around the side glass. 15-inch turbine
fan style wheels are on all 4 corners and are wrapped in deeply
treaded 205/75R15 radials. A shout out to the very clean trunk with
its gray felted liner, cargo net, and enough room to haul a few of
your buddies.
Interior
Beige would be your complimenting interior color, and it is in the
form of luxurious leather covered wide dual front bucket seats with
a padded center armrest topped console in between, and a couch-like
rear bench. Both driver and passenger seats are power, and wide
side bolsters tend to grab you when you sit down. Continuing up to
the slowly sweeping eyebrow design of the dash, we see digital
climate controls along with the factory AM/FM/Cassette and CD
player. Just above, a wide strip of walnut burl graces the dash and
accentuates the brown topper padding nicely. In front of the driver
is a black faced cluster with the full gamut of LCD digital gauges
and a LCD odometer. A thick rimmed leather wrapped wheel fronts the
dash and all is excellent. Very clean light brown carpeted mats
protect the well cared for light brown carpeting that floods the
floors. A clean tight cloth headliner frames the roof above. Not to
be forgotten are the beige leather and plastic door panels with a
touch more of burl as well as power window, lock, and mirror
controls.
Drivetrain
Within a well preserved and slightly patina engine bay is the up to
date on scheduled maintenance 3.8 Liter Series II V6 power plant.
This mill is capable of making 205hp with the help of EFI and sends
power to the front tires is a 4T60E 4-speed automatic with a 2.84
final drive axle.
Undercarriage
Slipping underneath, we notice a solid frame, floor pans and
rockers environment with just a touch of some surface rust, but
only on the untreated components. The floor pans still have some of
the factory overspray of the exterior red on them. Since the car is
front wheel drive, there is a lack of a drive shaft making its way
rearward. Independent Macpherson strut suspension for the front,
and the rear is an independent coil spring design. Power disc
brakes are up front and power drums are in the rear and single OEM
style outlet exhaust is seen to complete our tour below.
Drive-Ability
Being a well kept car one would expect this car to start right up,
and it did. We would also expect everything to work, and it did
save for a pesky check engine light and noticeable soft shocks in
the rear. It ran beautifully, provided a smooth ride, and had good
acceleration and cruising. Only one thing it did not do, and that
is disappoint on the luxury end.
Nicely cared for but still showing some age and a plethora of
conveniences and we are skating with the haves, and if I power the
windows closed, and crank up the sound system, it's very easy to
forget about the have nots.
1G3CX52K3T4314081
1-USA
G-General Motors
3-Oldsmobile
CX-Regency 98 Elite
5-4 Door Sedan
2-Manual Belts, Front Airbags
K-3.8 Liter V6
3-Check Digit
T-1996
4-Orion, MI Assy Plant
314081-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.
