Vehicle Description
Chassis No. 539M41574
"For the discriminating motorist - it's the sports car supreme!" In
anticipation of its 50th anniversary, Oldsmobile, along with Buick
and Cadillac, debuted its top-of-the-line 1953 Ninety-Eight Fiesta,
completing the famous GM "Triple Crown" of convertibles. Called
their "dream car for the public," the Fiesta was essentially a
factory customized Ninety-Eight convertible, joining the Cadillac
Eldorado and Buick Skylark as limited-edition flagships that year.
With styling similar to the "dream cars" seen on GM's Motorama show
circuit that predicted the upcoming look for 1954, the Fiesta
joined the Eldorado in featuring a full wraparound windshield, the
first of its kind on any production car, and the specially shaped
side windows also shared with the Eldorado. The Fiesta came
standard with a unique two-tone livery in a variety of colors, as
well as leather upholstery in a special pattern and unique Fiesta
wheel covers.
The latest technologies were also specified, including Saginaw
power steering, Bendix power brakes, and 12-volt electrics, along
with features just becoming more mainstream on high-end
automobiles, including power seats and windows. The Fiesta was
powered by Oldsmobile's pioneering "Rocket" OHV V8 displacing 303
cu-in, and GM's Hydramatic division supplied the advanced
four-speed automatic transmission. With a staggering list price of
$5,717 compared to the standard $3,229 Ninety-Eight convertible,
only 458 Fiestas were built, and it is believed less then 30 remain
today, making the Fiesta was the rarest of General Motors'
so-called 1953 "Triple Crown."
Finished in Turquoise and Arctic White two-tone as from the
factory, this 1953 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Fiesta was acquired by
noted Michigan-based collector John McMullen in 1997. Peter Klutt
became the next caretaker in June 2007, and the Fiesta was
subsequently given a complete frame-off restoration by an
Oldsmobile specialist. Careful, climate-controlled storage followed
its completion, including by the consignor, who acquired the Fiesta
in 2015. This historic, exceedingly rare Oldsmobile Fiesta is one
of the finest restored, most stylish, and best-equipped
convertibles of the celebrated Motorama era.
A MINIMUM PRICE GUARANTEE: Consignor has been guaranteed a minimum
price for this lot, or a collection including this Iot, by Broad
Arrow. Broad Arrow may benefit financially or incur a loss
depending on whether the lot is sold and the final hammer
price.
