Description

The Ninety-Eight series was at the summit of Oldsmobile’s model lineup in 1951, built across three body styles, which included the 98 Deluxe Holiday Sedan, the 98 Deluxe Holiday Coupe and the 98 Deluxe Convertible Coupe. All 98s were built on the same 122-inch long-wheelbase chassis. This 1951 Oldsmobile 98 Deluxe Convertible Coupe is one of 4,468 examples produced that year. Since receiving a ground up restoration in 2012, this '98 has been driven less than 100 miles.

POWERTRAIN The 98 Deluxe Convertible Coupe was powered by Oldsmobile’s 303-cu.in. OHV V8 in 1951. With a compression ratio of 7.5:1, the engine received its fuel mixture via a four-barrel Carter carburetor and was rated by the manufacturer at 135 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque when new,. The engine was rebuilt by Ross Racing Engines in Ohio and block stamped with their name and assigned work number. The car has been upgraded to 12-volt electricals, and the Hydra-Matic four-speed automatic transmission has also been also rebuilt, with no functional issues or powertrain leaks.

EXTERIOR The two-stage Canto Cream finish includes some minor imperfections that were touched up. One blemish to the right side of the hood is noted and the right rear fender stainless steel molding was recently dinged. All body seals and weatherstripping were new at the time of the restoration. All rust was addressed during the restoration. The chrome’s quality is unsurpassed. The convertible top is brand new and custom-made by a professional installer, with the top hardware freshly chromed. All glass is new. All lights work except for the spotlight, which is not connected. The underside is very clean, with minimal surface corrosion.

INTERIOR The original leather upholstery has been replaced with black grained synthetic urethane leather that shows no damage. The carpeting is new and flawless. The interior has full trim and all small controls. The steel dashboard presents very well, and the all instruments are fully functional. The original 6-volt AM radio requires a 12-volt power reducer that is included in the sale but has not been wired up. The 98 is equipped with power windows that are functional. The heater works.

CHASSIS This 98 received chassis service during its restoration. The shock absorbers and bushings were addressed at that time. No issues with the manual steering are noted. The manual drum brakes work as they should, with new components. The wheels are in good condition, with no vibration.