Rare Classic ’50s Ragtop
“Oldsmobility is yours,” the Oldsmobile advertising jingle proclaimed. Bobby Darin dominated the music Billboard charts with “Mack the Knife,” a Snickers bar cost a nickel, and GM was trying to outpace Chrysler’s popularity with the buying public. Bill Mitchell, head of GM design penned the 1959 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Convertible to lead the new “Linear Look” of Oldsmobile, promoting elegant lines over big fins. The new look accentuated the massive 126.5-inch wheelbase. But the Ninety-Eight was 223 inches from stem to stern, actually seven inches longer than its 1958 counterpart. As always, the Ninety-Eight was Oldsmobile’s top-of-the-line model for 1959.
A True Winner
A couple from Spokane, Washington just posted their 1959 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Convertible for sale. Click here to go to the ad. It comes in the typical ’59 Olds two-tone styling in White Pastel and Blue Metallic finish. Although there were 7,514 Ninety-Eight convertibles produced in 1959, very few have survived till today. This one achieved 958 points out of 1,000 its first time out after the show-quality restoration. Consequently, you can read about how it won Best in Class at the 2016 Oldsmobile Nationals in Colorado Springs. Additionally, it’s only 200 miles out from the restoration.
Take a look at the 394 ci, 6.5 liter V8 in the ad photos. It is the largest first generation Rocket V8, used from 1959 until 1964. The 1959 version with a Rochester Quadrajet carburetor produced 315 horsepower. The Ninety-Eight had the most technologically advanced items available, such as the “Jetaway” Hydramatic automatic 3-speed transmission. These cars were so well made that if you kept them up they would run forever. The drivetrains were as “bullet-proof” as any car ever made.
The Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight C-body shared the same chassis with the Buick and Cadillac again that year. The suspension system, steering system, brakes, cooling, chrome and stainless steel trim have all been restored on this one. Also, if you look at the photos, you’ll see the unique headlight setup that really distinguishes the 1959 Oldsmobile look.
Find More…
The latest additions to the collector car market arrive each week compiled in the Cars On Line Newsletter! Click here for this week’s edition, or skip right to the Rock n’ Roll 50s Section to see more like this 1959 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Convertible. You can see everything for sale by visiting Cars On Line or the Cars On Line Classic Cars Section.
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