1964 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight Sports Coupe
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Highlights
- Well-restored example in great condition
- Interesting history
- 6.5-litre ‘Rocket’ engine
- Beautiful bodywork by Fisher
The Appeal
Detroit may have produced some of the most flamboyant cars in history, but it also fashioned style icons like this: the restrained and handsome Ninety Eight.
The Ninety Eight was Oldsmobile’s flagship model, produced from 1940-42 and then again from 1946 to 1996. This example is from the car’s seventh generation, manufactured from 1961 to 1964. In 1964 the top of the line Ninety-Eight series was offered in six body styles in 2-door, 4-door and convertible configurations. Standard equipment included Roto Hydramatic transmission, power brakes and power steering, together with the 6.5-litre, 330bhp ‘Rocket’ V8 engine – one of the most famous powerplants ever produced.
The Ninety Eight was Oldsmobile’s flagship model, produced from 1940-42 and then again from 1946 to 1996. This example is from the car’s seventh generation, manufactured from 1961 to 1964. In 1964 the top of the line Ninety-Eight series was offered in six body styles in 2-door, 4-door and convertible configurations. Standard equipment included Roto Hydramatic transmission, power brakes and power steering, together with the 6.5-litre, 330bhp ‘Rocket’ V8 engine – one of the most famous powerplants ever produced.
YHH 521 B is believed to have been restored around ten years ago, and is in very good condition both inside and out. It also has a fascinating history and an impressive folder of paperwork.
The History and Paperwork
- 1964 model
- First UK registered 1st June 2020
- One registered keeper since arriving in the UK
- MoT- and tax-exempt
- HPI check
- Original sales brochure
- Original accessories brochure
- Original owners’ manual
- Historic maps and leaflets
- Invoices for recent work
- Historic invoices
- Original first-aid kit and spare bulbs
The car comes with thick folder of paperwork, including original brochures and invoices dating back through its history. A previous owner, having found a wedding invitation in the glovebox, did some research into the car’s history and discovered that it was previously owned by the family, the Hillers, that owns the Grand Theatre in Crookston, Minnesota – the oldest continuously trading theatre – and there are handwritten letters and invoices (including a service invoice from 1973!) in the folder that seem to verify this. That wedding invitation is also present, as are a number of historic maps and leaflets. Also in the folder of paperwork are an original first-aid kit, and some spare bulbs.
The car was first registered in the UK in June 2020. We are told that the previous keeper believes that it was owned by three generations of the Hiller family, from new in 1964 through to 2019.
The Condition
- Recently re-trimmed snakeskin leather seats
- Beautifully upholstered door cards and seat backs
- Dark green carpets in great condition
- Original radio
- Smart, distinctive dashboard and dials
- Electric windows
- Rev counter mounted on the transmission tunnel
- Foot-operated parking brake
- Huge boot
- No exterior door handles
- Smart green paintwork in great condition
- Stylish spoked wheels
- Smart whitewall tyres
A carefully hidden switch on the front grille operates the driver’s door window, enabling you to reach in and open the door with the interior handle. Once inside, the seats have recently been retrimmed with ‘snakeskin’ leather and look fantastic. This interior certainly lives up to the brochure’s claim, that it’s ‘…one of America’s most luxurious cars’ – it’s plush and the seats both front and back are extremely comfortable. Even the seat backs are beautifully upholstered, with a ‘quilted’ look. The dark green carpets, which have been protected by mats, are pretty clean and have no visible wear, and they match the seats’ leather trim and the exotic trim on the door cards.
As one would expect of an American car of this era, the dashboard is suitably ‘space-age’, with a panoramic speedometer and smart knurled knobs to control the lights and wipers. The rev counter, mounted on top of the transmission tunnel, is neat styling touch, as are the aluminium panels on the door cards. The dashboard clock doesn’t seem to work, but otherwise all the switchgear works as it should.
The car’s boot is simply enormous, and there’s no visible evidence of corrosion.
The Ninety Eight’s elegant lines, coachbuilt by Fisher, have stood the test of time well – the car has a distinctive low profile, accentuated by the use of chrome trim strips along the car’s length and on the rear wings. The dark green paintwork really suits the car, and has held up well since restoration. Look carefully and there are some minor scratches on the boot-lid and on the spats over the rear wheels, and some slight bubbling on the nearside rear pillar. The brightwork has some patina, most notably on the wing mirror, but overall the car presents very well.
As with the interior, there are some beautiful styling touches – the lovely curved rear lights, and the futuristic front grille among them.
The unusual wheels – badged as Keystone Sunspoke IIIs – are in generally good order, although some of the wheel nuts and valve surrounds are starting to rust.
The Mechanics
- 6456cc ‘Rocket’ engine
- Hydramatic transmission
- Power steering and brakes
- Starts and runs well
The Oldsmobile V8, also referred to as the Rocket, was produced by the company from 1949 until 1990. The Rocket, along with the 1949 Cadillac V8, were the first post-war OHV crossflow cylinder head V8 engines produced by General Motors.
This example starts readily and runs with a lovely note, and even just moving the car around for photos the engine’s effortless power was apparent. Gearchanges from the Hydramatic transmission are smooth and quiet, while the vendor warned our photographer about the sharpness of the brakes – the car really does stop on a sixpence. An invoice from 2020 records a strip-down and rebuild of the transmission by an auto ‘box specialist, plus the supply of a new oil pump and the resolution of other issues.
Under the bonnet, everything is neat and well-ordered but by no means ‘concours’.
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ If the seller is registered as a private seller, consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not apply. Car & Classic’s return policy applies.
✓ A non-refundable deposit will be payable if you are the winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for details.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is, Where Is’ basis and without warranty. A full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase and bidding is recommended. Photos and descriptions are for guidance purposes only.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check, to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection or delivery.
Vehicle specification
- Year 1964
- Make Oldsmobile
- Model 98
- Colour Black
- Odometer 32,484 Miles
- Engine size 6456
Auction Details
- Seller Type Trade
- Town Lymington
- Location Hampshire
- Country United Kingdom
3
bids
- mikebla•••• £9,660 25/04/24
- russell•••• £5,250 25/04/24
- george-•••• £5,000 25/04/24
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