Heavy cruisers like this 1965 Oldsmobile 98 convertible were once the mainstay of American transportation, and once you get a good look at it, you'll long for the good old days. Nearly nineteen feet of vintage ragtop, powered by Oldsmobile's biggest and best and full of luxury features befitting the top-of-the-line. As a bonus, it's also extremely affordable!The paint is recent and while 1965 Oldsmobiles would have worn plain old white, this one makes a striking statement by adding some pearl to the mix, so it just glows. Although this is mostly a nicely preserved original car, that shine makes this car stand out anywhere it goes, and you can see that a significant amount of time was invested in the job. All those square feet of sheetmetal were smoothed and straightened, although I don't know if it was all that big a job given how nicely preserved it is, and the doors fit well thanks to a heavy-duty frame underneath. Fender skirts add to the long, low look and tie in neatly with the rub strips along the sides. The chrome is in great condition, although you need to bear in mind its age; it's nice but not perfect. And kudos to Oldsmobile stylists for taking it easy on the bright stuff, because this car has a very clean look for a major luxury cruiser.The awesome blue and white interior is every bit as nice and offers a glimpse into what luxury looked like in the late-60s, albeit with a modern twist. Bench seats allow seating for six, with an armrest up front and a center-mounted speaker for the folks in back, and the upholstery is in amazing condition. The driver-oriented instrument panel is a combination of chrome and brushed stainless, and the unique steering wheel is a cool piece of period sculpture. Features like power windows, power front seat, and an AM/FM radio with power antenna are to be expected, although the power seat isn't currently working. Nice-looking door panels echo the seat patterns and offer a dramatic sweep of bright trim to liven up the interior, and the carpets are neatly trimmed and still look almost new. The white power convertible top fits quite well and offers a glass rear window for extra security. And if you like to travel, this car is ideal with its massive trunk and matching full-sized spare.Oldsmobile's 425 cubic inch V8 has moves like a muscle car, but it also provides the kind of effortless torque that moves this car with surprising enthusiasm. It's packed into the cavernous engine bay and surrounded with all the usual power equipment, and with the bright orange engine enamel, it looks like it has been freshened in the not-too-distant past. It fires up easily and idles like a luxury car should, with just a muted hum coming from the custom dual exhaust system with glasspack-style mufflers. A TH400 3-speed automatic provides effortless gear changes and there are easy-cruising cogs in the heavy-duty rear end simply because all that torque doesn't need a lot of gear to move the car. It's in good order with no evidence of life in a snowy area and those 15-inch alloy wheels look great, especially with low-maintenance 215/60/15 blackwall radials wrapped around them.With a lot of money already spent on it, this handsome Oldsmobile 98 convertible is first-class transportation that still makes you feel like a million bucks and with a little TLC could be something truly spectacular. Call today!
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