eBay is the car enthusiast’s best friend—where else can you have so many neat cars for sale under your fingertips? It’s like the electronic version of your local “car swapper” times a zillion. Even among all the cars for sale, there’s always a few stand-outs, such as this 1957 Oldsmobile 98 convertible.
For the 1957 model year, the Oldsmobile hierarchy started with the 88, then went up to the Super 88, and topped by the 98 series. The latter was sometimes called the Starfire 98, although the Starfire name didn’t become a proper member of the Oldsmobile family until 1961. As a facelifted version of the 1956 Olds, the 1957 still had enough design changes to look like a redesign. Standard motor was a 371 V8 with 277 horsepower, but optional was the J-2 package which included three two-barrel carburetors and 300 horsepower. The J-2 package would last through 1958, and multiple carbs wouldn’t appear again until 1966.
Perhaps the most interesting styling aspect of the 1957 Oldsmobile was its backlight, which was split into three pieces—a double-split window, if you will. Oldsmobile called it a “Sky-line” roof with beading extending down to the trunklid.
This 98 convertible on eBay is unusual in that it’s not two-toned. Set off nicely with a tan interior, it’s also equipped with the J-2 package, power windows and top, and Wonderbar radio with foot switch (you could adjust stations by a button on the floor). Seller claims, “All original parts retained … all original panels, no rust, no bondo … floorboards and rockers are like new.” And, for 100 grand, it better be.
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