Built from 1940 through 1996, the Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight (or 98 until 1952 and after 1991) was Olds’ top entry in the full-size sedan segment. The Ninety-Eight name derived from the Series 90 line, powered by a V8 engine. Production was paused from 1942 to 1946 so Oldsmobile could lend their manufacturing efforts to the World War II campaign.
As with other General Motors models, Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight production resumed in 1946, but would not receive a redesign until the 1948 model year. The new car came equipped with improved seat cushions, fender skirts, E-Z-I rearview mirrors, dual horns, interior sun visors, and a cigarette lighter. Available equipment included power (hydraulic) windows, seats, and convertible tops, Deluxe steering wheel, front and rear floor mats, polished wheel beauty rings, back-seat armrests, and leather seats. The following year would see the advent of the Rocket V8 engine and the Oldsmobile 98 Holiday hardtop coupe. Sales totaled 93,478 units.
The 1957 model year marked the fifth generation for the Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight, and brought a redesign for the entirety of the Olds lineup. The Ninety-Eight featured a three-piece rear window design, rounded rear fenders ending in round taillights, redesigned grille, new front and rear bumpers, and new side trim. The list of standard equipment included power steering, power brakes, power windows, safety recessed steering wheel, interior courtesy lights, armrests, sun visors, and the Jetaway Hydramatic automatic transmission. Power came from the 371 cubic-inch Rocket V8 that could be optioned with J2 Tri-Power triple carb setup producing 300 horsepower.
Our feature 1957 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight hardtop is powered by the optional 371 cube, 300-horsepower Rocket V8 with J2 Tri-Power carburetion. It is finished Gold Mist metallic over a beige cloth and leather interior. The list of standard and optional equipment is considerable, with power steering, power brakes, power windows, four-way power seat, Wonderbar signal-seeking AM radio, factory clock, E-Z-Eye tinted glass, Deluxe spinner wheel covers, and wide whitewall bias-ply tires.
This clean 1957 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight hardtop will cross the Mecum Auctions block at their Indy Fall Special taking place October 3rd through the 5th.
Comments
Everyone thinks of the ’57 Chevrolet as “THE” classic of that model year. Ford outsold Chevy that year, and this Oldsmobile is, in my opinion, the best looking GM car that year, along with the Cadillac, easily outshining Chevy in looks.
Very nice rare machine, I’d own it.
When cars still had a real “personality”.
Relative had a Silver one.
I remember seeing them in Nrw York City as a child.
I remember when my dad bought one of these although I think it might have been a “Super 88”. It was two years old when he got it, white and sort of an aqua color two tone and it would really fly! It had power windows, power brakes and power steering among other things. He told me it had all of the options at the time. I remember thinking it was the best car ever. I don’t remember him ever losing a street race with it. I used to help scrub the white sidewalls with AJax and a brush.
Very nice car I love the gold color. I always said Olds had the best over all quality of the GM fleet. I wish they were still around.
Gorgeous… When cars were cars and men were men and no one was eating cats or dogs.
When I was five my parents had the convertible lots family trips and great memories…
I had a white ’57 Olds 98. It was a white 4 Dr sedan. I would have preferred a hardtop but I needed another car fast as my other one had a transmission that burned up. It had a beautiful green interior with very comfortable seats. I sold it only because I decided to go back to college. As things turned out, I should have kept the car!