What is the one Oldsmobile U wished U owned!

[Steve Moskowitz]

Thought I'd try to get a little more activity on the discussion part of this forum. So here goes, might be pretty interesting and might tell who is really on this site. What is the one Oldsmobile ever made that you wished you owned?

I will give it a start. As much as I would love a Limited or a Fiesta Convertible which both are among the most valuable Oldsmobiles for collectors, my pick is a 1912 Autocrat Speedster. It looks like a Stutz Bearcat, a 2-seater and I have always dreamed of owning one.

[86 2dr.ltd]

Well I'm not up on the really old cars but that one sounds interesting. In my price range I'd like a Emerald 1970 GT of the Gen one Toros, but thats today tomorrow I might prefer a ocean mist 66. But over the past year I've seen some earlier 60's Jetfires and Jetstars looking good. No need to mention the 442 I like em but so does everyone, their not an endangered species. How about the 60's - 98's. I saw one of them (58)at a show lookin real good.

[rocketraider]

Easy- a factory four-speed 1965 or 1966 Starfire. Second choice would be a 1968 bucket seat W34 Toronado, third would be Rooster Bush's 74 Hurst/Olds Pace Car.

Hmmm- the last 1975 Royale convertible wouldn't be a bad pick either.

[86 2dr.ltd]

Was the last 75 Convertable done special?

[rocketraider]

It was to be the last Olds Convertible ever built and was, until the Cutlass Supreme ragtop showed up again in the late 80s. It was a Lansing car built 3rd week July 1975 and was code 75 Spectra Red w/white top and interior, from the info I have.

I've been trying to find info on dealer it was shipped to but haven't had much luck. Rumour is it went to the Southeastern US. Thought I'd found it earlier this year in Greensboro NC but that one turned out to be a Linden NJ built car.

Still damn close to the end though.

I owned the next to last Linden-built 1973 Royale convertible for nearly 14 years. Bambi whacked it hard in the left quarter and I fell out of love with it- got disgusted with it, truth be known. It went to Parkersburg WV where it lives with a 1973 Olds collector who has restored it.

[Guest Dave Wyatt]

A 69 H/O would be my pick. Rode in a nearly new one back in late 71/early 72 and it changed my life. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Guest]

I like 442's and the best year has to be 1970 for the totally stock versions. I agree with 86 2dr.ltd that they are not all that rare as a group, but there are some rare birds that happen to be 442's. I like the 1970 442 Indy Pace Cars the best. The track cars are very rare and have an interesting history to them. Even rarer are the actual pace cars. Does anyone know if the actual pace cars still around from the 1970 Indy 500?

[Steve Moskowitz]

The answer is yes, Ron Adams owns one of the track cars (not a parade car). It was the car that Lane Automotive used to produce their 1:18 scale model. I am not sure there are others. I know at least one of the '72, 74 and two of the 77's still exist as well (77's were 88's).

Rocketraider...I have a friend who has a '75 convert with less than 12,000 miles with the 455. loaded. I am trying to arm wrestle him for it as we speak...not the last off the line but will make a great driver. Also, it is a lot easier to sart than the '02 and the '08!

[Guest]

A factory 4-speed 1965 Jetstar I!

[86 2dr.ltd]

Maybe I have it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" /> HAR! HAR! I doubt it. Mine will never be a collector but I love it.

3N67K5M336801

I think I like the 68-69 442's best of 442's, I like the 73 S/442 also another partially ignored car. Really I'd like to see more people saving the big cars. Just cant restore them because the parts arent there. No aftermarket / no OEM. Just fix/fabricate and repair.

[Rawja]

1989 Trofeo with a touch screen. Desperately wanted one when they were new, but $25,000 was a lot of scratch for a college student back then. Didn't like the redesigned version (90-93) they looked awful in my opinion.

[Guest]

As far as the "newer" cars go, I always liked the 1990 Touring Sedans (prefer the 16 inch "Trofeo" rims on the '90 models).

[66400]

Put me down for a '40 or a '41 4dr Convert Phaeton 98!

That black '49 or '50 Sedan Delivery that shows up once in a while(1 of 1?)!

Or an additional '66 442 L69

'65-'66-'67 F-85 B07 Police Apprehender Highway Patrol Package car

'67-'68 Delmont 425 88 B07

Maybe another '91-92 Custom Crusier with 000000.0 mi to replace my 120,000 mi one with.

I just can't stop at one!! Henry

[86 2dr.ltd]

What about the late 40's (I believe) with the fastback. Buick had about the same car. WhAt were they called ? Have seen a few pop up on ebay.

What about the 97 LSS sitting in the driveway. I just had to have that. I guess it was the one. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Guest]

I am not sure what was the last year of the 98 convertibles, but to me they are the ultimate "land yachts". Many of you have talked about the 88's and Royales, but what about the really big boys???????

[66400]

1970 was the last year for 98 converts. Henry

[Guest]

Would like to locate a Cutlass Supreme Convertibe with low mileage to take to Florida for winter use--If anyone could point me to one it would be appreciated----As to favorite---I guess I love all with four wheels--must be a disease---Right now it is my 1918 Touring which many of you have seen at Lansing and NAOC--Keep the faith SKY----------svbnh@aol.com Thanks

[Guest]

Doc Watsons' '68 H/O

[Guest cnbed]

I could have had a 1961 full-size 88 wagon (don't know the name) back in 1980. The Southern California chapter of the Olds Club was having a meeting that I attended (I'm into Packards), and after the business meeting those with cars or parts for sale stood up and informed the group about them. One fellow had a collection of about ten Olds, and was keeping them on the streets near his home in LA. His was catching hell from the city, and had to get rid of at least "one more" car by the next morning. He brought this wagon to the meeting and showed it to everyone. It had about 100,000 miles, and had full power (PS, PB, windows, and A/C !). It was straight and solid, a real California car. He said if it was not sold by the next morning he would take off the A/C parts and drive it to the scrap yard. He was asking $100. (That's One-Hundred dollars!)

I had just bought my 1956 Packard a few months before, and my parents would have killed me if I brought home a second "old car." Oh well!

[rocketraider]

For a straight rust free loaded wagon, I'd have near-'bout risked it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" /> .

[Guest]

Any 1941-1984 98

or

any 1949-1985 88

I love big Oldsmobiles!

[rocketraider]

"She got a big Olds-mo-beel" Any other Delbert McClinton <img src="/ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif" alt="" /> fans on the forum?

[Guest]

Sure, I like Delbert...but if it weren't for my listening to Imus in the Morning, I'd probably never have heard of him!

[Steve Moskowitz]

[color:"red"] Y [color:"red"] You guys have got me replying to myself...over 200 views and 22 opinions! This site must have the most un-opinionated folks in the world. Really thought we'd get a lot of interesting replies as to the cars and why. I guess APATHY is reigning out there..!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/icons/frown.gif" alt="" />

[Chris Paulsen]

I guess you "shamed" me into responding. My main interest is brass cars. So, it should come as no surprise I really like the Oldsmobile Limited's of 1910-1912. I have had the great fortune to ride in the 1910 owned by the Harrah's Collection, and I had been on several tours with the late Dick Neller and his 1909 Model Z.

I am not sure how practical a Limited would be for touring (other than on the highway). Having said that, an Autocrat wouldn't be too bad, either.

Chris

[Steve Moskowitz]

Chris, you have good taste! It is one of my favorites but since I was given the task to oversee the restoration of Oldsmobile's 1911 I have had the opportunity to drive it a lot. Great car, lots of power but to steer it is a chore. Turning around, well you need a football field. I know the late Dr. Belf enjoyed touring with his Limited and I think his family still does.

In 1997 I had the 1911 at Disney's race track as we started the race in the car. The day before I got to open it up on the track at the insistence of the USAC guys....WHAT A THRILL! All the race drivers and teams came out to the front straightaway pit wall to watch and cheer. I have a great picture of it that means a lot to me...I actually was smiling! I was clocked at 65 MPH! Changed my underwear after it....

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Guest Parm]

To Oldscarnut.

How about this for a reply - I have an Olds I'd like to own and I don't know why. Actually, I have a reason, but it's a preposterous one. The car in question is a specific 1965 Olds 98 convertible that's listed for sale. Here it is: http://www.duffys.com/duffys/results.asp?stocknum=206041

Want to know my biggest attraction to this car? The Sport Disc wheels! Isn't that ridiculous? I love those wheels. But, if you take the Sport Discs off this car, what's leftover is a rather boring exercise in styling. Put on the standard wheel covers and I wouldn't give this car a second look (which implies I would've actually given it a first look).

It doesn't hurt that this is an original car with only 44,000 miles and loaded with options. The maroon color is OK, but it's not stunning. Same goes for the black interior. But, put them together and it's a pretty decent combination.

But, I use these points to merely rationalize why it would be "smart" (wink, wink) to own this car. Don't get me wrong, I would probably be very happy driving this car. But, to my eye, a 1965 Olds 98 just doesn't have the visual appeal of a 1962, 1963 or 1964 Cadillac convertible (my first true loves). But, I'd be willing to overlook the fact that this 98 lacks drop-dead gorgeous styling just as long as it has those Sport Disc wheels. Crazy, right?

This topic implies cars you'd like to own regardless of price and this car qualifies for me because the $19,000 asking price is way out of line for this car. Yeah, I know that the condition of a car plays a role in determining value. But, market demand plays an even larger, more important role. As a matter of fact, market demand is THE overwhelming factor that drives value (whether it's classic cars, real estate, soybeans, whatever). And, I'm "here to tell ya" that the market demand for a 1965 Olds 98 convertible is barely luke warm - and that's on a good day. A 1965 Olds 98 convertible doesn't just fly below the radar. It doesn't even get off the ground. But, I'd be proud to own this particular example. I can't explain it.

If money was no object, I'd almost feel like telling this dealer, "I'll buy the Sport Disc wheels for $19,000 if you throw the car in for free".

So, PLEASE! Somebody explain to me why I like this particular Olds. I'd really like to know. Please tell me why I'm so infatuated with this car because of it's wheels.

[Guest]

I know who he is. The DJ on my favorite oldies station played a couple of his songs on the radio once. Sure is good listenin'! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif" alt="" />

[Guest]

If I may be so bold, I believe I am eminently qualified to answer your question, Parm. Because I could just have easily been the one who wrote that last post! I was lucky enough to find a set of those wheels about 2 years ago...I traded an NOS '65 Starfire grille for them. The wheels TOTALLY transformed my Starfire, which previously had some god-awful incorrect hubcaps on it. The wheels I found are far from perfect, having what can politely be refered to as a patina. But they suit my far-from-show-quality car very well.

Related to this, a few years ago, I found someone who was selling a set of 4 Firestone F70 redline tires for $200...they had nearly no wear. The seller decided to upgrade his '68 442 to the radial redlines Coker offers. I put the tires on my '66 442, althogh they are striclty not correct for the car (66's should have 7.78 redlines, which are taller and thinner, and have a "scalloped edge" where the sidewall meets the tread). Anyway, the tires TOTALLY transformed the look of my 442, which previously had raised white letter Goodyear Eagle STs on its SS1 rims. The difference is night and day. Sadly, this difference extends beyond mere looks to the way the car handles. So...while I now love the way the the car looks, it is all over the road.

Since I have already written a novel, I might as well add that I saw my dream car at Hershey a couple months ago, a near-perfect 1965 Jetstar I that I wrote plenty about in another thread. It has those bolt-on wheels. By the way, they require a special rim, which is welded together 'backwards' in order for the deepset covers to fit. They also have an extra three holes drilled in center section, for the bolts which hold on the covers. I am pretty sure the same rims were used on some same-era Buick Riverias, which used a somewhat different cover that mounted the same way.

[Guest Parm]

Regarding the Sport Disc wheels, it sounds like a 2-piece affair. Just to clarify, is the exterior disc (ie., what you see from the street) actually bolted on? I've been wondering as to just suspectable these would be to theft. If they're bolted on, at least it would take a little bit of effort to snatch them. Also, if they're bolted on, is it possible to get some kind of bolt/wheel locks for these Sport Discs?

[Guest]

Parm, the center "spinners" pop on and off. These are VERY succeptible to theft (though no more so than any hubcap). When they are removed, you can see the three nuts that hold on the covers (the bolts for these nuts are put on from behind, when the wheel is off) If someone wants to steal the covers, they would have to remove the three nuts first. And of course, they would be useless without the rims (so then they'd need to remove the 5 lugnuts!). More likely, someone would not realize the covers bolt on, and would try to remove them with the crowbar end of a lugwrench, thus detroying them. I know an older gentleman in fact who saw my wheels and related the story of his working changing tires at a gas station in the 60s where he ruined 3 before realizing what he had done.

I am not sure any wheel locks would work on the wheelcovers. Where do you plan on driving/parking the car, anyway?! Haw haw!

[Guest Parm]

It's not that I live in an urban jungle or anything, but it would be nice to go out for dinner and not have to fret about leaving the car unattended for an hour or so.

Sounds like these wheels are a real hassle to take on and off and thus would probably be very frustrating to change a flat out on the road. I knew there had to be a catch.

[Guest]

Actually, you can take the rim and wheelcover off together, you do not need to take the cover off first (when you pop off the center/flipper you have access to the lugnuts AND the nuts that attach the cover to the rim). So as a whole they are no harder to take off than any other wheel.

[Guest Parm]

Excellent! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif" alt="" />

[Guest]

When I was in CA in the US Navy (1956) I bought a red 1951 98 convertible. What a heavy sled, but I sure wish I still had it. It had power windows (hydraulic cylinder powered) and all the options available at that time. I remember paying $700 for it.

[Guest]

for me it would have to be a car I owned about 15 years ago. It was a red 70 442 w30 with a 4 speed and w27 rear end. Man what was I thinking ?

[rtabish]

had a 71 supreme sx BRIGHT ORANGE! talk about a babe magnet. have a 90 supreme sl, love the indy supension. but to me the most original cars were the 62 starfire/jetfire. the body styles translate well as a rod,custom,or cruser!

[Guest]

After falling in love with this 76 toro, and looking across the past modesl, I'd have to rub the genie lamp for a 67'Toronado with a HO engine. The lines, the look and the power would make that an extremely distinctive and pleasurable Gran Turismo automobile. Style, performance and ride. Black with a red interior, chrome wheels. Put me in the 'Way Back ' machine Sherman,lol!

[Oldsmaniac]

I already own a list of my favorites but sadly the only way to get these for me was to buy junkers!....Now all I gotta do is find the cash and time to fix em!...I really want to add a 71 4spd W-30 to my collection along with a nice 67 Toro. Then I would get a 70 Toro Gt, a 62 Sfire convert, and a 61 Sfire, and a 68 Hurst. That would about do it....for now!

[Guest]

my one choice would have to be the 1953 or is it 1954 olds corvette type show car known as the cutlass or F85