1946 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight

Description

If you want an old car that can do it all and do it well, this 1946 Oldsmobile 98 deserves your consideration. Big, impressive cars from the '40s are fantastic tour vehicles, and thanks to Oldsmobile's Hydra-Matic automatic transmission, it's just as easy to drive as your modern machinery.

This is a rather rare car, as automakers were just restarting production following the war, and only 11,031 Olds 98 sedans were built in '46. Survival rates are probably not all that great simply because 4-door sedans were daily drivers, so it's quite remarkable to not only find one, but to have it be in such wonderful condition with a high-quality older restoration. The two-tone paint combination looks quite authentic, and looks is the factory two-tone of Nightshade Blue over Tunis Blue. Like the Buick Roadmaster and Cadillac Series 62, with which it shared a body, the contrast gives it a dashing look that's perfect for the rounded '40s shape. Fender skirts, lots of bright trim, and wonderful swept-back pontoon fenders all add to this big sedans appeal. And you're in luck, because someone already spent a ton of cash on the chrome, so it's in great condition.

The spacious, comfortable, and very attractive interior is more inviting than anything they're building today. Correct striped Bedford cord upholstery over the original bench seats makes room for six with a fantastic '40s sensibility. Subtle gray carpets and handsome door panels make it feel like a far more expensive car, and the woodgrained dash and door panels are simply gorgeous. Obviously the big steering wheel has been re-cast using correct cream-colored plastic and the delicate horn ring with big Oldsmobile emblem in the center is beautifully restored. All the instruments are housed in a neat pod ahead of the driver, mirrored by the glove box lid on the passenger's side. The center stack features an in-dash AM radio and all the controls for lights and heat are clustered on the driver's side. Seat belts have been added for safety and there are rubber floor mats to help keep things tidy inside. And as a tour car, the big Olds is unbeatable, due in part to its spacious trunk which is superbly finished and includes a brand new matching spare tire and wheel assembly and an original jack.

The top-of-the-line Oldsmobile used a 257 cubic inch straight-8 engine making 110 horsepower, but the real secret is torque, and there's enough here to move a locomotive. Smooth, effortless, and utterly reliable, the Olds engine provides near-modern levels of performance, particularly when linked to the 4-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission, which was first introduced by Oldsmobile in 1940. In truth, the Hydra-Matic is the transmission you want because it offers steeper lower gears to improve acceleration and a taller set of cogs in the rear end which makes it a legitimate 65 MPH highway cruiser. The suspension is nicely detailed and obviously fully restored, and while there are signs it has been driven, it's still quite remarkable to see a car like this with a high-quality restoration like this. Handsome burgundy wheels with trim rings and hubcaps are wrapped in period-correct BFGoodrich Silvertown wide whites.

If you're thinking that we love this car, you're 100% correct. Handsome, comfortable, and even practical, this Oldsmobile represents a massive bargain when you compare it to almost anything else of the period restored to this level. Call today!