1958 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight

The 98 was part of Oldsmobile's lineup from 1940 to 1996, serving as the full-size flagship model. The '8' in the '98' represented its eight-cylinder engine and its name meant it was a 'Series 90,' the top-of-the-line model.

Dramatic styling updates were applied to most American automobiles throughout the mid-to-late-1950s, and the Ninety-Eight followed suit, with major updates in 1948, 1954, 1957, and 1959. The 1957 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight received a three-piece rear window, single round headlights in chrome bezels, rear body-side creases, a wraparound front windshield, a large wraparound chrome bumper, chrome wheel well surrounds, and accent lines along the bodyside. The previous 324 cubic-inch V-8 engine with 240 horsepower was replaced for 1957 with a 371 CID V8 with hydraulic valve lifters, overhead valves, a Quadra-Jet four-barrel carburetor, a 9.5:1 compression ratio, and 277 horsepower at 4,400 RPm and 400 lb-ft of torque. The wheelbase continued to measure 126 inches, and standard equipment included power steering, power brakes, electric windows, and a Jetaway Hydra-Matic transmission.

The 1958 Oldsmobile lineup included the Dynamic Eighty-Eight, Super Eighty-Eight, and the top-of-the-line Ninety-Eight. The entire lineup had been restyled with dramatic use of chrome trim on the sides to accent their length, and quad headlamps. Its wheelbase and chassis remained largely the same, measuring 126.5 inches for its wheelbase and having an overall length of 216.7 inches. Large bumper assemblies could be found in the front and rear, with the rear incorporating Harley Earl's jet exhaust-inspired tail lamps.

The engine was the same one found in the Super 88 - a 371 CID overhead valve V8 offering 305 horsepower and 410 lb-feet of torque. An optional triple-carbureted J-2 engine could be ordered, increasing power to 312 hp. Additional engine options included a heavy-duty crankcase ventilation system and a heavy-duty air cleaner. The standard transmission on the 98 was the Jetaway Hydra-Matic.

The Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight was equipped with a number of standard features and model-exclusive options. The list included dual exhausts, an electric clock, color-accented wheel discs, power steering, power brakes, 8.50 x 14-inch tires, and chrome wheel frames.

1958 was the final year of styling that had been introduced in 1957. Another restyling arrived in 1959 and would again last only two years. While the rest of the General Motors family rested on a new X-frame architecture, the Oldsmobile continued to use the full-perimeter frame and its wheelbase size of 126.3 inches. The engine now displaced 394 CID and delivered 315 horsepower.

By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2020

Sold for $35,750 at 2023 RM Sothebys : Hershey.
Oldsmobile re-styled its models for 1958 but retained the same wheelbase as the 1957 models, and the chassis remained largely unchanged. They were given an abundance of chrome, which gave their bodies a longer and lower appearance. Long vertical strips adorned the rear fenders and 'eyebrows' trailed back from the quad headlamps. There are large front and rear bumper assemblies, with the rear bumper incorporating designer Harley Earl's jet-exhaust-inspired tail lamps.

The Ninety-Eight Convertible was priced at $4,200 in 1958, and 5,605 examples were sold. These well-equipped vehicles came standard with a Hydra-Matic automatic transmission, power steering and brakes, dual exhaust, electric clock, and 'lounge seats.'

This particular Ninety-Eight Convertible has power windows, a power top, a power seat, an automatic headlight dimmer, and an AM radio with a rear antenna.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2024