To be OFFERED AT AUCTION at Auctions America’s Santa Monica event, June 25-26, 2016.

Chassis No.
609L09257

Estimate:
$ 50,000 - $ 65,000 US

This lovely form represents the then-new shape of the 1960 Oldsmobile. Corporate literature announced that the new cars were “radiantly styled for the rocketing sixties.” They were highly regarded as being fresh and balanced with lean contours on its “clean-sweep” rear deck, a shapely grille and captivating overall proportions. While many top-line American cars adopted the tall tailfin look, the Oldsmobile rear fender/deck area protruded handsomely outward instead of the upward route.

This was a high-stepping expression of 1960 “Oldsmobility” – their top-of-the-line Oldsmobile 98 Convertible utilized a Wide-Stance chassis for “sports car control with cooler-running Air-Scoop brakes on all four wheels.” The interiors provided a luxurious yet sporty feel with numerous appointments and fine materials. All interiors on the 1960 98 convertibles were executed in a combination of moroceen and leather. This particular car is finished in the same colors as presented in 1960 Oldsmobile sales literature; paint code L Garnet Mist and trim code 85, Red tri-tone that displays a white center seat accent. The power-operated soft-top matched the body color, as does the boot for when it is retracted.

The most expensive 1960 Oldsmobile was the Ninety-Eight Convertible (Oldsmobile also utilized both written and numerical displays of the name) priced at a very stout $4,362, and at the top-of-the-line in the Oldsmobile hierarchy, it also represented the rarest of the 98 series as only 7,284 examples were built. Certain sources estimate that approximately 10-percent of this total has survived; while a 1979 book on American convertibles speculated less than 150. In any case; this is a very uncommon automobile. Oldsmobile’s total production for 1960 registered at 347,141 units. The 1960 Oldsmobile 98 Convertible was also selected as the pace car for the running of the 1960 Indianapolis 500, and received the media attention commensurate with such a prestigious honor.

Running with the Premium Rocket 394-cid, 315-hp V-8 engine with four-barrel carburetor; the 98 came standard with the Jetaway Hydra-Matic Drive four-speed automatic transmission. This gearbox was optional for other cars in the Oldsmobile lineup. Distinct side moldings accentuate the car’s long, low lines and sloping rear wheelwell contour. Among the exterior features are two-speed windshield wipers, dual exhaust with bright tips, sideview mirrors on both doors, whitewall tires and optional “Deluxe Wheel Discs” to assert even more individuality. Interior and mechanical highlights include power steering and brakes; period AM radio with rear speaker, turn signals, electric clock, courtesy lamps, Star-Lite headliner, padded dash, power windows and deep-twist carpets. The owner believes the approximately 97,000 miles registered on the odometer are original to the car, the title states them as exempt. Either way, it is clear that this is a special and uncommon Oldsmobile deserving of your attention.
1960 Oldsmobile 98 Convertible