1959 | Oldsmobile 98 Holiday Sedan

This is an unique opportunity for collectors: 100% ORIGINAL 1959 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight.

Unrestored, ORIGINAL exterior/paint and interior, original drive line, chassis and floor. 100% rustfree (not the "American" definition of it), ORIGINAL 31,500 miles.

This car is a true survivor from the 50ties, when Dwight Eisenhower was US president, gas was 25₵ a gallon and Oldsmobile introduced the completely redesigned Rocket V8 powered 98. The beginning of Oldsmobiles new low and wide "linear" design language, 1959 also represented the pinnacle of the tail fin era.

Originally delivered at Ralph Nichols Cadillac Oldsmobile, Nashville, this car has spent its life in Tennessee, with ownership remaining with the same family since new. Preserved in a climate controlled environment, this particular 6th generation Oldsmobile 98 sedan still shines in its original two tone Polaris White and Russet finish. The extensive chrome and stainless on this car is complete and dazzling. The interior presents its cloth upholstery well and reflects the honest tale of the odometer's 31,500 original miles.

There is a patina reflected in both the exterior and interior of 65 years of caring ownership which cannot ever be recaptured once a car is restored.

Only the carpet was replaced back in 2014. Under it, the floor looks completely rust free and ORIGINAL.

This example is powered by the 394 cubic inch Rocket V8. The 315 horsepower and 435 lb ft of torque are delivered through the smooth shifting 4 speed "Jetaway Hydra-Matic Transmission". "Roto-Matic Power Steering" and "Pedal-Ease Power Brakes".

I bought this car in 2015 and shipped it from Tennessee to Germany.

The car has never seen salt in its life, which reflects the excellent condition after all these years. Some minor paint repairs ( caused by chips and dents) have been done by the previous owner and me, of course - but priority was to preserve the original status of the paint at any stage. In case you don´t believe it, you have to come and see yourself. A detailed appraisal by the German TÜV (in German, however) is available. The original thickness of the paint was also measured and documented.

The original spare wheel and original card board liners of the trunk are still in place. Only the old trunk carpet fell apart and had to be taken out.

The original service book is available with the first owner endorsed - a unique contemporary document! 

Before the car received its "German road worthiness" approval 9 years ago, safety was the focus and the following jobs had to be accomplished:

• replacement of all shocks, wheel bearings, brake shoes, brake hoses and wheel cylinders
• Moraine brake master cylinder overhauled by Fusick Automotives
• front seat had a crack and received an original 1959 (NOS) upholstery (by SMS Fabrics, Oregon)
• all original door seals and the trunk seal had to be replaced
• Coker white walls
• underbody cleaned and waxed - NO bitumen was used in order to hide any rust! The original underbody paint and is still preserved and visible.
• the engine had never been touched until 2017 and still had its original seals, which became brittle and caused oil leaks. They had to be replaced, which resulted in a complete engine overhaul:

Engine block was cleaned inside and out, all freeze plugs replaced and motorblock painted, all zylinders honed, keeping the STD tolerance. No need for oversize pistons.

Thus, only piston rings (STD) were replaced. Compression data are optimal and equal for all 8 zylinders.

There was no visible bearing wear, but due to the fact that the engine was already removed from the bay, all bearings (camshaft, crankshaft, conrods etc. ) were replaced by STD bearings (NOS).

Although not necessary, the same applied to the camshaft, lifters, water pump, oil pump and mechanical DELCO gas pump (all NOS). The cylinder head and Rochester 4GC carburetor were also completely overhauled. Ignition is still "mechanical" and works perfectly.

All original replaced parts are still in a box.

The engine bay was just cleaned - with the original assembly markings of the Atlanta factory still visible!

Although still in good condition, new engine mounts (3) were replaced. The rubber of the balancer was brittle and the unit was overhauled and revulcanized by Fusick Automotives. Exhaust parts got sandblasted and ceramic coated. The entire exhaust assembly is still original !

• Transmission:

Only an ATF oil change and cleaning of the filter was necessary. The 4-speed JetAway shifts smoothly. I have purchased a complete overhaul set in the US, but there was no need to interfere with a perfectly running system.

The same applied to the power steering system and the DELCO Remy generator.

The oil of the differential was in good condition and smelled good. Only the oil seal facing the prop shaft was replaced.

The original Delco Remy starter was overhauled and tested by a renowned shop specialized on vintage starters.

The electrical system and wiring is still complete and in a very good original condition.

Windshield and rear window are original and with original rubber seals. In case they become brittle over the time, you get new seals coming with the car. So far, there was no need to replace them.

Also included in the purchase price are aftermarket and NOS parts:

Second overhauled gas pump, complete power steering overhaul kit, camshaft bearings, exhaust-, engine- and manifold gaskets, complete Jet-Away Master overhaul kit,  prop shaft auxiliary bearing and universal joints, second overhauled Rochester 4GC carb, door seals, air filters, original 1959 SMS fabrics and much more,

The avialability of spare parts (also NOS) is good- especially in the US.  

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Last but boot keast:

Please refrain from phone calls or e-mails in case you intend to convert it into a Hot Rod. The car needs to be perserved the way it is. There is a reason why it was rated "2" by the German TÜV.

I would still give this car priority to any other "better than new " restored vintage US car.

Originality and history have their price and therefore I have to anticipate that there is not much room for negotiations.

I am looking for a buyer, who has serious interest in preserving this piece of history and drive it frequently!