Garypolds

I am posting this car for my Sister-in-law. 1973 Oldsmobile 98 with 41K + miles. The VIN number begins with 3V39T3E. The car runs, but needs some work. the car is located in North Wilkesboro, NC.

She is asking $1000. For questions, please contact her at email bktvpgh@aol.com.

I am having problems uploading 4 pictures. Hopefully will have them posted soon.

Thanks

jaunty75

Gosh. Only 41,000 miles, and she wants only $1,000? I'm not sure I want to see the photos!

Garypolds

Jaunty75, The miles on the odometer are 47517. According to my Sister-in-law those are actual miles. The car has been sitting for several years.

Seems possibly the file size of the pictures is too large. I will try to work on them later today.

Thanks

MDchanic

Well, y'know, Jaunty, sometimes it ain't the miles, it's the years .

- Eric

jaunty75

There are many programs out there that can resize photos for you. I like this one. It resides in the pop-up menu if you right-click on a jpg file.

http://imageresizer.codeplex.com/

Garypolds

Thanks Jaunty. Pictures are attached now.

MDchanic

I like it.

Shame I'm full-up right now.

- Eric

jaunty75

I agree. It's a good-looking car, and at $1,000, I think it's underpriced. It's probably worth somewhere in the $2,000 to $3,000 range. But if the goal is to sell it, a low price is certainly the way to go.

UnkleScott

Man, if it was closer...

Allan R

Wow! That looks really good from the outside. How about some pics of the interior and engine?

Garypolds

I spoke with my Sister-in-law this weekend. She took more pictures and sent to me. I will post them. The pictures also include interior and engine.

Her mechanic told her the car will need a radiator. The pictures include all places with rust. Both lower front fenders have some rust, and there are two areas around the trim with some rust. The tail light housings are loose.

Thanks,

Garypolds

Appears I can only post five pictures at a time.

Garypolds

More pictures

Garypolds

Pictures of engine

Garypolds

The other two rust pictures and manuals.

MDchanic

Now that is one fine ark.

If you were closer I might be tempted to risk spousal wrath and buy it.

Good thing for me you're not.

- Eric

sammy

A car that is referred to as an "ark" and a wife's scorn described herein as " spousal wrath" .....you just have to love it!

Great looking car....and great price....and very low mileage. Alas, as of today my barns are full

Ted

jaunty75

Yes, the car does have some rust issues, but it's still overall a pretty nice car. What's the story on the radio, which seems to be dangling by the wires?

A radiator should be no problem at all. I have a '73 Custom Cruiser, which is identical to this car from the firewall forward. I needed a new radiator for it as well, and I got one from O'Reilly auto parts right over the counter. It was about $220. It's this one here:

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...1386&ppt=C0331

My car had the heavy duty cooling system with a four-row radiator, and that what this radiator is. It was a drop-in replacement.

MDchanic

Jaunty, I believe that's a DIN-spec "sleeve" for installing a modern car stereo.

- Eric

Allan R

That interior looks spectacular for the age. Is it the cloth that feels like satin? Not sure what they called that. Seems very well equipped too. PW, PSeat, AC, Cruise, Remote left mirror. Under hood looks like it would clean up really nicely. Most of the rust issues appear to be minor, and compared to some that I've seen in person this one has next to no rust!

Garypolds

Jaunty - She said the radio had been replaced by her husband. He had put a different sound system in the car. She has the original radio and speaker are still with the car and were in the trunk. Attaching a picture of the radio.

Alan - I will ask her about the interior.

She indicated they were the second owner of the car. The first owner garaged the car. She has not driven the car for four or five years and the car has been under a tarp. She indicated the carpet would need to be replaced, and there was some stains around the seat belts and possible pitting or rust on the seat belt buckles.

jaunty75

Now that we've seen and heard much more about the car, I'm starting to rethink my earlier comment that the car is underpriced at $1000. The mileage IS low, and that says a lot about what the relative condition of the engine, drivetrain, brakes, and suspension are. They probably are not very worn.

But, the car has deteriorated in sitting under that tarp. It's a bit disturbing, for example, to see the rust on the radio shafts and housing. Unless the radio actually got wet, how did that rust get there? It suggests a humid environment which has taken its toll on the car, and that's consistent with the rust on the hood and in other places and the pitting in the seat belt hardware.

Why does the carpet need replacing? Again, at less than 50,000 miles, you wouldn't think it would be worn to the point that it needs to be replaced. Did it get wet and is now mildewed?

I think the car is a good core, but whoever buys it will have some work ahead of them.

Allan R

If the radio was taken out and stored in the garage that could very well be the reason for rust. Your suggestion about humid environment? Think Virginia: Atlantic Ocean on the East coast, Appalachian & Blue Ridge mountains on the west/north edge. That easily traps and creates micro climates that go from below freezing to 50's even in December. That's GOT to be a perfect condition for moisture to take a toll on metal under a tarp. It would have been better if the car was just sold 5 years earlier, but that's how the dice rolls. A 455 is not exactly an econo engine as you know.

Just based on the pics though, I don't see anything a good fabricator and painter couldn't fix (except those missing tail light pieces and I know someone who might have a lead on replacements). The brightwork and bumpers look to be in very good condition. Carpet is 39 years old. Only reason my carpet is close to perfect in my 72 is it has always been stored inside away from the elements. Carpeting is a minor issue, but I agree that it depends on what' underneath it.

For 1000.00 this car has some nice options and power train that would be well worth the $$ if it's a runner.

Gary: should advise her to get the battery charged, put in some fresh gas and see if it fires up. That will probably alleviate a few concerns for anyone who is interested in the car. Top up rad first though. I'm very tempted to have a friend of mine down there drive up and have a look at it. I know he would be able to store it for me. We'll see how this pans out first.

jaunty75

He said it was stored in the car's trunk.

Yes, that was the point of my comment. It's not the replacing of the carpet that's at issue, it's why it needs to be replaced in the first place. If the carpeting needs to be replaced because it got wet and is mildewed, what does that possibly say about the condition of the floor under the carpet?

sammy

It is a 1000$ car all day long. Man, how cheap does a classic have to be before it is not subjected to critical analysis? Happy Face!

jaunty75

What's your problem? Who cares what the asking price is? Are we not allowed to talk about the damn car?

Allan R

Stored in trunk or put in the trunk for next owner - point is really moot; there's obviously some rust. How bad I'd have to look at in person to know what's up with it. Same with condition of floor pans and frame etc. The pics of the head liner, door carpet and kick panel carpet look pretty decent. Some bromine staining showing on the door plastic trim (common in hot environments) that would likely clean up ok, or could be repainted. Not sure what that 'ring' is under the trunk floor. Don't recall the spare tire being floor mounted on this model? BTW, I was serious about having this checked out. I know someone in the area who is a professional body mechanic. I've always been a fan of these land yachts. The 4 door 73 and 76 were my favorite 2 years.

jaunty75

The spare was mounted up between the trunk lid hinges. It wasn't mounted where that rust "ring" is located except in the convertibles, where the space between the hinges was needed for the top to drop down into when in the down position.

That ring of rust on the trunk floor looks like it might be at low points in the floor, perhaps where moisture in the trunk carpeting settled over the years? Again, everything seems to point to a car that has gotten wet or been stored in a very damp environment. It would be interesting to see it up on a lift and have look at it from underneath.

The sister-in-law says the car was stored under a tarp, which suggests that it wasn't an actual car-cover designed to cover a car stored outdoors. Car covers are designed to breathe while a tarp often isn't. Whereas a car cover would have let moisture under the car escape, a tarp would have trapped it, contributing to the rust we can see, especially in places where you wouldn't normally expect to see it like under the trunk carpeting and on the radio.

Allan R

Good info. Thanks Dan.

oldspackrat

I emailed her the same day that this post went up & have not received any response? Could you provide a phone number?
Scott

Garypolds

We are trying to contact her to see if she can check her email. Then possibly give permission to give her phone number out.

I have not seen the car in person. I agree Alan, would be a good idea to have someone in the area check the car out for you if interested.

I Will try to update the thread later this evening.

Thanks,

Allan R

Somehow I have a feeling this may end up in Scott's yard; possibly as a parts car.

Just did a mileage calculation for my buddy. Forgot to factor in the actual intestate travel distances. 394 miles one way might be a bit much to ask. Almost 800 miles in one day + gas, meals etc is really pushing the boundaries of friendship. I would still love to see the overall condition of the unseen body metal, and would also like to know if the car was ever in a crash.

Garypolds

She called and said she can be reached at 336 981-6951. Please be aware, she is on the East coast and works during the day. If no answer, she will call back.

Allan - she is going to get a video of the car running in the next couple of days.

She mentioned the carpet had a section that had been cut out.

Thanks,

jaunty75

The mysteries deepen with every turn of the page.

Why would one cut out a section of the carpet?

MDchanic

Needed a doormat at home?

Garypolds

Jaunty75 and mdchanic, based on your comments I do not believe you are interested in this car. I put the car on this site with the intentions of helping my Sister-in-law and possibly an Oldsmobile enthusiast could use the car.

I have tried to provide as much details as possible. I am 100 miles from the car and have not seen the car in person. I have been on the buying end of a vehicle and told the car doesn't have rust or body damage, and then drive over 400 miles one way to end up seeing a rust bucket full of bondo. For this Olds 98, we are trying to provide as much information as possible. The last thing we want to do is portray this car to be something it isn't.

If you two are interested in the car and have questions, we will do our best to answer them. For the wise comments, I appreciate if you would keep them to yourself. There are non members that read this site.

Thanks,

MDchanic

... And I suspect most of them tune in because we provide some entertainment value.

But, as you appear to be the king of this thread, I guess we'll just follow your Imperial command and bugger off...

- Eric

jaunty75

Gary, grow up.

I haven't said anything that isn't a legitimate comment about the car. They're all things that anyone legitimately interested in the car is likely to ask or at least wonder about, and you ought to have an answer for them. And how do you know I don't want to buy the car? I have a '73 Custom Cruiser wagon, so I already know a lot about these cars and I might have been interested. But I'm not going to be interested if the seller ends up with a childish attitude like yours and get offended if someone actually asks questions about the car.

We don't KNOW that the car is 100 miles way from you. You only told us that now. You said you were selling it for your sister-in-law, but for all we knew, your sister-in-law lives next door or across town.

If you don't want comments about a car you're trying to sell, then post it over on craigslist. If you post it here, you're going to get some comments. It goes with the territory.

Allan R

uhh, wait a second here, if you go back and re read Post Number 1....
Gary is in Ridgeway Virginia - that's right under his avatar. It's therefore reasonable deduction that he's not across the street or next door to the car.
http://distancecalculator.globefeed....ng=-79.4825279

I used the information Gary provided to determine distance and travelling time it would take my friend (who lives considerably north of Gary) to go see the car. Until I took the time to read the car's location, I mistakenly thought it was in Ridgeway too. This is not Gary's fault, it's OURS for not reading carefully enough, isn't it?

IMO, Gary has disclosed a lot of information on request (including the contacts ph # and email address) in an effort to help with the sale. I also think you're over reacting a little harshly to his comment - after all you don't even know the guy and maybe he doesn't have the experience dealing with a sales market that you do. He could just as easily not bothered to post the car here and let the SIL sell it privately on her own. Give him some credit where it's due. I think his rationale is justified.

There may be answers that he doesn't know for some of the questions everyone is asking. Be patient and let him get the answers and post them. I'm looking forward to the video. It will help me determine whether to go ahead with it or not.

jaunty75

Allan, don't be such a wuss. I'm sure Gary is a big boy who doesn't need you or anyone to hold his hand for him or make excuses for him.

Yes, I noticed that he did give an indication of where the car is in relation to him, and I overlooked that in my post. But I'm sure he has a phone, as does his sister-in-law, and he could call her up and ask her if there is a question about the car. For example, it would take him less than five minutes to call her up and ask her WHY a section of the carpet was cut out. That's very unusual in a car, especially a car like this one, and it's a legitimate question.

The bottom line here is that not a single comment in this thread about the car was or is inappropriate. You yourself took part. Do you suddenly feel that you've overstepped the bounds? I don't think you did, and I don't think anybody did.

One has to have a bit of a thick hide when it comes to selling your car, your house, or anything big ticket like that. It's going to draw all kinds of comments, some of which may not be flattering. Well, get over it. As I said, it goes with the territory.