Guess I'm Part Of The Club...

[Texas Jim]

As I've stated a number of weeks prior, I bought a '71 Olds 98 f/ the engine and tranny, w/ plans to install the both in my '62 Ford p/u. However, after driving the 98 afew times, as I registered it when I bought it and got it inspected the following week because everything works and is in good order on the car, I found that it's a great driving car and very friendly to operate. Then last week, after so many people telling me what a straight and neat looking car it is, I got looking at the body and realized that it doesn't even have any dings from doors in parking lots and the car has some really nice body lines. It sat f/, it turns out, about 10 years and w/ only changing all the fluids and oils, the big 455 runs like a top, 93,300 miles on the car and my neighbor bought the car new, yes a one owner. I have some wire wheels on it now which were on an '83 Caddy I sold a year or so ago which make the 98 look even better. I WILL post some pics very soon, I said I'd do this when I put the body up f/ sale on this site. LOL. What was I thinkning??? I've built many bike and car engines, and different vehicles overall over the years, but never a 455, and I have found that the 455 is very easy to work on, the location of all the components is great. There just isn't alot about the car that's unfriendly, to the driver or the wrench turner. I'm impressed!!!
So, I'm in!!! I'll see you peepz again real soon. Thanks f/ the opportunity to join the Olds site.
Sincerely, Texas Jim

[Oldsguy]

Hey hey hey. Not a surprise at all to read your words. Looking for pictures soon. And you simply must join the land yacht club.

[2blu442]

X2!!!

I think many people have forgotten how nice the full sized cars feel driving down the road. I'm glad you decided to save it. If you post a parts wanted ad on the site you may be able to find that 455 for your truck from somone in your part of the country. I know there's several members here in Texas John

[Z3d]

Looking forward to seeing the car and the wheel! I have a set of 13x7 knockoff wire wheels I was thinking about putting on my 70 but I would need to buy new knockoff hubs.

[Dean O' Banion]

Good, you bought the finest car that exists, a vintage Olds 98! I joined "the club" last weekend with my '64 Ninety-Eight and haven't looked back!

The only drawbacks are you need to check off the "Vessel" box on the bill of sale and go for your boating license to drive one of these things...

[Allan R]

Glad to have you with CO. I've always been a big car fan - especially the 98. You have one of the finest cars made in the 70's. How's the rear main seal? If memory serves, it was a little weak on the 455 only because of the gasket used at the time. Only 93K miles? That thing is barely broken in.

[Texas Jim]

Thanks so much f/ the warm welcome, guys. Yes, the car is just too friendly and clean to tare into. I've been looking f/ a big car that I can restore w/o too much effort to keep as a family car to take on long trips, as I love driving distances at a good clip w/ the CB giving the smokie reports. Over the years, ever since being stationed at Ft. Bragg in late '75, I've made some super fast long distance trips in some good runnin' highway cars, and I think this big Olds w/ the 455 will be a good runnin' highway car.

[elwood565]

Texas Jim, welcome to the club! I'm very glad that this old 98 won you over and you're deciding to restore instead of part out. You are absolutely correct in thinking that your new 98 will be a great highway car, because it is! I also have a '71 98, and I happen to think, albeit maybe with some bias, that it is one of the most handsome cars GM built in the 70's, and certainly the best looking 98 of the 70's.

I live in Chicago, and this summer I decided on taking an impromptu trip up to see a friend in Wisconsin. This was going to be a quick, zip up and zip back sort of trip to see this friend who lives about 10 minutes from the Canadian border. So in about 36 hours, me and my Olds covered close to 900 miles without so much as a cough from the Olds. It's the first decent highway trip I had ever taken it on, and it loved it. I'm 21 years old and I got the car when I was 15, so I can attest that once you get them reliable, there's no stopping them! The ol' boy really wasn't happy unless we were doing at least 80mph either

-Bob

[citcapp]

Cruising in a big old Olds is like setting in your living room going 90 miles per hour. Doesn't get any better then that

[66ninetyeightls]

[Texas Jim]

W/ the exception of this rust/rot around that back window, the car is an all-around keeper. I do like the fins on the top of the rear fenders, reminds me of the old Caddys. And as I've stated many times, I love ripping along on the highway at a good speed f/ distances. I love driving on vacations from state to state and seeing the differences in the states as I go, not to mention that it's good education f/ the kids. Growing up in New York and being in an urban area f/ the first 18 years of my life, I knew nothing but cars. I still can't grasp the concept of owning a truck f/ anything except work. The SUVs are vehicles that I'll never beable to swallow. Here in Texas is f/ sure Truck Country, but hasn't put a dent in my opinion. I'll always like a strong American car that takes charge of the road, and the years when American cars were built w/o skimping on anything.
My brother harps on me about pictures also, "you have a digital camera and never send pics, WTF!!!" I'll post some soon. The one there of me in the driveway cleaning off my 'Vette is the only one I've ever posted. LOL!
Thanks again f/ the warm reception.