I am interested in a 1959 Olds 98 and need a 59 expert to answer some general questions:


* I see this is an X-frame car, does it use a 2-piece driveshaft with a center bearing?


* They refer to the transmission as a Jetaway, is that the 4-speed old style Hydramatic?


* I don't see a brake booster or master cylinder mounted on the firewall, where are they located?


* How much mechanical interchangeability is there between the 59 and other years?


Thanks in advance for your help.

 

Yes an X frame with 2 piece driveshaft.

Jetaway but not the cheap 2 speed Jetaway used on the later Cutlass. It is a 3 speed and reverse trans and better than the Slimjim.

Brake booster mounted way low almost under firewall.

59 trim is unique to 59 and the 98.

 

Some trim pieces interchange from the Super88 in 59 to the 98. Mechanicals from the 60 Olds interchange with the 59 but the brake master and booster does not. Sheetmetal is olds 59 only and the wheelbase is longer on the 98 and is made up in the quarters, Rocker and rear wheelwell moldings are 59 98 only units and are impossible to find.

 

What the others have said except the Jetaway is a 4 speed not a 3 speed...Tedd

 

Thanks. Another question, is the 59 wheel bolt pattern the same as my 63? Does the 59 use the left hand thread bolts on the drivers side?

 

Yes and yes

 

Thanks for your help on this, unfortunately the 59 I was interested in got away.

 

I hate it when that happens.

 

Hopefully it went to a good home

 

Here is a pretty nice 98 coupe!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Oldsmobile-N...0#ht_566wt_886

 

It was a bubbletop coupe like the ebay listing at a local consignment dealer. REALLY nice exterior and good original interior. I looked at it online every now and then for 6 months and finally decided to go look at it - called and found out the owner had JUST traded it for a 59 De Soto! Nobody's fault but my own.