Hi,

My cousin has a 1976 98 Olds Regency Coupe with 6,000 miles (He's the original owner and has always owned lots of cars, which is why there's only 6,000 miles on it).

The car is red with a white (vinyl?) top. It's red velour or velvet seating inside.

I believe it's a special edition of some sort and there were only around 2,000 that were made.

Does anyone know the value? He's thinking of selling it (it's been parked in a garage over the years).

 

Looking for information on the value of a red 1976 98 Olds Regency Coupe, with red velour (velvet?) interior, and white (vinyl?) roof. 6,000 miles. I believe it's a limited edition of 2,000 that were made. It's been garaged over the years.

 

Welcome. I merged your two identical threads and moved them to the Ninety Eight subforum, where you should get the best info. Good luck.

 

Post some pictures of it when you get a chance.

 

it's worth 500 bucks. I'll take it.

 

Hello and welcome to the forum!

I own 2 '76 98 Regency Coupes. I've owned many of these cars over the years and know quite a bit about them. One of the only things I can think of that could make your cousin's car so rare, would be if it had the ACRS (airbags). I don't know the production figure for the ACRS cars but I know it was very low. There was no "special edition", only the base model 98 which is called the LS (Luxury Sedan) and the top-line model which is the Regency which seems to be what he has.

I'm definitely very interested in learning (and seeing) more about this car.

Keep in mind that you will get some different opinions on value on here. Many will refer to book value which is never super high on cars like these because they're not as collectible as say, an A body. These cars are becoming less common finds in very nice, original shape. Many, good pictures will help us determine a fair price.

Where is it located?

John

 

Welcome to CO. I owned a '76 98 Regency once and loved it. Ironically it was white with a red vinyl top. Those are very nice cars and your cousin's should be really nice with so few miles on it.

 

Hey Dan,

Did your 98 look like mine?


I am very curious to learn more about this low mileage 98.
John

 

Hey John, nice car...but I LOVE your house! Wow
Brett

 

Thanks Brett but that's no house of mine! That was actually taken at Salve Regina University in Newport, RI about a year ago. As soon as I saw that building, I knew I had to take a picture of my car in front of it. It almost looks like a sales brochure pic. It would have been even better if that girl didn't come walking out of the door behind the car lol. It's still probably my favorite pic of that car.

 

Here are some pictures.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/neil_i...7646122440719/

 

That link requires signing in to yahoo.

 

The photos are public now. Try again.

 

That does work, thanks.

Car doesn't look too bad. 6,000 miles or not, while the interior looks very good, the exterior paint does look faded somewhat, especially in that view of the front end that shows the hood. One thing in the car's favor is that the rear fender extensions are still in pretty good shape except for that little bit of yellow stuff on the left one that can be seen in the photo of the rear end. But on many cars like this from that era that had those plastic extensions (98's, Toronados, Cadillacs), the plastic is often mostly rotted and gone, and replacements are not available although some are trying to get a supplier to start making them.

Anyway, the Old Cars Price Guide lists the value of a '76 98 Regency 2-door in showroom condition at just over $5,000. In "car show" condition, the value is about $3,200, and in a condition where it runs and drives but needs total restoration, the value is about $1,500. Based on these, this car is probably worth somewhere in the $2,500 to $3,000 range.

Remember, condition alone doesn't determine value. Desirability is important as well. If a car is not popular among collectors, it won't command a high value no matter how nice it is. In short, people have to want it. There is a following for the full-size cars of this vintage, but it's nowhere near as large as that for the Cutlasses of a few years earlier.

If your friend really wanted to buy a car from back then and put only 6,000 miles on it since, he should have bought a '71 442!

 

Hi, thanks for posting the pics. For one, this is a '75, NOT a '76 and I promise you on that. The nose is the most obvious sign but '75 and '76 have many tell tale differences that are almost all seen in those few pics. I have to admit some disappointment in that I was hoping to see a prestine '76 Regency coupe. The car is nice but doesn't scream 6,000 miles to me. More and better detailed pictures would help us all determine things better.

What are those (wires??) creeping out of the lh fender going into the car?

Also, I see nothing to indicate any kind of "special edition" that I've also never heard of. It looks like a pretty standard '75 Regency to me. Something's not adding up on this one.

 

Thanks for pointing this out. You are quite right. The differences are striking when you see them side by side. Style of the grille and bumper and turn signal location are three obvious differences.



1975 98 front end:





1976 98 front end

 

Yup, my cousin says it's a '75, so your right on that. He still says it's a limited edition of some sort. The car's been in a garage for 40 years with a few raccoons and squirrels living above it at times, so the finish is not perfect. The interior, on the other hand is exceptional with plush velour seats. The dash is clean too, no cracks. Don't know about the wires, I can ask. It's worth noting that the car started right up on the first try after 40 years with the gas that was in it. The yellow spot is a nick in the edge of the wing that needs repair. All in all, pretty cool. Thanks for your replies!

 

Are you saying the mileage is all from '75/'76 and the car gas just sat since then?

Please ask specifically what it is about the car that makes it a special edition. I don't see any rare options or anything to indicate anything out of the ordinary.

It would help if the car was detailed and more/descriptive pictures were shown. Mechanical condition is really important too. A car that's sat for decades will need lots of attention mechanically.

 

I have located a source that replicates bumper fillers and fender extensions in fiberglass. but I am reluctant to reveal the source because they have yet to make right on a previous purchase that has an imperfection. If you are in need and must have I may be willing to reveal the source through a private message after providing more details pertaining to my order with the understanding that they have yet to resolve my issue (replace the defective pieces).

 

I repeat, DO NOT BUY THE FIBERGLASS QUARTER FILLERS (for '75 & '76 Ninety Eights). I have spent a VERY long time working with Plastic Parts, Inc. in Florida and they are now making a quality part. They continue to make modifications as need be to make them even better but regardless, they are a million times better than the fiberglass ones.

Here is the link to the post I started on the ABS plastic ones:

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...tml#post736104

 

To my knowledge there is no other source that makes a 3 piece bumper filler for a 1984 Ninety Eight. Every other one I have found is a 4 piece filler which puts a joint / overlap in the center below the license plate. This to me is unattractive and not inline with the design of the original part. I am unaware as to why fiberglass which is commonly used would be inferior to plastic and you provided no reason to justify your claim.

 

Hi, I'm sorry but are we talking about the same thing? This post is about a '75 Ninety Eight which is what I thought you were talking about too. I don't know about the fillers for the '84 so I apologize for the misunderstanding.

The fiberglass fillers made for the '75/ '76 Ninety Eights do not fit well at all. I am all for a quality produced part in any material but for these cars, the new ABS ones are the way to go.

I would totally agree with you that a 4 piece replacement to an original 3 piece would not look good. I just checked Plastic Parts Inc's website and it looks like their set for the '84 is also 4 pieces. If you can come up with a good original set to send them, they can probably produce a new set closer to the originals. That's what I did for the '75 / '76.

Again, sorry for any micommunication. I will update my previous post to specify the years.

 

No apology necessary and you are not confused. I understand the original post is about a 1975. I replied to your orginal post because you did not specify why you believe fiberglass fillers in general are inferior to plastic. The impression I got was that somehow the material makes a difference, but based on your reply it appears to be a craftsmanship issue instead. I used my vehicle(1984) as a reason why I would not use plastic over the fiberglass fillers... there are no 3 piece plastic fillers available, not that I believe fiberglass material is better than plastic. In my case the fiberglass fillers fit well but I have only had an issue with one of the side pieces being hand trimmed too close to an exposed edge leaving a very small gap. It appears from our discussion that it's not the material, but the maker that makes the difference.

 

OK, thanks for understanding.

I don't get why they make a 3 piece set into 4 pieces in the first place. If they're fiberglass, have you considered having them joined? I'm not fiberglass magician but it should be pretty easy work for a body shop. Just a thought. I know it would bother me so I totally get it.

 

The new fiberglass filler set I bought consist of 3 pieces (one continuous piece spanning the rear bumper from side to side and 1 for each transition between the bumper and the rear fenders). That is the reason I chose fiberglass over plastic; 3 pieces vs. 4 pieces. To answer your question: There is nothing to join.

 

Oh ok, good. I'm glad there's a proper set out there then. I really don't get why they would make a 4 piece set. Anyway, I hope they work things out for you properly. Enjoy those 98's!