1984 Oldsmobile 98 Regency Brougham

Description

Who would have suspected that a full-sized Olds with dark gray/green paint, four doors, and a padded roof could look this darn good? This 1984 Oldsmobile 98 Regency Brougham was the top-of-the-line back then, and with V8 power, rear-wheel drive, full-sized comfort, and plenty of options, this incredibly well-maintained, low mileage land-yacht totally sheds its reputation as just your Grandma's car and becomes an uber-cool 'eclectic' collectable today.

1984 was a big year for the Oldsmobile 98, as it marked the last year before a major downsizing of the model, not to mention the final year to feature rear-wheel drive, V8 power, and longer wheelbase construction. OK, so Dark Greyfern Metallic may not be the most exciting color, but remember this is a big, formal Oldsmobile we're talking about here, and you have to admit it's leagues better than the browns and maroons so many of these models were outfitted with. The important thing is that this one has led some kind of charmed life, because it's still in very good shape considering the 36 years it's been doing its thing. With only 49,150 original miles, it still looks quite fresh and thanks to years of careful maintenance (including lots of recent maintenance by the current owner), the factory paint still shines well, although with some of the minor flaws it's more of a driver quality finish today. GM was famous for their long doors even on the 4-door models, but the big Olds carries the look with grace and despite their heft, the doors still fit well and don't sag on their hinges, and all the seals are still soft and supple – a telltale sign of a well-cared for car. Things like the flexible fender caps that house the taillights are in excellent shape, and the chrome bumpers and ample brightwork shines up nicely up against the dark green finish. Even the Light Greyfern vinyl padded roof remains supple and smooth, with no signs of trouble lurking underneath, since this car has always lived indoors.

Acres of plush 'Prima' Light Green velour cover the interior and to be honest, it looks awesome! First, the condition is remarkable with minimal wear on the seating surfaces and carpets, but even more remarkable is that the green-on-green really works well in this big sedan. Pillow-tufted upholstery and wide bench seats make this one of the finest highway cruisers of all time and while it certainly dates the car, it has a definite dignity and class to it that lesser cars can't match. Everything was standard on the Brougham, from A/C (recently recharged) and power windows, locks, mirrors, front seat (new driver's power seat mechanism recently installed) to a tilt column and cruise control. There's plenty of handsome woodgrain applique inside that looks the part, and that's all part of the charm, too, and the original instruments are bright and well-marked and working just like they should. The original AM/FM stereo is fitted in the dash and sounds decent in the unbelievably hushed interior, which admits nary a whisper at highway speeds thanks to great insulation in the cabin. The massive trunk will carry as much gear as you need for just about any trip, and includes a full-sized spare and original Oldsmobile mats.

The 307 cubic inch Oldsmobile V8 was the workhorse of the General Motors fleet throughout the '80s, and its smooth torque makes it the ideal powerplant in this heavy cruiser. Other than regular signs of careful maintenance throughout the years, including a ton of recent maintenance completed by the current owner to get it road-trip ready, it remains all stock and very clean under the big hood. It starts quickly and idles smoothly thanks to a recent full tune-up, a new alternator, and all new hoses and belts throughout, and the stock exhaust underneath with its new muffler and tailpipe provides a subtle soundtrack for the luxurious land yacht. A recently rebuilt THM200-4R 4-speed automatic overdrive with a new torque convertor makes highway cruising effortless and efficient, and that pillow-soft ride is compliments of a heavy-duty suspension that was designed specifically for big body GM sedans and that also features new shocks all around. The floors are solid and rust-free, there are signs of maintenance throughout, and power steering and power front disc brakes ensure that driving this Olds is an absolute delight. Factory steel wheels with wired hubcaps look great, and they're wrapped in fresh 215/75/15 Hankook Optima whitewall radials at all four corners.

Documented with all of its original owner's and service manuals and an issue-free Vehicle History Report, this low mileage Olds is a remarkably preserved piece of American machinery that was recently brought back to be completely road-ready by a 'no expense spared' enthusiast. You simply don't find these vehicles this clean and this well-maintained, especially not at this price point. So, recalibrate your attitude, because full-sized Oldsmobiles CAN be cool, even with four-doors, and this turn-key 98 is ready to hit the road! Call today!