Oldsmobile Series 98 Seventh Generation 1961–1964

Motorpedia Oldsmobile Series 98 Seventh Generation 1961–1964
Series 98 Seventh Generation 1961–1964 Featured Image
 
1961 Oldsmobile 98
Seventh generation
'64 Oldsmobile 98 Convertible (Auto classique VACM Laval '13).JPG
Overview
Model years 1961–1964
Assembly Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Kansas City, Kansas, U.S.
Framingham, Massachusetts, U.S.
Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
Linden, New Jersey, U.S.
Arlington, Texas, U.S.
Designer Bill Mitchell
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door hardtop
4-door 4-window hardtop
4-door 6-window sedan
4-door 6-window hardtop
2-door convertible
Layout FR layout
Platform C-body
Related Cadillac Eldorado
Cadillac Sixty Special
Cadillac De Ville
Cadillac Series 62
Buick Electra
Powertrain
Engine 394 cu in (6.5 L) Rocket V8
Transmission 3-speed Roto Hydramatic automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 126.0 in (3,200 mm)
Length 1961: 218.0 in (5,537 mm)
1962: 220.0 in (5,588 mm)
1963: 221.5 in (5,626 mm)
1964: 222.3 in (5,646 mm)
Width 1961: 77.2 in (1,961 mm)
1962–63: 77.9 in (1,979 mm)
1964: 78.0 in (1,981 mm)
Height 1961–62: 56.6 in (1,438 mm)
1963: 57.1 in (1,450 mm)
1964: 56.5 in (1,435 mm)
Curb weight 4,400–4,700 lb (2,000–2,100 kg)

For 1961 only, it was renamed Classic 98; nevertheless, most factory literature refers to the line as the Ninety-Eight.

It offered five body styles. The sedan was now called the Town Sedan. The 4-door 4-window hardtop body style was now called the Sport Sedan instead of the Holiday Sedan. A new 4-door 6-window hardtop body style, previously exclusive to Cadillac and the Buick Electra was now offered and the Holiday Sedan name was transferred to it. This was the first time not all Oldsmobile hardtops were called Holidays. Overall sales plunged from 59,364 to 43,010, probably due to the introduction of the new Starfire series, the 98's low point following the production record set in 1955. Standard equipment included padded dash, Safety spectrum speedometer, floating propeller, air scoop brakes, two-speed windshield wipers, Safety-Vee steering wheel, parking brake lamp, courtesy lamps, oil filter, windshield washer, electric clock, Roto Hydramatic transmission, power steering and power brakes. Upholstery was vinyl, cloth or leather. Standard tire size was 8.50 x 14 inches. With the 394 cu in (6.5 L) Rocket now standard equipment on the Oldsmobile 88 a higher compression version was made standard equipment on the 98 and Super 88 with horsepower rising to 325 in 1961 and 330 in 1962. It was dubbed the "Skyrocket" from 1961-63.

Unfortunately for loyal Oldsmobile customers, GM management on Woodward Avenue in Detroit were focusing on cost savings per vehicle by this time, a philosophy later called "less car for more money" by the 1970s.[who?] One drawback of this thinking was that the 1961 through 1964 Oldsmobiles lost their dependable (but expensive to build) Jetaway Hydramatic transmissions. Replacing those time-tested four speed units was a much cheaper to build three speed unit, the Roto Hydramatic. This transmission had no front fluid coupling at all, and utilized a single "fill-and-dump" coupling to perform double duty as both a fluid coupling in third speed while having a third reaction member, which Olds called an "Accel-O-Rotor," which was actually a small stator, thus giving some limited torque multiplication in first. In theory, the "Accel-O-Rotor" would provide the same multiplication range in first as both the first and second gears of the four speed unit without all the hardware...and cost. It was also unique at that time, in that second speed was pure mechanical connection from engine to rear end...no fluid coupling involved. The big problem with this unit in the Oldsmobiles (and lower line Pontiacs of the same era) was engine speed would race wildly in first, and then hit a "brick wall" of a very steep RPM decline in second, which was equivalent to third gear in the four speed Jetaway Hydramatic.[citation needed] This unit was very trouble prone and unreliable, and cost a great deal of performance otherwise obtainable from the Rocket.[citation needed] It would linger for only these three years, when it was replaced by the much more reliable, but less efficient, Turbo Hydramatic in 1965. Customer complaints caused many dealers and independent transmission shops to wholesale replace the Roto Hydramatic in these cars with older (or contemporary, from a Pontiac Star Chief or Bonneville) HM315 four speed Hydramatic.[citation needed]

The largest 1962 Oldsmobiles were again the 98s. Five body styles were offered including three 4-doors plus an open and a closed 2-door. The Holiday Coupe was renamed the Holiday Sport Coupe, and the Sport Sedan was renamed the Holiday Sport Sedan, so once again, at least temporarily, all hardtops were called Holidays. Ninety-Eights were well appointed with standard equipment including padded dash, guard beam frame, live rubber body cushions, coil springs, foam rubber seats, two-speed windshield wipers, parking brake lights, courtesy lamp package, special moldings, Roto Hydramatic, power brakes, power steering, power windows and power seat. Interiors were leather, vinyl or cloth. Standard tire size was 8.50 x 14 inches.

Again, in 1963, the top-of-the-line Oldsmobile 98 had an exclusive 126.0 in (3,200 mm) wheelbase. A new body style was the Custom Sports Coupe hardtop. It was the only body style with the 345 horsepower Starfire engine. The 4-door 6-window hardtop was renamed the Luxury Sedan (often condensed to L/S). The convention of naming all hardtops Holidays would not again return until 1965. Standard equipment included die-cast grille, deep pile carpeting, 21-gallon fuel tank, full-flow oil filter, foam seat cushions, foot-operated parking brake, two-speed windshield wipers, special molding package, Deluxe steering wheel, map light, heavy duty air cleaner, courtesy lights, Roto Hydramatic, power brakes, power steering, special rocker panel moldings, self-regulating electric clock, dual rear seat cigarette lighters and special headliner. Interiors were leather, vinyl or cloth. Standard tire size was 8.50 x 14 inches. Ninety-Eights were now made only in Lansing, Linden, Kansas City, Southgate and Wilmington.

Malcolm X owned a 1963 Oldsmobile 98—black, 4-door, hardtop—and it can be seen in the north lobby of the Malcolm X College on the near west side of Chicago.

In 1964 the top of the line 98 series was offered in six body styles in 2-door, 4-door and convertible configurations. Standard equipment included: Roto Hydramatic; power steering, brakes, windows and seats; windshield washer; special wheel discs; clock; courtesy and map lights and padded dash. Upholstery was a variety of colored cloth, vinyl and leather. Standard tire size was 8.50 x 14 inches. Ninety-Eights were now built only in Lansing.