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The Oldsmobile 98 (sometimes spelled Ninety-Eight after 1958) is the full-size flagship model of Oldsmobile produced from 1940 until 1996.  It was, as it would remain, the division's top-of-the-line model, with lesser Oldsmobiles having lower numbers such as the 66 and 68, and the 76 and 78. The Series 60 was retired in 1949, the same year the Oldsmobile 78 was replaced by the 88. The Oldsmobile 76 was retired after 1950. This left the two remaining number-names to carry on into the 1990s as the bread and butter of the full-size Oldsmobile lineup until the Oldsmobile Regency replaced the 98 in 1997.

As it was the top-line Oldsmobile, the series had the most technologically advanced items available, such as the Hydramaticautomatic transmission, the Autronic Eye, an automatic headlight dimmer, and Twilight Sentinel (a feature that automatically turned the headlights on and off via a timer, as controlled by the driver), and the highest-grade interior and exterior trim.

Oldsmobile built its biggest full-size car in 1971 although wheelbase was unchanged from 1970. The 98s were the roomiest Oldsmobiles ever built thanks to the new GM full-size bodies which, at 64.3" front shoulder room and 63.4" rear shoulder room, set a record for interior width that would not be matched by any car until the full-size GM rear-wheel drive models of the early to mid-1990s. The 1971 through 1976 Ninety-Eight was very similar to the Oldsmobile 88 (which by now was called the "Delta 88") were moved to the doorjambs for 1972-1976 models.

Specifications

• Bodywork


• Length: cm (in): 568 (224)


• Width: cm (in): 202 (79)


• Height: cm (in): 137


• Wheelbase: cm (in): 320 (126)


• Weight: kg (lb): 2052 (4524)


• Mechanics.


• Displacement: V8 7456 cc (455 cu in), front-mounted


• Valve gear: 16


• Fuel system: 1 Rochester 4-barrel carburettor


• Gearbox: 3-speed automatic


• Driven wheels: rear-wheel drive


• Maximum power: 226  hp at 4600 rpm


• Maximum torque: 692 Nm at 3000 rpm