Beautiful Olds ragtop. Great color combination with desirable bucket seats and console. Strong-running 350/automatic combination, color-matched SSIII wheels, and a recent power convertible top. Very clean and straight, ready to cruise!

For reasons that aren’t altogether clear, Oldsmobile ragtops don’t seem to get the same respect as their Pontiac and Chevrolet cousins. That’s good because they’re more affordable, and what most folks don’t seem to realize is that the Olds is better to drive. Smooth, quiet, torquey, it’s a luxury car with some muscle and a fantastic look. This one is bathed in striking Saddle Bronze paint, which is a bright metallic copper that really works on the curvaceous A-body sheetmetal. There’s a bit of metallic in the finish, so it just glows in the sun and the lights in our studio don’t really do it justice. It’s just beautiful. White pinstripes highlight the dramatic curves of the fenders and quarter panels and blacked-out grilles give it a bit of an aggressive look. Finish quality is very good, with even gaps and no fit issues so the doors close easily without a big slam and there’s no sagging—important on a convertible. Someone went a little heavy with the clear so there is a small run on the passenger’s door, but a good paint shop could sand that out without much difficulty. Dual sport mirrors, chrome bumpers with unusual rear bumper guards, and clear lenses all add to the presentation. Everybody agrees that this is a great-looking car.

The Saddle interior is the right choice with the bronze bodywork, a more sophisticated look than regular old black or white might be. You’ll also be happy to see buckets and a console in this ragtop, a sporting look that suits the sleek Olds just fine. We’re fairly certain the upholstery is original and it’s in great shape—there’s a little discoloration on the driver’s seat back, but no rips or tears and the buckets are still all-day comfortable. The carpets have surely been replaced simply because they’re so nice, and the lovely wood-rimmed wheel lends an upscale touch (a restored stock steering wheel is included with the car). Three round pods feature handsome stainless-faced gauges and the woodgrain appliques are surprisingly convincing. The original AM radio is still in the dash, but it’s joined by an AM/FM/CD stereo head unit neatly installed underneath. The shifter wears Hurst badging and offers a trigger lock for positive shifts—not a surprise given the Hurst and Oldsmobile relationship. A good-sized back seat makes these cars idea for people who like to cruise with family and friends and there’s a white power top overhead, complete with a glass rear window and matching boot. The trunk carries its original mat, correct jack assembly, and a full-sized spare tire.

The rebuilt 350 cubic inch “Rocket” V8 is unique to Oldsmobile and makes its own unique sounds. It’s also a torque factory and makes the slick convertible feel downright quick. It’s nicely detailed wearing Oldsmobile Gold engine enamel, a factory air cleaner, and nice little bits like the reproduction hoses, tower hose clamps and factory air cleaner assembly. Power steering and power brakes shouldn’t be a surprise in a luxurious Olds and the thing is really comfortable and easy to drive. The transmission is a rugged TH350 3-speed automatic that makes that characteristic Oldsmobile whine and there are 2.73 gears out back so it’s a nice highway cruiser that doesn’t waste gas. You’ll note that the floors have been refinished with gloss black paint, and there are no patches or other red flags underneath. The dual exhaust system sounds great and probably adds a few horsepower and thanks to new shocks, ride quality is excellent. It’s a little dirty (because, after all, it has been driven a bit) but there are no nasty surprises awaiting a new owner. And those Oldsmobile SSIII wheels are among the most attractive of any GM product, color matched to the bodywork and carrying 225/70/14 BFGoodrich T/A radials.

Documentation includes the original owner’s manual and a big binder of receipts, manuals, and other details.

These are ridiculously under-rated cars, delightful to drive and stylish to boot. The Oldsmobile hardware is bulletproof reliable and performance is on par with anything else of the period. Add in a bit of luxury and you get a car that’s going to put a smile on your face every time you take it out. Call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.