Faults:

Timing chain at 125.000.

Transmission at 130.000.

Top replaced a couple of times.

Not bad for 24 years of ownership.

General Comments:

I've been driving this car since 1983. I was 19 then, and I am now 43.

This car is a sleeper. I used to hot rod the hell out of it; never lost a race.

It wasn't really quick off the line, but once it got rolling, it was hard to catch; the long gearing gave it an advantage. A guy even followed me home after I beat him; he could not believe I beat his 396 Chevelle.

I could not beat you in quarter mile, but I would beat you in the half mile every time. I'm talking Mustangs, Camaros, Chargers; you name it, we won.

Nowadays I drive the car with a lot more respect; I let the torque of the engine do the work. This helps fuel mileage, and wear and tear.

I will never sell this car.

Faults:

When I first bought the 98 all it really needed was a new float for the Quadra Jet Carburetor. This cured a rich idle/diesel condition...Take Note I really Abused this car. Rebuilt the engine twice due to Drag Racing related piston damage. Second Time using Sealed Power Forged Pistons. Machine Work by Alan Halsey, (Yep, His Ganddad was Admiral "Bull"-"Haul Ass" Halsey!)...Made my own metering rods for the Q-Jet. The Car ran low 14's@100mph 1/4 mile. The only excessive wear after 3 Race seasons was a streached out timing chain. Rear Pinion Bearing got loud from not allowing lubricant to warm up before hitting the "Loud Pedal". Steering Box got excessively loose and steering was very stressful after a while. Actually got a "Performance Cam" from the local Olds Dealer.

General Comments:

Sold the engine in '99 to a guy with an Olds powered Jet Drive Boat for $600. He complained that I had told him the engine had Forged Steel? pistons. He actually had a mechanic check them with a magnet...Good Riddance...

Faults:

Nothing that prevented the vehicle from being used. Normal service items, battery, exhaust, radiator.

Rear axle developed a noise.

Original brakes lasted 92000 miles of highway use.

Replaced timing chain at about 122,000 miles.

General Comments:

This was an absolutely solid, well built North American tank. Car was handed down from my father who purchased it new. There were never any major problems with it, but it was involved in a few major collisions during its life, but was driven away from each one. These were severe enough to cause serious injury and require the jaws of life to rescue occupants from one of today's cars.

The car could only deliver about 12 mpg for around town driving. Acceleration was always sluggish until I discovered that the throttle linkage was not allowing the throttle to open fully. Once that was fixed, the car went like a bat out of hell. Ride, comfort and interior noise levels were not perfect, but acceptable for a car of its size and vintage.

This remains one of the most powerful cars I have ever had my hands on.

Fairly rust resistant for a car of its time. The safest, and most solid of all the cars I have ever owned.

Faults:

Miraculously, I have not had any major problem with the 98' Olds. Minor problems include, blown fuse for convertible top (has been replaced), and the factory air conditioner. Why worry, it's a convertible!!!

General Comments:

This car can and will out run any of the previous or current cars that I have acquired over the last 12 years. The powerful 455, four barrel, Quadra-Jet carburetor engine purrs like it was built to keep you on the highway. They made real cars back in those days.

It's awkward, but quite the attention getter. When I drive the convertible anywhere around town, especially to the beach, I get some of the most disturbing stares that anyone could ever want to witness. I don't know if they are looking at me or the car!! This is probably because my car is older than me by a couple of years and as big as a boat. As it has been called many times.

But she is the best vehicular investment that I have made in my life.