1983 Oldsmobile 98 Regency Brougham

This Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Regency Brougham was sold by the Weidenbacher Oldsmobile dealership in Decatur, Illinois - 150 miles south-west of Chicago - and first registered in July 1983 to a Mrs Joan Smith.

It has the 307 cu-in (5.0-litre) Oldsmobile V8 engine and a 4-speed automatic transmission with electric overdrive.

The car's subsequent history, as detailed by the Carfax report in the gallery, was one of light use and careful ownership, with regular servicing and maintenance carried out. By 2019 it was in the showroom of Orlando Classic and Collector Cars in Zephyrhills Florida, from where it was bought by its last US owner - a Mr Don McCaskill from Wichita Falls in Texas.

In October 2021, it was sold through Gateway Classic Cars of Dallas and shipped to its current owner - our vendor - who lives near Truro in Cornwall. Duly notified as an import and registered with the DVLA, the Brougham now shows a mileage of around 19,000 - believed to be original.

The owner has always liked and run American cars and when he lived in the Midlands, ownership and regular use was easy. Before he moved to Cornwall he sold the Oldsmobile Toronado he owned and did without for a while.

After retirement he started looking again and soon found this Ninety-Eight; and having had an inspection done, made the arrangements for purchase and shipping. Over the last year or so he’s used the car for a couple of shows but has found that the length of it isn’t that compatible with the Cornish roads - it is such a nice example he didn’t want to damage it. So he has now bought a (slightly) shorter car - a Mercury Grand Marquis.

The exterior of the Oldsmobile is painted in its original off white / cream colour called Light Sand Grey - which has a few age-related blemishes but still looks in generally good condition some forty years on. The vinyl roof looks spotless too.

There are no obvious dents or marks of any significance on the bodywork, and the panel alignments seem to be straight and evenly gapped, but the car appears to slump to the left (driver’s side) - even without an occupant. The car originally had a factory-fit automatic levelling system, so maybe this is something to look at.

The front grille, bumpers, lower sills and window surrounds are all in chrome - as are the other body trims - and like the paint, they all present well with no apparent damage. Something you don’t see that often these days is an analogue door thermometer, attached to the driver’s door mirror. Being American though, you’ll have to go old school and think in Fahrenheit if you want to know how hot or cold it is.

The Brougham sits on its original steel wheels with wire-wheel covers - again in a chrome finish - which look tidy and undamaged and are fitted with Goodyear Regatta whitewall tyres.

Specified from new with a custom light grey leather trim (a $379 option), rather than the Brougham’s usual plush "Prima" velour - the interior of this Ninety-Eight looks as fabulous as the outside. The seats are upholstered in exactly the same style, with the embroidered emblem, as they would be if they were covered in fabric rather than hide. The leather shows very little in the way of wear and as far as we can see, no damage.

Also used in copious quantities is the dark wood veneer with inlaid banding, which covers most of the dashboard fascia and also the door tops, door-mounted control panels and seat controls. The upper dash is also in good condition with no apparent shrinkage cracks.

This top of the range model featured all manner of equipment including Air Conditioning, Delco AM/FM Radio with Cassette Player, Cruise Control, Power Brakes, Power Steering, Power Locks, Power Windows and 6-Way Dual Power Seats. Oldsmobile were also offering fitted CB radios as an option back in the eighties. We’re not sure if this “good buddy” has “got its ears on” but there’s a fist mic sprouting from the centre console - “ten-four”?

The deep cut-pile carpets look clean and tidy and up above the headliner fabric is also in good condition and well fitting

Up front under the large strongly-sprung hood, the engine bay looks amazingly clean and tidy, with even the most humble of ancillaries looking in good or nearly new condition. It has been diligently kept throughout its life, the condition reflective of its low mileage and careful ownership. The only signs of any age are on the hinges and catches of the bonnet itself - and they’re still in good order too.

The undersides of the car appear clean and undamaged, with only minimal surface rust starting to show through the underseal here and there. The exhaust setup - complete with twin cats - looks like a stainless system in good order.

Although nearly a foot shorter than its predecessor, this Ninety-Eight still has a fairly large trunk - although proportionally rather shallow compared to European equivalents. The carpet and linings are clean and undamaged and are further protected by a large GM-branded rubber floor mat. Tucked forward in the trunk is a temporary-use spare wheel fitted with unused Firestone rubber.

The Oldsmobile has a current MOT valid until September - which it passed with advisories on the tyres and a minor exhaust leak. Being from 1983, the next owner of the car can apply for historic vehicle status, giving exemption from vehicle tax and annual testing. However we would still recommend keeping up an independent check of roadworthiness each year.

The history file includes a copy of the original car window sticker listing options and prices. There are also documents relating to the original sale and paint protection taken out by Mrs Smith of Illinois.

More recent paperwork includes a new battery and a visit to “All American Carwash & Lube” in Wichita Falls, Texas for an oil change and check-up in March 2021, not long before the car was consigned for sale with Gateway Classic Cars.

There is also a copy of the export-import paperwork along with a copy of the US title.

Inside the car is a 1983 Oldsmobile Owner’s Manual and an instruction leaflet for the Delco stereo.

When was the last time you saw a 1983 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Regency Brougham? We’re guessing that unless you live Stateside or you’re actually our vendor, the answer is probably “never”. Well, if you had seen another recently (or at all), we’d wager that it wouldn’t have been in such a clean and well-maintained condition as this one.

These are the kind of cars you’d see in the background of eighties movie car chases or street scenes. Big, bouncy and beautifully quiet - their sheer scale easily filling in the shot behind the star car.

We think this top-tier luxury, low mileage and well cared for Olds will sell for between £15,000 and £20,000. We often say “it’s a lot of car for the money” but pound for pound, these eighties American sedans fit the cliché perfectly.

And don’t be worried about parts availability. Underneath, this is much the same car as the contemporary Cadillac - and there are plenty of UK-based suppliers who can get parts to you within days.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ near Abingdon; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.