Technical 1955 Olds 98 CONVERTIBLE TOP INTERCHANGE QUESTION

Hello Roberto,

To the best of my belief and knowledge, the 88/98 2 door Cpe and Convt share the roof/top, doors and all front end sheet metal, bumpers grille, etc. The deck lid I do not know about for certain and do not have a GM parts book for reference to provide do***entation on that question.

Best wishes with locating the parts you need.

Ray

 

The 98 was indeed 4" longer in the wheelbase and also longer overall. The 88 had 122" wheelbase and the 98 126". Overall the 88 was 203", the 98 212". See here for original specs (last page) http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Oldsmobile/1955 Oldsmobile/1955_Oldsmobile_Brochure/dirindex.html

Edit: Found another sales brochure with a single page of the model line up here: http://paintref.com/cgi-bin/brochur...manuf=GM&model=Oldsmobile&smod=&page=5&scan=5

Front sheetmetal (fenders/hood) are all the same.
I think that decklid different between post and hardtop (holiday) cars, look at the pics below and draw your own conclusion.

I always thought the only convertible was the starfire, which is based on the 98 model - not true the link above shows a Super 88 convertible. You learn something every day!

98 has a different opening in the rear quarter, being a swoop to match the front, the 88 had a more normal square opening. Although many 88s have a skirt fitted that replicates the swoop. Post cars wear a "88" or "98" emblem on the front fender, hardtop cars have a "holiday" script badge here instead - as someone said above "holiday" indicates hardtop. I believe all cars have the same front fenders, as the extra length of the 98 is in the rear.

98 cars have a tapering spear trim down the decklid, the emblem around the lock is also more ornate with an insert in and "ninety eight" script above it (88s just have a single cast "globe" piece. 98 also got chrome spears alongside the tail light lense and another piece on the quarter panel above the lense. Also the 98 got a piece of trim around the gas door.

98 got goodies - power steering, power brakes, electric windows, front seat, radio antenna etc. These might have been options on the 88, not sure. There were options for autronic eye (automatic high beam headlight switching) and air conditoning (the unit sat on the shelf in the trunk, you can spot it by tubes running through the parcel shelf).

I'm not sure of exact models, but the 98 definately got back up lights, I have seen some cars with blanking plates over the aperture, maybe base model 88s didn't have them? likewise some cars didn't even have a radio

Basic 88 gets a 2 barrel carb 185hp, "Super 88" and 98 got 4 barrel carbs, bumping it to 202hp. All cars got a hydramatic box, no torque converter. Also no park position (it did something like drop in to reverse when engine is switched off I think).

98 Holiday Coupe, note the wheel arch in the rear. Also, the side trim on Holiday cars is different, the top part starts at the vent window of the front door (same for 4 door cars). You can see the spear on the decklid and the extra trim around the tail lights. This car is missing the gas door trim for some reason.


88 2 door. Note the top piece of side trim starts further back. No decklid spear or extra trim around the tail lights. No backup lights, blanked off instead.

Same car, note the simpler trim around decklid lock.


here's a better shot of the rear of a 98, note the lock surround trim is different to the above


Super 88 Holiday. Note the medallion on the front fender, rear arch has a skirt. You can just see the trim around the gas door. Note the top side trim starts behind the door, unlike the 98 car.


Super 88 4 door. You can see the skirt in the rear arch. Note the side trim starts on the rear door (unlike holiday cars). Note the stubby decklid - as mentioned, I can't be sure but I think the decklids are different ? I think this is a super 88 because of the skirt and the medallion on the front fender (rather than script).


top of the range was the 98 Starfire - which meant convertible. Based on the 98 holiday in terms of features/trim.


Not great pictures, but interior of an 88 vs 98.


vs 98
you can see the extra trim and different materials used.