Hi guys,
just bought an Olds Ninety Eight. It's my first American car, so hope you won't get annoyed with all my stupid questions! I'm pretty sure it's a '78, but it's on a Q plate (the registration number) which means that the date of manufacture is unknown. I'll post some pics at the weekend and get your opinions.

I'm also not sure what engine it has. The V5 (pink slip) states that it's a 455, but apparently that's not an option for 1978. The sticker on the radiator cowl says 403, but obviously it may not have the original engine. I'll do some poking around at the weekend and try to find out what I'm packing, any hints at what to look for? I've printed off the engine ID sheet from www.442.com already to get me started.

She's a bit of a Bluesmobile, hand painted in black, you can see the brush strokes! Interior is in very good condition though. Some bits of rust on the body, but although it's my first Yank I'd say it was quite good for it's age, better than the '85 Supra I've just sold.

Also, the headlights don't work, any likely causes? The sidelights come on when the switch is pulled to it's first position, but pull it to the second position and nothing happens.

Finally, the noise. Oh yes, what a beautiful sound! I think she's got cherry bombs, unless red mufflers are the standard equipment? I woke my neighbour up at half six yesterday leaving for work. I wasn't giving it any revs at all, but my neighbour woke up thinking it was a thunder storm...

That's it for now, looking forward to getting to know you all

Hi Mad Max,

Welcome to TOC

Oldsfaq (442.com) does not enjoy the best reputation for accuracy. I suggest you plug your VIN numbers into the following, instead.

http://members.aol.com/drewinva/olds/vin/vin78.htm

Regards, Norm

I think your assumption is correct!

Been on the tech area of the Oldszone, checked the code next to the oil filler, it's 4B, which equates to a 77-79 403. Not sure why the V5 says it has a 455!

What does the VIN tag say? You can read it through the windscreen.

Should look a little like this:

3J47K8MXXXXXX
Year: 1978
Division: Oldsmobile
Series: Cutlass Salon Brougham
Body: Coupe
Engine: 403 (6.6) V8 4BBL
Plant: Lansing, Michigan
Serial Number: XXXXXX

You can post it here, or you can enter it here.

Is your Government (vehicle registration) run as efficiently as ours?

Norm

Do I detect sarcasm?

Sarcasm? Moi?

The VIN that I can see through the windscreen is: 3V69K8M211398

The VIN below the windscreen is:

7805D 3CV69 LAN 505877
19B 19 19U
A52
19X

OLDSVIN translates this as-

Year: 1978
Division: Oldsmobile
Series: Ninety-Eight Luxury
Body: Sedan (4 door)
Engine: 403 (6.6) V8 4BBL
Plant: Lansing, Michigan
Serial Number: 211398

ooh, Luxury, what does that mean? Special equipment?

Looks like your DVLA has it wrong. Was your "taxable horsepower" thing still in effect, in '78?

403 bore is 4.35" (60.58) while the 455 is 4.125" (54.45). Would that have been a significant tax savings? Enough for a previous owner to bend the rules?


Had to be a marketing gimmick. All 98s were luxury cars.

Norm

We've only had road tax related to engine size in the last few years, and there would be nothing to be gained from declaring a 403 to be a 455 or vice versa. Anything over 1.4 litres (85ci) pays the higher rate of tax. I think it's probably just an admin mistake.

Luxury was a trim level like Regency or Regency Brougham.