by Although Oldsmobile disappeared from dealerships over two decades ago, the legacy of this brand lives on in numerous preserved models scattered across the country. One of them is an attractive 1986 Ninety-Eight, now listed for $12,900. This may seem like a significant price for a mid-80s car, but this specimen is a true time capsule that appears to have been preserved with a level of care typically reserved for museum exhibits.
This 1986 model is a Regency Brougham. The Ninety-Eight was the flagship luxury sedan of its time, and the Regency Brougham trim was positioned right in the middle of the lineup, selling for just over $18,000 at launch. This particular car was purchased firsthand by George Beredjick, an Oldsmobile dealer who worked at his dealership in Massachusetts for 30 years.
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For most of its first three decades on earth, this car was preserved in Beredjick’s private collection and used sparingly. Finally, in 2016, it was sold to its first retail owner with a mileage that’s hard to believe—just 1,600 miles (2,574 km).
By the time the car changed hands again in 2021, the odometer showed only 3,135 miles (5,045 km). The current seller was a bit more liberal with the car’s use, adding enough miles to bring the total to 24,800 (39,900 km).
Thanks to the Medium Blue Metallic exterior paint, the outer coating has proven to be very well preserved, showing just how meticulously the car was maintained. Inside, the blue leather interior also looks impressive, with almost no wear, belying the car’s nearly four decades of existence. The car is now offered in Massachusetts, where it’s noted that although the original Bose audio system was replaced with a Kenwood unit, the change hardly disrupts the vintage vibe.
Oldsmobile still offers an impressive list of amenities by today’s standards. Power windows, a power sunroof, power-adjustable front seats, even a driver’s seat memory function—all are present. Under the hood, power comes from the original 3.8-liter naturally aspirated V6 engine, a sturdy workhorse that favors smoothness over speed.
If you can imagine yourself gliding down the road in this flawless example of 1980s American automotive industry, it’s worth reaching out to Orphan Car Garage before someone else buys it.
