Continuing on with our Malaise-O-Rama Weekend. In 1976, General Motors had their divisions competing with each other. Of course Cadillac was at the top of the heap, but that didn’t stop Oldsmobile and Buick from trying to steal their customer base. This Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Regency was a perfect example, as it was the perfect alternative to either a Cadillac Coupe DeVille, or a Buick Electra 225 Limited Coupe. This was also the time in which GM really didn’t pay attention to the offerings from either Ford or Chrysler since they could never produce the numbers that General Motors could during this time period. So let’s take a look at a this Regency Coupe, and discover that it is a Cadillac from another planet.


The mid to late 70 was an era for excess, and this Ninety-Eight Regency is a classic example of that era. Starting with the front GM stopped bothering with hidden headlamps, unlike the competitor from Dearborn, because GM introduced Square Quad Lamps only the year before, and proudly displayed them on all of their “upmarket” cars by 1976. The “Egg Crate” grill treatment is actually a hallmark of Cadillac, so Oldsmobile stylists simply split the grill with a body colored insert. An Oldsmobile Rocket emblem would have fit nicely between the grills, but this is the era in which you have to have a stand-up hood ornament, and so this car has it.

Along the flanks, this car is somewhat reserved, with a slim body side molding, and the usual fender skirts at the rear. Since Cadillac had side illumination when you signaled your intent to turn, Oldsmobile had to have it as well, only it looked tacked on. But where would we be without the contrasting 1/2 Vinyl Roof surrounding the rear window? Unlike its Cadillac cousin, at least this roof isn’t padded.

Out the back, this Regency shares the hallmark of Cadillac, with a hint of a “Tail Fin”. The brake lamps are simplified here, giving the impression of a church steeple, with a “Rocket” emblem fixed on the lamp and with no other filigree. The Strip of Aluminum trim framing the base of the trunk lid is both tasteful, and hides the fact that it is shared with the Eighty-Eight line. Even the Wheel Covers are restrained, conveying Seventies Luxury, without going over the top.

No matter how restrained the exterior was (by 70s standards) the interior is right there as far as excess. The Red, pillow tufted velour upholstery is both eye-searing, and over the top. This is a split bench seat that can be controlled by each occupant with a multitude of electric adjustments. In an age of color-keyed interiors, the red may take a bit of getting used to. The enormous door is also decorated in tufted velour, and what looks like bedazzled beads along the fake wood trim.

This car comes equipped with the Oldsmobile 455 CID V-8, appropriately choked during this era, but providing enough torque to properly merge onto the freeway with authority. With its expansive dash, you would think that there would be instruments a-plenty, but only a speedometer, the fuel gauge, and a fuel economy minder (a vacuum pressure gauge) serving as the only instruments on board. There is a multitude of warning lights though.

The starting bid is $6,000. See the ad here. Is this rare Oldsmobile even worth considering as your dream car of the 70’s?