Black Beauty is the name that my wife, Julie, gave to our 1970 "98" Oldsmobile convertible, which we purchased from the original owners. The car was built in Lansing and the former owner bought the car on January 9th, 1970 from Lubik Oldsmobile in Bordertown, New Jersey. The list price was $5,890.48 and after some dealer add-ons, sales tax and title fees, the total price came to $6,122.80. Not many years later the owners moved to Punta Gorda, Florida, where they continued to drive their "98" until the car was 25 years old. Finally, their age became a deterrent to handling such a large car and they reluctantly decided to sell. They contacted the president of the Peace River Region of the AACA and he told them one of the members liked Oldsmobiles and he would mention it to said member when he came south for the winter. It happens that I am that Oldsmobile lover. Moreover, I like full-sized Oldsmobiles; better yet I like full-size Olds convertibles and to be even more specific, it should be a "98" convertible. So how could I not go to see it?

     Of course I already had seven antique cars, so I couldn't buy it. But I was sure some of my friends in the Oldsmobile clubs would want it, so it was sort of my duty to look at the car for them of course. Naturally, I liked it-it was in good #4 condition, but there was no way I could buy it this car. I was already in the "Collector" class and another car would move me into the "Serious Collector" class as defined by "one who had at least one more antique car than garage spaces available". Because I was getting too excited over this convertible, I decided to go home, calm down and do some rational thinking. After several days of mental gyrations and considering all the pros and cons, it was obvious that I should pass on this car. The next day I bought the car. Isn't amazing how the heart overwhelms all that rational thinking?

     We spent several days cleaning the original top and interior and compounding the original paint. There was no rust on the sheet metal or the frame, but six of the eight major pieces of sheet metal had small parking lot dents and creases in them. I decided on a total repaint. That spring we drove the car to Maryland and worked all summer taking it apart. Just before we left for Florida that fall we took it to the painter. On our return the next spring it had been stripped, dents removed, and painted. Naturally, we were anxious to put the car back together and by end of that summer the restoration was completed.

     The total project included: new paint, new convertible top' new convertible top well, new upholstery on some seat cushions and the driver door panel, rug repair, new trunk mat, two new wheels, new tires, several new chrome and stainless steel chrome parts, rechrome of the bumpers and many other interior and exterior trim parts, new outside remote rear view mirror, new radio speakers, new rebuilt front end and steering parts, refurbished steering wheel, new parking, stop light and inside marker light lenses, new weather strip on the doors, trunk and convertible top, new small rubber items, new battery, rebuilt carburetor, rebuilt starter, refurbished radiator; new air conditioning compressor, new air cleaner sensor, new air cleaner to exhaust manifold pipe, new TSC solenoid, new thermostat vacuum switch, new points, condenser, rotor, distributor, spark plugs and wires, new hardware and many other small parts to numerous to mention. In addition to replacing and/or rebuilding all these parts I detailed the engine compartment. In doing so, I repainted the engine and all the component parts, the firewall and the inner fenders.

     All the other parts such as headlights, parking lights, and tail light housings were repainted and the whole undercarriage was re-undercoated. Although the above adds up to quite a lot of work, there were three major areas where it needed no restoration.  There was no brake work, no rear end work, and no internal engine work required. Obviously, the brakes had been redone before I purchased the car and the engine and rear end had not been apart in the 145,000 miles of the car's travel.

     Finally, Black Beauty was finished and it took its place in our antique Oldsmobile collection. We now have four "98" convertibles-two 1952's, a 1966 and a 1970. We also have a 1966 "88" Holiday sedan and a 1966 "98" Holiday Coupe parts car. With some imagination we can conclude that Black Beauty is just sitting there lording over the others by declaring that she has the largest engine (455 cubic inches), the most horsepower (365) , the longest wheelbase (127 inches) and the longest overall length (225 inches). Furthermore, she's the last in a 30 year line of magnificent cars made from 1941 through 1970 and known as Oldsmobile "98" convertibles.

     Julie and I are happy to be the new guardians of this beautiful automobile during the next chapter of its history.