Learn more about the 1977 Oldsmobile 98 Regency, the first year for the downsized 98.
Plush, Pillowy Luxury…Downsized: The 1977 Oldsmobile 98 Regency
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1977, Luxury...Downsized, Oldsmobile, Pillowy, plush, Regency
- Categories: Oldsmobile
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Great technical info about the engines. I like the red/white lights on the door panels. This was also a Cadillac thing.
In 1977 the 98 went downhill, our later 98s 1977-1984, the last year rear wheel drive was offered with the beautiful fender skirts, as pretty as they were, were no match for our earlier 1964-1977 98. The earlier ones were well built and rode like a dream.
I had a 79 maroon 4 door 98 back in 1990-93. Loved that car with the 403. A little heavy on gas but it had a boatload of low end torque and was SOOOOOOOOOOOO easy to work on. 2 years before the GM C3 early computer system. 77 and up looked so much less boaty and huge compared to the 71-76
I still have my white 1981 model, and why this period was referred to as the "malaise era" is something I could never quite understand!
I appreciate these cars much more now than I did at the time. I consider the 1980 model particularly compelling, for its fetching new sheet metal, fender skirts, and the best interpretation of the upright roofline since the original Seville. Unfortunately, 1980 was the last year of adequate power, as the 5.7 litre went away for 1981, leaving a smooth but overwhelmed 5.0 to haul the car around.
Carmakers need to bring back this type of luxury and stop listening to critics about sports handling. There are plenty of people who want this in a car!!!!!!!
Didn't the downsize Catalina/ Bonneville have fender skirts?
I know for a while the Bonneville was on the smaller platform but I distinctly remember full-sized Pontiacs with fender skirts that you couldn't get on the square caprices lesabres or deltas.
Thanks for spotlighting one of my faves!!! We had a '77 Regency sedan with the dark brown body, yellow vinyl roof, and fawn/tan plush interior. It drove like a dream and got decent mileage. Our whole family fit in it plus luggage. God I miss that car…
Nice cars!
I live very near Lansing…
These cars were everywhere!!
I think they were superior in most ways to the 71-76 series.
The 2 door versions were particularly sharp
I really think that the downsized ‘77 and up cars are under appreciated.
They were much lighter, roomier and didn’t lack power for normal driving.
The styling was fresh for the time as well.
Cheers
Look like 80s car.