Noted in Passing, Still Not Dead Yet

This is just a placeholder to let the Astute Reader know that I'm still not dead yet.

I've spent a lot of time recently fixing up not merely one, but two, cars. One will be for sale soon, as I simply can't afford to drive it. It is a 1983 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight Regency Brougham and it is in actually pretty good condition. It passed Maryland Emissions within 6 months, there is extremely little body rust considering the age and the salts we load onto winter roads. I am the second owner and it has perhaps 80,000 miles. It has very nearly passed Maryland State Inspection and I should have all of the difficult or expensive mechanical problems fixed by mid-July.

This is an immense vehicle, one of the largest sedans ever sold. It shares the same chassis and most of the power train with the 1983 Cadillac Sedan DeVille. This includes a strong THM 200 4R transmission (3-speed and overdrive with locking torque converter), an Oldsmobile 307 V8 "Y" series 140 HP engine, extremely comfortable seats, and with all luxury functions working with the exception of the power-antenna. This includes power windows, power door locks, etc/. The factory automatic-adjusting rear air-shocks have been replaced with heavy standard shocks, although the factory automatic-leveling air-pump and circuitry remain intact, if disconnected.

If you want to be able to put six adult males and all of their luggage into this car and drive them across the continent on the freeway, and be fairly comfortable, that is the mission for which this car was designed. It was also the luxury version of a "sheriff's cruiser car". While the performance "off the line" isn't exceptional, as a freeway cruiser, it's got an excellent passing gear once the torque-converter locks and the Quadrajet carburetor starts to open the secondary venturies. As the old-school folks around here say, "it damn well frackin' BURIES". We remind the Astute Reader that it is illegal to exceed the speed limits on public roads. We also remind the Astute Reader that the fuel-air flow under wide-open throttle is about 8 times that of the normal driving conditions. We also remind the Astute Reader that sometimes you just need to get some safe open road in front of you and "punch it".

More on the condition of the ride: the timing chain and all of the downstream parts (High Energy ignition system including cap, rotor, sensor, coil, and distributor shaft) were replaced within about 10,000 miles. Also within that time-span, the battery, alternator and integrated voltage regulator, left-front wheel bearing and bearing post, and there will certainly be a new power-steering pump (the present one leaks) and potentially a new steering box.

Interior condition: the rear seats are immaculate. The front passenger seat is in good shape, and minimal tearing is seen on the driver seat. As with all vehicles of this era, the headliner sagged and was removed, the dash is cracked as are some of the other "leather" parts on door panels, etc. Rugs are all good. Power seats all work. Seat belts all work. The speakers are all good, as is the aftermarket stereo and tape player.

This vehicle is meant to be sold to a serious car restoration hobbyist. Anyone can buy it, once it passes State Inspection, and they'll be able to get tags on it as it will be a safe car.