1971 Oldsmobile 98LS - $2500

Looks pretty clean. Got to love the hardtop. Vinyl top needs replaced, never know what you'll find under there. Interior needs some attention.
Seems reasonably priced.

https://yakima.craigslist.org/cto/d/buena-rare-1971-oldsmobile-98ls/6870591934.html

 

Looks to have an after Market Auxiliary Fuel tank installed in the trunk. You can see the extra fuel cap in the 2nd picture.

 

Do like it.

 

Passes everything, 'cept a gas station.

 

That's probably why a previous owner added the extra gas tank.

 

Love the back seat clock. Nice touch Olds.

 

And that's an "LS" series. I believe the "Regency" had an even fancier clock and more lux trim.

 

I do love the brocade interior. Great color combo. It must have had some body work done on it. If memory serves me correctly, didn’t all of the full size ‘71 GM’s have the vented trunks? I was thinking they did.

 

Yes they did. Even wagons had the vents.

 

I wonder if it had anything to do with the added extra gas tank, maybe they were concerned with fumes in the trunk being drawn into the passenger compartment.

Kinda hard to believe they would worry about that back then though.

 

You know what? That’s a really good point. I didn’t even think about the vented trunk drawing air back into the car, especially with the extra tank. Which I wonder why that was needed to begin with unless that too was added during the gas crunch. Maybe the person who installed it, or the owner was savvy enough to think of swapping out the trunk lid as well. By George Cammerjeff, I think you’re on to something!

 

Those added Gas tanks seem to be more common out west, The gas shortage was worse on the east and west coasts than the rest of the country.
A friend of mine years ago bought a clean 67 GTO from the Seattle area, drove it back to Michigan, if had the 1st added gas tank I had ever seen. He said the 50 gallons of gas really made the drive easier. I think people were worried about not being able to get gas, and wanted the option of buying extra when they could.
I just don't have that survivalist mentality I guess, it would never occur to me to ad a 2nd tank. I would just strap extra gas cans securely in the trunk if I was that worried. And hope no one rear ended my car!!!!!!

 

I think you are right. It is not uncommon for me to come across older vehicles with a second, aftermarket tank. In fact my truck has one.



I always figured it had something to do with the vast expanses between service stations back then. The added tanks were for folks who traveled a lot. I suppose it was just part of the deal if you wanted to be able to travel a great distance without worrying about running out of fuel.

 

Yeah it seemed like trucks were equipped with the extra tank more so than cars as I remember. I have a ‘71 Ranger with factory duel tanks. It’s a New Mexico truck so maybe the distance thing is a valid point. I don’t know when Ford or GM offered the duel tanks as an option.

 

In 1975 Ford offered an "extra long range" tank in their full size wagons, but i dont think it was dual tanks.