“Delmont 88: Lowest-priced of all the full-size ’68 Youngmobiles. Lower-looking outside. More luxurious inside. Powered by a new generation of Rocket V-8s: Bigger. Quieter. Smoother. More economical to operate.” So says a 1968 Oldsmobile, or “Youngmobile” brochure. The seller has this 1968 Oldsmobile Delmont 88 Holiday Coupe posted here on craigslist in El Dorado, Kansas and they’re asking $4,000. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Sam A for the tip!
Fun fact: about 13 years ago, I spent 2.5 days in the Susan B. Allen Hospital in El Dorado, Kansas on IVs from food poisoning. Now that I think about it, that wasn’t fun at all. I do know that it would be fun to own this Delmont 88, you may not see another one on the street or at a car show. Oldsmobile only offered them for two years, 1967 and 1968.
How’s that for a rear-3/4 view? I’m surprised that the Olds brochure doesn’t mention the word sporty, especially for the two-door hardtop Holiday Coupe. There was also a two-door Holiday convertible, a four-door Town Sedan, and a four-door hardtop Holiday Sedan. The Delmont was the base-level offering for Olds in this class and size for those who wanted the look but didn’t have the budget for a higher-end 88 model. I don’t see this car as cutting corners, I see it as a clean design.
The exterior looked promising but the interior needs a lot of work. The steering wheel needs an aftermarket cover at the very least, that is once you get it running and driving. As long as I’m redoing this interior, I’d go with a nice brocade fabric. On second thought, I’d stick with factory-spec white vinyl. The seller doesn’t go into too much detail on the condition of the body or floors, as far as rust goes, so it’s a guess, and with no underside photos, it’s an uneducated guess. It sure looks like a solid car from the photos, even the trunk photo – but I sure want to look under that mat. Power windows would have been a $104 option, or $917 today. I would have popped for those but I’m weird. This car has air-conditioning and that was a $421 option, no big deal. Wait, that’s $3,711 in today’s dollars!
For 1968, the base engine was a 350 V8 but this Delmont 88 has the top displacement, an Olds 455-cu.in. OHV V8, which had 310 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque. Believe it or not, the top engine, a 365-hp 455 was only a $100 option, less than power windows! The seller says that this car isn’t in running condition, it’s missing the starter and belts. How would you bring this Delmont 88 back to life?
Scotty, nice writeup on the Delmont. Two things:
Probably the name “Delmont” wasn’t the best choice for the young crowd, when the cool cars were Barracuda, Mustang, or Javelin etc. Delmont sounds like the first name of your Dad’s Uncle who was an insurance salesman with dandruff.
Second, sorry to hear about that food poisoning incident; It reminds me of my wife’s brother’s wedding reception 30 years ago. I guess I should have opted for the gator instead of the catfish…my bad.
Rex – CW was the former mayor of Ouray, here in beautiful Colorado!
Ha, you’re right on the name, Rex. I was surprised to see “Youngmobile” listed several times in that ’68 Olds brochure, as if having “old” in the name automatically means that young buyers aren’t welcome.
That’s the last time I’ll try chicken sushi (kidding, it was salmonella from peanuts, back when that was going around)
Agree totally. Those were the most irritating commercials. Nobody ever thought you had to be old to drive an Oldsmobile until they started that youngmobile lunacy.
First car was 66 Dynamic 88 convert (red with white top and red interior). To me the 67 evolutionary styling missed the mark. Will always believe that OLD in name was part of Oldsmobile decline. Recall Youngmobile and Not your father’s Oldsmobile attempts to attract Young buyers. Sad ending for Ransom Elis 🎵Merry 🎶Oldsmobile 🎵. Sad 😔
Another fun story. When I worked at the auto paint supply just after HS, the Excalibur paint one, the other driver had a Delmont very similar to this, only a ’67. It was the beginning of the CB craze, and this guy was C.W. McCall. He had a Cobra CB and twin gutter mount antennas, and we’d drive around Milwaukees freeways yaking on the radio. His had the “4 two bits”, and was a really nice car. A car like this has little, if any chance of being saved. I know it’s a recurring theme with me, but really, am I that far off? If folks want an old car today, they really aren’t too particular on what it is, and will just buy a nice one, regardless of the make.
You’re probably right on that, Howard. $4,000 may seem cheap these days but there’s probably a lot of work to do here. I just went through the Elmer’s Auto & Toy Museum auction results from 2022 again, just to depress myself even further. Some of those prices were crazy.
Buy it , get it safe and somewhat reliable and cruise.
I never really liked the front end styling of these, but I’m loving that piece of chrome that starts at the front and goes up into the roof gutter molding. The handsome styling of the roof, quarters and attractive rear end have me overlooking the homely front end. Great engine choice and a/c, this could be a real looker all fixed up.
In my youth, today I am 67 years old, this was extremely what I was looking for. If I could turn back time….
Happy BIRTHDAY 🎂. If I make another month, I’ll turn 77. BUT, I don’t plan on doing a 77 SUNSET STRIP 😮 much to the relief of everyone 😅 Check out my previous post regarding my 66 Olds. LOL and God bless!
i LOVE this one ! nice find Barn Finds as soon as i saw it i was reckoning with funds, transport and parking
excited
still am, BUT ,, no power windows ?! :/ amazing what $104 would get in 68′ i dunno, this thing is awesome
ive been wanting a 67 Impala, but now …
First person I thought of the moment I saw this car.
I had the four door version, faded gray. With the 455 it was a real gas pig. No need to get in the back, the front seat was enormous. I bought it for $25 during the gas embargo of 75. It had the self tuning bar that automatically went to next radio station. Memories !
A least this car is not priced out of sight like most cars of this era. It is still going to take some time and money to restore it. If a good DIY person tackles this project they could possible be in the black (not counting their sweat labor) I was watching the Barrett-Jackson auction and I noticed that a lot of cars that are listed on sites like Bring a Trailer and ECT are asking way more money than cars of equal condition are bringing over the block!
I love this body style,,had a 67 red 2 dr ht but it had buckets and a console and a 425 ci engine with a 2 brl carb and posi ,,decked out like a starfire without the starfire engine , I may have to look intop this one.
Looks like a 442 on steroids to me. For a full size car it has a great look. I have a picture of one of these painted dark blue, lowered and with some nice aftermarket wheels on my screensaver.
My dad bought a new one in 1967 my mom got “T” boned by a mustang in 1970 or 1971, hit the drivers side door, fractured her skull when it bounced off the door post ( 4 door ) She’s still around 85 years young. The Olds had the 455 Rocket in it, dad never cut it any slack. Bought a new 1972 Monte Carlo after mom recovered.
It’s been confirmed Ted was going over 100 mph,that’s the speed it would have took to knock off that girls panties and land them in the glove compartment..
I had a 68 Delmont sedan in pale puke green, and yes, it was literally my GRANDFATHER’s Oldsmobile! Comfy car for my young family (read “cheap”) and built like a tank.
As the owner of an all original 24,000 mile 68 Delmont I can say they are fantastic diving cars. You certainly don’t see them at many shows. I believe this red one especially with the 455 option is a great one to be saved. It’s nice to have something different!
😉 👍LOL, but DIVING? And you probably never saw an OLDS on a diving board 🙄!
I have a Holiday Coupe now. I’ve been an Olds man most of my life. I currently own 6 including my ‘70 442. The Delmont does drive great! One finger steering.
Looks like a fun project. Being that it’s located in Kansas, I’m suspicious of any hidden rust issues. At least the guy is realistic about the price. I bet this old girl would really get up and go with that big engine.
Assuming that the tin worm hasn’t munched too badly and getting it running correctly isn’t a complex issue then maybe it’s worth restoring. Only a comprehensive inspection will determine that. So if I were reasonably close to the vehicle I would definitely consider taking a look see and if it checked out I’d tender an offer. I always have admired the GM style of the mid to late sixties. Big block and A/C are pluses as well. As for the interior if it hasn’t been a rodent residence; then a general cleanup and a cheap seat cover as a temporary solution and you would have a nice ride. GLWTS.
Now, now be kind here and show some class if it exists. Someone’s daughter did not survive that incident!
I dont see a lot of interest in this car and it would make a great poker run car. With the big engine and AC two door hard top it is a stylish looking ride. [ if ands and buts ] if I were 25 years younger I would jump at this car but at 75yrs old I dont jump, just happy that I can still walk!