“You went through the school of hard knocks. So you know a smart buy when you see it. This one is right at home.” That makes little sense unless you know that the brochure photo related to this 1983 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Brougham shows a family dropping a son off at college. The seller has this one listed here on eBay in New London, Wisconsin, there is no reserve, and the current bid is $1,925.
The Olds Delta 88 is a car for serious but not stodgy owners; smart and sensible ones but those who like a bit of luxury. Just not too much luxury that they appear showy or pretentious. Buyers who wanted more luxury but still wanted an Oldsmobile bumped it up to a Delta 88 Royale sedan or coupe. Those who wanted the best that this mid-level car offered, opted for the top model: the Royale Brougham, as seen here.
Oldsmobile made the eighth-generation Delta 88 for the newly downsized 1977 model year until the 1985 model year. They would be the last rear-wheel-drive 88 models available. The ’83 had a new grille and front end, some minor trim changes, and a new steering wheel. This car, I believe, has been donated to the selling organization and there are a few issues with it.
The 60/40 front seats appear to be in very nice condition fabric-wise, but could probably use some help in the padding department. Oldsmobile refers to them as “full foam seats” and any good upholstery shop could have them looking and feeling like new again. The thick carpet looks great as does the rest of the interior front and rear. Indeed, the back seat looks like it’s never been used. The seller gives a list of the issues with this car so it isn’t all wine and roses (as nobody under 50 says, ever). They mention that the power antenna isn’t working and the power windows have electrical problems. All of those should be fixable without too much trouble. If I can fix power windows on a ’66 Lincoln Continental Coupe, anyone can fix these.
Olds offered three engines in this era for the Delta 88 and this is the mama bear one right in the middle, their 307-cu.in. OHV V8, which would have been rated at 150 horsepower. There was a 231 V6 and also the infamous diesel engine available. The seller says that this carburetor needs work as does the cooling system. For anyone looking at a nice car that should be a fairly easy project, this fancy Delta 88 is hard to beat. Have any of you owned an eighth-generation Oldsmobile Delta 88?
I like these cars and always wanted one in triple back, maybe a model a few years older. There are many older cars and trucks where you can get an updated and newer version (with more horsepower, better safety, etc.). But not this car because they broke the mild. Time and buyer preference have changed.
Barzini, I like the way you think. It does seem like you might have closed the bar based on your post, but I am like minded when it comes to cars like this.
Oldsmobiles were always great cars ! They were considered in the luxury class and of course , cost more to own than a Ford or Chevrolet . They were also wonderful road cars producing a smooth ride . Also the newer downsized models were more fuel efficient with better gas mileage !Now that’s a big plus ! Happy Motoring
Too bad it didn’t have an Oldsmobile Rocket 🚀 350ci.
403 swap it
OR put a GRAND NATIONAL engine in it….or a 455 Olds
I bought an ’81 Regency sedan from my mechanic. Arkansas car. Had a diesel but my guys had replaced it with a 455 from a ’73 Toro. Green on green with wire caps.
I added power mirrors and seat back recliners, and then went to black walls with those aluminum rims seen mostly on Buick wagons. I found a set in a yard and got the Olds caps. Looked a little more sporty.
Darn nice. I remember when I would see these a few years out and the rubber strips on the bumpers would start peeling off. This one seems to have avoided that. If anything, it’s a little too middle of the road. Not a sporty Cutlass and not the boaty Ninety Eight, would make a nice cruiser though.
The strips on the bumpers were plastic, not rubber. I had a ‘73 Buick Regal with the rubber strips and after a few years the metal used when they were made started corroding and the strips became all wavy. I owned a 1980 Delta 88 Brougham 2 door coupe with the diesel engine. What a turd! I drove it from June, 1981- until September, 1981 and got rid of it. I bought a new 1981 Cutlass Supreme Brougham 2 door coupe with the 3.8 litre V6. I loved the car but it was so slow.
I had one of these I bought for 600.00 back when my kids were small. It served very well in its role as backup family truckster and school bus. I sold it to a young guy and still occasionally see it in town….unmistakable with my spray paint repair on the trunk lid. I’d kinda like to have it back.
The issues are very minor to fix to have a great week-ender car. A carb rebuild aint that expensive and i even did them myself back then. As per cooling parts are dirt cheap so even a rad with hoses and swap the thermostat while in there is a quiet afternoon job as these are so easy to do. After that another week-end of shampooing the inside and engine bay with have a sharp car. Its worth it
My late father had an all navy blue version with the locking wire hubcaps. He bought it new at Faulkner Oldsmobile in Philadelphia in January of 1983. Car had the 307 V8. Wasn’t that fast, but it sure was huge!! The seats were so soft and plush that you felt like you were sitting on a comfy couch. Back then, these cars were definitely popular with senior citizens who truly loved the big car ride. Nowadays, you rarely see them on the road.
If you have a short commute or occasionally take a road trip, nothing beats these or any big 80s malaise sedan. Comfort was at its epitome. I still use a Caprice version daily and have a wagon version of this. They are not fast but very adequate to me and soooo easy to work on and maintain. This is a bargain if you want a nice cruiser.
Back when the traditional car was still on top and an Olds was still special. Only slightly tarnished by the Chevy V8 scandal and diesel engine debacle. Handsome in the dark brown colors.
I never understood the downside of the Chevy V8 ?? I’d of rather had a chev 350 than an olds pontiac or buick 350 anyway
Ask your parents or grandparents.
During the 1970s, GM got in hot water with the Public for consolidating power trains! In the 50s and 60s, all six brands had there own engines,this made no business sense for the company. People however were upset when they paid more to own a Pontiac or Buick and it had a Chevrolet motor! I wish they offered the 3800 V-6 in the Cadillac or a 350 Chevrolet in an Oldsmobile,those cars would have been much more reliable with those engines!!
No grunt at all, nothing for looks either but a very comfortable ride, had one back in 2000 it was my work car, but did take it on some 200 mile trips, like riding in your favorite easy chair.
I worked on these cars new at an Olds dealer. To change the radiator, etc. is child’s play. Today, where I work, the techs have to tear apart the entire front of most vehicles just to get to the radiator. Ridiculous. The reason? The car makers DO NOT want you fixing your vehicles. So they make it nearly impossible and make it so you need special tools you cannot buy. Our factory tool room is full of specialized stuff. And Oldsmobile made some of the most comfortable cars ever. I’ve owned four of them. Reliable, good looking and didn’t cost a million dollars. I know I’m old, but things were far better back then.
Perfect 2nd car for your teenagers to party in. 👍
This would be a great sleeper build.Doing a sbc 383 stroker or the like.Leaving the outside the way it is all the way down to the wire caps on the wheels….
A friend had a 1983 Royal Brougham. Very beautiful and luxurious in Silver Thorne Metallic. By 85, this surpassed the downsized FWD Ninety Eight in size and appeal for traditional Oldsmobile buyers. Always believe the death nell was OLD being part of the name. Efforts like YOUNGMOBILE and Not your Father’s Oldsmobile could not save OLDS
Bought a ‘Cream Puff 1985. Rode like a dream. Got many compliments on the car. Same motor Olds 307. Sold to buy a new Ford Ranger. Didn’t own the Ranger long. New owner of my Olds was happy as pie. Miss that car.
Yes it’s is a very nice car . I have a 1985 oldsmobile delta 88 Royal Brougham. Good running car . In Milwaukee Wisconsin.
The power antenna on all the Olds cars my folks had in the 70s-80s stopped working. Think this happened on their Lincolns too. Not a very reliable option.
They built up dirt in them and very few ever lubricated them and eventually the nylon gear in the mechanism gave out.
I bought 1979 model back in 1989 for $450.00 it was in showroom condition with 76000 miles on it, not only was it the most comfortable car I’ve ever owned it was a great investment! Drove it for a little over four years. Wish I had kept it.
I bought a used 1981, replacing a ‘78 2-door, orange with a cream colored vinyl roof. The 81 had the most beautiful color combination I’d ever seen -medium chocolate metallic with a cream colored vinyl roof and a matching interior. I bought it off of a used car lot in Amarillo and drive it from 27k to 97 k miles a couple of years after purchase the paint on the hood and trunk lost their shine-not a peel…
the sun ate the top layer. No problems mechanically until 95k when it started to burn oil. I sold it to a college student who said, “This is Texas and oil is cheap.” He drove the car for two years and sold it to another student, who sold it to another student, who…
I bought a used 4 door Olds, an ‘81, replacing a ‘78 2-door ‘88, orange with a cream colored vinyl roof. The 81 had the most beautiful color combination I’be ever seen-medium chocolate metallic with a cream color vinyl top, matching interior. I bought it off of a used car lot in Amarillo and drove it from 27k to 97 k miles. A couple of years after purchase the paint on the hood and trunk lost their shine-not a peel…
the sun ate the top layer. No problems mechanically until 95k when it started to burn oil. I sold it to a college student who said, “This is Texas and oil is cheap.” He drove the car for two years and sold it to another student, who sold it to another student, who…
Auction update: this one sold for $3,938! That’s a lot of car for less than four grand.
Somebody got one helluva deal there. 👍