Oldsmobile asked potential buyers a very direct question in 1976: “Can we build one for you?” Unfortunately, in the case of this Delta 88 Hardtop Sedan (although that’s an oxymoron, it’s Oldsmobile’s term), only 17,115 buyers took them up on that offer, not exactly Cutlass Supreme numbers. This big Olds, however, has outlasted many of its contemporaries, and so it has the last laugh. Barn Finder Curvette found it here on craigslist in Seattle, Washington, where its seller says that it has an “undocumented…35,000 original miles.” Well, without evidence, we can take that as we will, but even if the speedometer has rolled over, this is still a solid-looking Delta 88 that, according to the ad, can be driven anywhere. The asking price is $12,500 or best offer.
The Delta 88 was Oldsmobile’s bread-and-butter full-sizer, but it still (for the time being anyway) came with the “Rocket 350,” which made 170 horsepower in 1976 tune. With standard High Energy Ignition, the Delta 88 could go 22,500 miles between spark plugs changes (if no-lead gasoline was used), and achieve 14 miles per gallon city and 17 highway. Those numbers don’t seem all that impressive today in the world of 100,000-mile iridium plugs and 30+ mile per gallon efficiency (for the sedans that are left on the market), but they were good enough for Oldsmobile to brag about in their sales materials. The seller of this Delta 88 says that it’s a “strong runner” that “burns no oil.”
Aside from the steering wheel cover and a ripped upholstery seam or two, the interior appears to be in great condition, although my lovely bride would not be happy about the original owner’s choice of white vinyl. Being married to a man who does his own mechanical work, she’s well aware that said man doesn’t always cover the seat up when doing test drives after his latest repair. Indeed, these seats may have seen a mechanic’s dirty pants as well, but a judicious cleaning with a strong, bleachy cleanser might do the trick.
There’s almost nothing more spacious than a 1960s or 1970s full size car, is there? The four-door hardtop architecture makes for some of the best views in motordom.
The 1976 model year marked the end of the true behemoth of the road, at least in GM’s lineup, and while the downsized 1977 models (notwithstanding the resulting hullabaloo over the use of Chevy 350s in some big Oldsmobiles) were very popular, a little bit of Americana was lost when the big bruiser left the scene. This one offers an opportunity to relive that zeitgeist, and considering it has new tires, a recent front-end alignment, and good brakes, it’s ready to offer you and your pals/family members/menagerie of pets a scenic view of America’s highways.
Can’t go wrong with a Delta 88.. 🚀