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36k Miles: 1985 Oldsmobile Delta 88

The 1985 Oldsmobile Delta 88 marked the end of the line for the full-sized rear-wheel drive Oldsmobile, with the Delta 88 switching to front-wheel-drive from 1986. This Delta 88 is a Royale Brougham, which was a luxurious car in its day. You will find it listed for sale here on Craigslist. It is located in Bellevue, Ohio, and is being offered for sale with a clean title. The owner has set a price of $6,000 for the Oldsmobile.

The owner is a bit vague on a few details on the car. It appears that he has owned the car for some considerable time, and it has spent all of that time stored in a climate controlled barn. He has lost this option for storage, so has decided to sell the car rather than subject it to the rigors of outdoor storage. When you look at the way the car presents, I can fully understand this. Leaving that shiny, black body to the elements would be a shame.

The interior looks quite good as well. The car comes equipped with power windows, a power seat, power antenna, and air conditioning. The A/C is currently not working and will require a new compressor and a re-gas. The owner also says that the headliner is starting to age, but that it is okay at present. The car has also been fitted with a new Kenwood stereo system with a trunk-mounted 10-disc stacker and subwoofer.

We don’t get any photos of the engine, but it is the 307ci V8, which is hooked to a Turbo-Hydramatic 200-4R automatic transmission. The owner claims that the car has covered a genuine 36,000 miles. As usual, I would hope that he holds some form of documentary evidence to back this claim. He says that the car runs and drives as if it were new and that it is also wearing brand new tires. As well as the creature comforts mentioned above, the car also has power steering and power brakes. The only issue that the owner identifies is the fact that the car will need a new muffler in the near future.

When I first looked at this car, my initial response was that the price was probably about right. Investigating the car further, the fact that it is fitted with the 4-speed transmission does make it that bit more desirable. If the owner can provide documentation to verify the mileage, then that will help it even further. The 4-door versions of the Royale Brougham are not as prevalent as the 2-door, but that doesn’t seem to impact the price greatly. There are a few of these on the market at present, and on face value, the price on this one is quite competitive. If the mileage can be verified, then that makes this Delta 88 a very competitive proposition.

Comments

  1. Avatar Superdessucke

    These Deltas were really well built for the time. I remember a friend’s mom had a sedan similar to this one and I just remember how solid it felt. They were very highly reviewed by Consumer Reports at the time I remember too.

    My only quibble with this one is I’m not a huge fan of the 307. I personally would want one with a 350 or 403 from 1977-80 but that’s just me.

    Like 10
    • Avatar Blyndgesser

      A 455 would fit, with some minor rerouting of the exhaust.

      Like 7
  2. Avatar David

    The cars have unmistakable longevity and are very reliable. Many are on the road as daily drivers.

    Like 10
    • Avatar ACZ

      The first year for the roller lifter 5.0 L Olds engine. Helped reliability and durability.

      Like 3
  3. Avatar Bob Jones

    My dad had an ’86 Delta 88. It was the smaller FWD platform but it was a nice car. Had an ’84 Cutlass Supreme before that, and it was really nice, rode like a cloud and was quite stylish for the time. I’m not horribly far from where this car is located…might have to drive out and take a look.

    Like 5
  4. Avatar Bongo

    The 307 would be a deal killer. I had one in a 85 Rivera and a Cutlass. I swore never again. These motors dont even make good boat anchors.

    Like 5
    • Avatar Andre

      Many Canadian Oldsmobile models of this era used the SBC 305 instead of the 307. Not sure the rationale, but as a canuck this was a pleasant bonus.

      Like 3
    • Avatar Tom

      There were 2 versions of the Olds 307…early ones had larger valves and performed much better…

      Like 4
  5. Avatar Borntoolate

    Had an ’83 2 door with a 307. Had 60k on it when I got it. Blew the motor at 63k. POS.

    Like 0
  6. Avatar The Chucker

    My wife’s first car, and the car we started dating in, was a mint ’84 Delta 88. It carried us from the church on our wedding day. Good car, great memories!

    Like 8
  7. Avatar Jim Brooks

    Don’t believe any of these low mileage claims. They are all BS unless proven. These Deltas were nice cars, I liked mine a lot. Anyone who has sub woofers in the trunk but doesn’t fix the A/C is highly suspect. So is anyone who claims “it only needs.” If that is all it needs, you do it before trying to sell it to me at a high price. Watch for rust underneath as well.

    Like 4
    • Avatar Robert Rossi

      An experienced buyer can tell whether it’s 36,000 or 136,000. It’s not rocket science.

      Like 0
  8. Avatar Larry Hawkins

    The rear wheel drive Royale Broughams were luxury 88s made for those customers who didn’t like the fwd 85 Ninety Eights.

    Like 7
  9. Avatar Chebby Member

    These are the kinds of cars that need an LS swap.

    Like 11
  10. Avatar Mike

    I had a 81 olds 98 Regency brougham with 307 v8 with 340,000 miles on it .if keep up oil changes on an tuned up I don’t see why that 88 can’t get close to that if the next owner takes care of it just keep it out of the snow an rain it might last a another 20+years

    Like 1
  11. Avatar Robert Rossi

    I had an ’83 I bought with 63,000 miles on it in 1987. The car was very reliable. The only thing I replaced on it was water pumps. I think in the 9 years I owned it I replaced 3. This seems like a good buy.

    Like 3
  12. Avatar Dave T

    Bought a 1977 brand new and it was one of the best cars we have ever owned, probably because it was the first car we bought “new”!

    Like 1
  13. Avatar Keith

    “The 4-door versions of the Royale Brougham are not as prevalent as the 2-door”

    Really? I’d call it the other way around.

    In the way of 2-door B bodies of that vintage, I can recall seeing maybe three Pontiacs, four Buicks, and exactly one Olds.

    Four-doors, on the other hand… multiply each of those numbers by at least a hundred.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Andre

      The 2-doors has an awesome look too. My grandparents had an ‘85 Delta 88 Royale Brougham Coupe.. Silver with burgundy vinyl roof and interior.

      I remember the interior of theirs seemingly more pillowed on the seats.

      I also remember being about 5-6 and opening the passenger door and the momentum of it swinging open pulling me right out of the car onto my a**

      Was a really beautiful car. Fond memories of them regardless of the fact they’re relatively unremarkable from a enthusiast perspective.

      Like 5
  14. Avatar Maestro1

    Somebody buy this car. If I had the room I would immediately and transport it to the Left Coast. Only hesitation would be the engine; the car needs more grunt.
    You can also leave it alone and enjoy.

    Like 2
    • Avatar grant

      There’s enough power here to break a motor mount. Best friend had one, swapped the mount at 1 am lying in a mud puddle. For a beer. Gotta look out for your buddies. Lots of good memories here. I’ve sent him the link. He isn’t going to buy it but we’re having a good time reminiscing.

      Like 2
  15. Avatar Mason

    I bought a new 1982 Olds Ninety Eight Regency W/ 307 in NYC back then.

    Drove over 190,000 miles before selling for $ 500 regret it ever since.

    Super reliable – stuck twice tho / Cat Conv @ 65k , Tranny @ 93k

    heard there was a recall on tranny & Cat conv – but back then when I was younger – didn’t paid any attention to that. but I still love these olds.

    Mason NYC

    Like 1
  16. Avatar Kenneth Carney

    Nice ride! All it needs is a pair of coach
    lights on the roof, and my SIL behind the
    wheel. Though I’m not all that thrilled
    about the 307 V-8, it could stay until
    something serious broke. Then, I’d do
    the right thing and swap in a 455 big
    block and an HD auto tranny. The price
    seems a bit high, but the stereo system
    takes out some of the sting in the price.
    I like it no matter what my family says.
    Too bad my checkbook’s running on
    empty.

    Like 1
  17. Avatar Eric

    I am looking to buy this vehicle if someone could please advise me to the owner

    Like 0
    • Avatar Bob

      This was first advertised in November 2018. I’m sure it’s long gone.

      Like 0
  18. Avatar Kenyatta Wiley

    Still have?

    Like 4
  19. Avatar frank mcdonald

    Beautiful car. Nice clean lines, fair amount of chrome, fingertip steering and a plush ride. Even though 307s are lazy on acceleration, they are very durable and can easily give 200,000 or more miles with no major problems. For me, the 86 was a major comedown from the traditional boat 88s

    Like 0

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