The Delta 88 was to Oldsmobile as the Impala was to Chevrolet. It was the GM division’s best-selling car for many moons, and the 5th generation (1971 to 1976) was perhaps the largest version ever in size. The seller offers a rough but running ’71 Delta 88, but it has been neglected for many years due to storage issues. Located in Mesa, Arizona, this land yacht project is available here on eBay, where the opening bid of $3,000 is uncast and there is a reserve on top of that. Thanks, Mitchell G., for yet another vintage tip!
GM’s B-body full-size cars got an overhaul in 1971, and examples like the Delta 88 rode on a 124-inch wheelbase, and the length grew to nearly 19 feet. The excesses became apparent when cheap gasoline disappeared after 1973, and gas guzzlers were no longer in demand (GM began to downsize these cars in 77). But in 1971, they were still in vogue, and Olds built more than 181,000 cars with Delta badging. Of those (and depending on trim), 60,000 copies were 2-door hardtops akin to this one.
As the story goes, this Olds belonged to the seller’s father, who had it repainted a few years ago along with a color change. The vinyl roof covering was also renewed. It was left with a mechanic who let it sit outside a few years ago when Dad got sick and Mother Nature worked her negative magic. The interior went south in the meantime, too. The Delta is said to be complete with a lot of parts and pieces in the trunk.
Despite this neglect, we’re told the Olds does run with a 350 cubic inch V8. But it may be idling roughly as the seller says a new carburetor is needed. It was a fully equipped car for which Dad added some gauges back in the day. New wheels and tires will also need to be sourced, and the seller is adamant about not being willing to part it out. Which might be a way to go, as there may not be a lot of prospective buyers out there wanting to invest in a restoration.
Finally figured out what was hanging down over the windshield: a torn piece of the shredded vinyl roof. This car’s past is less important than what it is now (which is not much).
This would be a tough sell if this was a W30 442, much less a Delta 88. It would be very expensive to set right and you would spend far in excess of the car’s value doing that. These types of vehicles never tend to get restored unless there’s some sentimental value to somebody. It might be doomed to being a parts car.
I had one of these with the optional 455, same year. It was fly’s-butt green, no vinyl roof and in overall decent shape except for the Fred Flintstone floorboards. It was developing perforations around the roof and back window too. It ran like a scalded rabbit but the rust issues convinced me to sell it.
worth it if you can do all the work yourself but you better love it because you will never get your money back. shame its not a 455
@ Russ Dixon…..Just FYI, the Olds’ Delta 88 was to Oldsmobile what the Biscayne was to Chevrolet, the Delta 88 Custom was analogous to Chevy’s Bel Air, & the Delta 88 Royale was the Impala for Chevrolet.
Back in 1974 or 1975 my father-in-law said he was tired of having to shift gears all time and wanted a same size or larger 2 door car with an automatic transmission. (He lived in the city of Chicago and was driving a 1967 Chevell SS 396 4 speed with 4.10 posi.) The dealership I worked at had a used 1971 Delta 88 2 door dark green with no vinyl top and low miles. He bought the car and was really happy with it. So happy, that he gave me his Chevelle!