The Delmont was one of several variants of the full-size 88 that was part of the Oldsmobile lineup for 50 years. However, the Delmont 88 was only offered in 1967 and 1968, and the seller has a rare convertible from the car’s first year. The vehicle runs and drives, but is not yet roadworthy and needs loads of cosmetic work. Located in Catonsville, Maryland, this open-air project is available here on craigslist for $3,800 (a fresh tip from “Zen”).
As part of a reshuffling of the deck, the Delmont replaced the Jetstar and Dynamic as a lower-end model. Unlike the Delta 88, the Delmont had a 330 cubic inch V8, while the seller’s land yacht has the 425 “Rocket” V8 found in the Delta. The rarest Delmonts had canvas tops, and just 3,525 were produced in 1967, followed by another 2,812 in 1968 before being dropped from the fold.
We don’t know how long the seller has had this Oldsmobile, but some work has been accomplished, with more remaining at 92,000 miles. We’re told the interior has been refreshed, but the photos provided do not reflect that claim. The seller has already taken care of a new water pump, carburetor, alternator, and battery. There is a voltage problem that the seller attributes to an unresolved grounding issue. The sale includes some pieces the seller has not yet gotten around to, such as brakes and suspension parts.
While it looks rough in a few places, the seller says much of the rust here is of the surface variety. But new paint will be required along with a new canvas top (the hardware works as it should). Too many other projects mean this Delmont has to go. Be the only kid on your block to have a ’67 88 convertible!
Rare Dr Olds Delmont 🚀
The interior has been refreshed, you say. Well alrighty then, you gotta wonder what it looked like before the refresh!
“Refreshed” means they put fresh black vinyl tape on the front seat, LOL!
I had a 68 Delmont 88 Conv (sort of a green/gold color) in 1976. It had the 455 2bbl. Bought it for $600. It was in much better shape than this and had 79k on the odo. Lots of torque. That car loved gas stations! The only problem I ever had was the car would not start if I turned it off, went into the store, bought a soda, came out and tried to restart. I tried shielding the starter from the exhaust manifold but that didn’t help. A local electric shop rewound a hi-perf starter and that fixed it. Back then, it was cheap transportation.
My first wife’s dad had a 68 Delmont 88 w/the 455 2 bbl, and would lay rubber until the whole car was filled with smoke. Everything including the AC worked, but as you stated, the car liked gas stations!
An Oldsmobile Delmont 88 is famous to those of us of a certain age and part of the country, as a particular example was owned by one Mrs. Rose Kennedy, Mother to a President and two (2) US Senators. One of her Senator sons, one Edward Moore “Ted” Kennedy was driving his Mother’s car on the night of 16-17 July, 1969, when, while driving on Dyke Bridge Road on the island of Martha’s Vineyard, the car went off of a wooden bridge and into the ocean. His passenger, Mary Jo Kopechne, drowned. Teddy survived (see link below).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chappaquiddick_incident
Always loved the exaggerated front ends on these.
A certain senator drove a delmont. Hint..The delmont does not float.
But VW Beetle will, LOL! The famous National Lampoon parody of a VW ad is reprinted in the Wikipedia article about Teddy’s moonlight swim!
…and vacuumed up the mouse droppings.
I think of Ted Kennedy every time I see an Olds like this-