By the time the 8th generation of the Oldsmobile 88 arrived in 1977, the moniker was mostly serving as a fairly plush family car, especially in its sedan form. However, this was the good old days when automakers also placed equal importance on offering a 2-door model, and although it was downsized, the Delta 88 coupe still had some stylish lines outside. While it’s often considered a luxurious land yacht in base form, the Delta 88 Royale was chosen as the pace car for the 61st running of the Indy 500 in 1977, and it took on a much sportier vibe with all the exterior accents. This 1977 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Pace Car here on Facebook Marketplace is one of about 2,400 replicas made for the public. It’s located in Wilmington, Delaware, and although it needs some work, the asking price of $2,800 might be a reasonable starting point for an Olds fan. We’d like to thank reader Russell Glantz for the tip here!
For an additional $914, ticking the corporate code box W44 got Delta 88 buyers the pace car package back in 1977, which featured a silver-and-black exterior with red accent stripes, sport wheels, and an aluminum hood to reduce weight. Unfortunately, some of those components are missing here, along with both bumpers and the taillight assemblies. The paint is also fading, but the sheet metal appears straight and solid, so once the necessary parts are sourced and installed, it might not take much additional bodywork before this Oldsmobile is ready to be repainted.
Another fine perk the pace car included was the largest engine available in the Delta 88 for 1977: a 403-cubic-inch V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor, rated at 185 horsepower. That’s what’s in the bay here, and though the seller doesn’t confirm it’s the original powerplant, he reports it is currently running. It’s also equipped with a Turbo 350 automatic transmission, and a new master cylinder has been installed, with many of the parts needed for a tune-up included in the sale.
Only this one interior photo is shown, but it looks like at least the left door panel and the steering wheel centerpiece have been taken. The seller also notes that the front floor pans need to be replaced, so there will be a number of tasks awaiting the new owner. However, this one’s a cool rarity that seems well worth saving, and the price is reportedly negotiable. Is this 1977 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Pace Car one you’d enjoy getting back on the road?
Decent roofline for a malaise era car.
I know I’ve already mentioned that I had a ’77 Delta 88. Although, rather unfortunately it was optioned with the 260 V8 and a THM200. I would’ve been ecstatic to have the Olds 403 and a THM 350. It looks like they have an Olds Ninety Eight nose on this one. It is a rather reasonable price for what we all see nowadays for sale. I always thought this package looked really nice. Other than rusty floors, and missing bits and pieces hopefully it will be saved. These are nice driving cars.
It’s definitely a post-1980 nose, the first thing I noticed was the double sidemarker lights.
Not a post-’80s nose. The styling was tweaked enough, so the styling difference would be apparent.my late uncle and aunt owned a new ’81 98 Regency with the 5.7L diesel (hey, he worked for a Cat dealer as a service mechanic, so why not? He installed a foot long chrome Caterpillar badge on the trunk lid.
The one piece turn signals under the headlights and the chrome grille divider mark the front end as a 1979 98 piece. 80 and up had a lower-profile front end, with no room for turn signals under the headlights.
Everything today so stiff to drive, firm ride, hard seats. Opposite of this cloud. Nice Olds Dave. 👌
Owned a 78 in light metallic green with white buckets and console, 403, th350, 2.73 limited slip. Paid $300 from the original owner that lived a block away. Less than 70k on the clock and rode like a dream. Wish I still had it.
Mostly there but highly untouched. Looks like a header from a ’79 Ninety-Eight. Wonder why it wasn’t ordered with the bucket seats, console and brushed steering wheel? There’s a nice one that attends the Olds Homecoming.
neat but needs a lot to bring back to a looker. does not have holiday 88 package with the buckets and console. i think this was used as parts car and heres what left.
Wow- a pace car replica. Sad.
I have a feeling that this was a parts donor to the other Pace Car that the seller says he is fixing up.
I was thinking the same exact thing when I read the ad. One of his 88’s is a “Keeper”. I’m thinking thats where the missing parts are too.