“I like to think of it as the ‘thinking man’s family car‘” so opined Oldsmobile’s 1976 Delta 88 Royale sales brochure. Really? My, how pretentious; I wonder what would constitute the “non-thinking man’s car” – I probably bought a few of those…but I digress. This Oldsmobile constitutes the end of the run for GM’s BIG full-size B-body cars as 1977 would bring about an entirely new shrunken variety. GM’s full-sizers from the ’71-’76 generation don’t get a lot of coverage so this tip, courtesy of PRA4SNW, is a welcome find. Located in Londonderry, New Hampshire, this big, bold hardtop is available, here on craigslist for $5,750.
Oldsmobile offered a regular Delta 88 (you don’t have to think about that one, it’s a”Beautiful Driver” claimed Olds) in addition to the Delta 88 Royale and the body styles for both trim levels were the same. Our find is a true hardtop (no B-pillar) and that was definitely on the way out universally, and ’76 would be the last year that Oldsmobile offered it. Other body styles included a four-door sedan (Town Sedan) and a two-door hardtop referred to as a Coupe. As for production stats, Oldsmobile placed number three in the ’76 domestic production race right behind Ford and number one Chevrolet (and placed zero by 2005!). As for the thought-provoking Delta 88 Royale Hardtop Sedan, it managed an output of approximately 52K copies.
This example shows pretty well with the most noticeable item being the missing beltline bump strip. The seller adds, “Full white vinyl top and interior in good original condition. Excellent chrome bumpers front and rear. Very little rust! Excellent frame, trunk, body, floors, and rockers with just a little rust forming in front of the rear wheels” – pretty remarkable for a lifelong New England resident where road salt will reduce an automobile body to cinders in about four years.
Rocket Power comes in the form of an Oldsmobile 350 CI V8 engine churning out 170 net HP. I state that it’s an Oldsmobile engine because one short year later, Olds pulled a switcheroo by using Chevrolet-sourced engines instead of those conjured by Dr. Oldsmobile – talk about getting yourself in a lot of hot water! The seller claims it, “Runs and drives good except it needs a gas tank at the moment“. I wonder how “good” actually as this is a 4,500 lb. rig and that’s a lot of weight to sling around with just 170 ponies. Surprisingly, a Turbo-Hydramatic 400 automatic transmission is on duty and that’s good news as GM was in the process of substituting smaller, weaker automatic transmissions than they should have during this era.
As for the interior, the white vinyl upholstery is surprisingly bright and clean. The interior images aren’t comprehensive but it seems that it’s in good shape and not in need of any immediate attention. The seller mentions that the dashpad is crackless and the A/C was redone eight years ago so I guess that means that it works.
This car’s mileage recording is 76K miles with the seller mentioning that it was 49K miles when he purchased it in 2013. I’d say that’s a believable total and for that reason, the more that I think about it, this seems to be a reasonable buy with lots of upside life left to it, wouldn’t you agree?
Nice cruising rig but honestly if I had it I would pull the engine and transmission and drop it in a old 50s truck then part out and crush the rest of it.
Right on, man. It’s not a 1970 W-30 so it has no value to anyone anywhere. You must be a real joy to hang out with at car shows.
A relative owned one of these. Back then it was nothing special but in today’s traffic I’d pull over and stop to look at it. For that price if my garage were empty I’d probably make it a dry-day driver.
Someone stripped and dumped the shell one of these last weekend not far from my house, about 10 miles south of Oakland. It’s a candy Tangerine mid-70’s 4 door, everything that can be unbolted was, from the driveline, fenders, doors, interior, everything. I sent pictures to my buddy that’s a cop in the area, says it’s likely an insurance job. They probably tried to sell it, but couldn’t get close to what they had into it, or what it’s stated value was, so it’s fate was sealed, strip it, then report it stolen.
Steve R
In all reality, you would be parting it out for quite sometime. Given all the garbage that flows across here that isn’t even worth the time set in a row at the pull-a-part. This car is a great entry car for a car person. Pillarless hardtop that shows nice. Bullet proof driveline. Do the simple mechanics, I.E brake lines, fuel system and add a tranny cooler and when the zombie apocalypse arrives this thing will still go and take out lots of zombies on the way out. Price is to me too high, 3 to 4k and you have a super decent car. Everyone is different and there is no shortage of overpriced, raggy trucks that need to be hee hawed with this cars driveline.
In high school, my friend Karl’s parents had one of these in gold. They were “thinking people”, as both had doctorates in medical science. When Karl needed a car, they gave it to him. The “gift” was a rather “thoughtful” decision. Karl wanted a motorcycle, or muscle car, but he didn’t have quite enough money. From the parent’s perspective, the Olds 88 solved their worries. Karl soon spent his savings on fuel, it was big and safe, wasn’t very fast, and was kinda uncool, so he would be less inclined to show off. What they did not forsee was the spacious back seat, which lead to his teenage girlfriend getting pregnant….. I think of Karl every time I see one of these.
Didn’t think that one all the way through did they…
JO
Last of it’s kind for sure. Might benefit from a narrow white stripe tire. Dark blue was a good color that year and compliments the white interior. Cool for a four door. Nice traveler at 12-14 mpg.
Reasonable money for a car that became demolition derby fodder. Address the rust issues and get a proper set of whitewall tires and you’ll have a car that’ll be the only one of its kind at C&C. And you might break even if you decide to sell.
I’d pass, nicer rust free, generic cars from the mid-70’s to mid-80’s aren’t particularly uncommon and often don’t have asking prices much higher than this. None have strong followings, hence the low prices. If someone is looking for an inexpensive car that will draw some attention at a coffee and cars, year, make or model doesn’t really matter. Buy the best you can find and afford, once you spend money “fixing rust” you’ll probably be underwater when compared to the cost of a buying a more pristine car initially.
Steve R
A set of whitewall tires would look good on this car. Problem is that “proper” whitewalls are very hard to find at a reasonable price. A set of Coker BFG Silvertown 225/70/R15s with 1.5in whitewalls would cost $368.00 per tire, plus mounting/balance and taxes. You won’t get much change back from $2K.
If you haven’t been whitewall shopping for a while, you are in for a shock. Most popular brands have discontinued offering them.
You would have to buy this car very cheap to break even. These are just not big money cars. If you want one, wait for a really nice one that already has the whitewalls.
It really needs white stripe tires.
People Of Earth:
Please stop buying cheap blackwall tires for your resale flips. The extra amount of money for a proper set of whitewalls will pay off in the end. Because anyone interested in that car for that price is going to lowball you for the cost of a proper set of whitewalls. Which the car desperately needs.
It’s not a flip. The seller indicates he’s put 27K miles on it since he bought it in 2013.
I don’t know who is selling it, but I’ve seen pictures of other cars for sale on Craig’s List parked in that same exact spot in front of a restaurant in Manchester, NH.
One small correction, Oldsmobile still made the 350 until 1980. Not all of them were equipped with Chevrolet engines. They ended up giving the “Chevy ” customers a rebate after a long court case.
Yes it does….
LAST OF THE BIG “Boeing class cars “. Beautiful isn’t it? I sure do love these. I’d really love it if it were a 98 instead of an 88 but either way, there’s no denying it – they’re HUGE and BEAUTIFUL. A 350ci? Yeah,it’ll do. A little better fuel economy but lower performance. A neighbor had a’76 Pontiac Catalina with the 350ci and he let me drive it occasionally. ( This was in 1986). It would “pickup and go” – fairly well, but with the 2-barrel carburetor it was working pretty hard. Nice car though, just not a tire shredder. Anyway – this car WOULD WORK for someone looking to get into the classic car hobby, but in all reality – $4,000.00 – out the door. But doable. I’m sure I wouldn’t be sleeping too well tonight if it were a 1976 Oldsmobile Regency, cause I’d be making some phone calls….. Great article ! Good luck to all.
Title missing. Pass.
If the ad is correct and the title is missing it’s not even legally driveable. $575 would be fair then. It would make a nice driver if it had a title and was around $3000.
In NH, a title is not necessary for a car this old, just a bill of sale. That is how I bought my Corvette back in ’85. However, when I went to sell it, I simply had to fill out some paperwork, go to the local PD to verify ownership, then received a title in the mail.
In this case, if buyer is out of state (and something that the seller is not probably expecting given it is a Craig’s List ad) then they have to factor in what will need to be done in order to buy the car and legally regiater it.
For me, Olds (with exception of 98) lost its styling edge for 60. Like the Chrysler Fuselage design, it seemed bloated and bland. But hopefully someone will invite 🎵Lucille 🎶to ride in this 🎵Merry Oldsmobile 🎵! 😉
Dad ordered silver with Blue top new, what a beast. Great memories of it, my sister got it in HS. I’d love to have one now.