Movie Car? 1973 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale

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Appearing to have originally been a subdued color called Crystal Green, this 1973 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Hardtop Sedan is now a bright shade of what the seller refers to as “green apple” and says it’s new as of 2019. They go on to say that this car was in several Sam Raimi movies, including Evil Dead, Spiderman, and Darkman. They have it listed here on eBay in Gordonsville, Virginia, a long way from Hollywood, and the current bid is $2,450 but the reserve isn’t met.

What are your thoughts on the original color of this car based on the trunk photo shown here? The underside and hinges clearly are Crystal Green, as are the photos showing the sides of the doors and details like that. We don’t know the history of why this car was painted this hideous, I mean, this interesting shade of green, but it would sure stand out in a movie. While we’re at it, are there any Sam Raimi movie fans out there?

The seventh-generation Oldsmobile Delta 88 was made for model years 1971 through 1976 in a two-door hardtop and convertible, a four-door sedan, and a four-door hardtop as seen here. The Royale trim added a bit of luxury over the regular Delta 88. A new, bigger 5 mph front bumper came along for the 1973 model year but the rear bumper would still be svelt for another year. It’s hard to assess the condition of this car but it looks solid overall – although if you zoom in, the details let it down a bit. The vinyl top was replaced in 2020 and this car appears to have dual exhaust poking out just behind the rear wheels with a round pipe on the right and a chrome rectangular one on the left.

I’m not sure what the seats are out of, or maybe they have just been recovered, but they appear fairly consistent in the front and rear so that’s nice. They match the door panels and dash color so I’d leave them as is. I don’t see this “smooth” vinyl pattern in any Olds brochure so I’m just assuming they aren’t original, but they appear to be in perfect condition. Some of the interior metal bits appear to have surface rust on them, and kudos to the seller for providing a wide range of photos.

The VIN decodes to this car originally having a 350 V8, but the seller says it’s a “mostly all original” 455-cu.in. OHV V8 with 66,000 miles. A 160-hp 350 V8 would have been standard and a 455 V8 with 250 hp (with dual exhaust) was optional. Whatever engine is in here, the seller attests to its reliability and says they’ve driven it up and down the East Coast many times and would do so again tomorrow if they feel the need to. What engine is in this apple-green sedan, and, have any of you seen a Sam Raimi movie?

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Comments

  1. Rustytech RustytechMember

    I can see the “GREEN” comments coming. I’m going to enjoy this.

    Like 8
    • Scotty GilbertsonAuthor

      It ain’t easy being green (in my best Jim Henson/Kermit voice).

      Like 13
      • Driveinstile DriveinstileMember

        Scotty I’d give 10 thimbs up to that if I could. But I got 1 in.
        Way better than me saying…
        I’m GREEN with envy!!!
        The original shade was rather nice. You’d have no problem finding this Delta 88 in a parking lot thats for sure.
        Actually….. Come to think of it, I dont think anyone would ever have any problem finding a 73 Delta 88 in any parking lot for that matter.

        Like 10
      • Frog

        @driveinstile
        To add to your comments no problem finding this at night pitch dark. On the positive side this is a pre lojack theft deterrent.

        Like 5
  2. Stan StanMember

    Masters ⛳️ green ?

    Like 7
  3. Bob_in_TN Bob_in_TNMember

    Thank you Scotty. It would be interesting to learn more about the car: details of the movie connection, why the loud paint, why the plain interior. For me it wouldn’t affect the car’s value, it would just fill in the blanks. Actually, the original silvery green was an attractive shade.

    Like 10
  4. Howard A Howard AMember

    I recognize the color, it’s a Ford med. lime green,( #2385) and a friends mom bought a new ’71 Pinto this color. He then painted his VW the same color. I suppose it could be AMCs “Big Bad Green” too. It stood out, no question. These were the cars that nobody looked twice at. Moms car only used to get parts for our “cool” cars. I think it’s a 350, and a wonderful alternative to the jelly beans of today, provided the color doesn’t matter. These cars were the epitome of reliability, and we never missed a Hebrew school class in the dead of winter, thanks to the old mans Oldsmobiles.

    Like 9
    • nlpnt

      This color would look great on a Pinto or even a Concord, especially paired with a beige/tan interior, but on this car with the darker green gut it’s a little too much.

      Like 2
  5. RKS

    This is not the car from the Sam Raimi movies, seller just threw that in to make a weak connection.

    Like 8
  6. ThunderRob

    Sami Raimi’s own car passed down from his family is used in all of his movie’s..it’s colour is Honey Beige and is always a hero car rarely getting damage many Delta 88’s and “as close as possible” have been repainted in shades as close as possible to Honey Beige to be used as stunt or destroyed cars.Having seen most of Rami’s work i’ve have never seen a sour apple Delta :P

    Like 13
    • normadesmond

      My first ’73 Delta convert was Honey Beige.
      The one I have now is Crystal Green. 😀

      Like 1
  7. Nelson C

    Of the four shades of green offed on ’73 oldsmobiles, thankfully this wasn’t one of them. Where the seat is from is anyone’s guess but the armrest bench was not available on the Royale Town Sedan.

    Like 2
  8. greg

    Rust around trunk opening with very bad attempt at a repair. Missing drivers foot side trim. No a/c compressor. No undercarriage pics. I’ll pass

    Like 1
  9. DLOMember

    This color is not the “apple of my eye.”

    In fact I’ll bet you can spot this one from the international space station.

    Wow! What some people do…

    Like 3
  10. Big C

    Are the 28 inch dubs optional with the sale?

    Like 3
  11. Troy

    Kermit the frog called and wants his car back

    Like 2
    • Frog

      @Troy
      Ahem….NOT

      Like 0
      • Frog

        Spam call

        Like 0
  12. Bob C.

    It was Sam Raimi who coined the term “Fake Shemp.”

    Like 0
  13. Threepedal

    Seats were apparently recovered in a taxi maintenance facility

    Like 7
  14. Scotty GilbertsonAuthor

    Auction update: the bidding ended at $2,750 and didn’t meet the seller’s reserve, so no sale.

    Like 0

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