Parked for 30 Years: 1966 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Convertible

There are few motoring experiences more enjoyable than hitting the road on a fine summer’s day behind the wheel of a classic Convertible. With the sun on your shoulders and the wind in your hair, it is easy to feel that life simply can’t get any better. That is the opportunity awaiting the new owner of this 1966 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Convertible. It needs work before that happens, but it undoubtedly shows promise. It recently emerged after three decades in a barn, needing a new home with someone who can recapture its youthful good looks.

Oldsmobile introduced its Sixth Generation 88 range for the 1965 model year, with the last cars rolling off showroom floors in 1970. The first owner ordered this Delta 88 Convertible in 1966, selecting classy Dubonnet paint to cloak its panels. They teamed the shade with a White power top, creating a vehicle that would have turned heads in its prime. The seller has listed this classic on behalf of his father, indicating that it recently emerged following three decades of shed hibernation. Assessing its overall condition is challenging due to the accumulated dirt and dust, but the first item on the buyer’s shopping list will be a replacement for the shredded top. The frame and mechanism are intact, and the buyer might revive them with a bit of patience. Two things that I immediately noticed were the lack of panel imperfections and the absence of visible rust. The seller claims this Olds is rust-free, and since they appear approachable, they may be willing to negotiate an in-person inspection for genuinely interested parties. The hubcaps that aren’t attached to the vehicle are in the back seat, and it appears that many of the trim pieces might present acceptably with a polish.

The seller doesn’t supply any engine photos, but if this classic is original, lifting the hood should reveal a 425ci V8 that the first owner teamed with a three-speed Turbo Hydramatic transmission and power steering. Oldsmobile offered several versions of the 425, but once revived, this one should produce at least 300hp and 430 ft/lbs of torque. However, if the first owner pushed out the boat, those figures could climb as high as 375hp and 470 ft/lbs. It really doesn’t matter that much which version calls this classic home, because they all provided excellent performance. The seller indicates the motor turns, but they haven’t attempted to coax it back to life. I don’t view that as a bad decision because it means there is no chance that they have inadvertently done damage by not following an appropriate revival plan. Three decades of inactivity means that breathing new life into the V8 will only be the first of many tasks required before this Olds is genuinely roadworthy.

The surprise packet with this Oldsmobile is its interior. It is unlikely to score the new owner any show trophies, even if treated to a deep clean. However, a few days of hard graft would return it to a serviceable state, allowing the new owner to perform any restoration work at their leisure. That process would include replacing the front seatcover and carpet and repairing or replacing the cracked pad. The factory radio has made way for an aftermarket radio/cassette player, but there are no other visible additions. The remaining upholstered surfaces look acceptable if the buyer focuses on a driver-grade revival or restoration.

Oldsmobile produced 88,320 examples of the 1966 Delta 88 across all body styles, but only 4,303 buyers selected the Convertible version. That makes this car a relatively rare beast deserving a second chance at life. The seller listed the Olds here on Facebook Marketplace in Northfield, Minnesota. Their price of $7,500 is said to be firm, but with tidy examples consistently selling for over $25,000, it deserves a close look. It has been on the market for over two weeks, but could you be tempted to take this classic home at the asking price?