Model year 1970 saw the highest horsepower numbers of the classic muscle car era. Engines in full-sized cars came along for the ride, and this 1970 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale in Fresno, California packs a high-performance 390 HP W33 under the hood, according to the seller. Check out more pictures and the painful ALL CAPS description here on Craigslist, where $9,000 transfers the title. Thanks to reader Pat L. for spotting this potent Holiday Coupe.
The W33 claim comes with no documentation, not even a VIN, so buyers valuing authenticity will do their homework. Check out ClassicOldsmobile for a thread on the topic. Oldsmobile brochures show the W33 455 cid (7.5L) optional on any Delta 88, above the base 88’s 250 HP 350 (5.7L) and the Custom and Royale’s 310 HP 455. All Olds 455s that year made around 500 lb-ft of torque, so even if this is not the W33, rest assured you’ll make it to the church on time.
Parked until recently since 1988, according to the seller, this big two-door shows about 37,000 on the odometer. Let’s call it 137,000, but the true mileage is unknown. After 2000 road miles since its revival, it seeks a new owner to write a new chapter into its history. Trim from a removed vinyl top suggests this Royale may have looked much like this brochure car at lov2xlr8. Sharp!
Though not mentioned, the replacement passenger door differs in color both inside and out. A crunched left rear quarter panel will repel some buyers as well. After absorbing a claimed $2000 into nondescript engine expenses, this 455-powered Delta 88 might be ready for a second life of car shows or weekend duty. Putting it back to showroom perfection seems unlikely unless someone can validate the W33 claim and embarks on a personal crusade. Description of anything beyond the possible W33 escaped the seller’s description, but the baseline of a running driving classic of no special rarity being generally around $5000 can nearly be doubled in today’s market. For my money, I’d want the W33 validated to approach the asking price. Have you heard of a W33-powered Delta 88?
So, let’s get this straight: it’s the only one around, the passenger door has been replaced, the trunk lock is punched out, no VIN is given, the 37K on the odo is alluded to be original and the plates are different-and it’s in Fresno, NOT one of the better NorCal cities ( I sent a year in Fresno one day last month).
I’d be a little leery of the deal, myself, but maybe that’s just me..
The only thing making me think you wouldn’t get slugged and cleaned out responding to the ad is the price seems pretty high for this condition. But yeah, I agree with you. Definitely proceed with caution!
I’d like to know what the $2000 in engine expenses was actually for. Unless I was within a short drive of this car, and could inspect it myself. I’d be very leery too. If they truly want to sell it based on the claimed W33, they would have included the vin in the listing. With the lack of information I call BS.
I don’t believe the vin on a 1970 indicates the engine specifically.
Correct. Engine codes were not in GM VINs until 1972.
Needs belt and recharge and A/C will work I’m sure..
Pep Boys, here I come.
You’re funny!
Dadgum but Oldsmobile built some ugly cars.
lol this is a bad example. Any car could look ugly if you full it out fade it out put wrong tires on it and 100 years old look to it I don’t care what it is it’s ugly like this car. Now don’t ever insult Oldsmobile again lol just kidding but it’s true what I said
71’s are much easier on the eyes 👀.
Definitely checkout the W33 claim but whoever knows the original owner could have checked that box when he ordered it?
I’m like Jesus I love them all !
I had this car in 77’ My aunt sold me her 70’ Delta 88 for $500. It had the 455’ 2bbl. It really wasn’t a car for a 17 year old but when the aunt called and said the price I knew the car it was a new 1970’ Oldsmobile 88. Still had those double lined whitewall tires from factory but put new radials on it.
AM radio lol
Wild offering from the good Dr.
You could get a 310/490 455ci w a 3sp stick lol. Imagine burning off in that, then hit the 1-2 shift 😲🏁🙌
My Dad bought a brand new 1969 4 door…. Palomino Gold like I think this might be. He wouldn’t buy the Green Convertible next to it…. Wasn’t practical…LOL 455 2bbl ad would smoke the tire just as long as you want, or until it popped!!! It really was a great car. Went well over 100K with very little issues.
Yep torque monsters!
A long time ago back in the 80’s I bought a 70 Delta coupe from a maintenance man who worked where I lived at that time. It was sky blue with a white half vinyl top. But I immediately noticed one particular modification he made to the car. He attempted to apply some sort of “Cadillac” appeal to the car by installing 69-70 model DeVille Caddy seats, a Caddy GM “Delco” AM FM radio as well as a 70’s pimp style chrome metal design talons on each side of the vylnl top as well as a cracked “Boomerang” antenna installed on the top end of the trunk Ha! I was 16 years old, what did I know Lol..All I knew is I just wanted a ride and this was 1982 New York City so it wasn’t that embarrassing to drive that look of a vehicle back then Lol..The vehicle had the standard 350 “Rocket” engine which ran pretty well for the time that I owned it but it had a hissing noise underneath the dash near the steering wheel which I now believe was a vacuum hose loose somewhere underneath there which I ignored by playing the radio loud Ha!. The heat in the car didn’t work(Vacuum Hose?) which made it extremely rough driving to school during those winter days. Ultimately I sold the car for $100 about 6 months later and bought a 71 Caddy Sedan DeVille the following year with a bad exhaust system for $300 I miss those days when you could pick up a “project” car at a cheap price Ha!
The W-33 455 cubic inch engine in 1970 was the B-07 Package (Police Interceptor) The 455 produced 390 Horse power not 310hp,1970 it was used in the Delta 88, Delmont 88, and the midsize F-85. I know New Jersey State Police used these cars in the 1960’s and 1970’s. In 1971 and 72 the midsize F-85 was still used by N.J. S.P.< but engine size lowered to 350 cubic inch, with High Compression 10.5-1, Hot Factory Cam, Dual Exhaust, 4 mc, 308.1 10 bolt -0- Type, Anti-slip Rear End Code SN or SD. Oldsmobile Police Packages were 1964-1967 BO-1, 1968 & 1969 BO-9, and 1970-72 BO-7 In 1971 & 72 both engines 350 & 455 Engine compression in 71 dropped to 9.1 but the BO-7 engines maintained 10.5-1 compression as it was a Police Option Package, Cops got all the Factory Hot Rods (Hahaha) unless you did your homework then and read all options available.
I know where there is a 1971 Vista Cruiser with the BO-7, 350 Package, he is Original owner and claims he will never sell the car. I'm trying to buy this car I read the Build sheet, and special order form he still has from Oldsmobile The cost of a Vista Cruiser loaded with options was $ 5700.00, this Vista Cruiser cost him $ 6313, 72. I couldn't believe my eyes, that was a Lot of Money in 1971,
A few problems with this post. First, the B07 Highway Apprehender package did not include the engine. You could get a B07 car with any engine offered in the Delta 88 line. The base engine in any Delta 88 B07 car was the 350 2bbl motor. If you wanted the W33 390 HP motor in you B07 Delta, you had to pony up an additional $199.05. And Olds stopped offering B01 or B07 Police Apprehender versions of the A-body cars after the 1968 model year. Yeah, fleets could order A-body cars, but there were no special police packages. One would have to order the desired FE2 suspension and engine/trans combo. Additionally, Olds did not offer the police upfitter options in the A-body cars after 1968, so no special wiring for the roof lights, no specially calibrated police speedo, etc.
Wrong. A quick glance at the 1969-72 Oldsmobile SPECS books will show the B07 Police Package was in fact available each year. In 1973, it was replaced by the BT1 Police Package. Both included heavy duty springs, shocks, sway bars, suspension, body mounts and frame as well as calibrated speedometer. Olds continued making Police Package cars until the early 1980s. But you’re right on the engine, they were selected by the buyer.
Wow, too cool 😎
I have a 69 and I think she is beautiful! Never heard of the w33 option so would have to do research. Nice car think the price is to high for condition and without proof of what seller claims.
I think that the 69 Delta 88 Royale is the most beautiful car that Oldsmobile ever built.
I had a 69 Delta 88 convertible in 71, 455 2 barrel until I changed it out for a 4 barrel Holley. Being young didn’t realize it really wouldn’t help much with out a better cam but oh well. Loved that car and it was pretty quick. Surprised quite a few muscle cars in our town.
This is a puzzlement to me.
If the engine and transmission don’t need any work, then the car is worth perhaps $2,500, tops. I can’t imagine anyone paying more.
I have a 71 boniville with a 455,looks a lot better than this car.
I love the insurance games in the muscle car era. In a big heavy 88/police cruiser the 455 made 390 hp. In my 1970 3740 pound 442 the 455 lost 25 hp!
Most likely the 365 hp 455 with 4 barrel carb. The 310 hp engine is the 2 barrel version. The W33 would have dual exhausts and I am not seeing that in the picture. I’ve never heard of the 390 hp W33 before.
Major League land yacht!
I had green convertible with the 455 2bbl. the car ran exceptionally well to me. It needed a front bumper and signal lights, which I could never find.
Hi. How long HAS THIS baby been sitting? ‘It ain’t worth a thang if it ain’t GOT THAT rumble, rumble ring ; do-wap, do-wap….’ I can see dust covering the dash & all the tires look to be about 1/2 mast., plus the psgr DOOR HAS a different interior panel……..
G~Pa had a Delta 88 royale,also a FWD Tornado and those would move, could probably pass anything but a gas station. Olds quality never left you stranded. This interior is like a time capsule.
Gilligan little buddy drop anchor.
Being a 25 yr old with 2 children and a ’68 4-4-2 convert it didn’t matter to my parents that I was an Air Traffic Controller making twice as much in 2 weeks as my business owner father made in a month. I finally gave in and traded the convert for a left-over ’69 Delta Royale hardtop that didn’t have AC or power windows. Found out real quick that ’69 was quicker than the 4-4-2 I traded in. Since I was driving 120 miles a day round trip to work and the gas mileage was about the same I couldn’t complain nor could my folks. It was a great riding car and I put radial tires on it. First time I was in for service the service manager wanted to know how I liked the W33 option and he then explained just what the 455 under the hood was. 2 years and 53K miles I traded it for a Buick Electra 225 that was very close to the same color as the Delta. Big mistake, should’ve kept the Olds, never saw or heard of another Olds with a W33 engine. And I tried more than a year to find it with no luck.
You had me up until you bought a Buick lol just kidding I always say nice car Buick is only one problem it’s not an Oldsmobile. Great memories
As the Olds, then the Buick were my go to work cars 12 months of the year I wanted a vehicle that wouldn’t be a problem on I-94 in the Winter. The radial tires on the Olds made driving on snow/icy roads a lot better than studded snow tires that became a traction problem on dry pavement with previous vehicles before both the Olds and the Buick. The Buick didn’t give much better mileage, but was a real dog even with the 455-4V compared to the Olds.
You can’t go wrong with either one but can’t imagine having the gas bill these days. .48 a gallon when I had my 455’ olds