Oldsmobile Delta 88

Name: Oldsmobile Delta 88
Item: Oldsmobile Delta 88
Author: Classic Auto Mall

Listing ID: 74751

1973 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Convertible

Delta has zero to do with Olds using the Greek alphabet. 88 comes from Olds’ manner of designating series or model types up in line up. There used to be a model 76 and 78 Meaning 7th type 6 or 8 cylinder. Olds brought out new bodies in 1949 and replaced the type 78 with the 88. In the 50’s Olds leaned their model names toward aircraft or a space age. Which brought the Rocket V8, Futuramic 88, Holiday 88, Jetstar 88, Dynamic 88, Super 88, Delmont 88 and the one you know, the Delta 88. Named more for the delta wing of advanced aircraft than anything. Like the SR71, B70 Valkyrie, F102, XF92, B58 and SciFi ships.

For consignment, a higher mileage but well cared for and documented to such 1973 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Convertible. Our consigner stated he’s owned this big beauty for 15 years during which time he kept copious records as to various repairs and upgrades. One of which is a crate engine upgrade about 15K miles ago. She’s big, she’s beautiful and she’s a convertible 2 door sporty luxury car. Here we go!

Exterior
Cranberry Red Metallic large straight steel panels adorn the exterior of the car. Lots of chrome in the form of grille, trim, bumpers and badging is seen throughout. A long white trim spear runs the length of the car at the beltline and on all four corners are chrome turbine styled hubcaps over steel wheels are noted and wrapped by 235/75R15 wide whites. The convertible top is like new and is in a wonderful maroon. It moves up and down electronically and smoothly. When the top is in the down position, this car looks like a sleek bullet ready to slice through the air with its looooong hood and trunkline. Just a beautiful practically timeless design definitely not of the typical square and rectangle clunkers of this era. Olds got it right on this version.

Interior
Loads of white vinyl can be seen covering the interior, and it is all in very nice clean condition, with no tears or major faults. The front split bench with a middle armrest and rear bench run from door to door, and these are covered in white vinyl. Some tuck and roll for the inserts and uppers, sporting buttons in the centers for extra luxury looks. The front bench is power operated to get it just right baby bear. Door panels on either side are also pristine, and have more white vinyl mixed with white molded plastic, shiny aluminum trimmings, power window/lock toggles and a mirror joystick. Maroon carpeting is on the lowers of the doors. In front a black rectangle angled dash is in these otherwise white and red confines. A bit of wood appliqué is on either side of the central square deep inset speedo. In front of the dash is a wood rimmed rally style steering wheel still with its Olds badged center. An aftermarket AM/FM/CD player is now replacing the original factory radio. In the middle on the hump is an aftermarket console which has coin slots and dual cup holders. Maroon carpeting is on the floors, and is slightly faded at the thresholds.

Drivetrain
A flip of the hood and we are met with an original unrestored engine bay. Sitting in the middle is a correct replacement crate 350ci Rocket V8. It has a correct gold painted block and valve covers. This is topped with a single 2-barrel carburetor, and backed by a correct 3-speed TH400 automatic transmission. A 10 bolt rear is also attached to this drivetrain. All clean, slight patina and ready to go another 100K.

Undercarriage
All clean and green …uhhhh actually black undercoated with no rust noted. All solid under here and suspension is as well in independent coil sprung front and a 4 link with coil springs on back. Power disc brakes are for the front and power drums for the back. A like new single exhaust is snaking its way from the mill to the back.

Drive-Ability
This car started right up with a turn of the key, ran smoothly, and yielded a good ride from the suspension. Brakes are solid, and the interior is very comfortable. It got up to speed easily, and could definitively do that all day. I noted the AC is inoperable and the passenger front window needs some manual help going up and down.

The end of the convertible was surprisingly short-lived: Chrysler figured out how to make a drop-top LeBaron meet safety standards in 1982, and Oldsmobile themselves re-entered the market in 1990 with the Cutlass Supreme. However, the Delta 88 Royale still stands apart from these modern cars because it has the size associated with classic American convertibles, something that hasn’t been recreated since. So now is your chance to get into the big Detroit Iron collector car game, and at a reasonable price for this very good, well cared for classic convertible.

3N67H3M498595

3-Oldsmobile
N-Delta 88 Royale
67-2 Door Convertible
H-350ci V8 2bbl
3-1973
M-Lansing, MI Assy Plant
498595-Sequential Unit Number

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.

City: Morgantown, PA

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Oldsmobile Delta 88

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