It’s back to the Eighties with this find by Dave Saunders, uploaded to the CC Cohort. My, how times change. To think there was a time when Oldsmobiles like this were everywhere, filling parking lots and crawling all over the roads in seemingly endless numbers. At the time, its shape was quintessentially 1980s. Today, Oldsmobile itself is a lost name, one that increasingly needs explaining to post Y2K generations. Hard to believe the division has been gone for over two decades now.
I can’t think of an established carmaker, in my time, that fell as quickly as Olds. From some of its best selling years in the mid-Eighties to being on life support by the Nineties. But those sad chapters have been well covered elsewhere here at CC, so check those further below if you wish. For now, let’s simply admire this time capsule in all its wonderfully boxy GM glory.
Staying in 1980s GM territory, Dave also uploaded this mid-Eighties G-body Pontiac Grand Prix out on the road, sporting neat Eighties-looking color treatment. Another outstanding GM survivor from Canada. Does old Detroit iron really last longer up north? Several Cohort finds make me believe so.
Not quite so easy to see in this image, but a nice contrast to consider: the low, long look of these GM products with their protruding overhangs, against the tall SUV/CUV that’s behind it.
It’s no wonder these cars feel so quintessentially Eighties. The redesigned Delta 88 arrived in 1986 with this awfully rational shape, sold by the hundreds of thousands and, looks-wise, remaining more or less unchanged through 1991. The 1987 models brought the flush headlights seen here, and in 1989 the 88 turned into Eighty Eight, as this one’s badges show.
Hard to believe that most of these 88s and Eighty Eights are now gone. At least they’ve left behind a bit of a cultural legacy, with their starring role in the Coen brothers’ 1996 classic Fargo. The Oldsmobile in the opening scene, however, is a Ninety Eight, not an Eighty Eight (or 88). Honestly, hard to tell them apart from a distance, but look closely and you’ll spot a few Eighty Eights playing short supporting roles.
Related CC reading:
Curbside Classic: 1987 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Brougham – “H” Is For Harmony
Curbside Classic: 1986 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Coupe – Olds Takes A Holiday From the 1980s Blahs
Junkyard Classic: 1990 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight Royale – No Cheese With This Royale
Had a 87 88 and it was one of the worst cars I ever had. Bought it new and never had a car that left me stranded so many times. Had the extended warranty and later in the year they came out with a 60k warranty. Mine was extended to 90k. Got rid of the car about that point in time. Alternator, starter, battery, and air monitor all went out. After everything was fixed it wasn’t a bad car. Got 30 MPH on the highway. Haven’t had a GM product since.
Both of my Grandparents had 88s and both were just fine. Never left them stranded and both served long and well with just a few belts here and there. Batteries lasted around 5 years, about average for the 80s. The Buick 3.8 was smooth and strong throughout the cars lives with them.
It was always rare to see these with standard wheel covers like this one. I knew someone who had late-1980s Buick LeSabre in a similar shade of brown, also with regular wheel covers, and few other options. He and his wife were recently retired, and it was a “last car” purchase for them.
I love the Grand Prix – the two-tone paint works well on the Grand Prix, especially with the “blending” effect between the colors (which I think was actually stickers. Both excellent finds; haven’t seen an example of either in years.
These were prominently used in the first couple of Lethal Weapon movies as well.
True. Though whenever I think of those movies, Murtaugh’s Custom Cruiser wagon comes to mind first (for obvious reasons).
Good point that wagon saw some action! Although likewise when I think Fargo I primarily think of Cieras
The last Dirty Harry movie had one as Clint Eastwood’s ride.
Loved my 1988 Delta 88. So great in snowy weather my girlfriend (now wife) named it Rudolph. Sold it within 6 months when I received a company car, a 2000 Prius. Should ah kept it!
One of my semi-regular customers has the Buick version, I see it in the parking lot at work occasionally. What really stands out in modern traffic is their lowness.
Reminds me of a Volvo 740 I had.
A buddy had a 87 Delta 88 as his first car. Only problem I remember he had with it was torn CV boots. It floated down the road like riding on clouds. We would all cruise around town at dusk, and I loved the big bright amber turn signals on the earlier models like his. I feel like these lost some character when they went to all red.
My father bought a brand new Delta 88 in 1989. They were decent cars but for me, a big Olds sedan should be RWD with an Olds engine. I never really warmed up to those front drivers. I still have two RWD Olds wagons and a RWD Delta 88 from that era.