Poor Oldsmobile. During the 1980s it went from volume champion to being essentially the Cutlass Division of GM, thus finishing the decade in a real bind. What went wrong? Was it the loss of divisional independence caused by the newly formed B-O-C Group? The omnipresence of front-wheel drive? Increased, and increasingly intense, competition? In any case, only one thing is certain: In the late summer of 1985, the last medium-priced, B-body Delta 88s came off the line–perhaps bringing with it much of the last of Oldsmobile’s upper-middle class clientele.
The first newly downsized full-size Oldsmobiles–including the last of the “big” Delta 88s and equally trimmer Ninety-Eights–debuted in 1977.
The zaftig 1971-76 cruisers (above) were now a thing of the past. Sales of their attractive, crisply styled replacements, riding atop the former A-body chassis, took off. In 1977, Oldsmobile set a production record, albeit on the strength of Cutlasses.
Despite being much smaller than the ’76s, the ’77 Royales had more interior room and trunk space–and would you believe the standard engine was not a V8? Yes, it’s true. A 231 cu in V6 came standard, but 260, 300 and 400 cu in V8s were available. Also available was a 5.7-liter V8 Diesel, but the less said about that one, the better.
By 1984, the 88 hadn’t changed much, save for new rooflines and more aerodynamic sheetmetal introduced for 1980. Despite the smoother styling, it was clearly an Oldsmobile that delivered all the size and creature comforts you’d expect.
The 1985 lineup was a bit odd. The all-new, front-wheel drive Ninety-Eights were smaller outside than the bread-and-butter 88s. While they were indeed very luxurious, and more space-and fuel-efficient than the ’84 Ninety-Eights and ’85 88s, they were nonetheless perceived as less car for more money.
Although the new FWD Ninety-Eight outsold the 1984 model (sales more than doubled, in fact), I would not be surprised if many traditional Ninety-Eight customers opted instead for the top-of-the line Delta 88 Luxury Sedan that featured last year’s Ninety-Eight interior. After all, there were plenty of Oldsmobile buyers who still subscribed to the 1950s-1960s idea that bigger is better.
So was there a Brougham version? But of course! Although the new 1985-only Luxury Sedan was now top dog, the Royale Brougham was not lacking for power options, chrome, and velour by the square foot. The Luxury Sedan, along with all Broughams, inherited the grille form the 1980 Ninety-Eight.
Even the standard Royale got the wide chrome rocker moldings, belt reveal and wheel opening moldings. The Royale coupe even got opera lamps! The cool two-color taillamps carried over from the 1984 version.
Back in April I visited my aunt and uncle in Iowa City, to go to dinner and check out the first Sycamore car show of the year. Dave and I stopped at the local Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep dealer to check out the Challengers. Dave actually worked there in the mid-’80s, but like me, car sales were not for him (during his time there he sold one car, an Omni), and he moved on to greener pastures.
As we arrived, I noticed a B-body Olds among the new Rams and 300s. Upon closer inspection, I realized this car was a gem: no rust, nice paint and apparently original. In winter, Iowa City does not use salt but sand on its roads, which might account for the fine condition of this Royale.
Keep in mind this is the standard Royale, and not a Brougham or LS. It’s still pretty nice, huh? No, there’s no lateral support or lumbar adjustment, but this car is for cruising in, not for driving a la Bob Bondurant. The blue interior was an especially nice complement to the navy blue paint and landau top.
This one looked even better with its optional chrome Super Stock wheels and dual chrome pipes–much nicer looking than the rattly wire wheel covers that probably 98.5% of these cars came with.
These were great cars, tough and reliable. Oh, Oldsmobile, you left us too soon.
A 231 cu in V6 came standard, but 260, 300 and 400 cu in V8s were available.
I thought the V8 choices were 260, 307, 350 and 403 cubic inches.
IINM, the 307 wasn’t introduced until 1980; without looking it up, I don’t know if in 1977-79 Olds used a similarly-sized engine from another GM division (Chevy 305 or Pontiac 301) or if they considered the 260 adequate to cover buyers who wanted a small V8 and left a gap between it and the 350.
Otherwise, I think the engine lineup BuzzDog listed is correct.
Some Deltas came with the 301, if I recall correctly.
I missed the time to edit this, but I should specify that I am referring to the `77-`79 Deltas coming with the 301.
Yes, that’ll teach me to make a quick post when I’m running late for the office, and not taking time to check and re-check every fact. 🙂
I finally had time to dig up some details on oldcarbrochures.com, and it appears that ’77 and ’78 offered the 260 (LV8), 350 (L34) and 403 (L80) gasoline V8s, with the 301 (no code listed) coming onboard in ’79.
The 1978 full-size Oldsmobile brochure is interesting, as it came out in the wake of lawsuits and bad publicity surrounding the use of Chevrolet V8s in Cutlasses, without full disclosure to the buyer. There is an entire page of engine information, containing every possible engine that could appear in any Oldsmobile that year – not just the engines that were installed in the full-sized models in said brochure. Talk about covering your bases!
The engine choices at least up until 1980 would’ve been the 231 Buick V-6, an Olds 350 (and the Chevy LM-1 350 with the “Oldsmobile Rocket” sticker on the air cleaner, which caused all the problems and the California lawsuit in ’78); the 403 (common in California), and the 5.7/350 diesel, which, despite it’s early problems, actually became a robust engine – but – the damage was done.
I believe (and must be so from the 49 state input) that a 260 Olds 2-bbl. was initially offered on these? Wouldn’t doubt it as the Pontiac 301 was on these “B’s” outside of California . . . .
You hit the nail on the head about Olds buyers wanting a RWD Ninety-Eight in ’85; my late Uncle was one of them. He looked at the new FWD model, but, like many of his generation, “bigger meant more.” He rolled out with a blue over blue Ninety Eight Royale – exact interior as the featured car . . . but with no vinyl top. Had a series of light ripples on the roof and a couple on the trunklid. Minor damage from a hailstorm which the dealer mightily discounted.
I remember driving this car on a trip to Missouri in 1988. Drove quite nicely. Later on in Honolulu, in 1993, I bought an ’85 Buick LeSabre Collector’s Edition (black vinyl top, grey pleated leather seats, silver/grey with Buick GS wheels). That car drove identical to the ’85 Olds 88 Royale.
I had the wire wheel covers on my ’86 Olds Cutlass Supreme LS. In the rainy, red mud of the Koolau range and North Shore on Oahu, those were a PAIN to keep clean. Always had a couple of toothbrushes handy in the cleaning bucket stowed in the trunk.
I am a lady and I am going to buy a 1985 Delta Olds Limited for $1,200 because it needs a paint job, the man is old and live’s in a Greek town by me. Is that a good price? Oh forgot it is a 2 door
Simple economics and a changing market – that is, increased competition with better products and not enough differentiation between GM models to make a difference, so might as well just buy a Chevy and call it done.
Very true, Zackman. Look at the Caprice Classic Broughams from ’86 through, and especially the formal roof models towards ’89-’90. Why buy a Fleetwood Cadillac RWD, let alone an Olds or Buick??
It never ceases to amaze me how cloth covered bench seats could pass for “near-luxury” back then.
Oh man, that feature car is pretty much the 80s Olds of my dreams. I’d skip the exhaust extensions, other than that, perfect.
It appears that this car is for sale—no prices I assume?
On the ’85 Buick LeSabre I had, then Larry’s custom exhaust in Waipahu did the cat-back “Y” pipe 2-1/4″ duals with Flowmasters for me, but the pipes came out behind the rear wheels. I didn’t want discoloration from heat and exhaust soot messing up the chorme rear bumper. Sounded nice, too! (Olds 307 4-bbl).
Well, it was for sale back in April. It was at the Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep dealer on S. Riverside Drive, in Iowa City.
The exhaust sticking straight out is a bit tacky, and I am pretty sure that the SSIII wheels were never offered on the Delta; only the body-colored SSII wheels if I’m not mistaken. Beautiful cars, though. I’ve owned quite a few Oldsmobiles (8); though I think I miss my base `84 Royale with the 3.8V6 the most, well, aside from my `71 Cutlass. In case no one’s noticed, I have a thing for taillight design, and the later Delta taillights with the amber turning lamps are high on my list of likes. An interesting feature about the amber turn signals was their brightness; they would seriously hurt your eyes to look at at night!
Here’s a picture of the dearly departed together:
The Cutlass is sweet – must’ve been your Ohio “summer” car. The ’84 ain’t bad either, but the lower door cancer tells me this was your work/winter car.
I lived in Cleveland for five years; my ’88 Celebrity Wagon had “work car” honors. Dead reliable and started in the coldest weather. Would pull through hub deep snow. My late Uncle’s 88 Royale (’85 RWD) with his snows in back and sand bags in the trunk would grunt it’s way out of rural Missouri snowfalls – no problemo.
You hit the nail on the head. I bought my Delta from my mail man, who used it to deliver the mail during all seasons. It was rough in some areas, but the frame and floors were still solid. It made for a great winter car, but I wouldn’t subject another B/C/D to to an Ohio winter again.
Here’s a better picture of it.
Jordan,
The chrome Super Stock wheels were a factory option, at least in 1985.
The diesel V-8 didn’t debut until the 1978 model year as an option. It received rave reviews…until they began to self-destruct within a year or so.
The downsized Delta 88 and Ninety-Eight were extremely popular, and also helped Oldsmobile reach that 1 million annual sales total. If I recall correctly, for a time the Delta 88 was only outsold by the Impala/Caprice in the full-size category. The Oldsmobile handily beat not only its other GM siblings, but the Ford LTD, as well. Oldsmobile’s strengths during these years were the Cutlass, Delta 88 and Ninety-Eight. The Omega and Starfire were hardly present.
Now this is my kinda car! Just beautiful. Thank you for a great story. I like both, but a 2 door with the right color combination is a sight to behold. I worked as a parts department runner in the early/mid 80’s. The owner was Irish and always had a green 98 demo. The sales manager had a 88 2 door royale/brougham that was grey with a light grey 1/4 roof and light grey cloth. I loved that car!
Great memories.
Man! I saw one of these in white last night parked on the street in Queens- didn’t have my phone or I would have done a post on it myself. I need this… Classy ride!!
I want I want I want. I will take the featured car just as it is. ALL V8 OLDSMOBILES should have come from the factory with dual exhaust just like the feature car has. That is what the creator intended.
I would like it without such protruding exhaust tips, it looks a little tacky as pictured.
Royale Brougham version please, I require pillow toppings for my seats.
They don’t stick out THAT far… flush would be better but I don’t argue.
The factory turn-downs are far more attractive and much less flashy.
Thats what I would go with.
A beautiful car, through and through. I like cloth upholstery, and that seat looks mighty comfortable, especially in that shade of blue.
RE: Cloth Upholstery I am pretty sure that the British Royal Limousine the Queen rides on cloth and the chauffeur is relegated to leather.
This was the common setup on limousines that were set up to be chauffeur-driven. It was also a good idea for the chauffeur to be short, as the driver’s seat was typically set rather close to maximize the room for the employer in the rear compartment.
I test drove a base 85 2 dr Delta 88, at the time I had just bought an 84 base Camaro less than a year earlier. I recall really wanting to trade the Camaro in. I can’t remember the trade value for the Camaro, but the final drive out for the Delta was enough to kill the deal. I couldn’t see taking a big hit on a perfectly good one year old Camaro. My Camaro was as the brochure called it, the “aesthetically pure Camaro”. No fender flares, or junk add on molding like the Z 28’s. I think my Camaro was the only one in the world with whitewalls and wire wheel covers (I put them right over the rally wheels when the plastic center caps were stolen.)
A year or two ago, a used car dealer near where I live had a very clean metallic brown Delta 2 door like the feature car. In excellent condition with 35K, they were asking $ 3,995. I drove past that lot for about 6 or 8 months where it sat. I really wanted it, but another car I didn’t need. Someone must have finally bought it, but I have yet to ever see it.
GM’s middle. Dick Van Pattan, Golfers…Dads…..It’s a Shame They took a 20 year nap at Oldsmobile. The world went on without them, with nary a peep.
I always think of the movie Ordinary People when I see one of these cars. Donald Sutherland drove a 1980 Delta 88 and Mary Tyler Moore drove a 98. A time when Olds still represented a significant level of achievement – in Lake Forest and elsewhere.
Exactly. The new downsized B bodies had just come out. These were upscale sedans, marketed above the lowly Chevys and Fords. Entirely consistent with the Jarretts’ standard of living.
Seemed like it was for people Who WANted Badly to blend in, They Could Afford Cadillac, but They Wanted It To Look Non-conspicuous… and in NJ at The Time, that = old people even in the 1980s. For THAT, I always Liked The almost = Buick Which was DR Approved it seemed to me as my Practician drove a 225, NOT a Cadillac, He Hissed, When I ASKED WHY NOT, at probably 7 …it was a 66…
I always Wondered When This Was Someones choice for a New Car ”’ Do They Have No Preference? It That IT? it always seemed generic GM sedan +
Then It Became the Kennedy Car…chappaqu.. it was a 67 Delmont IIRC, NOT a 98
I will be the skunk at the garden party here, I guess. I just never liked the look of these. I considered the 77-79 models the most attractive of all of the B cars, but with the 1980 restyle, they started to look like big doorstops. The shovel nose, the strangely shaped taillights (particularly with the amber sections which I took as European affectation on an Oldsmobile) and especially those big plain flat wheelcovers. I had those wheelcovers on my 84 Ninety Eight coupe and they were about the thickness of aluminum foil. If any tire jockey yanked them off, they would be bent and would go flying off the car at the first turn. I took to taking them off myself before any tire service as a preventive measure.
I hit all around this car with ownership – Besides the 84 Ninety Eight Regency coupe I owned the Buick twin to the featured car – a navy blue 85 LeSabre Limited coupe (that I owned for about 3 weeks and resold before I had to put gas in it). I considered the Buick MUCH better looking than the 88.
I really like the formal roofline added to most GM cars in the 80s, I always thought it was a classy touch. I happen to have a soft spot for both the 77-79 Bs and Cs and the 80+ versions as well, i like em all. Many of them still look decent even today.
I also like how GM went on a chrome binge starting in 1980, ths 77-79s don’t have enough.
The cars that have not stood the test of time were their predecessors, as well as the A bodies. And the H bodies too while I’m at it. Most of those look too bulbous, only made worse with the rectangular headlights. I still think only the Caddys from that era look good, but a mid 70s 88 or Ninety Eight, not so much.
Ok I’m done.
I’m right with you on the ’77 – ’79 preference: I always thought the Olds was the best looking B-body of the bunch by far. The Delta Coupe had a very sporty roofline when not equipped with the silly 1/4 vinyl top. I never cared for the “square” roof or blocky taillights of the 1980 restyle..not to mention the top engine offering being the 307.
Someone junked a T-boned gold ’77 Delta 88 sedan to my father’s scrapyard many years ago. I bought it before it crossed the scales (Dad was not happy) and drove the car for probably a year. It had few options & it was one of those LM1 Chevy 350 cars backed by a THM 200 (metric!) transmission.
My next B-body Olds was a white ’78 Holiday 88 with the Oldsmobile 350 & THM350. It had white painted Super Stock wheels with the weird starfish center caps. I enjoyed that car a few years but it was starting to rust under that stupid vinyl top. Some other Olds fanatic owns it now — he even autocrosses it (LOL). I’d have probably kept the car had it been a 403/400 car.
Chrome Super Stock Wheels WERE an option somewhere in the ’77-’79 model year range. These differed from the ones pictured above in that the outer rim itself was not chromed (trim rings came with this option). These are very rare wheels. The set I scored came off a 1979 Delta 4-door sedan at the Birmingham Pull-a-Part junkyard. I was so intrigued by them I took the interior of the car apart until I found the build sheet…Sure enough…they were called out on the sheet.
I like both the ’77-’79 and ’80+ B-bodies (and C-bodies) but I know where you’re coming from. On the Olds in particular, the front end and fenders were crisper and more elegant in the original ’77 iteration, which makes me like them better overall. But I do love the formal roofline on the ’80 Delta 88! In general the ’80 restyle on all the GM fullsize makes seemed designed to make the cars look longer and lower, but I kinda like the purposely “downsized” look of the ’77s. The only car I absolutely prefer in ’80 is the Pontiac — it was much improved with the new look, yet it was such a flop it only lasted 2 model years! (The later Parisiennes were just Caprices with different trim).
I’ve always had a special fondness of these cars. The big Oldsmobiles were classy, popular and durable. We had a friend of the family that owned a rare salmon colored 1982 Delta 88 Royale Brougham Coupe with a white vinyl top. She bought it brand new and sold it about 10 years ago to her neighbor who still drives it! I saw it about a month ago at a local market – should have taken a picture for CC. I think the odometer read 9,000 miles so it should now have 109,000 miles since I know the original owner hardly put any miles on it in the 20 years she owned it. Still looks great after all these years, too! Interesting fact – did anyone ever notice the speedometer in these cars tilts downward to the right? Must be a design flaw as it is the same in every one I ever sat in or drove.
I hope you get some pictures of it eventually. That sounds like a very cool color combination! I’ve never seen one in that color.
My parents were friends with a couple who had an ’82 Royale coupe – not sure if it was a Brougham, but it was a diesel and had the body colored Super Stock wheels with the large “starfish” center caps. It looked pretty sharp in Dark Jadestone Metallic with a Jadestone landau top and interior. Amazingly, they had it well into the 1990s despite the diesel, and it still looked great.
I’ll try to get a picture of it. Ironically, scroll down to see tampabaymarkey’s post – he has a picture of his original 1960 88 and that looks exactly like the color combination of our friend’s 1982 coupe!! GM must have wanted to bring back some older colors as that is the same color combo that her car was!
I think by ’82 they had introduced the 2nd generation 350 diesel. By then GM had most of the actual problems with the engine worked out.
My dad has a ’78 Olds Delta 88 with the original diesel still running, and it’s never even suffered a blown head gasket. With proper TLC these engines can be reliable. If I can ever get good pictures of it, I will submit a CC on this car.
The wedge shape and flat wheel covers were aerodynamic tricks to get better MPG, for CAFE.
Almost forgot – another friend of the family had a 1981 98 Regency 4-dr. that had every possible option you could get, including leather, rear seat reading lamps, tilt/telescopic, fiber optics, moonroof, CB radio w/tape, cornering lamps – you name it – it was totally decked out! It was white with a white vinyl top and tan leather interior. It was the year before the Regency Brougham was available too – I loved that car! She had that car for a good 12 years and sold it to her cousin. They drove the car for another 8 or so years and then it ended up in their driveway with a cover on it. I know because I approached them one day and asked about the 98 under the cover not knowing it was the same car my Mom’s friend owned. When he took off the cover I couldn’t believe my eyes. There it was – the LOADED LOADED 98 Regency I always loved. It needed an engine and tranny work. It looked decent, but you could tell it was tired. I thought about buying it but it was too far gone to save.
Beautiful car, and a perfect collectible car for those entering the field or on a limited budget. I missed out buying a ’77 Delta Royale Coupe in ’88 from a family friend. Blue, with the Olds Rally wheels, 403, no vinyl, etc. for $1000. The friend’s father was to drive it down to Hamilton, where I was to meet him with the money order and do the deal. I trundled off from my folks place in my ’68 Fleetwood, found the sales location, only to be told that his brother had seen the car and wanted it, so, sorry about your luck. Along with me losing some faith in human behaviour, I ended up buying my ’75 Monte shortly after which filled the bill nicely.
I finally found an Olds two years ago in the wholesale lot of the local Ford dealer. An older couple had dealt a ’83 Regency 4 door for a new Fusion under some unofficial “Cash for clunker” deal. I had to have the carb rebuild, popped in a new headliner, and a tune-up, but what a smooth cruiser for little cash outlay. Sorry if I’ve bored anyone with this one on a previous thread, but here goes…
Beautiful car, Dean. An `80-`84 Regency 98 is high on my list of wants.
Interior shot
My 84 Regency coupe had that exact brown velour interior. The seats were pretty comfy and the dark color was easy to keep looking good. Unfortunately, when installed in a white car, it was a particularly colorless combination.
Agreed. I’ve never been fond of white cars, as they looks like rentals or a weddiing cake gone bad. Older big cars always seem to look better in darker colours with a contrasting interior. I must admit that brown isn’t my second choice, but at least it sets off the chrome nicely.
Dashboard gratuitous shot
that brings back memories of my parents 84 ’88 they had for 12 years. Brown but with the base Royale seats. Dad added an add-on tape deck between the radio and the lighter in the dash, almost looked factory.
My favorite dash of the B-bodies. A somewhat rare gauge package added three square gauges below the “regular” cluster (temp, oil, volts).
I prefer the analog clock over the pseudo-digital one but a vacuum-fluorescent readout clock was also optional for a year or two, an extremely rare piece. I hope I’ll find one of these for the collection someday.
My favorite dash too. My Mom’s friend that had the super loaded white ’81 Regency 4-dr. had the gauge package too. I think the only option it didn’t have (luckily) was the diesel engine!
Memories! My dad had one of these, a tan 1980, from 1984 to 1992. He then handed it down to my uncle, who drove it until the rear bumper fell off while going over some railroad tracks in 1995. I’ll never forget my dad and I driving up to his house to find it parked in the driveway with the bumper sticking out of the trunk! Based on memories of other 88s of this era with wood planks in place of the rear bumper, rear bumper loss was a pretty common defect. They were also total rustbuckets.
It always seemed to me that I saw a lot of late ’70s/early ’80s GM A-bodies running around with wood planks in place of the rear bumper. I had a 1978 Buick Century whose rear bumper fell off in the fall of 1988, when the car was about ten years old (just one of many problems that car had…). I replaced it with a used bumper. Several months later, in the spring of 1989, the motor died, and I junked the car. At the time, I worked with a guy who drove a ’78 Cutlass Supreme. Upon hearing that the Buick had died and I was junking it, he asked asked me if it had been taken away yet (it already had). He was looking for a new rear bumper for his and wanted to see if I would sell him the one on the Buick.
All I can say is….L-O-V-E!!!!
My Mom bought a new 1985 back then after owning a 1979 Holiday coupe.
I ended up w/ the ’79 and that car was reliable, over 210k when we traded it.
I love love love these cars. I have owned no less than 6 Oldsmobile 88’s, 3 were wagons. I still own the one pictured. There is an old woman who lives in town and drives a Holiday 88. I want so bad to ask her to sell it to me. These wheels are indiginous to the Holiday 88 as well. I searched high and low for them and finally found all 4 with the correct starfish shaped lug/center covers. I absolutely had to have them on my wagon.
And those wheels look great on your wagon… Hey…is that an old Cub Cadet? What model? I love those things! My dad bought a brand new 148 or 149 (hydrostatic) back in 1971 which infuriated my mother.. it was expensive…and he bought the snowplow to go with it.
I bought a 169 and a 109 from a lady at work a few years ago for 400 bucks. The 169 runs but its Kohler engine blew out the front oil seal. The sad part is that I can’t get to them because they are both blocked in by non-running project cars. Oh shucks…I’m deviating again.
Anyway, you might want to put dibs on that Holiday…it could get away. The man that owned the Holiday I used to have donated it to the Salvation Army(!) and I bought it from S.A. lot for $350: this was a decent-looking, smooth running Holiday 88 with working A/C.
Indeed that is a 1968 cub cadet. Old Smokey has been in our family since new. In 1975 I blew him up mowing our ACRES of land in Eden, NY, just outside of Buffalo. Dad rebuilt him and brought him to Florida and left him behind a garage. One summer, I saw Old Smokey back there and asked dad if I could rebuild and have him. Dad gave him to me and he is used now to schlep our boat and travel trailer around the driveway and an occasional drive around the block to a neighbors cocktail party. The neighbors say “There goes Mark again on his “Machine”.
Awesome! Your post reminded me of the time my Dad’s Mark III Lincoln broke down two blocks away from our house. He grabbed a chain, hopped on the Cub Cadet, drove back to the car & pulled the Lincoln home with my mother steering the car. The kicker of it was that he pulled the car up a moderately steep hill.
Now that I think about it…my mother had to walk back to the car — ‘no riders’ on the CC. That Lincoln broke down A LOT.
Matter of fact, I just dug up this blackmail picture posted on a friends facebook page of me arriving with my cocktail to the neighbors house on my “machine”.
PS. How about my “other generation” Oldsmobile 88? 28,000 original miles. This is yours truly, having my evening cocktail and cigarette admiring her beauty.
Love it, love it, love it. That color combo (right down to the interior) is an exact match to the 60 Catalina that an aunt and uncle had when I was a kid. I still love that color combo. And you have the last Oldsmobile with a “genuine” Hydra Matic.
That ’60 is a real beauty! The Custom Cruiser looks pretty good too, especially with those wheels.
That wagon is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!
I had that wagon up for sale locally and the only bites i got were for mere pennies of her value. Come on, 48,000 miles, and $500.00 is all anyone wanted to pay for her? I got my senses back together and decided to put her in storage. She is a looker, no? PS thanks everyone for allowing me bragging time and for all the great comments. I dont post here often, but read each entry EVERY DAY! I love Pauls writing skills as well as Carmines candor. Jack Lord really knows how to tell a tale too. Will we see more pictures of the midwest from the 80’s? I thouroughly enjoyed those. So glad I hooked up with all of you guys and I have shared this site with many in my circle of friends.
My goodness! If wifey and I come down to North Reddington Beach next month, I’m looking you up, as I DEMAND a ride in that Olds!
Just look me up as I am in st Pete
Ha ha! I’ll keep that in mind! 😉
My Mom’s friend had a 1982 Royale Brougham coupe in those EXACT colors! How cool is that!!!
(BTW That 1960 88 is incredible!!)
Upon further investigating, I found out that the color was called Light Redwood Metallic in 1982. I remember when I first saw it back then I thought it was weird as most of these cars were either brown or blue LOL. Now when I see it I think it looks incredible. Funny how a very rare car ends up being the one that outlasted nearly all the others 30 years later!
I think I did a CC of an El Camino in that same color last year.
That’s the color, for sure jp! It was a very unusual color in 1982 as most cars (especially Delta 88s and 98 Regencys) were brown, blue, burgundy or white. I’ll never forget thinking how rare that color was on that Delta 88 and ironically I still see that same exact car today! Funny how stuff like that happens.
Hi Tom C. I have a 1982 Delta 88 Royale that i did not know what color it exactly was. I now know that it is Light Redwood Metallic color of the body with a Burgundy 1/4 roof, thanks to you! Here is a photo of my car. It is funny when the sun hits it, it is a different color from when it is the shade.
Very nice!
I really like this pic. Sometimes I’ll just sit in one of my cars, listening to its clock tick for awhile. No radio, noise, cell phone, etc. It’s not a worship service but it is strangely satsifying to look at, sit in & be surrounded by something so incredibly cool.
I’m one of those nutjobs who can’t help but turn around & give his car that extra admiring eye in the parking garage at work.
I hear that my friend. I can sit for hours in what I call my sand box and play with my “Hotwheels”. Usually a few cocktails are in order. Loving, touching, looking, listening and totally gloating on how proud and LUCKY I am to be so fortunate to have these luxuarious toys. I’m like you giving the back glance as well as the occasional glimpse out the window at work.
I’m not alone, thank God. Depending which old car I’m driving, sometimes I’ll sit on a lawn chair in the garage, smoking a pipeful of tobacco with a coffee or soda. I’ll sit there looking at the old car, basically admiring it, and wishing I was back in the time when it was new.
Sometime, you can almost transport yourself back to that time. I’ve told guys that old cars and old golf clubs are the closest thing anyone will get to a time machine.
Old boats, too. I get that feeling when we go for a ride in my dad’s ’68 Chris Craft Commander.
My dad had one of these when I was a kid. It was a cream with gold vinyl top 1980 Delta 88 Royale 4 door. It had a 307, THM 200, gold velour interior, power door locks, power seat, but no power windows. I guess it was when you could really order what you wanted. I loved that car, much more than my mothers 87 Plymouth Voyager. The Olds was quiet, comfortable, and a great long trip car. I still miss it and would love to own one someday. If I could find a 4 door in the same color combination my dad had I would buy it on the spot. I’d add the factory Olds super stock wheels, as my dad’s Olds had the stupid flat wheel covers. Plus I think I’d rip out the 307 and drop in an Olds 455 and THM 400 for a bit more fun.
I can proudly say I caught you in a trivial technicality by saying the last B-body Olds was the 92 Custom Cruiser.(wink-wink)
When I was a little kid, my parents were good friends with this other couple. We were close enough that I knew them as “Aunt Dottie” and :”Uncle Bob”. Anyway, I was four or five & remember them having a forest green ’70 Delta 88. I didn’t know what it was then…but I kept a clear picture of it & can now ID it.. Anyway, We went over there one day years later..this was around ’81 or so…& the whole rear end of the car was caved in. I was so sad.
The next time I was over the Olds had been replaced by a brand new ’81 or ’82ish Olds Delta 88 Royale in that lovely Jade green. I was ten or so & rode in the back seat. It had plush interior but manual windows and yes, it was a DIESEL! I asked Uncle Bob why this new car has crank windows & Aunt Dottie replied (smiling of course), “Well, we figured we were strong enough to roll up our own windows Joel!”
I’ll never forget that. That car made the weirdest noises I thought. Even over the noise of the weirdish sounding Diesel engine was the weird organ-like sounding noise of the metric transmission as it spooled up in first gear and gently slipped into second. Imagine someone at an old cheap organ running their fingers across the keyboard from high to low notes — that’s exactly what that transmission sounded like as it eased into second. I have no clue how long that car lasted. Probably not as long as their ’70 model!
I am hoping someone can help me with some information regarding the interior for my car. I am in the process of restoring my grandfathers 1982 Delta 88 Royale 5.0 V8 307 which he bought new. The car now has 125k miles. He drove the car until he passed away in 1995 and then my grandmother gave me the car knowing how much he meant to me and knew I would appreciate getting the car. I drove the car for a couple of years and then I had to park it..The only repair I have had to do was to rebuild the transmission.
Due to the recent tropical storm in south Florida and the area I live in flooding I now need to replace the interior carpeting and the door panels. I am trying to locate carpeting as well as other items for the interior. I want to keep the car as original as possible with what it currenlty has. The probelm I am having is trying to figure out what the interior color was since it has faded over the years which is making it a bit hard to find. The color looks to be a bluish green.
Does anyone know where I can find this information or atleast see what the color options were for this car at the time? Any help will be greatly appreciated.
http://www.antiqueolds.org/
These guys go for Oldsmobiles older than yours but I’ll wager many of them know good places to buy Olds parts. The Oldsmobile Club of America site I found went to a web ring that didn’t make heads or tails to me.
The carpet in this car is super strong due to its rubber-like backing. Rather than replacing it, it can be removed & blasted with soap & a pressure washer. The ones at the self-serve car-washes work great but a $125 electric power washer from Lowe’s is what I use.
The carpet in these cars will take it & end up coming out like brand new. I’ve done it many times on stinky nasty, matted carpet…carpet so matted you can’t even see the fibers in some spots. You will not believe the chocolate-colored water that comes out from even “clean” looking carpet.
It will take a good 2-3 days to dry out but it’s a whole lot cheaper than new carpet which won’t fit or match as well. GM started using this stuff somewhere in the late 70’s. Even the underlayment can be saved (but you can’t hit that with the high pressure.
It sounds like the color may have been “jade” or “jadestone”. It’s rare now & door panels will be difficult to find. Check the oldspower.com forum: they have a “big car” section & someone may be able to help.
If you open the hood & look under the driver’s windshield wiper arm, you’ll see a small metal “cowl tag” with a bunch of info stamped into it. The body number, interior trim style, paint codes, & vinyl top color are all on this tag & should give you the info you are looking for.
Hi there, delta girl. Here’s the best way to figure it out. Go on eBay and do a search for 1982 Oldsmobile brochure. There are 71 on eBay right now. (I looked). There are the original dealer brochures showing every thing available for cars, including exact color choices which correspond and were available with the exterior colors. A color combo, for lack of better terms. As for the door panels, my BEST advice is the local salvage yard. I go often, being in pinellas county Florida , and see quite a few with excellent panels. Mostly 4 doors. Wagons, albeit rare to find these days, will fit as well on 4 door deltas. Not the correct color? That’s what vinyl dye is for and it works fantastically. Replacement carpet will be a breeze, costing about $130.00 ish. You want the cut pile, not loop style. eBay item as well, of course. Fairly easy installation, the seat belt bolts on the floor are the tough guys to remove. Use a “torx” socket and be ready for using some strength. Of corse, remove the front seat(s) as well. What a great legacy to grand dad. Kudos to you for keeping his car and loving it.
Hi Tom C, I have a 1982 Delta 88 and could not find out this color,but now I think it is Light Redwood Metallic with a Burgundy roof!
I need to correct myself on the color of the roof of my car. It is not Burgundy, but Dark Redwood top with a Light Redwood body color.
Nice colors, thanks for sharing. Looks like you have a keeper!
Hi Bobe61, This is Steve. I was wondering if you might have a contact you use in a junkyard or factory direct for replacement parts on the Delta 88.
Just for some eye trafic on the site, here’s a pic I found online for an Ad that ran in some magazines back in 84.
I too share the same love for my Oldsmobile as those who are sharing there comments on this page. I have a 1984 Delta 88 Royal in mint condition that was passed down to me from my grandfather. I do what ever I can to keep this gem on the road and looking the way it did when it rolled off the showroom floor. I do have one delema that I need help with. I have to find the original wheel towers that attach to the rims. These towers are mounted using three lugs and then cones out to a fixed bolt so you have something for the hubcap to attach to other than the rim clips. If anyone can help me locate these towers please email me @ StevenNilsen123@gmail.com Thankyou.
My best var was a 1982 Delta 88 Royale, color was called, Light Jadestone.
Guys, it was so amazing reading all of your posts and thinking about all the Delta 88’s in my family. My dad had a diesel 1980 which was prone to problems, but man was it a beautiful car, white with the red interior 4 door. My uncle had a 82 Delta 88 2 door and I remember I was in love with his car same white with red interior from what I remember, but I thought his was so much cooler because his was 2 door. The car that I remember most was my other uncles 1979 Delta 88, man same white with red and it was a 2 door, that car for some reason just meant a lot to me, I’ve been looking for one just like it, and hope to find one at the right price one day. I’ve just recently learned about the 88 Holiday didn’t even know they existed!! Man would I love one of those with the leather interior and those nice wheels. That’s probably going to be the most desired Delta for me. But I’d take a white with the red interior and put a set of Olds Rally wheels on it and cruise if I got the chance to. Amazing cars guys and yes the LOVE is there for these cars. They were just so amazing. I do miss and hated when they got rid of Oldsmobile… shoulda gotten rid of Buick!! Although I do have a soft spot for those Regal T types.. lol all good, truly would have missed Buick too if they got rid of them. Thanks guys for a blast from the past, put a nice smile on my face while I sit here on a Saturday morning giving my students their finals 🙂
I love the 80+ coupe! The formal roofline, and someone mentioned the “longer and lower” look that I am very fond of. At first I wanted a pre-80 Coupe, because I like the slimmer tail lamp design which reminds me of the classic G body Cutlass. Those long thin tail lamps, not like Cadillacs but uniquely Oldsmobile, were amazing on the big coupe.
However, I’ve fallen in love with a 1985 Delta 88 Royale Broughm coupe. It has the 1/4 vinyl roof, just redone, repainted its original shade of brown. The 307 runs perfectly smooth and the blue velour interior is very clean. I would not have picked brown with blue interior, but I love this car. A guy in town has it. It isn’t actively for sale but he said he would take $1500 for it, which I believe to be a steal. I am not exactly flush with cash, but I do have a plan to acquire it.
I’m actually a Ford guy. My other car is a 1995 Taurus that I love for different reasons. Being a 1995 with 224k on it, it needs some things and will need things in the future, but right now its all I have to drive. Buying the Oldsmobile will allow me to switch off and build both cars exactly how I want them.
The Olds, a classic large American personal luxury coupe, the last of its kind and one from a no longer existent marque. The Taurus, a future classic example of a great American family sedan, the most popular car in the country when it was built.
My Taurus has the excellent 3.0L V-6 and the rare (for a non-SHO) AX4N transaxle, the best performing and most robust version of that transaxle family (the latter being proven by its mileage and never-rebuilt status).
The Olds has the 307, which I am very happy for because it is an Oldsmobile engine in a great Oldsmobile car. I love it.
There is another Oldsmobile on my list, an Alero coupe with the (you who know Olds guessed it) 2.4L I-4 with the Getrag 5-speed. The engine is directly related to the last engine Oldsmobile division created, the Quad 4. A very advanced for its time (1980s) engine that was still competitive enough to be the optional/sporty I-4 in the Alero, Cavalier (Z24), Grand Am, etc into the 2000s. Nothing less would be found under the hood of my Alero, lol.
Besides, the EcoTec was cheap and gutless, and the 3.4L was automatic only and not very reliable as I see a lot of cheaply priced loaded Sport model Aleros with blown 3400s, Impalas and minivans too. I’ve considered buying one such Alero coupe and sourcing a 2.4L and manual transaxle (ideally together with a PCM) from a junkyard to have the car I want for cheap, but that is a long shot for my physical condition. I shouldn’t even have a manual, but it won’t be my only car, and what is a sporty four cylinder coupe with out a stick shift? A wasted opportunity, that’s what.
Thanks for letting me ramble about cars, lol.
anyone know of a driver’s side door out there for sale. ’85 Olds Delta 88 4 dr
auto trans rear wheel, 5.0 litre. need a rocker panel too
I have a 1985 delta 88 royal brougham coupe with 55000km found it in a barn in Alberta
My delta 88 55000km
In high school my mother bought her a new car every year or two so she’d give me her Delta 88, 2door coupe instead of trading it in. 1980, 1984, 1985 I had, I would sure love to have those cars now, Those were some Very nice riding cars, I’ve not had a car yet that rode so good.