Grandma Survivor: 1967 Oldsmobile Delta 88
Back in the day, Oldsmobile played the numbers game as the F-85, 88, and 98 were the order of business in the 1960s. The 88s were the full-size family cars, while the 98s were luxury automobiles. There were various models called the 88, including the mid-range Delta, like the seller’s car. This one from 1967 is a survivor that might get by with just some interior work. Located in Cerritos, California, this Left Coast Oldsmobile is available here on craigslist for $11,200. Accolades to Tony Primo for this “primo” tip!
The 88 (sometimes badged as the Eighty-Eight) was in production for a full half-century, from 1949 to 1999. It was usually the bread-and-butter sedan for families who needed plenty of room. The sixth generation ran from 1965 to 1967, with a facelift coming midway in 1967. Oldsmobile jumped on the long hood/short deck theme popular at the time and the fastback hardtops like this one were referred to as Holiday Coupes. In ’67, they returned to the use of parking lights sandwiched between dual headlights.
Delta 88s had a 425 cubic inch “Super Rocket” V8 as standard equipment and one of these resides in the seller’s car. At 82,000 miles, the machine runs well, thanks in part to a recent fluids change and tune-up. This Olds has called Southern California home its entire life, and has only changed hands a few times and comes with some original paperwork. It still has its original “black plates” from the 1960s. The seller said that most of the Cameo Ivory paint is original with just enough surface rust to appeal to patina fans.
While the back seat looks almost perfect, it appears that use and the Sun have played havoc with the front seat upholstery which will need redoing. The car hasn’t been driven a lot recently, so some minor tinkering may be needed before you decide to take this 88 for long drives. Unless it’s the Delta 88 Custom model, only 2,447 coupes like this were built (the Custom garnered 12,192 more buyers). This looks like the true grandma’s car that the seller advertises, and it could be a nice find for Oldsmobile aficionados.
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Comments
Way to much cash
@ Tom……Nahhhh…11.2K is right on target for the condition & potential this has, per J.D. Powers.
utesman, here’s a link:
https://www.jdpower.com/cars/1967/oldsmobile/delta-88/2-door-hardtop-coupe
The problem I have with any old car price guides is that 1) these only include data from big name auctions like B-J, which isn’t the real world, and 2) unless one is talking about Camaros, Mustangs, or Corvettes, there aren’t enough of them sold at big name auctions to develop a statistically valid database. It is not possible for guides like this to gather and include data from private sales. I’m sure that my $3500 purchase of a similar 1967 Delta 88 a couple of years ago isn’t included. And yeah, that was a running, driving car with almost no rust.
Seen better for less! Love the 67 and 68 delta and delmonts!
Obviously a “California Emissions” car. When did they start requiring “smog pumps” in CA??
All 1966-67 Oldsmobiles sold in California came with the A.I.R. system (aka, smog pump). The system was not used for the 1968 model year.
Thanks for keeping this site accurate Joe!
The first year of California smog pump was 1966
This is a Delta 88, not a Delta Custom. The Delta Custom had different side trim and the coupes came with bucket seats as standard equipment. I don’t know where the author got those production numbers, but they are incorrect. Olds built 14,471 Delta 88 Holiday Coupes for the 1967 model year.
WAY to high an asking price for that condition!
gosh its got the look but should be way less asking price. this one may be a break-even investment after you minus all the fun its going to give ya
Grandma made good use of the options list (air conditioning, power windows, tilt wheel)
What a great one to have brought home in ’67. Loaded with air, power windows and telescoping column. Delta it’s still came with the 425 as standard in ’67. Truly a cool old find.
Those black license plates are cool. Tried to get my hands on one when i was in beautiful Marina Del Rey. Brought back one with the Sun ☀️ on it instead. Some great driving roads in California.
I have vague recollections of the Oldsmobile advertising campaigns back then and their “Rocket 88”.
This is a big car.
Typical American excess, and not seeing the writing on the wall.
In 1966 there wasn’t any writing on the wall.
The funny thing is today when you park a vehicle next to an old classic like this, there isn’t all that much difference in overall size. The styling makes them look larger.
Not only is size comparable, but the new vehicles are substantially heavier. Why does an SUV used for commuting only need to be 6,000 lbs?
Back then the writing on the wall was the future is smaller. Just look at late 70’s & 80’s Americans; LTDs, caprices, etc.
But history tends to repeat itself. Excess reigns again in America.
There was no “handwriting” on the wall until OPEC turned off the spigot in 1973. I’m guessing you weren’t even alive then.
Been driving my ’70 Cutlass to work for a few days to prep it for winter hibernation. Parking next to modern pickups and SUVs, it looks absolutely puny. It’s roofline is even lower than a modern Civic’s.
Joe padavano
The writing was there. All the big three were building compact and midsize cars from the early 60’s because there was a market there. And yes I was there back then. Just got kick off my health insurance due to aging out and now looking at Medicare.
OPEC was a whole different story and another case for down sizing if we hadn’t gotten the message yet.
As we all know, vehicles today are heavy partly because of all the modern items installed on them that old cars don’t have. Considering that it’s not unusual for vehicles now to weigh a ton or more than a comparable old car; modern engineers have done a remarkable job with handling and braking. I drove lots of “full size” vehicles back in the day and they didn’t seem big to me then. But when my wife parks her compact SUV next to my 1952 Plymouth; her car is as big as it and considerably heavier too. Yet it will run rings around the old vehicles. I guess it’s all relative.
Suspension and tire technology is farther advanced from the 50s and 60s. Just consider the aspect ratio and width of tires today. Which means you have to engineer the springs and shocks to accommodate the new rubber. The old car looks good and rides nice on those tall tires but handling is much better today.
Not all cars are worth unreasonable money just because they’re old.