1965 Olds Delta 88

[cwd56]

I have been shopping around for a good project car and come across a 65 delta 88 in decent shape body wise, the engine is locked down though owner says it's a 421. but there is only some very minor body damage on back left bumper and some rust but nothing is rusted through. He's asking $500 because he claims it's a hard car to find. 2 door hard top. no cracked or broken glass either. Interior is shot but that's not really that big a deal at the moment to me. All I am trying to figure out is if it's sounds like a good buy? This will be my first restoration that I've done alone I've always just helped my friend on his and never really got involved on the money side of it. Thanks for your inputs in advance.

CW

[bigchris20022]

i paid 500 for my delta but the engine just needed a tune up and it was ready to go. but i can vouch that it is hard to find because i have been looking for a gas tank for three years.

[Oldsmaniac]

The engine should be a 425....most likely it has a 2bbl as that was standard. An expensive car to restore because of its size and little is reproduced for this car. All mechanicals though should be easy to find. Would be a nice cruiser when done.

[DAN76]

i've got a 4 door pillarless 65 Delta88 in the UK. As far as I know it's the only one over here!

I paid £4000 for mine, in very good working order.

[Satellitecentral]

I,m from the UK , Moved to the US about 7 years ago ,
I have a 66 4 door , Dynamic 88 with a Torker 455 intake , and an AFB 4 bbl
my question is , How in the Hell can you drive a 65 in London , lol :-)
I had a hard enough time with a Mini !!!!, and the price off Gas there !!

Just pokin a bit off Fun

I love my 66

[Satellitecentral]

By the Way ,
Dan , did you get my email reply ?

[radioburningchrome]

Delta 88's are not all that rare for a 44 year old car (2 door hardtop). A Jetstar 88, Jetstar 1 or Starfire coupe would be a rare find.

It is possible the car has a Pontiac 421. Those a worth a good buck. Sell the 421 and get a 425. This will help finance your resto.

Post some pics if you can...

[DAN76]

Originally Posted by Satellitecentral

By the Way ,
Dan , did you get my email reply ?

yes mate, replied this morning

[DAN76]

Originally Posted by Satellitecentral

I,m from the UK , Moved to the US about 7 years ago ,
I have a 66 4 door , Dynamic 88 with a Torker 455 intake , and an AFB 4 bbl
my question is , How in the Hell can you drive a 65 in London , lol :-)
I had a hard enough time with a Mini !!!!, and the price off Gas there !!

Just pokin a bit off Fun

I love my 66

I actually live just outside of London in Essex. I think it would probably be impossible to navigate the barge through Central London, unless i took it through the bus lanes
Petrol is expensive but what the heck, I get far too much enjoyment from driving it to worry about that.

Is your lump a 425 or 455?
i bet that goes like sh*t off a hot shovel!!!!

[Satellitecentral]

LOL!
Its a 425 , I think , if i,m not mistaken , that was standard in 66 ?
From what I gather the 455 came along later .

I wired the Switch Pitch Tranny up to a toggle switch yesterday , an took her for a good drive , playing with the tranny , super cool
Now I have "Launch Control!"
Now I have to either get an Electronic Controller for it , or just stick with a switch ,
I would like to have the controller , but it,s a bit pricey , compared to a 4.99 switch

Some other things to do to the Beast , before spending money on the electronics

[Samson]

Originally Posted by cwd56

I have been shopping around for a good project car and come across a 65 delta 88 in decent shape body wise, the engine is locked down though owner says it's a 421. but there is only some very minor body damage on back left bumper and some rust but nothing is rusted through. He's asking $500 because he claims it's a hard car to find. 2 door hard top. no cracked or broken glass either. Interior is shot but that's not really that big a deal at the moment to me. All I am trying to figure out is if it's sounds like a good buy? This will be my first restoration that I've done alone I've always just helped my friend on his and never really got involved on the money side of it. Thanks for your inputs in advance.

CW

I would say the $500 might be worth it if you like the car and can spend the money to fix'er up -- engine might not be that bad off, One of my cars sat for 20-25yrs and Orig Owner said engine was bad, I changed oil and trans fluid, flushed Radiator, and clean Carb, and other stuff --- fired right! - if you can turn the crank at the pulley it might be a good sign.
heard of some people spraying 'PB BUSTER' or other Lubricant in to spark plug holes, on 'stuck' motors, and let it sit for a bit then try turning crank - KInda makes some sense I guess, however I don't know about that, but seems to have worked for some people.
Anyway if motor is bad - you can rebuild it, or find one at a Junk yard for cheap {maybe not a 421-2 or 425, but something suitable... } course always Ebay...