Hi everyone,

I'm new to the forums and looking to purchase a late 60's early 70's Olds. I think this 1969 88 looks pretty cool. http://www.pinnacle-csl.com/used/764...dsmobile-Delta

Can anybody give me a heads up on what I should look out for (other than if the car runs well, rust, etc.)? I'm talking about what often happens with this model, how to tell if it is what they say it is, does this type of roof often peel or something like that, etc. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

If this vehicle turned out the way I wanted I'd buy it, get new carpets and seats, get a paint job, new rims and tires, and some other esthetically pleasing alterations heh. I'm not very handy when it comes to vehicle mechanics, like engine work.

Thanks again.

 

Those were good cars.
Should have the 455 w/c heads.
My first car was a 69 88 36 yrs ago.
Seems like a fair price for a 71000 mi
driver.

 

Looks pretty good, no under hood shots though. Looks like rear bumper rusted thru and interior upholstery worn. Could be a 350 but I would want the 455. Price may be good but would need an in person look. Pictures show very little.

 

I think the Dodge Caliber in the background just might fit in the trunk of that Olds! Maybe you can rent out the trunk spare for storage to make a few bucks to fund the repairs!

 

It's a Royale which was the top Delta 88- it had nicer trim and if you look close at the picture of the rear of the car, you'll see the special Royale rear window treatment.

They were very good cars but be warned there's not much aftermarket or reproduction parts support for them, so get the best one you can to start.

These cars were known to come thru with the 390 horsepower Highway Patrol car engine, though this one seems to have single exhaust.

 

Check out the bubbles in the vinal top lower rear window. I think it would make a good driver.

 

I noticed that as well... Never dealt with something like this. Any way to fix it?

I'm trying to decide whether to go see it or not over the weekend. It's a good 45 min drive from home.

 

The 350 was the base engine only in the Delta 88 line. The Delta 88 Custom and Delta 88 Royale came standard with the 455. If it's the base 455, it's low-compression (9 to 1), takes regular fuel, has a 2-bbl carburetor, and puts out 310 hp. Two optional 455s were available, each high-compression (10.25 to 1), each with 4-bbl carburetors, taking premium fuel, and putting out 365 hp if single exhaust and 390 hp if dual exhaust.


Another indication that it's a Royale is the Royale badge on the right side of the trunk lid.





The car does have issues, to be sure (note the missing/damaged trim around the left-side taillight in the above photo), but his $2499 asking price (marked down, I see, from $8995 -- yeah, right) reflects this.

You can get the seats reupholstered at any competent upholstery shop, and the interior will look fine. Exterior body and trim parts have to come from donor cars as nothing is reproduced for these cars, as others have noted.

Engine and other mechanical parts (brakes, suspension, transmission) should not be a problem.


If I bought it, the first thing to go would be those idiotic, skull-and-crossbones wheelcovers.



If you're at all interested, it's well worth the 45 minute drive to look at it. It would be a fun outing, and cars like this don't crop up on such a regular basis that you can say no and assume something will come up a mile away next week. People travel cross-country to get old cars. 45 miles is nothing!

 

Bought one of these back in early 70's for wife. I love the side view...looks like a large muscle car profile. I don't remember any major problems...replaced front upper arm bushings. Baby blue, white buckets and top, 8trk. Had the 455 4bl single exh engine and would bust loose from stop like a sure-nough hot rod (Olds torque!) and got pretty good hwy milage for back then. Loved it! Added rear stab bar and radials and it handled decently. I always assume a vinyl top will have rust problems as the bubbles show. It could be 'minor' fix or pretty major. If it was near me I would definitely take a look and make an offer, knowing it will need some work and like others say, body parts will be hard to find. I'm a sucker for old cars, especially ones like I had!

 

One other thing that comes to mind are the brakes. If it's a disc brake car and needs rotors, those rotors have become hard to find.

 

If its a car you are really interested in 45 minutes isn't bad. 40+ yr old cars aren't available on every street corner these days. The car looks to be in nice shape and it looks like its had a repaint. The interior might even clean up pretty well. I'd nake sure that all the electronics work (noticed power seat) and look underneath for any rust issues. Take an inventory of any missing or badly worn trim items. Like said before, there isn't a lot of aftermarket support so any repairs will require EBay hunting or restoration/fabrication of what you have. Popping the grilles out for a respray would give the niose a fresh look.
Keep in mind that these cars don't have a huge following so any $$ you put into it will be because you wnat to enjoy the car. Putting big money into it will put you in thne red if/when you sell. With that being said, it could be a nice driver with a little bit of work. x2 on the hubcaps. It would look better as soon as you popped them off & left the steel wheels bare.
Good Luck.

 

Spend at least an hour looking in great detail for flaws. Insist on a a veiw on a hoist for the underside. Even if it means a drive to the local muffler shop or whatnot.

Point out every one to the seller. Especially things you must hire done- brakes, suspension rubbers, etc.

Then thrust $1500 cash at him and watch him take it.

Buyers are few and far between for this kind of car.

 

Thank you everyone for your input. I'm going to take Octania's advice and head out to see the vehicle over the weekend. Let's see what I walk away with

jaunty75 thanks for the breakdown of the Royale. I'll see which 455 is in the vehicle.

 

Any of the 455 should give plenty of power for driving. My daily driver has the bottom-end 455 (2bbl) and it will still leave tracks everywhere.

As far as the bubbles under the top go, it's more than likely rust, or the tops come unglued. Either way that top has to come off. If it's rust, you're looking at a custom patch job. I personally rebuilt the window channel on mine, but I'd hate to see what a shop would charge to fix it.