New youngster
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New youngster
Well I guess this is my intro thread lol. 22 abd I recently acquired a 1971 delta 88 custom. Only thing wrong is that it needs head gaskets replaced. I really want this car to be a show car eventually but for now with my budget and income I will just use it as basic transportation. Hopefully I can find people in the dfw area that can offer advice on finding some parts like bumper or grill helping me restore it fully.
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: southeastern Michigan
Two-door? Four-door? Hardtop? What engine? How many miles? We need more info and photos!
Welcome to the site. If you haven't already been told, a million people will tell you to post photos of your car, and another million will tell you that parts for the full-size Oldsmobiles are not reproduced in the aftermarket. Bumpers, grilles, and anything else body or trim-related will have to come from donor cars. But there are a lot of Dallas-area people on here, so perhaps you'll get some suggestions.
Welcome to the site. If you haven't already been told, a million people will tell you to post photos of your car, and another million will tell you that parts for the full-size Oldsmobiles are not reproduced in the aftermarket. Bumpers, grilles, and anything else body or trim-related will have to come from donor cars. But there are a lot of Dallas-area people on here, so perhaps you'll get some suggestions.
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Ok I'm on mobile so posting pictures is still a hassle for me
It's 455 engine idk the engine miles because the block was recently placed. 4 door hard top. Everything inside right now is the same thing from 1971. When I get to a computer I'll gladly post pictures. Everything inside including headliner looks almost brand new. Only thing missing really is a bumper idk if the grill can be re shaped or not but if so then that'll make it that much easier. Everything else just needs to have slight patches which shouldn't be too hard to find people to do.
It's 455 engine idk the engine miles because the block was recently placed. 4 door hard top. Everything inside right now is the same thing from 1971. When I get to a computer I'll gladly post pictures. Everything inside including headliner looks almost brand new. Only thing missing really is a bumper idk if the grill can be re shaped or not but if so then that'll make it that much easier. Everything else just needs to have slight patches which shouldn't be too hard to find people to do.
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From: southeastern Michigan
Actually, no. From that photo, there is clearly a pillar between the front door and rear door windows, so that would make it pillared sedan and not a hardtop, which would have no center pillar. Olds called this design a "Town Sedan." (But then, you did admit that you're only 22 years old. We can't expect such young folks, especially if they're new to old Oldsmobiles, to be up on the terminology of 40+ years ago!)
Nice acquisition nonetheless.
What's the story on the roof? There's black trim on the rear pillar and along the roof above the side windows. It almost looks like the car originally had a black vinyl top that someone removed the middle part of. Or was that the original design?
I've seen sun-damaged paint, but I would think that if that's the problem with the roof paint, you might also see it on the trunk lid and hood as they're also upward-facing and would have seen just as much sunlight over the years.
Nice acquisition nonetheless.
What's the story on the roof? There's black trim on the rear pillar and along the roof above the side windows. It almost looks like the car originally had a black vinyl top that someone removed the middle part of. Or was that the original design?
I've seen sun-damaged paint, but I would think that if that's the problem with the roof paint, you might also see it on the trunk lid and hood as they're also upward-facing and would have seen just as much sunlight over the years.
Last edited by jaunty75; Oct 7, 2013 at 09:02 AM.
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Actually, no. From that photo, there is clearly a pillar between the front door and rear door windows, so that would make it pillared sedan and not a hardtop, which would have no center pillar. Olds called this design a "Town Sedan." (But then, you did admit that you're only 22 years old. We can't expect such young folks, especially if they're new to old Oldsmobiles, to be up on the terminology of 40+ years ago!)
Nice acquisition nonetheless.
What's the story on the roof? There's black trim on the rear pillar and along the roof above the side windows. It almost looks like the car originally had a black vinyl top that someone removed the middle part of. Or was that the original design?
I've seen sun-damaged paint, but I would think that if that's the problem with the roof paint, you might also see it on the trunk lid and hood as they're also upward-facing and would have seen just as much sunlight over the years.
Nice acquisition nonetheless.
What's the story on the roof? There's black trim on the rear pillar and along the roof above the side windows. It almost looks like the car originally had a black vinyl top that someone removed the middle part of. Or was that the original design?
I've seen sun-damaged paint, but I would think that if that's the problem with the roof paint, you might also see it on the trunk lid and hood as they're also upward-facing and would have seen just as much sunlight over the years.
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From: southeastern Michigan
All you gotta do is figure out how to rotate 'em! My neck hurts too much otherwise.
The interior does look good. That exterior, though, is an issue. A complete repaint is what's in order.
The interior does look good. That exterior, though, is an issue. A complete repaint is what's in order.
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Yeah the exterior I can handle I just need a grill and front bumper. Hopefully this one isn't flipped! I tried re flipping it when the upload page showed it sideways. It's harder I'm using a phone for this
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From: southeastern Michigan
You know, you're supposed to be the 22-year-old computer whiz who shows us old fogies a thing or two about doing things on a computer! 
All I do is open the photo is Windows Photo Viewer, rotate it one way or the other as appropriate, and then close photoviewer. The rotated version is saved automatically.
All I do is open the photo is Windows Photo Viewer, rotate it one way or the other as appropriate, and then close photoviewer. The rotated version is saved automatically.
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You know, you're supposed to be the 22-year-old computer whiz who shows us old fogies a thing or two about doing things on a computer!
All I do is open the photo is Windows Photo Viewer, rotate it one way or the other as appropriate, and then close photoviewer. The rotated version is saved automatically.
All I do is open the photo is Windows Photo Viewer, rotate it one way or the other as appropriate, and then close photoviewer. The rotated version is saved automatically.
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: southeastern Michigan
Ha ha ha, just funnin' with ya!
You're going to need more than just a front bumper and grille, but a new header panel as well. That'll have to come from another '71 full-size Oldsmobile (88, 98, or Custom Cruiser). No other year interchanges, and no other comparable GM model (Buick, Chevy, Pontiac) does, either.
You're going to need more than just a front bumper and grille, but a new header panel as well. That'll have to come from another '71 full-size Oldsmobile (88, 98, or Custom Cruiser). No other year interchanges, and no other comparable GM model (Buick, Chevy, Pontiac) does, either.
Last edited by jaunty75; Oct 7, 2013 at 03:33 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 15
Ha ha ha, just funnin' with ya!
You're going to need more than just a front bumper and grille, but a new header panel as well. That'll have to come from another '71 full-size Oldsmobile (88, 98, or Custom Cruiser). No other year interchanges, and no other comparable GM model (Buick, Chevy, Pontiac) does, either.
You're going to need more than just a front bumper and grille, but a new header panel as well. That'll have to come from another '71 full-size Oldsmobile (88, 98, or Custom Cruiser). No other year interchanges, and no other comparable GM model (Buick, Chevy, Pontiac) does, either.
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Can't find a single place in America with the exact year or part. Closest place is canada and my father in law is pushing for me to keep it with no bumper. I'm probably going to trade it or sell it to someone with the income and time to get the parts. But I'm looking at an 86 cutlass so if and when I do sell it I'll pick it up. If I do get a good part that's closer ill definitely keep it
same but different
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,965
From: Central Missouri
I find this to be so true, you guys with the big cars got if rough.
Namismmm, welcome. You got a nice car there, all things considered. Hope it works out, but an 86 is pretty nice too. You'll still have parts challenges though.
Namismmm, welcome. You got a nice car there, all things considered. Hope it works out, but an 86 is pretty nice too. You'll still have parts challenges though.
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 15,192
From: southeastern Michigan
Check this thread out for parts for your '71. The front end parts off of his '71 98 should fit fine on your Delta.
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...tml#post603610
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...tml#post603610
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